Not much time ago, there was this scandal about Oprah Magazine talking about crop tops and saying that you should feel free to try them “if (and only if!) you’ve got a flat stomach”. It caused a major shitstorm and made many – especially plus-sized – girls post pictures of them wearing crop tops with the hashtags #rockthecrop #pullingofacroptop #ifandonlyifiwantto. I joined this movement on → Instagram (and → Facebook) because I think that it’s not okay to tell someone what he or she is allowed to wear. That’s arrogant in many ways and not the right way for a magazine to give tips on how to dress.

I’m not willing to dress for anyone, especially not for total strangers. I dress for myself, wear what I like in this exact moment. And if that’s a crop top, I’ll wear it. Just like in this post today. I’m not wearing it to say: “Hey, I’m fat and I’m wearing a crop top!”, it has nothing to do with being a rebel. The thing is: I saw this top online, fell in love with the colors and the design and had to get it.
I enjoyed wearing it and while we were shooting the pictures – in front of many people – no one looked at me and had to throw up or told me that I was disgusting. No one came up to me and said that I should only wear a crop top with a flat tummy. No one was horrified and ran away.

What I want to say: when you wear what you want and add the right attitude (feel good!), nobody will ruin your day. Of course there might be some people looking at you, but always remember: some might be surprised, maybe because they don’t see fat people wearing such beautiful clothes that often (sadly!), maybe because they think you’re gorgeous, maybe because they wish they weren’t afraid of doing the same. Sure, some will look and shake their heads, giving you that evil look and making you feel like you’re a major piece of shit, but do you really want to take these strangers seriously? Will you let them tell you what you’re allowed to wear? Do you really want to depend on their opinion? Choose your daily look according to their wishes? Do you really want to dress yourself for a stranger? I’m sure the answer is: no.
You don’t have to wear a crop top, you don’t have to prove to anyone that you can rock a crop top. If you don’t like them, nobody’s forcing you to wear them. Just wear whatever you want, but please don’t listen to such bullshit tips that tell you how to dress – you’ve got your own mind, use it and be creative! :)

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