[Image description: A girl with blonde hair and wearing a baby blue sports bra is lifting weights in front of a mirror.] Via Unsplash.
I’ve never understood why it’s so hard to find sports bras or tops that are flattering on large chested women. From my experience, all of the cute ones either only come in smaller sizes, or are impractical. What I do find is never actually supportive, though, like a sports bra should be, and I wind up having to wear two sports bras just to feel comfortable while exercising. This is suffocating and not at all ideal, especially when sweat starts to build up in crevices that should just not be sweating.
If I don’t go through the hassle of squeezing my chest into 2 sports bras at once, which is something that I think resembles a medieval corset, then I feel almost as if I’m being held back during my workout. It’s hard to push myself when I don’t really feel secure or comfortable. Not to be graphic, but if I’m going on a run or doing jumping jacks, the last thing I want to be thinking about is my boobs flopping around in every direction, basically an inch away from a wardrobe malfunction. Yet most of the time, that is all I can think about. Not to mention that all of that breast movement can also be downright painful during a workout. Frankly, it feels like my boobs are being torn right off my chest with every jump or swing.
As a result, my exercise routine just doesn’t last very long because I’m so tired of having to deal with my boobs. Sometimes I even find myself holding my breasts in my hands to stop them from bouncing while I’m jogging. But I shouldn’t have to do that. Girls with larger chests should be able to find sports bras, or any other top for that matter, that are flattering, trendy, and fits their chest just as much as the next girl.
But I also know that my big boobs are not going anywhere anytime soon. Neither are those narrow stereotypes of the ‘perfect’ female body that are the driving force of the fashion and athleisure industries. So, after a few years of dealing with this, I’ve come up with a few tips and tricks of my own for finding a sports bra that is comfortable, stylish, and that I trust to keep my chest in place and supported.
Our boobs deserve the best — AKA not to be smooshed — so I’ve always found it best for a sports bra to have some sort of light cupping on the inside. This ensures that our boobs have a designated place to go so as to limit movement.
[Image description: Freya Active Bra.] Via nordstrom.com.Another thing that is key when looking for a sports bra is a strong and substantial bottom band. This acts like a shelf for our boobs to sit on and helps keep them in place during a high-intensity workout. When looking for a bottom band that offers maximum support, however, it’s important to take into consideration whether or not that band will rub or cause irritation in the area. Rubbing is not good. For this reason, I usually try to go wire-free when picking out a sports bra. Adjustable straps and a flexible under-band are always my go to for comfort and ensuring minimal bounce.
[Image description: Natori Gravity Contour Sports Bra.] Via nordstrom.com.Another important aspect is the material that your sports bra is made of. Moisture-wicking or mesh materials are great for soaking up sweat and acting as a ventilator to keep you cool.
[Image description: Zella Body Fusion Sports Bra.] Via nordstrom.com.It’s time we start taking a stand and taking care of our boobs, because if we don’t, we could be doing more damage than we’d like to think.
Image description: A screenshot from the movie 'Easy A'. Emma Stone, starring as Olive Penderghast, wears a red-and-black corset with a red letter 'A' sewn on it. Via Screen Gems.
One of the most iconic scenes from the movie Easy A is the one where Emma Stone’s character, Olive Penderghast, decides to drastically change her wardrobe. She buys lingerie, sews a red ‘A’ on each outfit, and proceeds to wear an impressive array of sexy corsets to school. In a time where it certainly wasn’t trendy, she was rocking the underwear-as-outerwear look. This, of course, both shocks and tantalizes her classmates.
She does this after being slut-shamed at school after a rumor began to circulate saying that she lost her virginity. Things reach a fever pitch when her best friend calls her a slut and they argue, leading to her wardrobe overhaul. Initially, she hid from the rumors, but once she began to play up her sexuality, she started seeing it as a source of pride instead of a source of shame.
