I’m not the first one to write about this, and I won’t be the last. But I don’t think there can be too many shame stories like this uncovered and discussed openly. Shame wants to remain secret, in the dark, festering like mold. In my experience, when exposed to sunlight, it dies.
For most of my life, I didn’t wear sleeveless. I didn’t even consider it. While there were plenty of styles I figured I could theoretically do but were “better” to avoid (fitted tops, short skirts, etc.), a few things seemed completely off-limits as a RULE. This included bikinis, anything midriff-baring, and sleeveless. I didn’t question this, didn’t mull it over, didn’t consider challenging it. I also didn’t ponder going to the moon for my lunch break.
Pattern: Dress from the “Sundressing” book by Melissa Mora
I’m not sure exactly what changed for me several years ago. Well I guess that’s not entirely true — I have been doing a lot of work with myself (read: therapy) for a long time and there’s no question that’s the origin. But I don’t know what the trigger was for this actual change. I guess I don’t really care. Anyway, I purchased a couple of tank tops a few years back and would wear them at home, but I would change if I had to go out anywhere. And I wouldn’t answer the door while wearing one. It’s really appalling and infuriating for me to regurgitate all of this now, but it’s also cathartic so I’m pushing on…
Pattern: Texana Tank by Blank Slate Patterns
So Texas. And a propensity for being warm anyway. Size doesn’t help that, but I ran warm even when I was a hundred pounds lighter than I am now. By not allowing myself to wear sleeveless, I was inflicting a double punishment upon myself. I wouldn’t make myself as comfortable as I could in the stifling heat. And I excluded myself from gobs of cute styles because they didn’t happen to contain sleeves.
I wonder now if by wearing the tanks at home, I began to desensitize myself to the horror that was my upper arms. Before long I started playing around with sewing sleeveless styles and would layer them, then soon enough I would actually dare to remove a cardigan from time to time in front of people.
Pattern: Miter Shell by Cake Patterns
I hesitated to include this next part, because my mom reads this blog and I didn’t want to publicly write anything that would upset her. But she knows about my body image struggles, and she and I have talked many times about her role in that. It’s not all her fault, and I love her dearly, but mistakes were made, like they always are. And she fully encourages me to explore them and heal from them now, so I think she would support my expression of this. My mom doesn’t like how her arms look, and she hasn’t worn a sleeveless top that I’m aware of since I’ve been alive. I could tell you about her fitness level, size, shape, etc. but those things don’t matter at all. The bottom line is that, from both her and society as a whole, I got the message that if your arms aren’t ideally slim or toned, no sleeveless. Period.
Pattern: Marbella Dress by Blank Slate Patterns (hacked to be sleeveless)
Today, between May and September and sometimes beyond, when I go into my closet to choose something to wear, I am gutted if all my sleeveless stuff is in the laundry. I even hack patterns into sleeveless when they don’t come with that option. Why on earth would I want to go out in this heat in anything else?? And it’s that — that feeling — which made me understand that embracing sleeveless styles for myself was a very, very kind thing to do.
I’ve overcome some body shame issues in my life, and will spend the rest of my days continuing to fight and defeat the ones that remain. So far, this is one of my favorite conquests.
Pattern: Modified Pipi Shell by Cake Patterns
Well done, you! Keep working on the whole therapy about body image thing. My experience is that it helps with a whole host of other relationship and just plain getting through life issues as well. It’s like we bury everything we think about ourselves and how others perceive and treat us in our body image. Weird, and a bit self-destructive. And just look at all the folks who have connected with this post. An important contribution right there. Again, well done!
Thanks, Nikki! It’s funny, I have spent very little time in therapy actually talking about body image. In my experience, my body image is really a barometer for other things. As I work on everything, it improves without me doing much to tackle that separately, if that makes sense. So yes, I agree with you completely! And I’m so glad that people have connected with this topic. ❤️
You really touched me with your openness and courage. You are a real inspiration, thankyou.
Thanks for your comment, Angie, I appreciate it. ?
