Category Archives: Fashion

I have to be honest. Most of the time, my “fashion” consists of some short and tee combo that’s one step above jammies. I don’t feel the need to be a fashionista 24/7. I do, however, like to keep up on the latest trends to see whether or not they will fit my esthetic for the times I do put a little more effort into my look. One such trend that has come back around in recent years are high-waisted jeans. I remember a time when wearing anything but low rise was a crime. Muffin-top reigned supreme. Whale tails were a daily sighting. While this is nothing to be proud of, I still needed some deprogramming. One recent experience did not help me in accepting my high-waisted fate.

So, I was strolling through Target last week thanking the heavens that I was there alone (i.e no crying baby) when I stumbled upon something that I wasn’t too sure about. In what I consider to be the teen section, were dozens of high-waisted jeans that were literally called “Mom Jeans”. Really? Mom Jeans?!

“Don’t give your mom that bottle of perfume. Give her something that says: ‘I’m not a woman anymore. I’m a mom!'”

Oh, SNL. You never disappoint.

I found these light wash, button front, pleated Mom Jeans from Wild Fable. I had to try them on! This was going to be hilarious. Keep in mind, I am not a size zero teenybopper. I’m a real mom. Size 12. Baby belly. The works.

I felt like I was having a reverse Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants moment. They seemed so oversized while holding them up.

Then I put them on.

Just what every woman wants! Let’s emphasize our belly pooch, make our butt look as wide as possible while simultaneously giving us the worst camel toe of our lives! Yes!

At this point, I was almost missing my low-rise struggles. Who cares if I have to pull up my pants every three steps? Just get me out of this mom jean nightmare.

Needless to say, these did not make it to my closet. I put them right back on the shelf for some sixteen year old to pick up so she can live out her 1980’s, Molly Ringwald ala Breakfast Club fantasies. More power to her. I’ll take the perfume, thanks.

This doesn’t mean that I haven’t been successful on my high-waisted journey. There have been some hits along with the misses. Check out my next fashion blog for recommendations!

Hugs-

Kourt

 

Okay, I made that up. But I really want to talk about this. For me, it is a relatively new concept: Mid-size fashion.

For so many years I was a size 8-10/ Medium. Pretty much everything that fell into that category fit me. Most of the time, I didn’t even need to try the clothes on, I just new it would be fine for my average averageness. Not the best but I knew where I stood.

Then… I had a baby.

I became something between a person and an empty roll of toilet paper. A semi-tanned, splotchy cylinder. My post-baby body hopes and wishes were just not realized. I was still not curvy enough for the voluptuous plus size clothing at Torrid but all my baby leftovers came spilling out of the clothes that filled my closet. It appeared that there was no place for me. I felt doomed to a gunny sack for the rest of my life. After one too many nights feeling sorry for myself, I decided to build a bridge and get over it already. It was time. 

Step one to this process was changing the way I viewed myself. This, my friends, is an ongoing process. One that I’m not sure I’ll ever see the end of. “I’m in repair. I’m not together, but I’m getting there.” ( Thanks John Mayer.)

Viewing myself and my body in a positive way has never come easy for me. I have been plagued with negative thoughts about the way I looked for as long as I can remember. But simply telling myself every day that this is where I am, this is who I am (and that’s okay!) has helped immeasurably. Just be happy! Acceptance is the first step to recovery, after all.

In this Fashion series, I will share what I found to be helpful for mid-size gals (or anyone, really) to find a style that makes us feel beautiful, fashionable and happy to be exactly who we are.