[bctt tweet=”Olive was truly ahead of her time. Indeed, both her underwear-as-outerwear wardrobe and her attitude would fit into 2018 pretty well.” username=”wearethetempest”]
Easy A was a 2010 movie, set in 2010. It came out before the current ‘wave’ of feminism when certain trends became an act of resistance. It was before wearing your underwear as outerwear had become mainstream: it was before the Slutwalk, before the Women’s March and before most of us even knew what the term ‘slut-shaming’ was.
Olive was truly ahead of her time. Indeed, both her underwear-as-outerwear wardrobe and her attitude would fit into 2018 pretty well.
Image description: Emma Stone as Olive Penderghast in the movie ‘Easy A’. In this GIF, she’s blowing a kiss while wearing a red corset with the letter ‘A’ sewn on the front. Via GIPHY.
The trend of wearing underwear-as-outerwear isn’t new, as writer Hanna Brooks-Olsen points out. The 1920s saw flappers wearing teddies, which looked like undergarments. Madonna iconically popularized a bustier in the 1980s. In the early 2000s, it was cool to wear a thong that stuck out of your jeans.
[bctt tweet=”It’s not simply provocative in the sexual sense: it provokes political discussions around bodies and sexuality.” username=”wearethetempest”]
This doesn’t mean, though, that underwear-as-outerwear isn’t influenced by our current politics. Movements like Slutwalk and #FreeTheNipple have made it edgy and subtly political to hint at female nudity. Barely-there bralettes and sheer shirts are all over Instagram, challenging the cissexism and patriarchy of Instagram’s Community Guidelines. It’s not simply provocative in the sexual sense: it provokes political discussions around bodies and sexuality.
Growing discussions around sex education and consent also mean more people are talking about – and accepting – BDSM. For instance, when the 90s tattoo choker trend was revived a few years ago, it eventually became more fashionable to wear BDSM-like collars in public. We’re destigmatizing conversations around sexuality, bodies, and consent – so it’s no wonder we’re destigmatizing underwear, too.
[bctt tweet=”We’re destigmatizing conversations around sexuality, bodies, and consent – so it’s no wonder we’re destigmatizing underwear, too.” username=”wearethetempest”]
Part of the reason why the underwear-as-outerwear trend is so popular right now is that it’s relatively accessible. Selfies make it easy to show off your outfit without even leaving the house. While few people would show off their bralettes in public, more people would feel comfortable taking a photo of themselves in underwear. If you have insecurities about certain parts of your body – parts that could be exposed when wearing sheer clothing or underwear – filters and photo-editing exist. All these factors mean that it’s more appealing to wear underwear as outerwear than ever before.
Of course, this accessibility is limited. The underwear-as-outerwear trend feels like it’s dominated by thin, white, cis women who are conventionally attractive. While the fat acceptance movement and trans activists are challenging those beauty standards, those standards are still pretty prevalent in our current society. So, while I love selfies of pretty bras and lacy bodysuits, I can’t help but wonder about those who feel too undesirable to wear provocative clothing, and those who’d love to hop on the trend but are afraid of the reaction.
I’m not a fan of being nearly-naked in any context, and I know the trend isn’t for everyone. A modest dress can be pretty empowering for many people. You obviously don’t need to wear provocative clothing to be a feminist, to feel empowered, and reclaim your body. But for many people, this trend is a useful tool in self-expression, and there’s something beautiful about that.
Feminism has always asserted that the personal is the political – that conversations about so-called ‘private matters’ like domestic abuse, sexual assault, and menstruation should be made public. We live in a world where we look at the private and ask why it should be shrouded in shame; we’re doing the same with our underwear. Wearing underwear as outerwear epitomizes ‘the personal is political’ like no other fashion trend.
[bctt tweet=”Wearing underwear as outerwear epitomizes ‘the personal is political’ like no other fashion trend.” username=”wearethetempest”]
In a society where many marginalized people are reclaiming their sexuality, it’s no wonder why it’s popular to take lingerie and make it public. Destigmatizing personal matters has always been a part of feminist agendas, and now that mentality is affecting the way we look at clothes, too.
