STYLE INCLUSIVE – A Leopard Print Slip-Dress on Two Women, One Misses and One Plus-Size
It’s time for another Style Inclusive post with my friend Angie of Act your Style. This month we both styled a leopard print slip dress from Target’s A New Day line. And I’m answering the question: Can an outfit be life-changing? But first…
Can My Confidence Handle this Body Confidence Series?
When Angie first approached me about this body confidence collaboration I was very excited to join because it meant someone had recognized that I too had a goal to encourage women of all shapes and sizes to be more confident and dress the body they have. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried what posting a picture of myself next to a younger, skinny woman wearing the same thing would do to what self-esteem I myself had worked hard to gain. If you’re a curvy or plus-size woman, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
However, what has surprised me is that this exercise has not negated my body-confidence gains, but has only solidified the fact that beauty and style have no age or size limit. When I see my photos next to Angie’s, instead of being critical I have honestly said, “Hey, I’m not too shabby.”
The Impact of Clothes and Styling on Your Confidence
That being said, I still don’t want to stand in a bathing suit next to a skinny girl and photograph it, (I’ve done it with my skinny sisters and that’s hard enough) but to me, this collaboration shows how important it is to style our clothes to flatter our body and our individual personalities. It also confirms the power an outfit can have, good or bad, over the way we feel about ourselves.
A lot of times we might slough off clothing and style as frivolity; I know I have. And I know I’ve said it before: An outfit may not change your life but it can change how you see yourself but I may have underestimated here.
An Outfit Can be Life-Changing
An outfit that fits well and that you know you look good in, makes you feel great and that helps you show up in your world more confident and happy. Isn’t that life-changing for us women?
But, if you’re still not convinced, how many of us remember when Marsha Brady made over the ugly-duckling of her high-school? If that’s not a great example of how a little makeup and the right clothes can give a girl so much confidence she changes her personality and becomes the most popular girl around, I don’t know what is. I know, I live in a Brady Bunch dream world but it’s a good place to live right now. 😉
See the first Style Inclusive post.
The Dress
Now that we’ve talked about a great outfit, let’s get to this affordable statement piece. I’m wearing this A New Day leopard print slip-dress in a size 1X and Angie is wearing the misses small. These dresses are cut on the bias, which, despite what stylists will tell you, is not super flattering on a curvy body. It’s for that reason, I went up a size and will see about having it altered a little once the world opens back up. After I saw Angie in hers, I’m also thinking that mine should be a little shorter as well.
I love how Angie layered pieces for a more casual look. And you all know I LOVE a good print mix!
Head over to Angie’s website to get the details of her look.
Where I’d Wear This Look
For this post, I decided to wear this slip dressed fancied-up with a white boyfriend blazer from Loft that I wore in this post. I would totally wear this to church, for date night or to a wedding.
But, keep an eye out because I also styled this cute leopard slip-dress three other ways and will be sharing those with you very soon.
Talk to Me Baby…
Can you testify to the impact of clothing and how you style it has over your mood, confidence, or even your outlook on life?
What do you wear that you feel the most confident in?
Hugs,
Shop My Look
Very pretty. Such an accurate post on all levels. It’s definitely a struggle on some days more than others. I’ve done the comparison thing many times. I remember seeing a dress I thought was really cute at Costco, but didn’t buy it, but was thinking about it. The next Sunday, one of my taller, skinnier friends had the same dress on. I remember thinking “Nope, not going to buy it, she looks way better than I will” 🙁 So sad. I’ve grown in my confidence since then. Two years ago I bought a dress for a wedding…I got it at Ross and fell in LOVE with it and felt very pretty in it! I still have it and need another excuse to wear it.
Thank you for your transparency.
Hi Paula, I have never commented before. But wanted too tell you that you look amazing in that dress!! From one Indiana girl to another. I am in Southern Indiana. Have a blessed day!!
Author
Hey Sherry! You’re so sweet. Hope you’ve been well down in the south-land. 😉 I’m so glad to have you in my tribe of real women looking to support real women. 😘
I love these posts! I agree an outfit can be life changing. I use to dress in ratty clothes waiting for me to lose weight before I got new and pretty clothes. Well my body type will never be a model body. I have learned to dress what I got. Boy does feeling pretty no matter what size I am, really does effect me. I highly recommend finding outfits that make you feel pretty. It helps with so much.
Author
Very well said Kristin! I think you’ve summed it up perfectly… feeling leery goes a. long. way. in making a woman walk with her head held high in confidence.
Hi Paula
I love this look I’m so excited I ordered it I hope it looks half as good on me. I also have a skinny sister and I always feel like I am being compared to her. You are so right about how the right outfit makes you feel more confident.
Thanks for always making me feel better
Deb
Author
I’m so glad you find this space an encouragement. The dress feels a little weird on my body but that’s the bias cut. Hoping that a few alterations will help it lay a little smother in the front.
Hi Paula! I am not a big woman or a small woman. I am a medium woman. Someone small would call me large; someone large would call me small. Anyway, I just want to say I think you look beautiful in this outfit. It has nothing to do with size and everything to do with your confidence. Your glow says it all! Well done!
Karlee
Author
Thank you Karlee. I agree. I used to be a medium woman as well. I think that’s where my struggle comes in. The comparison to my former self is the hardest one to turn off. 😁
Of course, I love this post! You hit the nail on the head (again), and it just confirms that sometimes the ” little things” are more important than we often realize. Cheers to YOU my sweet, confident friend!
See, that’s what I think too. When my first scoff at the idea that clothes make us feel better….I know the truth.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Author
Great (and stylish) minds… 😉
Such a pretty dress. I like the way both of you styled it — it always amazes me that two people can wear the same outfit and it look so different. It really goes to show that it really is about the person and the personality {fit helps too, but that’s a given}. Great job to both of you!
I think the longer length is more flattering on you than the shorter length would be .Im a plus size lady and our knees aren’t as cute as skinny ones.
Author
You’re right there. I think it should come up and hit just below the know on me; at a narrower part of my leg.
Hugs!
Paula
I love this outfit! It looks amazing with the blazer. And I personally like the longer length.
Author
I like it longer too. But I’ll just need it up a tiny bit… away from the biggest part of my calf.
I tend to compare my post 4 babies mid a action to other mom’s but I am learning to only keep in my closet what is flattering and does not cut m circulation! You look amazing in this slip dress and confidence shines through even if you were having doubts about the series. I really like this series and love to see how items can be flattering on different sizes, shapes and personalities! Keep in sharing!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Thanks Mireille! I love the series too. It’s actually been a confidence builder despite my early concerns. And your right, keeping only what fits and flatters YOUR BODY now, is also super important to your overall self esteem. 😘
Hugs,
Paula
Love that outfit! You look amazing!! Never thought about wearing white with leopard 😊
You look quite classy, my dear!
Author
Aww, thanks so much Susie!
I know we’re not supposed to compare, but I like this dress so much better on you than Angie. I love the way you have styled it and I also think the length is best just below the knee (notice the model in the ad). It looks like Angie may have shortened her dress ruining the nice “ripply” bias effect at the hemline and throwing the proportions off.
Author
Thanks Lori. I appreciate it.
Hugs!
Paula