At 52, and being over 335 pounds once and down to 100 pounds (I looked horrid so thin), i finally decided my current weight of 16-=0 is about 20 pounds more than my goal and it’s just that, a goal. I eat better, exercise more and if I hid all my hot spots under clothing, it would be fashionable mumu’s and nothing else. Legs, arms, I like my waist. Anyway, I decided to dress for me and not anyone else. Yes, I get comments, strangers and my mother in law, but no one is perfect and I don’t have to be bothered by them. In my mother-in-laws case, this is just her. She comments on things and she does it to everyone. She is not being mean. In the case of others, if it is a good comment I thank them and if it’s not, I ignore it. They probably have their own issues and while taking it out on me is not fair, as my husband has mentioned, many times, you cannot educate the world. Just be who you are, wear what you love and that is a statement about acceptance that shamers will never understand, but others who are shamed will. I don’t know if it’s the best way to handle the world and if someone shamed me in front of my boys, I would ask them not to, but in my experience shamers are brave because they are drunk on the power of their group, and need to show off, hurt and need to hurt to feel better and I don’t have to validate that. I have said, and this is not the best tactic, “Wow, I had no idea I was fat. Thank you so much. I’ll work on it.” I did not use a snarky tone, was not being obviously obnoxious, just really acted like I was being enlightened. It takes guts to pull that one off and I have to be in the proper sassy moment to get that out right. In all cases, I’ve had the people apologise, or not meet my eyes after that. If you are going to do that, make sure you are feeling strong, look great to your own eyes and prepare yourself to not get upset in any way that is visible. If you cry, you will not like yourself. No one is perfect. Love yourself for who you are and your sense of style. Which means a thick skin is important, but you are human. I did tell someone who shamed me, when I was pregnant, that I was hurt by their comment, but was then told she only said it for my own good and health. I did not believe her. She looked so pleased with herself. That’s when I decided say something like they helped you see something you didn’t before (the person who said that is someone who has a deep need to point out what they see as others flaws, and not tell them that) or ignore them. I learned this from my son. He goes by his middle name. If people know not to call him by his given name, he just does not answer. It really worked for him and I was able to apply that to my body.
Not to say it is easy. No one should say anything about anyone’s body. however they will and do. Thin, heavy, straight, tall, short, it’s all mentioned. I will say that in my own lifetime, this has gotten so much better. I am bothered less, and I am spoken to about my weight more in the high end of middle, than I was at the largest end. I have no idea why?
Thank you for sharing your story, Nancy! It so strange, I don’t know what makes people say things to others about their bodies. It’s hard for me to find any logic behind it. But I do feel that it has everything to do with them, and nothing to do with you (us). Sometimes the intentions are good, sometimes not, but often that’s irrelevant to how they feel on our end. ❤️
I HAD to add my hearty round of Oh Yeah You Go Girl! because I am part of the Susan Katz Fan Club.
For me it was my legs. I don’t blame my dad for the comments he made over the years, I believe he believed the hip deformity make my legs thick.
There’s nothing wrong with them. They aren’t as pretty as his or my sister’s but they work great. Day in, day out. Thanks legs!
We are such fragile beings. We don’t mean to hurt each other, but we do.
I love your arms. They make stuff. I’ve seen your work. It’s good stuff.
Thanks S, and hi — long time no see! ? It’s a great way to look at it. Thanks to my arms for the things they create, the people they hug, the doors they open. ?
I am proud of your success and accomplishment in this area!! I have not had this issue and I don’t notice anyones arms unless you are male! I think you look fabulous in all the pictures you posted and until you mentioned your arms I only noticed the outfits!! You go girl!!
Thanks Colleen! “Unless you are male” made me chuckle. ?
I applaud your progress. I especially like the photo of you in the dress. You are beautiful!
Thank you so much, Linda!