[Image description: clip art woman at computer with cyan and magenta gradient background]
Looking back is nothing new. Fashion repeats trends all the time, musicians sample to create new hits, and every movie ever made is now being remade by Disney. However, in the past few years, I’ve noticed that more and more trends seem to be looking back at our technological pasts. It seems to me that we’re suffering from, or maybe basking in, a sort of tech nostalgia.
I first heard about Vaporwave from a friend who is hilarious, hip and chronically ironic. When she described it for me I couldn’t tell if she genuinely enjoyed it or was fangirling as a joke. The answer, as it seems to be with so many throwback trends, is both.
Vaporwave was born on the internet. It started as a music genre that incorporated elevator music, smooth jazz and heavy synthesizing. From this, a broader visual aesthetic and subculture, emerged favoring cyans, magentas, and artifacts of the early internet such as clip art and glitch art. The result is absurd. Much like dad shoes, it’s so bad it’s good.
In February of this year, I attended the Krewe of Vaporwave’s Mardi Gras ball in New Orleans where I live. My boyfriend dressed as a jazz solo cup in the trash and I went as Microsoft Word 2000 with spellcheck zig-zag eyebrows and a keytar made from an old apple keyboard. The whole event was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever participated in: there were dresses made of CDs and a wall of CRT televisions. My boyfriend insulted Win Butler, the lead singer of Arcade Fire also known as DJ Windows 98, and I spun around in a defunct gondola car. The parade that followed was virtual and felt like a dystopian version of the Mario Kart I played with my cousins as a kid, except all you could do was wander around.
Photo by Akasha Rabut [image description: a woman in costume on one knee playing a computer keyboard like a guitar while a man with a jazz solo cup patterned shirt stands behind her]In the Midwest, my friends are similarly drawing from the past to inform their present parties. Namely, they’re participating in PowerPoint parties. All you need is a computer, a projector, and a group of very funny friends. Guests create comedic PowerPoints, often telling a story or making an argument, and then present them with plenty of swirling slide transitions and swooshing bullet points.
I saw a PowerPoint performance once, before having ever heard about the concept. In it, a ClickHole writer made a case to her parents about why she should have her ladder privileges restored, despite abusing those privileges in the past by climbing across the ceiling with her sticky frog hands and feet. It was one of the funniest comedic performances I have ever seen, due in no small part to her choice of format.
Vaporwave and PowerPoint both draw their inspiration from interfaces past. However, I think they’re both more extreme examples of a tech nostalgia trend visible across locations and platforms, from the glitchy gif stickers accessorizing Instagram stories to the “Is your child texting about [blank]” meme that rewrites early text-speak. So what’s the appeal?
My first instinct is that as technology becomes more powerful through AI, powerful algorithms and a more effective vessel for evil (*cough* Facebook *cough*), we’re all reaching back to an era of innocuous tech. Clippy could be annoying, but not a threat to democracy. The internet today can be a scary place with Black Mirror-esque peril seemingly looming. In the face of these threats, real or not, it would be nice if we could still Ask Jeeves.
Technology is also sad. Tech has left people more connected and more alone than ever, with people presenting picture perfect lives on social media as reality when in fact their realities are far from perfect. Memes have become a way for people to express their sadness or dismay, like with the “This is fine” dog. All of this makes the frivolity and superficiality of the early internet appealing. Returning to former tech is a way of using absurdity to highlight absurdity.
[image description: gif of cartoon dog surrounded by flames saying, “This is fine.”]Both of these explanations would point to a form of escapism, which begs the question, what, exactly, are we escaping from?
White wedding dresses are cool and effortlessly chic, but we want to celebrate these women who chose to tie the knot in bold red wedding dresses. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate Valentine’s bridal inspo, or just popping by for some drop-dead-gorgeous Instagrams, we’ve rounded up some jaw-dropping looks for you to drool over.
