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Maui B of PHAT Girl Fresh

Source: P. Dillon Photography / P Dillon Photograpy

If you are anything like me, you pay attention to all of the latest fashion trends. Please note that I said pay attention to and not obsess over because I firmly believe that fashion is nothing until we apply our style. Some of the latest trends have been incorporated into my wardrobe and some I pass the same way I would a hitchhiker. Now as a plus size woman, I know that society says we should pass on certain trends because we are, “too big for that” and we “shouldn’t draw attention to ourselves”. However, this a new time and we are not the plus size women of the 70s and 80s, we want to be seen. We are bold and unbothered by society’s standards, which is why we are currently wild about animal prints and slaying them without a second thought.

In terms of fashion, we are presently in the middle of what I call, “ the neon jungle.” With two of this year’s hottest trends being neon colored and animal print clothing and accessories, this phrase is the perfect descriptor. These trends are on all the red carpets, magazine covers, and fashion mood boards. As a plus size woman who is a lover of fashion, I am excited to welcome trends that require a certain boldness because too often we opt for playing it safe. However, playing it safe is hard with these two trends which is why I am here for all of it.

Despite your size, I know you have heard people suggest that plus size women should shy away from animal prints because they garner too much attention. God forbid a woman larger than a size 10 be bold enough to want all eyes on her, right? So, we listened and dumbed ourselves down. We allowed outsiders to make us feel as though we were only supposed to exist and never live out loud. Then.  Now, we are a new community of women who want society to stick their rules and standards where the sun has yet to shine. We make our own rules and while there are many factors that play a role in how we slay, size isn’t one of them.

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