You know while I was reading this, I thought of how for the greater part of my life- I never wore dresses, skirts or shorts. I didn’t want to wear them because my mother always made comments about HER own ankles. She always said they were deformed and she was born without them. Now, I was a child and didn’t realize that if she did not have ankles, she wouldn’t be able to stand or walk. I just knew that my ankles looked just like hers and I didn’t want to show mine either. I always thought she was trying to get me into dresses and stuff so others would make fun of me. (the relationships of mothers and daughters….)As I got older, I realized my mother had her own insecurities and and our ankles are just fine. I have taken to wearing shorts, dresses and skirts. I have never had an issue with my arms because – it’s hot here in the summer and when you are wearing pants all the time, something has to give! .lol
Exactly this! My mother never ever thought I would adopt the way she looked at her own body — instead she assumed that I would just believe her if she said mine was beautiful. But it doesn’t work that way, does it? And LOL at the “something has to give” — so right! There are only so many insecurities we can reasonably be expected to balance simultaneously. ?
Good for you! I have a somewhat different experience. I was skinny for the first part of my life, so maybe that has made a difference. However I now hover around 200 pounds at 5″3″ and a very light frame. And I am 72 years young. I live in a strata complex – sort of apartments we each own – like condos. Anyway, it is also a complex for 35 and up, but there are a lot of older folks here. When I go out on hot days in shorts and tank tops I do get looks. At first it intimidated me. I don’t sew. But I am addicted to this group just because I NEDED the body positive vibes here. Thank you all so much for sharing. I love all of you!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Ann! Good on you for pushing past that discomfort/intimidation — so many people don’t summon the courage to do that. And I’m glad you’re here…but fair warning, we might just entice you to sew… 😉
From one Susan to another…….bless you! It’s wonderful blogs such as yours that give me hope that the future will be better for all of us. Embrace our size and bodies I say. I refer to my arms as generous hugging machines. I have been slimmer and larger and funnily enough my arms have always stayed generous, but I learned that a woman such as me totally rocks a halter neck. I look awesome in large art necklaces, as long as I can move and breathe I really don’t care what fashion tries to dictate, sewing has liberated me and sewists such as you have blazed a trail. Thank you.
“Generous hugging machines” — love that! And I couldn’t agree more with how liberating sewing is as a part of this process. Thanks, Susan! 😀
I enjoyed this post Susan. But I think in my case, my mum pushes me to wear sleeveless and I personally don’t want to! She’s curvy too btw. I’m not against others wearing it though, I just feel more conscious of my larger bottom half that I feel rather unbalanced when I wear sleeveless. I will however when our Australian summer arrives try out the off shoulder tops that seem to be popular. Each is unto their own I suppose. My daughtter (nearly 14) likesthe cap sleeve and love tank tops and you know when I was younger and more proportionate I used to also. I think it would be safe and very healthy to wear what you want to wear and feel confident and comfortable in.
Thanks Tamara – I’m glad you liked it. I really struggle with the term “proportionate,” because it’s a relative one, and too often it means “proportionate relative to society’s standards.” Of course, it also tends to be something we are much more self-critical about than critical to others. We are worth more than the sizes/shapes/colors/proportions of our bodies, and that is something I have to remind myself of daily. Some days hourly. And I completely agree with you that it’s important to be comfortable and confident in our choice of clothing. ❤️
All I have to say about this is, society has a lot to answer for!
I enjoyed this post Susan. But I think in my case, my mum pushes me to wear sleeveless and I personally don’t want to! She’s curvy too btw. I’m not against others wearing it though, I just feel more conscious of my larger bottom half that I feel rather unbalanced when I wear sleeveless. I will however when our Australian summer arrives try out the off shoulder tops that seem to be popular. Each is unto their own I suppose. My daughtter (nearly 14) likesthe cap sleeve and love tank tops and you know when I was younger and more proportionate I used to also. I think it would be safe and very healthy to wear what you want to wear and feel confident mfortable in.
What a great post and cheering for you Susan..I just love the blue square top on you very striking also your message hit home with me as just the other day I was looking at patterns and only thought about what options I could have (eg sleeves and no gathering on the waist) and I have never questioned why..just accepted..it’s time to ask why 🙂
Hooray! I’m so happy to hear that. No limits on what any of us can wear!
