A sartorial follow-up to her hilarious memoir in stories, Fat Girl Walking, internet personality Brittany Gibbons once again deep dives into the world of the plus size woman, this time chronicling her love/hate (but mostly hate) relationship with what fashion.
From Pinterest boards and Instagram posts to shop windows and ad campaigns, fashion is everywhere. We shop and dress for practical reasons like job interviews or to make a good impression at the board meeting. We shop and dress for more adventurous reasons—for dates, to woo a lover, to catch someone’s eye. Clothes are armor for women, and we wrap a lot of meaning in what we choose to wear.
As plus-size spokesmodel and blogger Brittany Gibbons knows, what we choose to wear is especially important, and especially emotional, for curvy women. This isn’t only because curvy women feel underrepresented and underserved by the fashion world. For the curvy woman who struggles with feelings of self-worth and a lack of confidence the feeling of "why bother" can come crashing in. You can’t help but think "wouldn’t leggings and a slouchy sweater just be easier?" Especially when we, like every other woman on the planet, are facing greater, real-life obstacles like raising kids, attending college, keeping your marriage together, paying bills, and a myriad of other daily struggles.
Everyone has those days where they hate their body, they hate their clothes, but self-confidence and strength can come from a great outfit. Brittany is determined to help women, curvy and otherwise, embrace fashion and all the bumps and lumps that come with it. An "overdue love letter" to her body, Brittany delves into the hilarity and the humility of her quest to find her own personal style—to break out of a rut of maternity underwear and men’s undershirts once and for all. From wardrobe malfunctions, to fashion advice, to mom bodies and the perfect pose, The Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat)? is the empowered battle cry all women deserve.
This book actually made me laugh out loud multiple times, pause to have some serious conversations with myself, and shout really powerful comebacks to no one (just practicing in the event that a situation ever arise in which I need to defend my muffin top). Brittany Gibbons killed it again with this book!
I received an advance reader copy of BrittanyGibbon's upcoming book called The Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat)? : Adventures and Agonies in Fashion. Ladies, GET THIS BOOK.
It has been a few months since I have read a book where I thought the author was talking directly to me through her pages. It has been a while since I connected so much with a book that I was laughing out loud, shaking my head and thinking, "Me, too!", and profoundly felt the experience of someone else because I have felt it at different times in my life, too. I'm not being insincere when I say that I laughed, I cried, and felt every emotion in between.
This is a book that ALL women will relate to, no matter body "type", internal struggles, or if you are on-point in your makeup and fashion game. In fact, I'm not a fashion person. Give me a snarky t-shirt, jeans, and a great pair of boots and I am ready to go. As much as this book is about those things, it isn't about those things. It is about so much more.
It is about being a woman.
And, to be quite frank, I needed to read this book right now. It was good for my soul. It was a warm blanket that I needed to warm my feet on a cold day.
I wasn’t an overweight child. I was a slightly pudgy teenager. It was all up from there, my weight, I mean. For years I punished myself by saying awful things to my reflection in the mirror, stuffing myself into clothes that didn’t fit, and eating bad food to feel better for a moment.
Right about the time I realized something had to change, I found Brittany’s blog. It wasn’t an entry about body positivity, it was about her daughter scaring the bejeezus out of her in the middle of the night. I feel in love with her humor in an instant. Then I read more and I fell in love with her love of women and body and empowerment.
Please do yourself a favor and read this book and if you haven’t already, read her first book- Fat Girl Walking. Find her online. Read her words. Then let them sink in. Repeat as needed until you treat your body and your heart the way they deserve to be treated. You can thank me later.
OH MY GOODNESS I LOVED THIS BOOK! It’s like Gibbons wrote this FOR me. We’re almost the exact same age and both from the Midwest, so all of her middle/high school references were so so relatable and hilarious, as was so much of the book. I laughed out loud uncontrollably so many times that my kids kept asking if I was okay. If you are a woman who has ever despaired over finding clothes that fit, this book is for you. And if you are a woman who has ever questioned the “rightness” of the size of your body, this book is for you. LOVED IT.
