The Bomb Life: The June 2014 Issue of People Style Watch Magazine + Perceptions of Curvy Women in Media

Last Friday morning, before I officially ‘woke up’ I told myself: today is going to be a great blogging day.
And just like that: in addition to premiering great exclusive content with our latest episode of Fashion Bomb TV, I also found out that I’m featured in the June 2014 issue of People Style Watch!

Yes!!!
But of course with every great piece of news (so many Fashion Bomb readers were super supportive–thankyou!!), there are always naysayers.
One reader, Cha Cha wrote, “I like Claire a lot and I love her in the first dress and definitely agree with her wearing fuller skirts but I do not think that sheath dresses or the loose shirts are for her. I agree with v necks but not in that loose shape. I am also very busty (though I’m also more hippy than her) and I don’t think she has truly learned to dress for her body yet. Especially in regards to the sheath isn’t flattering and I felt that same way when she wore that Kenzo sweatshirt in LA.”

Ya know what? The more I share, the more I realize that I’m never going to get it right for some people. And that’s ok. Not to say I’m a fashion icon by any means! But I’m not stick thin. And even if I knock it out the park, I just won’t please everyone–perhaps because women in general aren’t accustomed to seeing women with curves represented in the media.

I’ve been told I ‘can’t’ wear so many things due to my bust size. You name it: crop tops, loose tops, tight tops, shirts buttoned all the way up, sheath dresses. Most critiques are entreaties for me hide, minimize, or camouflage my body.

Of course, I’m always open to suggestions–I don’t get it right all the time (who does?). But I also feel as if there’s this pressure with bigger women to run and hide instead of show and flaunt.

Mindy Kaling is, in some ways, my spirit animal. She and I are probably around the same size (a solid 10), and we both work out. Neither of us want to be skinny per se…and are ok with that. I absolutely love this interview she did with Jimmy Kimmel below:

To be a curvy woman in the spotlight is humbling. The world is telling you to conform, what you should and shouldn’t wear for your shape, and it’s hard not to succumb to the pressure (as I type, I’m almost paralyzed because I threw my back out at the gym! I’ve always worked out, though I’m learning that my diet could indeed use some tweaking.)
At any rate, here’s hoping that people like Mindy and I can encourage women to embrace and play up their shape. And also not to conform to the rules or succumb to the pressure of society telling you what you can or can’t wear.
Just do you! Keep it cute. And be happy;)
xoxo