“I’ve gained a bit of weight & I need advice on what clothing I should buy…”

dear apricot,

Since last summer, I have gained a bit of weight and this year I’m finding it hard to shop for new summer clothes. I’m about 5′7”,  around 135 lbs., and I am 18 years old. Last year I used to weigh 115 so it’s a big change for me. I’m a bit self conscious of my legs (with the cellulite and everything). I need advice on what type of clothing I should buy since I’m a bit curvier at the hips now. I want to feel comfortable but sexy as well. My style icon is Mary-Kate Olsen, which is probably not the best thing since she’s like a stick but I really like the way she dresses, I think she’s very unique and creative.

—Ariane.

______________________________

Ariane,

Firstly, realize that the weight & height you are right now is absolutely normal! You are 100% proportionate. If you were to go to a doctor, & tell him about your weight gain, he would tell you that your body is perfectly healthy for your height & size. It may be hard to believe, bur it’s the truth! You are filling out as a woman, & chances are, that weight will be off in a few months because of the changes your body is going through! So please don’t worry too much about that. Seeing stick thin models who are 5′9” can be very discouraging, but realize that that is not a healthy body.

Also, realize that EVERYONE has cellulite. I have it, models & actresses have it (they just airbrush it out). Even Mary-Kate Olsen has cellulite! A lot of women refuse to wear shorts because of their dimples & stretch marks, & this make me very sad. Cellulite, though not very pretty, is natural, normal, & nothing you should be ashamed of.

Now, I don’t know what your body looks like, nor do I have an idea of how bad your cellulite is — because there are some cases that make wearing skirts & shorts next to impossible — but if it’s only a few dimples on your legs, please don’t stress about it. Honestly, as I said before, everyone has cellulite, dimples, stretch marks, discoloration on their legs. It stems from being a woman! Please don’t let a few little dimples discourage you from showing off your gorgeous legs. Easier said than done, I know; I’ve been there. But you’ll do such an injustice to your beautiful body by covering up your legs. So think about that a little bit.

As for clothing choices: Continue wearing your usual style, just a few sizes up. Try not to worry so much about the size number on the tag. I, too, have gained a bit of weight over the last year. About as much as you gained (15-20 lbs.). The weight was enough for me to grow out of all of my jeans & I had to buy my pants several sizes up. It was terribly heart-wrenching to think that I grew out of my pants, but I decided to look on the bright side of things & thought of myself as developing into a grown woman, with curves. I think that being stick thin is no fun! But being a voluptuous woman  with curves is sexy!

Here are some outfit suggestions for you, channeling your inner Mary-Kate Olsen, no matter what your size is!

for product information, click here.

I truly hope you begin to find peace within your skin. It’s difficult, & more than likely, it will take years for you to feel comfortable in your body, but just know that you are beautiful, because you are YOU. Cellulite, dimples, stretch marks, & all.

— apricot.

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: buymebeer_content() in /nfs/c03/h05/mnt/52044/domains/askapricot.com/html/wp-content/themes/askapricot/single.php on line 21