Thank you. That’s all. Just thank you. You’ve just put the thought in my mind that I need to reassess my thoughts and feelings on sleevelessness! I’ve put a lot of weight on over a relatively short space of time, having been reasonably slim-ish for most of my life. I’m at the very beginning of learning how to accept and dress this new body. It hadn’t occurred to me that any of those new clothes could ever be sleeveless. Ok, so that was a bit more than just thank you…! One more thing… you look fabulous!
Thank YOU Louise! I hope that sleeveless styles will be part of your awesome evolving wardrobe. ❤️
Thanks for sharing Susan. I’m a few steps behind you but taking the same path (and I’m way older). I’m also learning to be kind to myself. Like you said “it’s double punishment” living in a hot environment and not dressing for it. I also started with tank tops around home, then onto the local shops, I’ve yet to socialise with my critical extended family. Friends are much more supportive. My sincere thanks for sharing this inspiring journey.
SO true — why is it that family can be so much worse, critique-wise, than friends?? It’s not always the case, but often. I wonder if they think they are doing us a favor, misguided protection in some way. ? But I’m glad to hear that you’re progressing similarly — best of luck!
You look good in sleeveless. The problem I have is getting a good fit around the arm. Most armholes are far too large for me and I show things I don’t want to. ☺
One of the things I love most about sewing — for every fit challenge, there IS a solution. Armscyes can be tough to figure out, or they were for me. But you’re worth doing it! ❤️
Great article! I, too, struggled with going sleeveless. In the end I look much better sleeveless than in short sleeves. Your arms look great, and so do mine. My next body image issue to tackle is my “mother’s apron.” It’s hard to have much clothing variety when you’re trying to hide that.
My “mother” issue was wearing black. She told me when I was fairly young that I did not look good in black; it washed me out. Fast forward many years – I look terrific in black! I am so grateful to have such an easy “color” to find be becoming. I suspect that my early developing body scared her a little, plus black was considered a “fast” color, ha ha.
And just to echo others here, please tell us what patterns you used above. You have several items I like to add to my “to sew” list.
The patterns are now listed in the captions below each picture.
Thanks Ann, and cheers to overcoming ANY hurtful beliefs that your mom left you with! And one by one, we will slay *all* those body image demons. ?
You look fabulous in a sleeveless top! I especially love the orange maxi on you. Enjoy the freedom
Thank you! 🙂 That’s quite a comfortable dress!
Thank you for your post; upon tearing up as I read each paragraph, I agree with you. Some entrenched beliefs from our childhood are hard to overcome. Hard work in this area sure does pay dividends in more body positivity for me. You look radiant in your pictures; like other commenters, I did not notice your arms but your clear eyes and beautiful smile. Congrats on living what you believe. Your courage to post such transparent thoughts and actions are inspiring to me. Being myself is important to me; you are a sincere example that we all can become more like we want to be. I applaud your truthfulness in a public forum, your courage within yourself, and your bravery to share your heart with us. Thank you for your gift to let us know we, too, can change and improve.
Your words touched me so much, Lynne — thanks for the lovely compliment. ? And yes, exactly – those beliefs that are the oldest within us, they are the toughest to unseat. Hard but worth it. 🙂
You are a brave woman and hopefully will encourage others, myself included. What have you read? That list would be helpful to all of us. Stay cool.
Hi Trudy, thanks so much for your comment. What do you mean about my reading – like the body image / self-help books I’ve read, or do you mean something else? I’m happy to share…
Sorry for the autocorrect misspelling of your name!
You have beautiful arms. The shape of that cobalt top on you is amazing. It just makes a grand statement, the strong angles, and the proportions are perfect.