I loved spending time in my mother’s closet growing up. Trying on her shoes and going through some of the clothes that she held on to from college was one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes I would tease her for the styles she used to wear: embroidered and flowy items from the seventies, bold color schemes from the eighties, and what I thought of as silly high-waisted skirts.
How could people possibly have worn these things, and why did my mother hold on to things emblematic of old trends?
She would tell me that, while my young mind was immersed in the styles of 90s and early 2000s at the time, trends inevitably come back around. My mom had witnessed her mother’s investment in classic items pay off in that she never seemed to go out of style. And, by finding the balance of not giving in too fully to trends and holding on to quality clothes, my mother ensured that her own wardrobe would remain stylish and that those items that were pushed to the back of the rack would eventually find another heyday.
Now that I’m in my twenties, I have seen my mother’s predictions come true. Sure enough, those silky blouses came back, as did the floppy hats and even crop tops.
Pexels.com
Certain things I thought would never come back from my childhood — nineties chokers, off the shoulder shirts, crop tops, and more — are all the rage this year. Styles from the seventies and eighties have found new markets, too. I, personally, am delighted by the return of overalls. And while I am not surprised because of my mother’s lesson of holding on to what might seem obsolete, there are some things I wish would stay in the annals of history and not come back to the public.
I used to think that only the good stuff from a generation would come back to the forefront years later, with the embarrassing aspects left to the past. But now I know that not to be true. With the resurfacing of tiny backpacks and chunky heels, I would not be surprised if those odd stretchy shirts from the 90s also came back into style.
In my opinion, certain trends should never have happened in the first place. Who thought it was a good idea to put neon and neon together? Perhaps it was a designers attempt to make humanity visible at nighttime. Either way, it didn’t work. Not for me.
Back in the day, we used to cover ourselves in glitter before going out, and while I thought that was a thing relegated to the past, from the looks of music festivals, there’s a resurgence even in the glitter department.
I’ve even seen some college-aged boys wearing bucket hats! They think they’re trendy now and certain “bro” brands are carrying them and charging through the nose. There are some things that should really stay dead in the fashion world.
Pexels.com
While I am currently lamenting the return of those odd black stretch chokers and platform soled shoes, I am truly grateful for the cyclical nature of style and (certain) trends. If it weren’t for the rediscovery of things past, my personal identity and style would be radically different. And it’s not just in fashion – music, food, and other fields also fall into cyclical patterns.
Thanks to the rereleasing or remastering of old classics, I discovered a genuine interest in soul music and Americana. Thankfully, most of the music from the nineties that I listened to hasn’t come back. Those old boy band CDs were given away long ago, thank goodness. But it has surprised me that it is in the past five to ten years that 90s hip hop has become popular again, and grunge and alt-rock have also found interested new young audiences today.
Some celebrities today look more like they get their clothing from thrift stores than they do from trendy new designers. While I am grateful for the cycles of taste for the development of my own identity and style, I really wish people would do more than blindly follow popular trends and discern what were the quality and tasteful aspects of a decade.
Alas, I am beginning to sound crotchety. I am resigned to just wait this one out and hopefully these chokers will just be a flash in the pan. Let’s just hope hair teasing and blue eye shadow don’t come in style next year.
If this year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. From the rise of Trump to the return of soccer chic – everything is a shock to the system. And one of the greatest shocks? Denim on denim on denim on denim is BACK!
For those who lived in the glorious 90’s, denim on denim evokes the memory of the then it-couple Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake matching at the 2001 American Music Awards. And we thought we had seen the last of it then. The so-called ‘Canadian Tuxedo’ is a trend we never thought would return – but it’s denimocracy that’s getting the most popular vote in 2016. What started as spring’s hottest trend is sticking around through fall this year.
