Maxed Out

I did it. I broke down and bought THE fashion victim item of the season. Yes everyone. I bought my very own maxi-dress.

At first, I felt a bit "Kirstie Alley" in this dress. You never see her not pictured in one and in fact, they are her "uniform" according to a recent interview I read. She insinuates that they are for maximum coverage and a place for her to hide her body. She is full of self-hatred and I'm not going there. Quite the opposite in fact. I realized that when I wear this dress, as I did yesterday to the theater ("Grey Gardens" - amazing), I feel very feminine and...well, supple! It's very fashion-forward and sassy, yet super comfortable. I love how it flows around my legs as I walk and how it gives me some incredible, soft cleavage (something that has been hidden under wintery sweaters for far too long!) In short - it felt really great to wear, and I looked awesome as well. What's not to like.

It makes me think about how simply getting dressed is often a political statement when you are a large woman. So many women are like Kirstie Alley. We're supposed to be disgusted with ourselves and feel like we must hide the offending thighs or stomach, or entire person. That's why Kirstie is on the cover of magazines now berating herself so horribly. It's completely expected. But then we come along and totally throw a wrench into that entire plan. When you refuse to schlep around in worn out, ugly clothing and instead choose to honor your beautiful self by wearing only items you love and feel great in, someone, somewhere is thinking you have alot of nerve. Someone may say to you "you always manage to look nice" as an underhanded complement that serves to remind you how rare they consider it for someone of your size to manage to pull herself together in a way that doesn't scream "foraging in the woods for nuts and berries." Someone may think you're uppity or snobby. Someone may wonder why you go to the effort when you obviously should be focused on losing weight before you invest in nice clothes.

Someone...anyone..all of them..can kiss my Rachel Pally-wearing ass.

Whew. Now I am putting on my second most trendy item of the summer, gladiator sandals, and going for a walk!