Venting

So...I hate Downeast Swimwear! I know I blogged about my friend's giveaway a little while ago from there...and their swimsuits may be great for some...but NOT for me.
I feel like so many clothing (including swimwear) choices in the stores are put on manicans with 12 year old bodies...in the WOMEN'S department! Okay, okay...I'm not prejudice against any body types, I promise! And maybe you are a woman with a slender physic, and that's okay! Seriously, just feel lucky because it's a lot easier to be a slender body in our society today. But, to those who have curves, especially since having children, we are just left to search and search and search, in the backs of the stores, taking hours to find the "hidden" sizes that hopefully fit! Because ya know...many of these clothing/swimwear lines are sent out and made in assembly lines in another country, with the body type/style that's popular...and usually won't fit MANY of us!
I just get so annoyed with so many style choices out there that only tailor to certain body types!
As you can tell...I have a passion for this. And for those of you who know me best, know I love fashion and with my training am involved in personal shopping, image consulting...etc, etc.
Sometimes, I feel guilty with my love of fashion and clothing...because it can appear vain and self-centered. I know clothing is clothing, and we wear it to keep our bodies covered. After all, we won't be taking it with us when we die! And I certainly don't want to EVER judge ANYONE by what they are wearing only. But, a part of me, loves enhancing natural beauty and different body types with clothing. I love to sew and recycle clothing! I love expressing my sense of art...color, patterns, styles that suit someone's everyday needs with clothing! I love seeing the look on the face of a woman, who may not fit the world's definition of a "perfect body type," but with my help finds clothing that fits, is comfortable, affordable, and most of all, makes her feel like the daughter of God that she is!
It's hard when our society tailors so much to being a certain way, shape, or form for a woman! Believe me, I know! I got so frustrated today not being able to find a suitable, modest swimsuit for my body type after searching 2 malls and 2 department stores! (Especially someone like me...with all my training skills, in this department).
But, we as women need to take a stand somehow! (enter "Newsies" theme song)...seriously though!
Have women EVER been free from this prejudice and oppression? Of the self-doubt, criticizing and annoyances with the world's view of how we should look? I wonder...
It's very tiring and disheartening and sad...to say the least, that most of us, as women end up hating our bodies and wishing to look a different way.
But I REFUSE to give in! I will not stand for this injustice! Who ever said that (blank)...(enter in a feature of your body you may not like because the world has said it is not pretty or flattering or whatever) ...isn't BEAUTIFUL!?!?
Just think about it...
We were each created by a loving Father in Heaven, who loves us as women, as who we are. We are all different and unique, and we need to learn to admire and love each other for our differences. And learn to shut out the noise of the world and those thoughts that sneak in and tell us anything otherwise.
So, if you are a woman, and understand my rantings and ravings...stand tall, I am with ya!