If you’re in your early 40s and have made some recent transformations in your body, you may be savoring that ‘extra’ zing in your confidence, wondering, ‘Is it time to show a little of it?’ The answer is a resounding yes, and here’s why: It’s fantastic that you can embrace and celebrate your body at any age!
Isheyla Elena Ariza has a painfully poignant story to tell about the journey to body confidence. Just like anyone else, Ariza has felt the burden of body shaming in the school years. Still, her story, like so many others, is also one of resilience and the actual power daily body positivity campaigns can have.
Recently, the body positivity movement began to gain traction, with writers and influencers such as Gabi Gregg and Aubrey Gordon battling fatphobia and working toward a world where you can ‘feel joyful and confident in every size.’ Models of all sizes—including Saaneah Jamison—are being featured by brands like American Eagle. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Jameela Jamil have also embraced the term ‘body positivity,’ bringing it into the mainstream.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
But the fight against a positive body image is far from done. But there are still things, like beauty standards that are not attainable and, sometimes, fostered by edited images on social media that young people like Reanna A. Shanti Bhagwandeen are grappling with. It can be so hard to conform to a certain look; such a rise in eating disorders and body image issues is unacceptable.
The history of body image in America is full of minorities and discrimination. Fatphobia traces back to European colonialism, according to professor and author Sabrina Strings, and weight became a symbol of racial and moral superiority. Fatphobia and racism continue to entwine and for good reason: This history has left a lasting legacy.
Although it’s not easy, a good deal of advancement has been made against weight discrimination and body acceptance. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) and the Fat Underground are at the forefront of the change. Writers and activists, especially women of color, have been driving the body positivity movement, and turning to Tumblr and Facebook to post pictures that affirm and normalize all different body types.
Embracing the Mainstreaming of Body Positivity in Your 40s
Mass culture has shifted regarding the mainstreaming of body positivity. Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty and the inclusion of plus-size models like Ashley Graham in mainstream media have marked turning points in the representation of diverse bodies. More inclusive advertising and sizing are becoming more and more commonplace on brands as it’s recognized that catering to a broader audience.
So, what does all this mean for you, the fabulous 40-something who is ready to take to the stage? This means that now, more than ever, this is the time to love your body and love your journey. Whatever you’re doing, whether you’re rocking a bikini on the beach or flaunting a new outfit that accentuates your curves, you’re part of a powerful movement that’s redefining beauty standards and chanting self-love.
Now that we know how we got there, let’s talk about how to celebrate your body when you’re in your 40s. It’s a time of life when you know yourself, and you know what you want in life. This season is your time of self-love, fashion discovery, and most importantly enjoying your skin.
Fashion Tips to Highlight Body Confidence in Your 40s
Fashion is a fabulous way to express this newfound self-appreciation. Age play has come and gone, forcing us no longer to be limited by what we’re supposed to wear at a certain age. It’s taken the fashion world a long time to catch up with the idea that style has no ‘best before’ date. Chic, stylish, and sexy clothing is being designed by designers and brands for the proud 40s and beyond. Bold prints, sleek silhouettes, and whatever else gets you into the best version of yourself, it’s your time to shine.
You could say fashion tips for the fabulous 40s are to dress the way that feels authentic to you. If there’s always been that dress you’ve wanted to wear that hugs your curves, then do it. If you like how black skinny jeans and leather jackets make you feel, rock that.
The thing is, your wardrobe should be an extension of the kind of person you are, who you are, and how confident you are. Dressing ‘age appropriately’ is not the question here. It’s about dressing ‘attitude appropriately.’ You’re confident, vibrant, and self-assured.
Celebrating your body also includes practicing self-care. It’s also not relying on healthy foods to nourish your body, keeping active, and practicing activities that naturally make you happy. Take care of your mental and physical well-being whether it’s yoga, meditation, or a spa day. Looking good is not the only thing, there’s more – Feeling good.
This is equally important; Surrounding yourself with positive influences. Rather, look for your friends and communities that will uplift you and show the good changes you have made. Align yourself with social media accounts that inspire, motivate, and thus make you feel less than or insecure. After all, the company you keep can make or break how you see yourself and your body.
Your 40s are something to be celebrated—all of you. This is a decade to love your body, own your style, and exist in your joy and confidence. Now go, wear that swimsuit, buy that dress, and walk in every room knowing you have it going on.
But you’ve earned it and you absolutely deserve to feel as fabulous as you look. These years should, will, must, be your most stylish, empowered, and self-assured yet. Darling, because you’re getting better, not older and that is something to be celebrated every single day.
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The past, present, and future of body image in America
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