Large upper arms in proportion to other body parts run in the females of my family. My eldest sister refers to our east European peasant gene stock in a lighthearted way. I never wore sleeveless and still tend to cover up my arms when outside but mostly because I hate and refuse to wear sunscreen, and don’t need anymore burns. I also learned from travels overseas that it’s okay to cover up your arms if you want to too. And actually I find hot weather more palatable when I cover up more (an old trick in desert climates),
So a lot of covering up for me started because I didn’t have those perfect upper arms as a teen, but now it is a preference for many reasons, including helping others to feel comfortable with me, such as in a professional work setting.
To each his own, and good luck with your journey, which seems to be going really well in this regard.
Thanks Robin! I actually no longer have that blue top, but I have been meaning to make another with that square neckline, as I do quite like it. I’m glad you have found what makes you comfortable in the heat, as well. 🙂
Fully understand, as I have the same issue. You give me courage. Would like to know the patterns that you appear in, you are lovely in them.
The post is now updated with the pattern information. HTH!
Thank you Jeanne — you feeling empowered by the post is the loveliest compliment I could receive. ❤️
You look fabulous and I’m so glad that you’re out there wearing sleeveless. There’s no reason we shouldn’t as women dress in the most comfortable way possible for the season we are in. Though I must admit I still change if I’m going to see my mother it’s the look she gives without even saying anything. And I’ve spent my life listening to the way she talks about other people! Thank you so much for sharing this 🙂
Thank you, Amanda. Sometimes we’re stronger than others when it comes to our moms!
You look fabulous in your sleeveless tops!
Thanks so much, Anne!
It has nothing to do with size, but my grey hair is growing freely after 20 years of dying it! Almost a year ago I decided that it was enough of expending money on something only to please my family, friends and nosey people. It’s my hair, those are your beautiful arms. Thank God we are alive to enjoy ourselves! And thank you for sharing
I’ve known a couple women who’ve made that switch to embrace their gray hair, and they found it liberating too! We all have our things, don’t we? Thanks Racquel 🙂
Susan, as I was reading this, I kept scrolling to up or down to the pics because I was so confused as to what you were seeing about your arms, that I wasn’t. And in truth, we women put so much unnecessary and unwarranted pressure on ourselves sometimes that totally destroys our self image. I am happy that you have found the confidence to bare your arms, because you look fabulous chica!
Thanks, Abbey. ?
A very inspiring post, and really resonates with me too, especially the bit about wearing sleeveless only at home! I’m going to try to overcome this right away, so thank you.
I’d also like to know what patterns you used, particularly for the flowered dress at the top, and the lovely flowery top with the plain back. You look so lovely in all your photos!
We’ve just updated the post to add the pattern info below each photo. HTH!
Thank you, Lorry! I wish you the best with your own sleeveless journey! 🙂
I applaud you for working so hard to overcome the bare arm taboo. I’m trying to get over feeling the need to wear tents, which make me look bigger around.
Thanks, Lorrie. I feel your pain — my hope for all of us is that our clothing choices move more towards “want” and away from “need.” ❤️
Cheering for you!
I do feel it — thank you! ?
Good article. You’re cute as a button and your clothes all fit wonderfully. Another one here asking what patterns you used, because I also LOVE every outfit you’re pictured in! Kudos to you for facing this head on.
You’re so sweet Kezia, thank you! The patterns will be listed at the end of the article soon. 🙂
Bravo, Susan, I don’t even wear short sleeves if I can help it, although here in the UK, we are usually avoiding the rain, rather than the heat! You look gorgeous in all the photos, and I love the red dress! An inspiration to us all, thank you xx
Thanks Jacqui! Yes, opposite weather issues for sure — as long as we’re making ourselves comfortable regardless! 😀
Great post Susan! It triggered me to think about what I NEVER wear too – lots of things such as tight waists, belts around the waist, cinched waists etc etc. And that comes from my mom too! She always said I have a similar shape to hers (shapeLESS) so to wear clothes that emphasize that fact just doesn’t make sense but the irony is that professional clothiers say it’s actually BETTER to emphasize what waist you do have otherwise you ARE emphasizing the fact you have no waist 🙂 I think you look just FINE in sleeveless tops! As you say it’s all about what is in your head!
