I know I’ve talked about layering before — it’s pretty much a winter dressing staple, especially in our climate. When it can be utterly freezing in the morning, so much so you have to rug up with a coat and scarf, to positively boiling at lunch time, where you feel like you have to peel every item of clothing off your body, lest you sweat it off, you need some layers.

I’ve struggled with the concept of “flattering” layers. Something that can look casual/cool and haphazard on a six foot tall model, can look sloppy and “lazy” on a five foot seven fat chick. I always made sure to “accentuate” my figure, wear things that made it look its “best” (enough with the quotation marks!).

But, I’ve learnt something, from my fat role models and feminists:

Who cares?

Honestly. Fashion is about self expression. I portray the image I want to through my clothing and how I choose to represent myself. If I want to wear something that isn’t considered “flattering” on my fat body, well, so what? I want to wear it, I should be able to do so. The world isn’t going to end if I choose to wear something “unflattering.”

This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to wear that slightly too large cardigan from Autograph (navy and cream HORIZONTAL stripes) over a pair of tight black leggings, tucked into knee high boots. And I’m going to wear this outfit with swagger.

THIS is how I choose to represent myself.