Have you ever been told to wear or not wear something because of your age, body type, or height? Same. That’s why SmartGlamour, a brand that aims to be body inclusive, has launched a campaign called #I’mFlattered. The campaign features women holding signs that contain advice they’ve received about dressing for their bodies—usually something to do with covering up less-perfect areas of their bodies—and wearing an outfit that disregards the rule.
Mallorie, a blogger for SmartGlamour, writes on the brand’s blog, “I asked women of all sizes, shapes, ages, and ethnicity if there was ever a time (or times) when a stranger or loved one concluded they were the expert on their body and presentation—and decided to voice it. I decided to invite some of these women to tell their stories, hand making them the exact kind of garment they were advised against wearing—not just to prove these ‘experts’ wrong—but to show that their bodies are up to them, and them alone,” she says. What SmartGlamour takes issue with not only the idea that certain kinds of clothing are only “flattering” on certain body shapes and sizes, but also the notion that others have the right to dictate what you should and shouldn’t wear.
Mallorie’s post also emphasizes that with the power of anonymity that social media has granted us, it’s so easy to be on the receiving end of unsolicited advice regarding what’s flattering. SmartGlamour’s campaign really drives home the empowering reminder that fashion has no rules, and you have no reason to feel embarrassed or afraid of wearing certain cuts, colors, or patterns. A big shoutout to all the fearless women who are featured in SmartGlamour’s campaign and who refuse to compromise their freedom to dress how they want.
After all, our ideas of how clothing should be worn are ever-evolving, so there’s no right or wrong way to dress. Once we stop limiting ourselves with the word “flattering,” we will have so many more exciting options in our closets.