Tag Archives: fashion

The Perfect Sports Bra Fit: What the Experts Say for Any Size

sports bra

We all have that one sports bra. The one you’ve had since high school, full of holes with no elastic left. While it’s supported you through the years, over time, it’s lost its ability. But like an old boyfriend, you keep it around because it’s comfortable.

Sports bras are supposed to be your boobs’ best friend, but an ill-fitting one can turn into their worst enemy. Too small, and it will smash and suffocate while on and be nearly impossible to take off. Too big and it won’t do anything for you at all. Either way, you’re setting yourself up for an uncomfortable workout that may even do damage to your body.

According to Renelle Braaten, founder and president of ENELL, who creates state-of-the-art, high-quality performance sports bras for women C cup or above, “An ill-fitting or unsupportive sports bra, especially while engaging in sports or strenuous activity, can cause premature sagging of the breasts and stress on your back muscles,” she told DietsInReview.com. She explained that this can cause breast, back, shoulder, and arm pain. “It can also cause headaches, indentation, scarring, chafing and/or improper posture.”

It’s such a problem, in fact, that many women cut their workouts short or skip them entirely. This isn’t news to ladies, however, as we have been coming up with our own ways to deal with poorly fitted sports bras over the years. Some girls wear regular bras under their sports bras to get the support and coverage they need, while some double up on two sports bras in an attempt to stop bouncing and avoid blacking out their eyes. (more…)

4 Places Where Every Body Can Enjoy Swimsuit Shopping

We all know that the words “swimsuit season” are not always greeted positively. Besides the fact that some of us don’t even like swimming, over the history of the swimsuit, women have been made to feel bad about the shape and size of their bodies while wearing one. The great news is, you can wear a swimsuit no matter what size you are, and fortunately, some stores are shaping up and offering the best swimsuits to women of all sizes.

Here is where you should be shopping if you want a cute swimsuit with none of the unnecessary shaming that has come along with it.

how to get bikini body

ModCloth

ModCloth has long been known for their encouragement of women being themselves, owning their look, and feeling good about themselves and each other. The website has everything from adorable shoes to wedding dresses — naturally, swimsuits are here, too! The company even recently made waves with their awesome commitment to the Anti-Photoshop Pledge. The models in their ads, swimsuit or otherwise, will not be photoshopped!

Target’s Ava & Viv

Target has made everyone very happy with the introduction of its new “plus-size” house brand. Ava & Viv arrived in February and is a beautiful line of clothing that is trendy, fashionable, and gorgeous! Ava & Viv’s swimsuits are too cute to pass up! Check them out and you’ll be running to the beach. (more…)

Molly Sims’ 9 Fabulous Ways to Live Like an Everyday Supermodel

molly-sims-everyday-supermodel

Swimsuit model, actress, supermodel…mom, wife, woman…the very real, yet very supermodel Molly Sims has added author to her resume. Her new lifestyle book, The Everyday Supermodel, shares her hard-earned fitness, fashion, and health insights. Before you assume taking wellness and life advice from a supermodel is not your thing, you’ve got to know that Sims’ book is written like she is talking to an old friend. Girlfriend to girlfriend, her advice is realistic, and she writes in a way that is easy to relate.

Here are some of the best pieces of advice from Molly Sims that you can adopt right now to make your own life super!

1. Perseverance can get you anywhere.

Sims introduces her book by assuring readers that she worked hard to get where she is today, initially assuring her audience that she is not just a supermodel.

“There’s an everyday supermodel in each one of us.”

2. Love your body.

This is a message we hear all the time, but it is extra helpful hearing it from a supermodel. Sims discusses how she loved to learn her not stick-thin body, and encourages women to do the same, at all stages of her life.

3. If you look good, you feel good.

Sims’ book is peppered with mottos and motivational quotes. One of the best is:

“If you look good, you feel good–and when you feel good, you look good. So you might as well feel f-ing fabulous!” (more…)

The Future of Wearable Tech Lies in Smart Clothing

Athos Gear

Wearable fitness trackers are excellent, and depending on the one you choose, you’ll enjoy features like calorie, step, and sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and more. They’re selling like hotcakes, with every company who could claim a remote link to the technology pushing their own version.

But what if there was a better way?

What if there was more accuracy? More precision? Something that didn’t rely heavily on estimations and algorithms? Something that was specific to each of your two arms, two legs, and everything in between?

That’s exactly what Silicon Valley start-up Athos is currently creating.

While not scheduled to ship to the masses until Spring 2024, Athos is creating a workout clothing line. Shirts and pants with the core technology sewn (quite literally) right into the fabric. And yes, they’re even machine washable. You can wear them and them alone, or under other workout clothing if you prefer.

What Does This Mean for Me?

There are three components that make up the Athos system: Athos Gear, the clothing you wear; Athos Core, a Bluetooth module that keeps track of all your workout data; and the smartphone app. All three components are required. (more…)

The 4 Rules for Finding That Perfect Little Black Dress for Holiday Parties

little black dress guide 2014
The holidays are a time for joy and gratitude…and a million feasts and parties. How are you expected to enjoy yourself, indulge mindfully, and still look fabulous? Emily Ho, plus-size fashion and fitness blogger, has come to our rescue to help any body type find a way to look fabulous this season.

Rule #1: There are no rules!

The biggest trend right now? Ignore the trends! Toss aside the rules you thought you had to follow and create whatever look will showcase your confidence.

