The Closet Coach

By now, we’ve all heard about the extraordinary buzz that arose when Glamour published a photo — and a small one at that — of a tastefully covered nude woman who was beautiful, happy and healthy. She had, gasp, thighs bigger than her arms and an honest-to-God belly.

 

Because she’s not a size 2, this woman, a model, is considered “plus sized.” (She’s actually a 10 or a 12.)

Most of the coverage stemmed from the outpouring of relief and support from similarly not-sized-2 women who were thrilled to see a beautiful model in the pages of Glamour whose ribs were not poking through her skin.

As a stylist, my favorite part of the discussion was this message: be happy with your body where you are. Buy clothes that fit and flatter you today.

And if the shape you have today is not ideal — and after all, very few of us have perfect, firm hourglass figures with perfect proportions — choose clothing that idealizes the shape you do have.

It’s not denial. Hiding yourself in baggy clothing is denial. Wearing too-small or otherwise inappropriate garments is denial. Neither choice honors your silhouette.

Even if you are working on slimming down in the interest of better, healthier living, feel confident and comfortable in the clothes you wear today. And then enjoy transitioning that wardrobe when you reach your new size.

So ladies, let us celebrate our imperfect bellies, but treat them kindly by not forcing them to muffin-top over the waistband of low-rise jeans.

• Now it’s your turn: What makes you feel most comfortable in your own skin?

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