I have followed Brittany Gibbons' blogs since 2007. I read her online magazine, Curvy Girl Guide, and when that suddenly ended, joined on the ground floor of the Curvy Girl Guide community. I feel like that distant, yet extremely proud, aunt who has watched her niece grow up on Facebook and through the books she has written. While I'm not really her aunt, in fact, I've only been to Ohio once on purpose, I am SO PROUD of Brittany. Not just because of where she is in body acceptance and how she has helped so many designers and clothing companies wake the hell up and realize that they are screwing themselves out of business by NOT making plus size clothing for the majority of the population that wants to wear more than men's jeans and sequins sweat tops, but also because of how she has helped so many of us face the reality that we ARE POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL and ENOUGH, regardless of what that number is written on the tag in our pants. In this book, Gibbons tells the world that we plus size women are just like other girls....we are sexual, successful, healthy, amazing, and have no reason to be ashamed or apologetic that we don't fit YOUR idea of what beauty is.
The best part of this book, for me, was the chapter called "Everything I Want to Say to My Daughter." Here is where women need to learn to address the fact that our daughters are dry sponges soaking up all of our bad habits of self-loathing and being hyper-critical of our bodies. If we are going to raise self-confident daughters who love and respect themselves enough to not allow others to walk all over them, then we must teach them through our own example. I loved this book.
This book is exactly the kind of book that every woman needs to read. The kind of book that makes you nod with familiarity and understanding. The kind of writing that makes you feel like someone else understands what you’re going through in the dressing room, pool, doctors office and school pick up line.
Over the last few years I’ve been inspired by Brittany and the amazing women in her group to try new things and find myself. There has always been a few things I couldn’t get past. Wearing shorts in public, my legs are very very pale and very thick, and wearing a two piece swim suit. The honest words she wrote in this book has inspired me to make my 2018 the debut of Grace’s legs, a re-launch if you will. So tonight after finishing this book, which I read in a few hours because I couldn’t put it down, I ordered a two piece bathing suit.
This book is hilarious, brutally honest and unashamed. I wish I could gift one to everyone I know. #WereNotSorry
My only negative about this book is that it wasn’t long enough! Brittany has once again killed it with her real life writing. This book took me on what could have been a replica of my own childhood and journey into adulthood. Finding myself, learning to love my body (still) and all of the ins and outs. I laughed out loud countless time, I smiled through tears of complete understanding and cringed a lot, a lot, feeling the pain of being shamed as a plus-sized woman. I will be coming back to this book for years to come, when I need reminding that being a self-loving woman is far more important to what the haters are out there saying. This book wasn’t intended to be a “self help” guide for women, however I think many woman are going to be able to take away a lot of ways to help themselves feel stronger as a bad ass woman!
After Brittany Gibbons first book I said I wanted her to be my best friend. Sadly I think she's in too high of demand for that closeness. However after this book I do want to thank her profusely for putting into perfect words for me to read aloud to my partner what I could never seem to accurately convey, "You can't fix it." As a mom to an also stunning young lady your comments on what we teach our daughters made me both laugh and cry. You deal with the stress and the triumphs of maneuvering a plus size body through a petite minded world with humor and brilliance. You are a hero just for saying it all out loud for the rest of us.
I will never be able to give Brittany less than 5 stars because she is so damn relatable and keeps me laughing and devouring her words. Reading her two books are like when you are convinced the singer on stage is looking at you and singing to you exclusively. Brittany is talking to me and I am still fangirling hard.
This book made me SO HAPPY. I have a much better relationship with my body now than ever, even when I was an stick. Even so, it's so lovely to see such a strong message of female empowerment. I laughed out loud many times, and will be rereading The Clothes Make the Girl soon.
Brittany is a fun writer to say the least. She really went there in ways I have never read in a book before, to the point where I have pretty much confirmed that having kids is now not only terrifying but even more disgusting then I thought. I really do have to say I felt more positive about myself after reading this book.
This book us what every woman needs in her life! Thanks to Brittany and her words,I have been slowly finding myself again and learning how to love myself again.
Once again, Brittany Gibbons keeps us laughing and nodding along with her spot on reflections and stories. Another fantastic read by this fairly new author. Her previous book is one of my favorites and I’m happy to say this book is now as well.