Therefore, without further ado, here are 10 celebrities who absolutely rock head-to-toe denim:
Before the trend even blew up, Indian A-lister Kangana Ranaut was spotted making moves to the Mumbai airport in July 2015. This classic rendition of all-denim wear looks just as comfortable as it does cool.
The ‘Dead Petz’ singer paired denim with Converse in a getup with a 70’s feel for a night on the town in NYC. Her denim jacket featured emoji smiley faces and colorful stickers, which brightened up the otherwise monotone look. The end result was wacky and wonderful in a IDGAF way. How Miley.
The Latina cutie dressed fresh for fall by pairing a flannel, white tee, and tan boots with a denim on denim ensemble. Everything Thorne wears is Insta-worthy, but we really, really love this Western-inspired look on her, especially with her long, auburn locks.
Fashion runs in Kravitz family, and it’s no surprise that it comes naturally to the 27-year old multitalented actress and singer. Kravitz, headphones stuffed in her ears, strut her stuff in all denim in NYC on a chilly day in March. Sporting an outfit with all the same wash used to be a fashion faux pas, but in 2016, it’s effortlessly chic. Whatever she’s jamming to in music and fashion, it’s working.
The 5’7″ star paired a denim button-up with ripped jeans. Adding a cuff and neutral heels gave this look an extra boost – not that the actress and budding business mogul needs help getting any attention.
After she posted a picture on Instagram of her wearing denim on denim in the past, Zendaya’s fans were quick to support the stylish actress from hater backlash that arose due to her fashion choices. However, why anyone would ever hate on her makes no sense to us – just look at her! We love you, Zendaya!
The young actress’ street style embodies California cool, particularly with the reflective sunglasses she sported while she walked out and about in town for the day. The high neckline paired with a skirt with buttons in the front flatters the blonde’s slender frame.
The leggy 18-year-old took to the streets during New York Fashion Week while sporting a denim miniskirt and jean jacket. The aviators with the half-up, half-down ‘do was so 90’s, and we’re wild about it.
The single mom finished a denim look with ankle-grazers that showed off Adidas Stan Smith sneakers – another throwback to the early 2000’s. Whether she’s running errands with daughter Suri or directing on set, this tomboy ensemble is a perfect casual look for day.
In 2016, the Canadian tuxedo has become a refined look. These A-listers have set the precedent, showing us just how many different ways this style can slay. The verdict’s out: denim-on-denim is here to stay.
He didn’t like what he saw. He didn’t like it one bit. It was spring break, and my friend and I set off to Greece. During our vacation, I sent her boyfriend a couple of Snapchats of us out on the town.
What he saw both angered and excited him: a black velvet piece of cloth fixed tightly around his girlfriend’s neck.
Not a noose, but a choker.
She wore her perceived mark of infidelity, so blatant and proud, it drove him mad.
For anyone who’s confused right now, “it turns out, by wearing a choker, you’re sending guys a secret signal that you need to bang right now.” Thanks for clearing that up, Becky.
The ridiculous logic behind wearing chokers is as follows:
1. Girl wears choker
2. Boy sees something around Girl’s neck.
3. Boy imagines choking girl.
4. Boy is subsequently aroused.
5. Girl is a slut.
Therefore if a girl wears a choker, the girl is a slut.
Giphy.com
This, however, seems like it’s the boy’s problem, no?
[bctt tweet=”By wearing a choker, you’re sending guys a secret signal that you need to bang rn.” username=”wearethetempest”]
There’s actually a psychological term for this kind of contorted thinking, called projection. Put simply, when a person(s) makes you realize something undesirable about yourself, you deal with the internal shame it causes you by projecting the negative trait back onto the other person. This splitting of the self is performed at an unconscious level, meaning that the person is often unaware that this is something they are doing. Social media makes slut-shaming simple.
[bctt tweet=”Social media makes slut-shaming simple. ” username=”wearethetempest”]
For most of us 90s children, chokers bring us back to our youth. In particular, the classic black ones with criss-crossing wires. Here’s a photo of yours truly on the far left, six and at soccer practice, sporting the piece in question while repping a “TOTS” t-shirt.
