Growing up in a "Little City" Part 2

Ahhh..Finally!!! FREEDOM!!!

At least that is what I thought when I was finally able to shop for me and my style. But, oh was I so disappointed. My favorite store has always been Lane Bryant. It was my go to store for every special event that has happened in my life. I was a 20-something year old woman who wanted to wear all the latest trends that a person my age would wear. Now, don’t get me wrong even though I was limited as far as plus size fashion I always made sure I looked very well and could keep up with my “skinner” friends. I was always popular even in high school, always laughing and dancing was one thing I can say I do very well. But, I limited myself to just one store and one style of clothing and that was whatever I saw on display at the store.  My other favorite store I loved to shop in was a little store called Cato’s that was in my town. Can you believe that til this day we only have three clothing store where a sista can shop and that is including Wal-Mart!! Sad I know but, oh so very true.  Til this day I still shop at both stores from time to time but, online shopping is where I get most of clothing now. I must say that there are advantages and disadvantages when you live in a small town. The advantages are when you do wear something fabolous and fashionably people recognize it more because you stand out and grab their attention which I like most of the time. The disadvantage is once you have become the attention grabber more than likely someone is going to mimic that style and then the whole town is wearing the same thing. I am a lover of originality. I do believe that mimicking is the highest form of flattery but, as I said before when you live in a small town you have to reinvent your look in order to stay an original. I firmly believe that God made everyone their “Originally Divine Self”.

I have had a love and war affair with my fashion since moving but, something clicked for me in my thirties. YESS.. my thirties. I started a weight loss journey which I am currently still on (more to come). I lost 30lbs and my confidence start to grow and I started to open my eyes to more than what I was given and to what I could see. I started going to the stores that I knew I couldn’t possible wear their clothing but I would pick up a shirt or a jacket look at it and try it on to see if I could wear it. Some items I could, some items I couldn’t but I stopped limiting myself because of my weight. I started researching other plus size bloggers and the one I fell in love with was “The Curvy Girl Guide to Style”. When I saw her blog and all the wonderful pieces she displayed I was in awe. I couldn’t believe that a curvy woman as myself could get away with a form fitting dress or bright vibrant colors. There are so many other bloggers I could mention that has inspired me to fall in love with fashion again the list would be too long. So, now here I am again with butterflies in my stomach and smiling from ear to ear because I am in love once again with all things fashion *(Swooning)*I plan on conquering this little city of mine with a lot of “BIG” fashion. I hope they are ready LOL!!