The Inbetweeners: Not the TV Show
When you’re scrolling down your Instagram feed, how often do you pause to think, “Hey, I look like that!” On the other hand, how many times do you think, “I love what he/she/they’re wearing, I just don’t know how it would look on my body?”
More often than not, Instagram influencers and their incredible styles are relegated to thinner people; not necessarily size zero, but the lithe and slender figures of Kendall Jenner-esque figures. Most of us don’t look like that.
When we think “curvy,” we think of the Kim Kardashians and Kylie Jenners; their body types are also lean, but with fuller hips and chests. Most of us don’t look like that either.
When we think “fat”––which is, by the way, not a bad word––we think of Tess Holliday or Lizzo; their body types are not lean and often demonized, but you already know that. Most of us don’t look like that either.
We love representation, and body positivity is only one part of it. We want to look on a screen and relate to the people we’re looking at. I, for one, love looking through style inspo on Instagram; finding new ways of pairing x with y, or styling x with z. What I don’t love is only seeing these outfits on people who don’t look like me, because they inevitably don’t look the same on my body; whether that displeases me or not is a separate discussion, but it would definitely be nice to have a realistic idea of what I’ll look like when I try certain trends.
We all want to see different shapes and sizes in the media, bodies that deviate from the convention of a socially ascribed “good body.” However, we often forget that those of us that don’t look like Instagram influencers are also allowed to want to dress well, to have our unique, trendy sense of style. Fortunately, more and more “midi,” “inbetweeners,” or midsize influencers—often wearing sizes 10, 12, or 14––are coming along. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for any stylists of any size, but the appeal of a diversified feed and realistic models is undeniable. For the last few months, I’ve made a conscious effort to look for influencers as diverse as I can find, exploring styles radically different from mine. It’s definitely spiced up by my Instagram scrolling, and I think it will yours too.
In the following list, I hope you find at least one person who either dresses or looks like you. And I hope they inspire you––to either dress more freely, or live more freely.
1. Francesca Perks (@francescaperks)
A more colorful Y2K aesthetic, Francesca destroys the notion that prints and light colors only look good on thinner people. Side note: Her room is gorgeous.
2. Winnie Parker (@winnieparkerr)
Real and unfiltered, Winnie’s style is simple and classic. Her wardrobe and her feed, however, are enviable.
3. Joanna Pincerato (@joannapincerato)
Y2K princess meets modern minimalist, Joanna is proof that your Pinterest board looks phenomenal on everyone.
4. Lauren-Nicole (@laurennicolefk)
A contributing curve editor for Cosmopolitan UK, do I need to say any more? No, so I have only one word: glam.
5. Sarah Kim (@iamsarahkim)
Sarah has the modern minimalist look down. Classic nudes, beiges, and browns, her feed is the dream Tumblr aesthetic.
6. Ishini Weerasinghe (@ishiniw)
Proof that the Desi and Western aesthetics can coexist, and look sexy as hell––together and individually.
7. Holly Ah-Thion (@thekittyluxe)
You probably own at least one of the pieces she has but have just never thought to pair it like that. Holly’s nailed the girl-next-door vibe, with a prettier feed to accompany it.
8. Rosa (@rosariummm)
“I Only Wear Black” is a song from The Wombats and that’s all it should be. Rosa proves time and time again that you can be hot and fat and wear more than just black.
Hot tip: Her Depop store is incredible and incredibly affordable. You’re welcome.
9. Javiera (@javiera)
Her tattoos, her make-up, and the way she mixes vibes. Also, her Youtube channel has phenomenal style inspo, Instagram advice, and brutally honest confidence tips.
Bonus feature to round out the list, my current crush: Mikayla Klewer (@mikaylaklewer).
And a reminder: You can wear whatever the fuck you want, whatever size you are, and whatever you look like.
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