The outfit that helped me learn to love my imperfections

Learning to love yourself can be difficult, especially when you've had issues with body image in the past. I'm a curvy gal and all and I'm cool with that - well, I'm trying to be cool with that and I'm slowly learning to love myself and my curves more and more. Keep reading to see why this outfit has given me the body confidence boost that we all need...

At school I was never the popular girl. I wanted to be one of the 'cool kids' of course, but in the end, I just accepted the fact that I'd never be one of them. Part of the reason that I wasn't 'cool' was because I was chubby - which in this day and age now sounds so stupid, doesn't it!? When I was younger (and even recently) I've been on diets, I've tried my hardest to shed some of my chub but due to some health issues (such as not having a Gall Bladder which means I can't burn fat very well), losing weight isn't as easy as it sounds. I'm in good health though - I work-out regularly, I eat plenty of fruit and veg and I'm healthy, so who cares if I'm a bit chubbier, curvier and thicker than the 'beauty ideal'? 

At the end of the day, I'm curvy, I have thick thighs and a soft stomach and I'm learning to love myself and my 'so-called' imperfections. So many young, impressionable girls (and boys) are exposed to an unrealistic beauty ideal - thin, flawless and most probably, photoshopped. Having curves is normal, not being super slim is normal and having cellulite, stretch marks and thighs that meet is also 100% normal. 

I think a big part of body confidence comes down to what we wear. I definitely believe in power dressing, but not in the traditional sense. I believe that if we're wearing an out, any outfit, that makes us feel powerful, confident and dare I say, sassy - then this is the best possible form of power dressing. It doesn't matter what you're wearing - the only thing that matters is how you feel when you're wearing any specific outfit. For example, in the outfit I'm wearing here, my jeans hug my broad hips and round bum and I love it! My blouse is sheer, cool and perfect for summer, it also makes me feel good. My bag is my favourite EVER bag, therefore that makes me feel happy. My sunglasses are very on trend and allow me to feel confident, therefore I adore them! 

Whether you channel this in the form of a bright lipstick, your favourite underwear, a new hair-do or wearing something that makes you feel comfortable - do it! You'll soon realise that our body image issue are all in our mind and other people don't really care. Wear what you want.. do you.. be you!

Usually I'd have cringed at these photographs. I'd have thought that my thighs looked unsightly, that my softness was visible through the sheerness of my top and that my side-profile was 'ugly' and not like the models and Instagram famous girls I follow.. but honestly.. I am ME and nothing can change that. If I can find the beauty in my imperfections, then that's all that matters because the only opinion of my body that really matters is mine.. MY OPINION on MY BODY is the only opinion that matters.

So, a little more about the outfit I'm sporting.. 

Blouse

I'm wearing the most amazing floral blouse from Primark, which was only £10, believe it or not. The sleeve detailing is amazing and so 'high-end' looking! The blouse could easily pass as a Dolce and Gabanna garment. I'm really loving these tulip style bell sleeves, especially when they're as oversized and floaty as these woodland floral beauties - the extra frill detailing also makes me gush with fashion love!

Jeans

The jeans I'm sporting are my favoutie ever River Island Molly Ripped Jeans, I've had them for 3 years and they're the most comfortable, flattering jeans I own. I find that these jeans exentuate my hips nicely and when I feel comfortable in my appearance I'm definitely more confident. Once you find your perfect pair of jeans, nothing compares or ever comes close. A good, comfy pair of jeans can change your outlook on life and on your body image too. Skinny, comfy jeans are perfect if you have a shapely bum and curvy hips, as they define these features well without making them look misshapen.

Sunglasses

My gorgeous Sunglasses are from Sunglasses Shop and they're the Ralph by Ralph Lauren 5207 Sunglasses in Matte Black. The frames are absolutely gorgeous and I can't get enough of wearing them - they have a very geek-chic vibe about them and that's something I'm really loving at the moment. The metal detailing on the bridge and the arms adds a really chic and expensive vibe, while the matte black frames are incredibly edgy and add something different that is both unique and very very designer! I love, love, love these frames - they're just SO me! I got these from Sunglasses Shop a few weeks ago for just £93! Not only do Sunglasses Shop ship your order incredibly quickly but your order comes packaged beautifully in a Sunglasses Shop bag - perfect for gifting to a loved one. I love these Ralph by Ralph Lauren 5207 sunglasses - they're definitely my summer 2017 shades!!

Every single element of this outfit has given me a much needed confidence boost. The sunglasses that make me feel sassy, the bag I have loved for years, the jeans that hug my figure and the blouse that keeps me cool and comfortable. Wearing what you love can really give you a boost.

Wear what you love and then learn to love the elements of your body that you once hated - it really is as simple as that to gain body confidence and a real sense of body positivity. Providing you can block out the beauty ideal - realise that it isn't for you, that you are fine as you are and that you don't need to diet or starve yourself to look beautiful - you'll learn to love yourself in next to no time at all...

What part of your body do you hate the most and what makes you feel better about it? Let me know in the comments below. For me, it's my bum and thighs, but a good pair of jeans helps me feel better at it. I also love looking at Curve Models on Instagram - this gives me a huge confidence boost!