Clothes shopping is one of the most stressful things for a big girl. You feel like nothing looks like it does on the mannequins!
I have been a big girl my whole adult life. My best friend is a big girl, too. When we shop together, it drives me nuts. I’m really small busted and really “hippy.” She’s the opposite: big busted with average hips. When it comes to plus-size shirts and dresses, they hang weird because I have no boobs, but they fit just fine on her.
I had gastric bypass surgery 14 years ago. I thought that would be the answer to my lack of self-esteem, the chase to be thin. Trust me, it didn’t fix the issue. But something else did: My local Torrid store.
Torrid was having a clearance sale. (I love a deal.) The associate, who has helped me on several occasions, showed me a dress. I tried it on and she said I was beautiful. At that moment, I knew she wasn’t just trying to make a sale. I felt it. I felt amazing.
And this is how Torrid helped improve my body image.
I said to her, “I work in a hangar with airplanes. Where could I possibly wear a dress?” She said to me, “Joy, wear it to the grocery store. Wear it to the Dollar Tree. Wear it cause it’s Tuesday.” So that Tuesday, I wore that dress to work with pretty shoes and jewelry.
What a great day!
No, it wasn’t perfect, but it was different. Everyone saw me differently, or so it seemed. So now I wear a dress every Tuesday. We call it Dress Tuesday in my circle. It’s become a thing. Even my boss says “oh, it’s dress Tuesday.” I’ve even gotten a couple of friends to wear dresses on Tuesday. What an emotional lift, and all it took was a little nudge.
Maybe there are some other girls that need a little nudge and want to join me in Dress Tuesday. I invite you to join me and give it a try.
Who would have thought that a silly little dress would change my outlook? Thanks, Torrid, for showing women that all bodies are beautiful.
