During my daily podcast listen, I heard a term that was new to me from the LIKEtoKNOW.it influencer radio. “Inbetweenie”. Sarah Tripp, of the blog Sassy Red Lipstick, who tags her niche as a body positive fashion blog, referred to an inbetweenie as a fashion blogger who is an in-between size – greater than a size 4 up to a size 12 — not teeny, not full-figured. And I loved the term so much I’ve officially adopted it. (Thanks, Sarah 😉 )
There was a day that I realized that I wasn’t like my teeny tiny size 2 and 4 girlfriends in high school, and I had the insight at a young age that I needed to learn to be proud of the body that I was given (and learn how to dress it well ;). I go into way more detail on this in my previous post about being referred to as an Amazon woman.
I am 100% an inbetweenie. I’m just a hair shy of 5’10”. My weight generally fluctuates within a 15 pound range, and it’s ok. I’m V-shaped, with narrow hips & broad shoulders. I like to say i’m mismatched – in that I typically wear a size 6-8 on the bottom and nothing smaller than a 12 on top! (So frustrating when trying to buy bathing suits – And so, separates it is!) And yes, I am sometimes frustrated when some brands only go up to a size Large – that won’t even fit my body! – but that’s what this growing fashion community is about.
During that time that I was so ashamed that I was bigger than all my teeny friends (at a ripe old 14), I was horrified to even discuss my weigh or my size. This was a growing pain for me to realize that it didn’t matter what the number on the tag said – it matters how it fits and how you feel in it. I have some size 6 bottoms and some size 14 dresses – ultimately it’s of no importance so long as you feel good in it.
Sure, there are things every person dislikes about their body, but my philosophy is that you should try and change it if you can, or learn to work with what you’re given. Some days that feeling comes easier than others, but the unfair pressure of trying like you need to fit into a mold that you weren’t made to fit into is ridiculous.
I have to say, I truly admire Sarah’s ability to be incredibly body positive and hope to emanate that same level of appreciation and understanding that beautiful is applicable at every size.
