Welcome to “Ask Ada,” a weekly series in which we answer all those burning questions you’d rather not share aloud. Buckle up for some brutally honest advice! Today’s advice is for all the ladies who rock leggings 7 days a week.
I’m a big girl, and I struggle to find clothes in my size. Workout leggings are great because they’re comfy and easy to throw on. But my friends keep telling me to find some real outfits. It’s not a job-thing, they’re just telling me it makes me look like a slob.
But what can I do when leggings are the only pants that work for me?
Signed,
Athleisure lover
Hi there,
Your friends are being jerks, and I think you may need to rethink the way you approach clothes.
Let me explain:
If you like leggings and enjoy wearing them, then great! You should ignore anybody who tells you otherwise. While I am someone that comes from an image-obsessed fashion-loving family, I can not relate. But I’ll be damned if I tell you what to put on your body.
However, if a friend struggled with body image and made numerous disparaging comments about her appearance, I might say, “Hon, you keep putting yourself down. Do you think that’s a sign you need to change up the wardrobe?”
So I guess my question to you is: Which situation is this?
Grab a piece of paper and write what your dream life would look like. Don’t focus too much on plausibility for now, just let your imagination go.
Once you’re done, think about how you’d get there. Maybe that includes picking up a new skill to qualify for a promotion. Perhaps that means going out on more dates to meet a new person. Maybe that means learning a new hobby.
Then ask yourself if the leggings will help you get there or not.
No, really. Fashion is a huge pollutant, and we must think about our apparel choices. Clothes are a powerful form of self-expression, but if your wardrobe doesn’t match who you want to be, then the confidence you need to reach your goals will take a lot longer to materialise.
For example: You say leggings are the only clothes that fit. But is that because those are the only clothes in your budget? Or do you just dislike online retailers like Modcloth? Are charity shops or reseller apps like Depop an option? Is sewing interesting to you at all, or does that sound like a huge hassle?
I can throw solutions at you all day long, but the truth is, you’re not looking for a solution. Ultimately, you’re looking for a way to feel comfortable in your own skin.
If leggings do that for you, then that is what matters.
Good luck
Ada
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