thanks for this! i spent the last 3 years completely revamping my wardrobe and literally as soon as it was in a good place i gained 7 lbs for no reason (the reason, i suppose, is that i’m 44). it’s hard to be kind when my pants are all too tight and i’d rather just lose a few pounds and have my clothing - and my comfort in my body - back. i’m grateful to those who have opened up about this stage because i was quite panicky when it first happened and now i feel less alone.
I am so glad to be even a little helpful on this front, and I feel your pain. You are not alone! And you'll build back better, make updates, get things altered, uplevel and explore. XO
I am not a number. I am not a dress size. I am not who I was in my teens or 20s or 30s or 40s. I am a wonderful jumble of all the things I used to be, but better, and happier, and finally full of confidence. And I realized a few years ago that my harshest (and perhaps only) critic was myself. No more I say! Thanks for this excellent, honest, and universally positive message. X
You are wonderful. This piece was soo kind. Thank you for the reminder of what really is important. And for the tip or notion of style over sizing. That was an Aha moment.
Hooray for a fresh and empathetic perspective on bringing your style with you as you move forward through life! Thank you so much for having these thoughts and writing them down for the rest of us. This feels like essential reading - practical wisdom for how to keep feeling good as yourself. I am going to come back to this often. 🥰
Loved reading this- so important to show ourselves grace. I like to think that as my body shifts, ahem, expands, so too does my mind and my perspective. Which is why I didn’t fret too much today when sizing up in a denim pencil skirt that just looked so much better in a medium. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and shining that light...xx
Love your wonderful perspective -- and great advice -- and am so aligned as my last newsletter touched on the issue we as a culture have with the size on our garment tags! It always comes back to clothes shaping who we are (vs reflecting our eating/fitness habits), doesn’t it? xx
Hi Rachel. This is really great and such an important reminder. I am 63 and well beyond menopause. I lost the 29 pounds I gained 10 years ago. I feel good BUT my boobs are so much bigger than before. My bra hurts by the end of the day. I can't wear anything that is bright colored or tight on the top. I have seriously considered surgery but am nervous about the recovery period. I still can't accept this change in my body.
I was JUST the same. Nothing ribbed, etc. I will tell you this surgery was VERY EASY, and I'd do it again a million times over. Happy to talk any time -- you can DM me @heymrssolomon
Love this! I’m approaching 60 and the alien invaders really landed after menopause. I’ve been fortunate most of my life to maintain my weight though my post menopausal body does not metabolize like she used to. Your “tiny tag” words really resonate and need to work on giving up the control those numbers have on me and keep going with how I feel. It’s just a number right?? Thank you 🙏🏻
This is so good. I wish I had been able to read it when I was struggling with my post partum body. I didn't recognise the person looking back at me in the mirror. It has taken nearly 6 years to find myself again and remember how to put on clothes and feel good!
I love the idea of a probation shelf for garments that have caused angst ! Clothes (and sizing) are there as tools or guides to serve us, not to dictate to us.
Such a good reminder. The unkind words I say to myself about my body are those I would never utter to anyone else. As my mom used to say, “Stop talking that way about the person I love.” Rachel, thank you for this! I can’t say I’ll stop the self criticism, but I’ll certainly try.
thanks for this! i spent the last 3 years completely revamping my wardrobe and literally as soon as it was in a good place i gained 7 lbs for no reason (the reason, i suppose, is that i’m 44). it’s hard to be kind when my pants are all too tight and i’d rather just lose a few pounds and have my clothing - and my comfort in my body - back. i’m grateful to those who have opened up about this stage because i was quite panicky when it first happened and now i feel less alone.
I am so glad to be even a little helpful on this front, and I feel your pain. You are not alone! And you'll build back better, make updates, get things altered, uplevel and explore. XO
I am not a number. I am not a dress size. I am not who I was in my teens or 20s or 30s or 40s. I am a wonderful jumble of all the things I used to be, but better, and happier, and finally full of confidence. And I realized a few years ago that my harshest (and perhaps only) critic was myself. No more I say! Thanks for this excellent, honest, and universally positive message. X
beautifully put and so inspiring XO
You are wonderful. This piece was soo kind. Thank you for the reminder of what really is important. And for the tip or notion of style over sizing. That was an Aha moment.
I am so glad to hear xo
Hooray for a fresh and empathetic perspective on bringing your style with you as you move forward through life! Thank you so much for having these thoughts and writing them down for the rest of us. This feels like essential reading - practical wisdom for how to keep feeling good as yourself. I am going to come back to this often. 🥰
Thank you so much for this very kind comment. It means so much to me. XO
Loved reading this- so important to show ourselves grace. I like to think that as my body shifts, ahem, expands, so too does my mind and my perspective. Which is why I didn’t fret too much today when sizing up in a denim pencil skirt that just looked so much better in a medium. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and shining that light...xx
XO You are the best, my friend. No size anything is worth missing out on our grilled cheeses at Margot and hot hot fries at Mr. Mandolin!
Love your wonderful perspective -- and great advice -- and am so aligned as my last newsletter touched on the issue we as a culture have with the size on our garment tags! It always comes back to clothes shaping who we are (vs reflecting our eating/fitness habits), doesn’t it? xx
Yes, that is absolutely so true. Can't wait to read xo
Hi Rachel. This is really great and such an important reminder. I am 63 and well beyond menopause. I lost the 29 pounds I gained 10 years ago. I feel good BUT my boobs are so much bigger than before. My bra hurts by the end of the day. I can't wear anything that is bright colored or tight on the top. I have seriously considered surgery but am nervous about the recovery period. I still can't accept this change in my body.
I was JUST the same. Nothing ribbed, etc. I will tell you this surgery was VERY EASY, and I'd do it again a million times over. Happy to talk any time -- you can DM me @heymrssolomon
You are magical. Thank you for the reminders to be kind to ourselves and to reach for good feelings, not sizes.
So grateful for your note and this community. XO
Love this! I’m approaching 60 and the alien invaders really landed after menopause. I’ve been fortunate most of my life to maintain my weight though my post menopausal body does not metabolize like she used to. Your “tiny tag” words really resonate and need to work on giving up the control those numbers have on me and keep going with how I feel. It’s just a number right?? Thank you 🙏🏻
YEAH! It's just a number and just a tool for you to use to get what YOU want. You are in charge xx
This is so good. I wish I had been able to read it when I was struggling with my post partum body. I didn't recognise the person looking back at me in the mirror. It has taken nearly 6 years to find myself again and remember how to put on clothes and feel good!
I'm so glad you were able to get back to that feeling. XO
Love,, love especially about taking a walk. And pray that your walk is in the Design District or on Newbury Street.
XOXOX
I love the idea of a probation shelf for garments that have caused angst ! Clothes (and sizing) are there as tools or guides to serve us, not to dictate to us.
100000000%. I love that. They are not the boss of us!
Such a good reminder. The unkind words I say to myself about my body are those I would never utter to anyone else. As my mom used to say, “Stop talking that way about the person I love.” Rachel, thank you for this! I can’t say I’ll stop the self criticism, but I’ll certainly try.
Your mom said it exactly right -- honor it! XOXO
Really interesting -- I hadn't thought of that, but makes sense!