The main reason I joined Instagram and decided to blog and share about my life, including the part of my life as a plus-size fashionista, was because I didn't have anyone to look towards for inspiration growing up. Yes, I admired the beautiful women in my family, but the lack of representation, both when it came to my body type and ethnicity, was glaringly apparent when I browsed through magazines, film, and fashion.
After high school, I moved to Los Angeles to attend FIDM. I felt out of place because the only beacon I had were the girls deemed "pretty", "perfect", "sexy", "attractive", "hot", and a million other adjectives I could not relate to. These girls were thin, blonde, and bikini ready at all times. I was a size 14 Mexican-American girl with olive skin who wouldn't be caught dead at the pool let alone in a swimsuit. At the time I didn't understand that both of those descriptions were in fact beautiful.
After almost a year, I moved to San Francisco.
I don't know if it was the city itself, or the fact that my personality just meshed better with the city by the bay, but I felt like I was able to discard all of the definitions of those words I mentioned before. Hell, I discarded some of those words from my mind and vocabulary entirely.
I was no longer getting dressed thinking, "is this sexy?" I was thinking, "does this look like me?" It is a long road and I'm still working towards getting to that point everyday. Through learning about myself and becoming independent, I eventually gained momentum towards the right direction.
Once I moved back to Salinas, I realized I needed a new creative outlet. That's how Brunette of Vantes was born. But, I also needed a community and role models to look towards. I started finding all of these amazing influencers/bloggers/models, that looked like me and/or knew what life as a curvy woman was like in a world that was obsessed with defining beauty as thinness.
Over the years, I've found so many accounts that lift my spirits whenever I'm bummed that a store doesn't carry my size or because my belly is making me feel self-conscious.
This list only includes 30 women, but trust me there are countless (hopefully I can share more soon) that I could mention.
These women are not amazing because they are curvy. They are simply amazing and they just happen to be gorgeously curvaceous.
One thing I do have to mention is that I wish there was much more diversity among the curvy influencer community. I would love to update and add to this list soon. So if you have suggestions on who I should add, PLEASE send me a DM!
Anyway, without further ado, check out these 30 Curvy Influencers you should be following now!
1. @thatblonderebel
2. @smilesandpearlss
3. @jaime_jetaime
4. @nabela
5. @roseybeeme
6. @sassyredlipstick
7. @iambeauticurve
8. @anabeth.jpg
9. @glamazondiaries
10. @stylepluscurves
11. @tummysociety
12. @denisemmercedes
13. @maddy_gutierrez_
14. @stylishcurves
15. @noelledowning
16. @musingsofacurvylady
17. @hellostefaninicole
18. @fiercelyjulie
19. @olgadofficial
20. @nicolettemason
21. @mindycityy
22. @nataliemeansnice
23. @katiesturino
24. @itsmekellieb
25. @tessholiday
26. @withwonderandwhimsy
27. @anneandkathleen
28. @erikaaguileraa
29. @iamplusblog
30. @thriftyfatty
Also, I want to emphasize that ALL bodies are beautiful! I don't want to make it seem as though I'm saying one type is "better" or "acceptable." All bodies are perfect and should be celebrated!
As I mentioned before, representation is very important! I would love to hear your suggestions, as well as names of influencers who inspire you!
Thanks for checking out my blog!
-The B of V
#curvyblogger #effyourbeautystandards #plussizeootd #curvyootd #influencers #curvesoninstagram #instagramcurves #curveblogger