Another amazing read! I read ever last single page laughing! I was so happy that Brittany wrote a second book after loving her first. Her second was just as amazing and humorous and left me feeling like I was reading a book by my best friend.
This book is much better than the book I was expecting. When Brittany first mentioned in social media she was writing this book, I was bummed out because it seemed a lot more fashion-oriented than her first. Not really my cup of tea. As anyone who has ever seen how I dress can tell you. Reading between the lines and having listened to her "Girls Girls" podcast - which, if you're not listening to every Thursday, you must if only because Meredith Soleau (who is mentioned prominently in this very book) is the co-host - it sounds like the book pitched and the book delivered are very different.
So, yes, fashion. Fine. But all the stuff around the fashion is pure Brittany and very enjoyable.
This book felt smaller than Brittany's first book, 'Fat Girl Walking: Sex, Food, Love, and Being Comfortable in Your Skin'. Oddly enough, they are the exact same number of pages. I did a bunch of research (eg: looked at Amazon) and found that, yes, it is smaller by about 20%. The pages are smaller: 2,784 square inches in total smaller compared to the previous book. That's the floor size of a pretty sweet closet.
I endorse this book but demand Brittany write more for Book Three. If you, too, want more Brittney, buy this book and make a similar demand.
Gibbons message of body positivity wasn't entirely ground-breaking, nor is her approach the most erudite or scholarly -- and that's exactly why it worked for me. Gibbons chatty, hold-nothing-back (no matter how embarrassing) tone made her seem approachable and utterly relatable, which in turn gave weight to what she was saying. Try hard to embrace your body, but have days where you hate the way you look? No worries; she has too, and there's no judgment here. Find your self worth tied a little too much to your dress size, despite wishing it didn't matter? She's been there. Feel fantastic and want to celebrate? She'll cheer you on.
Clothes Make the Girl felt a bit like the sugar cereal of the "message" breakfast buffet; not the greatest nutritional value, but way more tasty and fun than the unsweetened fiber flakes, and definitely better than going without. (And what good are the fiber flakes if you can't bring yourself to eat them, anyway?) Am I carrying this metaphor too far? Most likely. Does the point still stand? Yep.
Gibbons has given us a fun, compulsively readable pep-talk in a book that may not change your world view, but might just turn around a bad day.
This book should be on the required reading list for every woman, regardless of their size. Brittany Gibbons is so relatable and real, she feels like the best friend you wish you had with you when trying on bathing suits when you are bloated and on your period under unflattering fluorescent lights. She doesn’t expect you to become confident over night about your body, she actually is honest and says she still has days when she cries in her car before going in to work because she feels insecure. She gives you permission to have those bad days, but encourages you not to wallow and start fresh the next day.
Body love is a process and is feels impossible some days, but Brittany’s practical advice (like how to measure your bra size properly and the other use for the hole in your spanx) will make you laugh and get out of your own head for a minute.
If you came of age in the 90’s, you are going to adore her Clueless references; didn’t we all wish we had plaid plaid mini skirts and thigh high stockings in the mid 90’s?
Favorite quotes: We don’t have a style because we’ve never really had the option to develop a style. We’ve developed coping mechanisms . . . there’s a difference.”
“I am done wearing clothes to make other people feel comfortable at the expense of my womanhood.”
Brittany Gibbons, author of Fat Girl Walking, wrote another memoir! I interviewed her back in 2014, and you can read it here! She teaches confidence, and self love, and that it is okay when you don't have those things. Not only did I laugh, I cried, and made plans to clean out my closet. Brittany's first book was epic, and a New York Times Bestseller. Ladies. LADIES. You need this book. NEED IT. (and her other book also, just get them both.) This book is like sitting down with your best friend, and having a long awesome conversation. This book is not just for plus size women, it is for ALL WOMEN. I am not plus size (anymore) and this book is still for me. This book is for everyone that has ever felt like they didn't fit in. This book is about fashion, and it isn't about fashion at all. I needed this book. The letter to her daughter is something I needed, for me, and something that all girls need.