Sexy, right?
It’s 2016 but when it comes to fashion, it’s really just a 90s makeover.
Jean skirts, high-waisted pants, Adidas slip-ons: they’re all been resurrected for the modern femme with twists on the classic.
The return of the choker, however, has been met with a vengeance.
Giphy.com
How did this seemingly innocuous throwback look evolve from a popular children’s look into a promiscuous piece?
[bctt tweet=”If a girl wears a choker, somehow the girl is a slut.” username=”wearethetempest”]
The choker is one of many style choices that imply sexuality under faulty logic. Black pumps, red lips, darkly lined eyes, crop-tops, anything leather, anything lace, resembling a corset, showing cleavage or legs, and the button-ups…the list goes on and on.
When it comes to sex and style, women just can’t win. Between the double standards, grey areas, and hogwash published online when it comes to women’s ‘looks,’ an invisibility cloak seems like the only answer. As Leora Tanenbaum explains, “If you are a heterosexual girl or young woman, you are damned if you don’t and damned if you do. If you refrain from any expression of sexiness, you may be written off as irrelevant and unfeminine. But if you follow the guidelines, you run the risk of being judged, shamed and policed.”
The logic of attributing characteristics to objects-such as clothing or jewelry- fails by virtue of itself and allows silly sexist notions to prevail.
If you haven’t heard, the 90’s are making a comeback. We’ve got new episodes of Full House and a brand new season of Gilmore Girls coming. The Backstreet Boys are reuniting for a tour. Brown lipsticks, chokers, and denim-on-denim outfits are trendy again.
Up until recently, the only thing that seemed to be missing from the return of the 90’s was Lisa Frank. And the good news is… she’s BACK! But the epic news doesn’t stop there – she’s back with a clothing line!
Although associated with the 90’s, Frank launched the brand in 1979, at a young age of 24, with a set of colorful stickers. The company got its first major kick-start with a million dollar order from Spencer Gifts. Originally, Lisa Frank only produced stickers that were colored with airbrush painting. It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that the company started to become more prominent by switching from airbrush painting to computer animations and producing school supplies with the classic Lisa Frank designs. The stationary was the turning point in the company’s success.
In the 90’s, back to school shopping was always the best time for me during elementary and middle school, and no school year was complete without Lisa Frank folders, binders, erasers, pencil cases, and more. I don’t know what it was about the neon colored leopards, kittens, puppies, and horses that really just made my 10-year-old self feel like I was ready to conquer the world. I remember the excitement of showing off new Lisa Frank school supplies on the first day of school and spending lunches trying to trade my puppy eraser for a flamingo one.
Gotta collect ’em all!
However, my biggest prized possession was my zip up Lisa Frank folder with a brightly colored leopard cub on the front. That binder was my life – equivalent to what my laptop is to me now.
Today, the iconic brand is teaming up with Rage On! to create some pieces for men and women – all ranging from t-shirts to dresses – pretty much so we can relive our childhood memories. The items are priced reasonably, and you can pick up items anywhere from $25 to $60. The line includes a variety of clothing items, so everyone can find something that they can comfortably rock. There are leggings, crop tops, sweatshirts, t-shirts, tank tops, and dresses. You can purchase all of these items from the Rage On! website (and you can get 10% off if you sign up for emails!).
For most, the line may seem a bit outrageous, but for true 90’s girls who loved their Lisa Frank school supplies, this is a dream come true. I am so ready to rock that teddy bear sweatshirt, and the haters can’t stop me.
Black Twitter came together once again to celebrate their love for blackness and black pride online, under the hashtag #blackout. Black women, Afro Latinos, and everything in between came together to show off their beautiful melanin.
I adore this day. Although I’ve seen more and more opportunities for black pride being taken advantage of these days, it never fails to bring a smile to my face when I see my Twitter light up with beautiful people.
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