Cr(op)-out?

Outfit post: Crop top: New Look (get it here) Skirt: Simply Be (get it here) Necklace: Forever 21 Bag: Leather Satchel Co. (get it here) Jacket: New Look Inspire (similar here) Shoes: ASOS (similar here)
It's funny. Before, when I was smaller I was so much more insecure about my body. I loathed my body due to internalised hatred that I have been subject to by my family, peers, the media, and society overall. My hatred projected into my fashion choices. For one, I was much more conservative in my attire. I always wore baggy jeans, baggy t-shirts, and I wouldn't dare show off my arms. My fatness was something I was ashamed of, and something I should always cover up. Stripes? White? Forget it. I was scared and understandably so -- when you've been growing up all your life being told you're disgusting, it really gets to you.

This outfit is something past!Gazel would never wear. Baring my arms? Wearing something that showed a visible belly outline? A CROP TOP? I would have scoffed at this outfit. It's only something skinny girls would wear, is probably what I would have thought. Well, fuck that. While self-love and self-acceptance is an ongoing journey for me (and probably will be for the rest of my life), I can't let other people dictate what I should or shouldn't wear. I look at this picture now, many pounds heavier than my past self and I feel so confident. I'm not ashamed anymore. I'm glad for this change, it's a welcome change. Not only is my perception of myself changing, but so is my style. I would have never dared wear a crop top, but now I am (although I guess it's a cop out because I got it tucked in and am not baring skin), and I love it. I feel so confident, so trendy, I don't know. Lately I've been clearing out the cutesy-vintage stuff I used to wear in favour of more "edgy" (to me anyways) clothing, and classic cuts. I think I like it. Maybe it's my haircut that is making me embody this new style. I just feel so much more confident and chic!