Dressing for Your Body Type: Athletic/Skinny-Fat

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Hi There! Way back in 2017, I interviewed three women with different body types about their body image journey. I thought it would be valuable to share how they overcame their struggles with their bodies in hopes that it would help us with ours. Well, I’m excited to be bringing back the series because if we’ve ever needed support as we strive to become the best version of ourselves it would be now when the world feels so upside down.

For this installment of the series, I’m interviewing the VP of Design Development  for Coach, Pamela Saunders. Pamela has a sharp sense of style (and I’d low key like to raid her closet). So I was happy to be able to pick her brain about her body image journey and style sensibilities. Now go ahead and take out your (virtual) pen and pad and start taking some notes! See the interview below.

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Trulery: How would you describe your body type?

Pamela: I would lovingly describe my body type as athletic/skinny-fat.

Trulery: Ha— skinny-fat! How would you say your body image evolved—how did you learn to appreciate your body?

Pamela: My appreciation for my body image has been quite the journey. The moments that shaped it the most were post-college, corporate America, and COVID. I was always a snazzy dresser, thanks to my mom who started out as an executive in retail and came home with new items weekly. But I was always in oversized clothes (and still enjoy them actually) and very preppy.  This continued when I went to college, in a very small town, in the mountains. I wore sweats and Birkenstock’s for years; and because of the coverage, I wasn’t as focused on my health or body. Needless to say, I gained the freshman 25, and it stuck. Fast forward to post-college, I started to go to boutique gyms, and tried different work-outs. Once I started seeing my athleticism, and how quickly I was able to gain muscle, I was addicted.

Entering corporate in the fashion space heightened my appreciation for my body. I was able to try different trends and appreciate how my body looked in many different styles. More recently, my relocation to Costa Rica in early 2021 made me love my body and all its flaws. It was hotter than Hades, and there was no way I could ever cover cellulite and stretch marks. I was a beach bum whenever possible and lived in a bikini. There was so much freedom in just enjoying the sun, focusing on being healthy and “surviving COVID.” Everyone in town had the same mentality and was focused on wellness, growth, and self-care. So there was no room for insecurities and not loving yourself. It was a liberating experience!

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Trulery: What is one piece of advice you would give to anyone struggling with your specific body type?

Pamela: I would say to anyone struggling with my body type— “get over yourself!” I was so self-conscious about my thighs that I never wore shorts until this year. Now that’s unimaginable! Self-love is everything. No one is perfect, and if you embrace yourself, the world is yours!

Trulery: What styles or pieces of clothing work best on your body and why?

Pamela: I’m 5’5” on a good day, and short-waisted. So any item of clothing that can help elongate me and skim my shape works for me. Some of my go-to pieces include a wrap dress that creates curves, and balances my top and bottom; midi-slip skirts or dresses; and long trousers with heels. Of course my bikini, and cropped blazers that lengthen my lower-half.

See Pamela’s 6 staple wardrobe pieces.

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