Oh man, the way our moms go about “helping”… So often, body image issues are handed down despite the best intentions. ?
I love the black and white dress and the flowered tank top. I think you look great. I am hot all the time as I get older. I used to be slim in my younger years so I have somewhat of an opposite image issue. I still look at my size clothes and think they look too big. I wear sleeveless as much as I can. I don’t even think about it until I see a picture of myself. I don’t like the way I look, but comfort wins out. I don’t feel this way when I see other women. I think they look fine. Ours minds are funny aren’t they?
Yes, minds are funny indeed! My own thoughts and critiques of other women have evolved throughout the years too. As I’ve become more accepting of myself, that has applied everywhere. Of course, the critical thoughts of others were always just in my own head, but I still feel regret about them now. Though truthfully, *I’m* the one those thoughts hurt. ?
Thanks for the compliments, and I’m glad you’re choosing comfort too!
Susan, you look lovely. I know what you mean…I actually wore a sleeveless tank to the pharmacy. First time, with no coverup. In fact, this was my first sleeveless sewing project! I look back now and think “What was the big deal?” I have now made six – sleeveless tops and live them all. It’s about loving yourself where you are.
I’m sure I heard the phrase about “loving myself where I am” for decades, but it really started resonating with me several years ago, because I finally heard it a different way, in my head. I think I’ve always interpreted it as loving who I am at whatever spot I am in my life journey, and it is that. But it’s also about loving myself as a being, completely unrelated to my body, my “shell.” It’s where I live, yes, but it’s not *me* — at least, it’s not ALL of me. Anyway, that’s a little rambling but it was a distinction that struck me when I finally realized it.
And thank you — and congratulations to you, too! ❤️
Susan: Your story could be mine. I personally think you are gorgeous and the tops and dresses are fab on you! Should have worn them sooner! I’d love to know the patterns so I can try them myself.
Thank you Debbi, and I agree that I wish I’d made this shift sooner! 😀 The pattern information will be noted in the post soon. 🙂
I too have struggled with this all my life – with more than half of it lived in Texas. I gave in several years ago and figured my comfort is much more important than anyone else’s opinion of how I look. It does still bother me occasionally, but – for the most part – I live in sleeveless clothing all summer and even most of the rest of the year!
Good for you! I think that step — the one where we put our own comfort about others’ opinions — represents a huge shift in thinking and one that we shouldn’t minimize. Congratulations on your progress in your own journey!
I think you look great! I love the second and third top. Can you share your patterns?
Thanks Laurie! The info on the patterns will be added to the post shortly! 🙂
Thank you for your words of long sought wisdom. When I looked at the picture of you barefoot & smiling in the lovely sleeveless black and white dress; all I could see is a beautiful woman radiating with joy. Seconds later I began to tear up because I realized I am still struggling with the ability to look at photo’s of myself in the same way. Instead, I note the size or disproportion of my body and base my worth on that. Thank you for reminding me I am not alone in my journey and that beauty comes in all shapes & sizes.
And right back at you — I teared up reading your comment! It’s so hard, believe me that I know and share your struggle. We are worth so much more than our “shells,” and yet, it seems like a life-long battle for most people to come to terms with that. It helps to remember that, that we all have a similar uphill climb. ❤️
Awesome! So happy to hear that you have broken through that barrier. I think you look great and love the garments you modeled. BTW, would love to know what patterns you used for the garments, too. Keep on loving yourself – it filters through to others!
Thank you Jamie! The info about the patterns used will be added to the post shortly. ?
This is a powerful post – the power of suggestion. When I looked at the photos – I didn’t notice your arms at all, other than that they were there. I noticed how your face looked, how the clothing fit and how good you looked. (I want more information on the grey floral dress – please.)
It’s funny how most of what we are worried about is all in our heads, no? Thank you for this brave, moving, and powerful post. You go rock that sleeveless look! g
Thank you g! ? And you’re so right — it IS all in our heads, but that doesn’t make it any less “real,” if you know what I mean. It’s my belief that we have to honor those feelings if we ever want them to go away — telling them that they’re stupid doesn’t seem to help, at least not in my case. 🙂
That one is the Marbella Dress from Blank Slate Patterns, but I hacked it into sleeveless by modifying the armscye a little bit and finishing it with bias tape. I love that dress and wear it often.
