I’ve always had a tiny waist and flat stomach. “Had” being the key word, because these days my stomach pooches out when I eat (or just drink water) and (oh gosh I can’t believe I’m writing this) . . .

I’ve always had a tiny waist and flat stomach. “Had” being the key word, because these days my stomach pooches out when I eat (or just drink water) and (oh gosh I can’t believe I’m writing this) . . .

many times folds over my pants. This is life after four babies (and maybe cortisol stress belly fat – you’ve seen the commercial, right?). I’m working on it, although I’m afraid things won’t ever be, exactly, the way they used to be. I’m too loyal to french fries, and not sixteen anymore.

I’ve also been loyal to jeans and t-shirts, over the years.  Throw a sweater over top. Boots, Birks or Converse. They have always been a favorite.

Until they weren’t my favorite.

But I digress . . .

The muffin top. Is it still a muffin top if it doesn’t go all the way around? I find myself pulling my pants up just a little higher while I sit. I think about trying high waisted jeans, but convince my self I’ve reached my expiration date. If I wore them, I assume it would totally be mom jeans from behind and front butt, well, in front (Before there was muffin top there was front butt….in the 90’s when we all wore our jeans a little higher).

I’m pretty happy with jeans just below the belly button. But t-shirts, I am not. I have long drapey ones for yoga pants. I have thirty two that say “this” declaration or inspire me to do “that.” But a flattering, plain white tee, I have not. I find most t-shirts unflattering. Either too tight or too loose (the way life feels sometimes, right?). The trouble is that while I’m not entirely confident with my stomach, I’m confident I don’t want to completely hide my waistline.

The thing is, like a lot of you, I spend most of my days hiding out (and held in) in yoga pants. It’s the modern mom’s uniform, isn’t it?

When I was busy buying back to school clothes for my four children, I wondered . .  shouldn’t mother’s get a few back to school basics too? I’d like to expand my dress code. Add a few new uniforms to my closet. Shake up the system a bit.

I wanted a new shirt and a new perspective of my somewhat squishy, I’ve grown four lives, I don’t want to hide my waist, stomach.

Over spring break in Florida, I was talking serious stuff, like swimsuits, with a friend. I was telling her I had seen a photo of myself in a swimsuit from some 10-15 years ago. I saw two things in that photo. One, a girl who avoided wearing her swim suit in front others and two, a girl who didn’t look so bad in a swimsuit, after all. I said, “I bet we will look back at ourselves at this age, in photographs, and think, hey we looked pretty good.” Time has a way of softening photos better than any filter ever could. I thought of my twenty something self, my teenage self, even my little girl self and counted all of the time and mental energy I wasted on how I looked and what others were thinking of me. When in reality they probably weren’t thinking of me at all.

Is it ok to air my dirty laundry online?

My new perspective is to be healthy and grateful for a body that carries me and carried my four children. To not waste too many thoughts on my tummy or my thighs, but to perceive the precious moments I’m living in and to live them. There was a lot of fun I missed out on because I didn’t like my legs.

I’m tapering my thoughts. Reeling them in, to let them go.

I’m mixing up the modern mom’s uniform and adding an old favorite into my rotation.

This morning, for the school run, I’ve put on ripped jeans and found a flattering white tee that tapers just right. Muffin top, front butt, or flattish abs all fit beautifully and I’m not hiding my waistline.

I wonder if you need a new perspective and a new t-shirt?

A tāpered tee and a tapered view.

I’ve mixed it up this Monday and maybe it’s just what you need too? Sometimes it is as simple as flattering yourself in a flattering tee.

You can shop the flattering tees at Tāpered Collection (the tees come in v-neck or round and in black, white, and midnight).

 

*This essay is in collaboration with Tapered Collection. I love sharing brands and products that I know you will love just as much as I do.

 

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