“Wearing whatever makes you feel amazing is the most important ‘rule’,” says Ho. Now is the time to try a bolder color, horizontal stripes, or a chunky scarf that you otherwise thought you couldn’t pull off. Your attitude is the best fashion statement you can make, regardless of what the rulebooks say. (more…)

Angry Customers Say Old Navy is Sizest and Sexist

Women looking for plus-size clothing from Old Navy are going to have to search for it online, and they’ll have to pay more for it than they would for items that are not plus-size. This discrepancy has many angry shoppers claiming sizeism and sexism. Why sexism? The cost mark-up doesn’t appear in men’s clothing.

The Old Navy Pixie Pants at $27.97 in the Women’s Section

Not only are customers angry, they’re taking action. A Change.org petition calling out Old Navy has more than 80,000 signatures.

In it, Renee Posey, author of the petition, writes, “Selling jeans to larger-sized men at the same cost as they sell to smaller men not only negates the cost of manufacture argument, but indicates that Old Navy is participating in both sexism and sizeism, directed only at women.

“For example: Old Navy’s Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans cost $27 in a size 6. The same jeans in a size 26 cost $40. Alternatively, the men’s Slim-Fit Jean costs $25 – no matter the size.” (more…)

17 Most LOL Food and Fitness Puns, Featuring Michelle Obama

Sure, they’re super cheesy and a little overplayed at times, but you know you can’t help but crack a smile and a you-got-me laugh when the perfect pun comes along. With as heavy a scene as we all try to paint when it comes to our food and fitness, it feels good to look at all of it from the lighter side. And this week, we have first lady Michelle Obama to thank for the cunning reminder that puns, are in fact, fun!

Enjoy our favorite actual laugh out loud puns!

1. FLOTUS throws it down.

She’s nacho average first lady! #turnipforwhat

2. Oh my Quad, Becky!

…It’s like one of those rap guys girlfriends.

oh my quad becky

FitBottomedGirls

3. What the Kale?!

So many kale puns, so little time.

kale yeah (more…)

Calf Liposuction Sought by Women to Fit in Fall Boots

liposuction-boots

“I have five pairs of boots in my closet I can’t wear. I get them out as workout motivation. I really miss wearing them. I have to say, it is one of the more depressing parts about being a plus size girl. I have one pair of wide calf boots. They work, but the others are much prettier,” one of my friends shared.

While she uses the boots as workout motivation and sought out wide-calf boots, other women are turning to liposuction for their calves. It isn’t an instant fix though; it can take ten months to recover from this trending plastic surgery procedure. It can take months for the swelling to go down after a liposuction procedure. It also isn’t something that is available for everyone. Women who work out or have muscular calves may not have the amount of fat needed for the microliposuction procedure.

“I could lose 80 pounds and I’d still have a 16” calf,” explained another friend. (more…)

Tony Dovolani Reveals Betsey Johnson’s Fitness Regimen from Dancing with the Stars

tony dovolani Betsey Johnson

We stole Tony Dovolani off the dance floor for a little Q&A about the super cool world that is ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Not only does did he have the uber fabulous job of being Betsey Johnson’s dance partner, but he also serves as the show’s dance and health expert. Portion control, his personal fitness regimen, and his personal secret to health were all up for grabs. Even cooler than that, he has a lot to say about how the sassy 72-year-old fashion icon got herself in what might be the best shape of her life. Despite what the judges may think — he scores perfect 10s with us!

Q: Congratulations on your success this season with Betsey Johnson, we were all sad to see you go! 

A: Thank you! I feel like we were just hitting our stride. She was really improving and our journey was cut short. At least we ended on a high note and left people wanting more!

Q: What stood out to you this season as a dancer and wellness expert?

A: Betsey was a great example for me to show what I’m capable of: making them healthy and changing their life. She could do a cartwheel and splits when she came in, but would be out of breath right after. I was able to work with her on her diet and fitness to help her improve.

Q: DWTS seems to be one of the most beneficial weight loss methods for celebrities. Why do you think that is?

A: The #1 reason is because the body stays active. Dancing involves every single muscle in your body. When you start exercising that much, nutrition naturally falls into place. Your body starts asking for healthier things. You can’t dance when you over eat. It forces you to have a healthy life. (more…)

ModCloth is Fed Up with Photoshop and Signs ‘Truth in Advertising’ Pledge

fashion truth

The fashion industry has earned an ugly reputation for itself by relying on one “standard” body image and the extreme use of Photoshop to depict the “perfect” figure. Though individuals and some companies have come out against these practices, they are still mainstream.

This wasn’t acceptable to Susan Koger, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of ModCloth, an online fashion retailer. In a recent op-ed, she challenged the fashion industry to do better, and announced her company will help lead the way.

“I’m proud to call myself a fashion insider; but I’m also deeply disappointed in the way my industry depicts fashion to consumers,” she wrote.

“I look out, and it seems less about helping people find fashion they love to wear, and more about convincing them that they need to conform to one eerily consistent standard of beauty. A standard built on highly altered and often unrealistic images. I think we can do better.”

(more…)

Melissa McCarthy Creates Plus-Size Clothing Line, Continues to Be Amazing

We certainly cannot get enough of Melissa McCarthy. Besides being one of the funniest people currently making movies and television, McCarthy has been nominated for multiple awards (Emmy and Oscar!) and she is downright lovable.

Melissa McCarthy

But Shape.com recently reported that  McCarthy has had a difficult time finding dressed for red carpet events due to her not being a standard Hollywood dress size. Unfortunately, as most of us are aware, there is not a lot of variety in A-list celebrity shapes and sizes which is an incredibly disappointing realization in 2024. Because she’s not a size 0, finding good dresses is an issue, despite being a big-name in Hollywood.

(more…)