I completely understand about honoring the feelings. You are so right – telling them they are stupid doesn’t make them go away. I think my point was that most people we encounter on a daily basis don’t see the same ‘flaws’ in us that we see. Just like we don’t see their flaws – imagined or otherwise. But honoring them and wearing sleeveless, taking photos and realizing nothing is as bad as we thought really does help it all go away.
I wish I didn’t hate PDFs so much. That dress is delicious! g
Susan you look absolutely beautiful! I so happy for you taking this bold step into freedom.And once again, after reading your intro text, expected to see ‘shameful’ arms but NO – I saw lovely arms. I think we always see our own faults far greater than they are. You look amazing! Congrats and enjoy!
Thanks, Mary Ellen ?
I think it’s wonderful that you’re embracing sleeveless! We lived in S. Texas for four years, I can totally understand, and really, everyone went sleeveless, no matter what the condition of the arms. I think when people are exposed to all sorts of arms in all stages of fitness, it becomes less of an issue overall. They’re just arms, really.
I have vitiligo, which is patches of skin without pigmentation. These patches are surrounded by pigmented skin, which often looks like a dirt smudge if I’ve been out in the garden for any length of time and the skin that still has pigmentation gets tanned. I’m not ashamed of it, but if I go sleeveless someone ALWAYS stops me to whisper that I’ve got a smudge of dirt on the back of my arm. LOL-oh, no, sweetie, it’s always looked like that! The worst is when someone licks a finger and tries to scrub it off! That does NOT rub off, I promise! But the look on their face when you explain that it’s a skin disorder is priceless-I always reassure them that it’s NOT contagious…after a minute or so. 😀 (well really, they shouldn’t be licking total strangers!)
Oh my goodness I can’t even imagine trying to wipe a smudge off of a stranger with my spit! ? That made me crack up. And yes — now it’s so hard for me to believe I wore sleeves throughout Texas summers. It’s crazy!
I, too, have vitiligo and people usually assume I’ve been burned (?) No one has ever tried to rub it Off! The sleeveless tops & dresses are gorgeous, Susan. It is a thrill to see that your attitude has changed because you ARE beautiful. Celebrate life. My family has repeatedly punished me for being outside their norms, so I finally let them go. Now I spend time with those who love my heart. Nobody else matters! Sew away!
Thank you, Maxx! My heart goes out to you, because I’ve seen what a difficult decision it can be to let family members go when that becomes necessary. I’m glad to hear that you have great and loving support in its place. ❤️
You look beautiful! So why shouldn’t you go sleeveless if you want to. I like you wouldn’t go sleeveless either but that has become a thing of the past as I gained a better body image. My improved body image has been gained by a few websites that tought me how to dress my petite curvy body to show off my curves to better advantage and apply that info to current fashion and with the curvy sewing collection move back into sewing for my self again! Thanks curvy sewing folks for all the beautiful fashions and sewing tips! You are awesome!
Thanks, Jennie. Cheers to a better body image!
Susan I teared up reading your heartfelt and courageous post. Yes, courageous! Thank you for sharing you struggles and also sharing how you are healing. I love that you shared so much with us! Thank you 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment, Tracy. The sharing and connecting with others has been an important part of that healing. ❤️
Brava, Susan! Thank you for sharing your story. You look great in all these sleeveless fashions, and so happy to have conquered this issue.
Thanks, Wendy. It does make me happy. So many more styles to play with now! 😀
I enjoyed your post but I still struggle with sleeveless. But I love the first picture of you in the red dress. What pattern did you use?
I made that one from Melissa Mora’s book _Sundressing_. Thank you!
Good for you! I have had the same battle, and finally decided if anyone is offended with my arms, the can look away.
Sure! And if they are, that says more about them than about you. 🙂