Libby Faulkner noticed a shift in her clothing choices after she lost around 50 pounds. She opted for tighter fitting clothes, but they weren’t necessarily stylish. “I couldn’t piece together outfits; I didn’t concentrate on that,” she reflects. “It was all about, ‘Now that I’m skinny, I can wear skinny jeans and crop tops.’”

However, as she started to gain weight again, she realized her confidence issues weren’t tied to her size but stemmed from her belief that she couldn’t dress well in a fuller figure.

“I thought being skinny would answer all my problems and make me stylish. Yet when I reached that point, I understood that was far from the truth,” she says.

She began to remove limits on her wardrobe and started exploring new colors and patterns. Like many fashion creators on TikTok sharing their journeys with weight and style, she found that gaining weight actually improved her fashion sense and confidence. In a culture that often equates “skinny” with “fit,” it’s important to highlight inclusive fashion narratives.

The pressure to choose slimming, ‘flattering’ outfits

Lauren Morgillo was also anxious about putting on the “freshman 15.” Before college, she did everything possible to stay “as tiny as possible,” believing that losing weight would enhance her confidence. She wore tight jeans and crop tops to social events, exposing her body fully, but now laughs at how “atrocious” those outfits were.

During the pandemic, weight gain meant she couldn’t wear her favorite clothes anymore — they just did not fit. “I felt like I was forcing myself into outfits unsuitable for my new shape,” she explains. “There was pressure for clothes to be flattering, hiding my arms and enhancing my waist.”

Body positive influencer Vicki Reckless also struggled to establish her style since she was focused on fitness trends. She thought the looks promoted by fitness influencers didn’t suit her figure. Her choice was to cover her curves with baggy pants – which she clarifies isn’t a problem in itself, but her motivation wasn’t from comfort; it came from self-loathing.

Upon realizing this, she discovered her identity through the weight she gained in adulthood.

“I understood that I was comparing my adult body to the one I had as a teenager, before it fully developed,” she says. “It became vital to accept and love my current body, something I’ve actively worked on and shared online.”

The journey of fashion: embracing colors, patterns, and confronting insecurities

Morgillo began experimenting with different styles, such as lower-waisted pants and longer tops, layering outfits, and focusing more on color coordination. This evolution helped her to cultivate a personal style rather than simply wearing anything.

Carolyn Mair, a cognitive psychologist and fashion business consultant, states that reconciling with your changing figure can help individuals resist societal ideals and body standards.

“Looking good ties closely with feeling good,” Mair explains. “As people gain weight, they often become more aware of the importance of comfort in clothing, which leads to a more satisfying fashion experience through outfits that genuinely fit their preferences and way of life … ultimately resulting in a more genuine and self-assured personal style.”

Faulkner now revels in her body and opts for outfits that some might not view as “flattering.”

“Society always pushes to choose clothing that makes you look smaller; why would one want garments that appear to enlarge?” she questions. “But I don’t view that as a concern, and I believe others shouldn’t either.”

Faulkner once avoided showing her arms and selected outfits that concealed her figure, such as steering clear of backless tops or short dresses. “Now, I create new silhouettes, combining a poofy skirt and an oversized top, and I can wear outfits that may seem ‘bulkier’ but provide me comfort,” she explains.

Trends still emphasize slenderness, but are also embracing uniqueness

Morgillo notes that women’s body shapes often fade in and out of fashion. While curviness had its time in the late 2010s, she perceives a return to the Y2K thin aesthetic, influenced by cultural nostalgia for figures like the Victoria’s Secret Angels, Paris Hilton, and the resurgence of low-rise jeans along with the use of Ozempic.

Nonetheless, fashion has also gained a more personalized edge, with distinctiveness becoming a sought-after quality in contemporary trends. “Thinness is still esteemed, and I believe it always will be … however, people are now more inclined to show off unique styles rather than conforming,” she adds.

By sharing body positivity content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok throughout 2020, Reckless became increasingly confident in her appearance. In the past year, she’s also begun sharing styling advice tailored for those with mid-size and curvy bodies.

Reckless shares her insights on body positivity.

“Often, issues related to body image aren’t actually about how our bodies look. They might stem from a desire to feel accepted, included, or connected to something larger,” Reckless explains. “When you try to dress according to trends that don’t suit your body shape, it can lead to feelings of isolation.”

Moreover, following fashion trends didn’t necessarily bring her joy.

“My style has shifted away from chasing trends,” she continues. “Now, I focus on finding colors and shapes that bring me happiness because that’s the essence of fashion and style – helping you feel confident in who you are.”

Yet, building confidence can be challenging

Both Morgillo and Reckless encounter difficult days regarding their body image. They often find themselves thinking, “I wish I could wear that” or “I wish I were that size again.” They emphasize that it’s perfectly okay to experience these feelings.

“Gaining weight has allowed me to accept my body more than when I was thinner. It took that weight gain for me to understand that my body’s appearance is the least fascinating aspect of me,” Reckless remarks. “Clothing should enhance your confidence, but the source of that confidence comes from within.”

Faulkner often hears the question, “How do you manage to be so confident?” which she finds quite surprising.

“I don’t need to feel ‘confident,’ I just wear what I choose,” she states. “I feel confident about my style, but my confidence in my body is always evolving and varies from day to day.”