I really enjoyed this so much more than her first book. I understand she’s a little over the top for some people who think she over-shares, but I found myself laughing at and appreciating her honesty. I think she writes about a lot of what other people have experienced or at least thought, but were afraid or embarrassed to share. Whether you agree with her methods or not, it’s hard not to applaud someone fighting against body-shaming and putting herself out there, against all her own fears. I know anyone, of any size, can experience issues with their body, but it’s no secret that the public opinion of what’s considered an “overweight” person is much harsher. I haven’t lived through what Brittany has, pertaining to weight, but I think we’ve all got something we’re insecure about and would like to change. Some things she wrote about just hurt my heart for her and I’d really like to give her a big hug. I’m glad she’s got her confidence back and is sharing it with others!
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and I was really excited, because I read Brittany Gibbons first book last year. This book was even better than her first. I really enjoy Gibbons voice, she is funny, self-deprecating and I relate so hard. I really want to be friends with Brittany and go shopping. She is a fellow fashion lover that loves feeling comfortable and sexy whenever possible. Two of my favorite fashion buzz words.
She is a body-positive advocate that is also open about having difficult days with her own body. Her honesty brought home how loving oneself is a journey that requires work and not something that happens overnight. I hope that Gibbons has more books in her future!
This book was recommended by a plus-size friend and I think that all young women who are larger than society deems "normal" should read this book. The author, Brittany Gibbons, is a blogger, author and plus-side model. It is quite amusing in places but also a tad obscene. Her husband is more than a little open-minded to support her use of intimacy from their marriage but she fortunately keeps her children's lives reasonably confidential. I noticed that like all plus-size models she has no double-chin. That is an anomaly in the world of excess avoirdupois but if you pay attention you will notice that a double-chin is verboten in today's otherwise progressive use of plus-size models.
Somehow, reading a book written by someone I know makes it even better. It was such a good read, and your voice read it to me in my head. I loved learning more about young Brittany - and I felt so many of the same emotions growing up, and so many more of them from your adult years. Chapter 10? Chapter 9? Geeze...all the chapters? Yep. You're my new Judy Blume, B.
I've read it twice now. Once on my kindle and once with my physical book. Loved it both ways. Tons of laughs, tons of feelings, and no saying sorry.
I absolutely love Brittany and reading her books is such a pleasure in so many ways, not the least of which is hearing a story of internal body shame that is identical to one I've had many times, feeling a kind of community in it and not so isolated in those feelings. She also does an amazing job empowering plus-sized women such as myself and reminding us of many things that are often too easy to forget. Personally, I think anyone would benefit from reading her books (she's hilarious!) but also think that every plus-size-wearing woman should absolutely read them.
Parts of this book made me laugh out loud. Brittany is a wizard when it come to putting so much of what I felt my whole life into words. Like her, I wish it didn’t take so long for me to realize that I am more than my size! Thanks Brittany for putting so many of my feelings into words! Read this book if you have children, a muffin top or just a good sense of humor. And one last thing...you will no longer hear me say I’m sorry for being me. SORRY, NOT SORRY! Thanks again Brittany, happy to be your new best friend. 😆
I am dismayed to think about my life pre-Brittany Gibbons. She's bold. She's hilarious. She's inspiring. She is unapologetically herself. She needs to be one of my friends.
EP Brittany Gibbons is a spokeswoman for plus-size fashion. This, her second book talks about her own journey to love her body and find clothes that flatter fabulous curves.
WIT If you can't already guess what I thought, I FRIGGIN LOVED THIS BOOK! I identified with the author in so many ways.
Yes, just yes. I nodded in agreement, cried because so many of her thoughts could have been pulled from my own brain, and laughed because she's one of the funniest people out there. This book speaks so much truth and has something that I know every woman out there can relate to. If you haven't read this, or Brittany's first book, do so asap.
Stop what you're doing and go read this book! Brittany Gibbons is hilarious, but also makes you feel good about yourself. whether you are plus size or not, she talks about things that all women can relate to. Her body positivity is a breath of fresh air in a world that tries to make women feel like only one shape is ok. Loved this book!
The Clothes Make the Girl (Look Fat)?...an insightful visitation of all things woman. Brittany hilariously explores delicate subjects experienced by women of every size. Perplexing sizes inconsistent across brands, online cattiness, teenage angst, fashion and hair, body love, and motherhood are concepts commented on by the talented author.