We’re constantly inundated with images of thin bodies in the media, and it can be easy to believe that clothes only look good on smaller frames. And body negativity isn’t exclusive to Instagram or fashion shows either — it’s prevalent in everyday life. I’ve been on the receiving end of offensive body comments more than once, and every time, it makes me feel anxious and insecure. However, I know deep down that this negative dialogue isn’t rooted in fact. It goes without saying that bodies of all sizes can look fashionable, and that’s precisely the message that TikTok user @jaimmykoroma communicates on the regular.
For the uninitiated, Koroma is an art director and advocate for body acceptance, self-confidence, and self-love. Her TikTok account is chock-full of epic body-positive and food-positive content that encourages everyone who scrolls through her profile to celebrate their bodies, say “no” to unhealthy dieting, and be content with who they are. To guide her followers on their path toward self-acceptance, Koroma shares her own weight loss journey, in which she decided to forgo shedding unnecessary pounds and embrace her natural size, despite the prevalence of diet culture in society.
While I love all of Koroma’s content, I do have a favorite series. It’s called “Things I’ll Wear When I’m Skinny” and, well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. In the videos, she shares how thousands of Pinterest boards with that title actually exist, then recreates the looks on her own body to show that you don’t need to lose weight to look amazing. How awesome is that?!
As someone who’s struggled with the idea that I can only wear certain clothes if I’m skinnier, or lighter, or more waifish, this message is one I will never tire of hearing. After recently gaining weight during the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve admittedly felt more uncomfortable wearing shorts, crop tops, and other more revealing pieces, so Koroma’s TikToks could not have landed at a better time for me. If you experience similar body issues (and, let’s be real, who doesn’t occasionally self-criticize?), I encourage you to scroll through the TikToks below and remind yourself that all people and all bodies are fashionable and beautiful in (and out of) clothes.
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