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Honoring One’s Body & Comfort in Clothing Choices
Did you know the clothes you wear have a direct impact on how you think and feel? That’s right. According to research by Professor Karen Pine from the University of Hertfordshire, “what we wear has cognitive, social and emotional consequences,” on us, she writes in a Huffington Post UK article [1].
Pine goes on to say that when we wear clothes that are comfortable, express our style, and fit us well, we feel more confident and positive. On the other hand, when we choose clothes that are drab, ill-fitting, or not in tune with who we are, they can have the opposite effect.
Unfortunately, it can be hard for many people to choose clothes that honor and celebrate their bodies, especially for those who struggle with body image issues or suffer from an eating disorder.
But as Pine’s research attests, one of the most practical and tangible ways you can both honor your body and improve your outlook on life is to wear clothes that celebrate your body and make you feel comfortable.
So if you want to feel more positive and confident in the clothes you wear, here are four practical tips to help you honor your body and comfort in clothing choices.
Reject the Rules and Discover Your Unique Clothing Style
From a young age, society bombards us with fashion rules, style guidelines, and wardrobe do’s and don’ts (don’t wear horizontal stripes, wear dark colors if you have x body shape, stay away from busy patterns, etc.). These rules are typically centered around making our bodies conform to culture’s thin-centric standard of what is appropriate, acceptable, and beautiful.
The truth is, very few bodies measure up to the unrealistic expectations advertised in clothing magazines, on the runway, on television, and on social media. And that’s a good thing! Each one of our bodies is unique and different. So why should we all have to follow one set of guidelines and rules when it comes to dressing our unique bodies? We shouldn’t have to.
But after years of hearing the do’s and don’ts of clothing choices, it can be hard to discover your unique style and begin to honor your body and comfort with your clothing choices. If you want to honor and celebrate your body, but you struggle to reject society’s rules around clothing and style, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What clothes make me feel comfortable?
- What types of clothes make me feel like me?
- Do these clothes really fit me?
- What do I want to base my clothing decisions on?
- Say ‘Goodbye’ to Clothes that No Longer Honor Your Body
Our bodies are constantly adapting, growing, and changing as we travel through different seasons of life. An outfit or pair of jeans that may have fit you three years ago (or even three weeks ago) may no longer work for your body. That’s OK!
Because the truth is, your body is not meant to fit your clothes. Instead, your clothes are meant to fit your body. And if an item of clothing (or your entire closet) stops making you feel comfortable or honored, then it’s time for you to let that piece of clothing go.
While it can be hard to get rid of old clothes that you once loved, it is an important and liberating step in honoring your body. So stop hanging on to clothes that lead to negative self-talk and harmful comparisons, and instead, embrace who you are today by choosing clothes that make you feel good and comfortable in your current body.
Set Yourself Up for Shopping Success
If you struggle with body image issues or are on the journey to body-acceptance and self-love, shopping for clothes can easily plunge you into a downward spiral of body-shaming thoughts, negativity, and discouragement. The solution? Set yourself up for shopping success.
First, determine what your specific clothing goals are (refer to the clothing questions listed above), so when you get to the store, you have the right expectations and know exactly what you’re looking for. Second, shop only at stores that offer your size and style.
If you’ve shopped at a specific store in the past and never have luck finding clothes that fit you comfortably, it’s probably best to skip that store. Third, when you’re trying on clothes, try facing away from the mirror initially. This will allow you to determine how the clothes feel on you before worrying about how they look.
And if you try on something that doesn’t feel like a good fit, consider taking it off right away and trying a different size/style before looking in the mirror.
Speak Words of Encouragement
No matter how far you’ve come in your journey towards body acceptance and self-love, you are bound to have bad body image days. Days where nothing seems to fit right and the mirror feels like your worst enemy.
In moments like these, it’s helpful to have a mantra or affirmation to repeat out loud to yourself. If you already have a few affirmations you love, great! If not, here are several body-honoring mantras you can memorize and repeat to yourself the next time you’re struggling to accept your body:
- I am worth more than my appearance.
- I will not compare myself to anyone else.
- I will treat my body with love and respect.
- My thoughts and feelings do not define me.
- I am enough, and I always have been.
- My body is my home, and I will build it up, not tear it down.
- I am grateful for everything my body allows me to do.
- I will not listen to the negative voices in my head.
- I love my body as it is today.
- Thank you, body, for serving me in ______ way today. You always take such good care of me.
Resources:
[1] Pine, K. (2014, July 20). Mind What You Wear: It Can Change Your Life. Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/karen-pine/personal-appearance-and-brandingAbout the Author:
Sarah Musick is a freelance writer who specializes in eating disorder awareness and education. After battling with a 4-years long eating disorder, she made it her mission to help others find hope and healing in recovery.
Her work has been featured on numerous eating disorder blogs and websites. When she’s not writing, Sarah is off traveling the world with her husband.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published December 30, 2020, on EatingDisorderHope.com
Reviewed & Approved on December 30, 2020, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
