Unless You Follow These 5 Plus-Size Instagrammers
By: Adrienne Oliva
Making this list for me was important on two levels.
Honestly, one reason I made this list is because I wanted to create an easy link I can send to people who are interested in making their idea of what fashion is more inclusive. As I become more involved with Fashion, one thing I always hear from my straight size counterparts is “I’d love to be supporting plus size fashion more, but I just don’t know who to follow!” And though I think this is an important question to answer, it can get kind of exhausting. So now I, as well as any other plus size folk who need a quick answer to the same question, can use this link to send as a quick way to answer a very good question.
The second reason I made this list is because these plus size instagram accounts have been really important to my journey in finding beauty in my body, and I think they could be helpful to other people’s journeys, as well. Beginning to find myself beautiful started with finding beautiful people with similar bodies to mine, so lists just like this helped me when I needed a direction in which accounts I should follow.
Though this list is not anything close to comprehensive, I think that these five instagram accounts are great places to start to find plus size fashion inspiration, as well as liberation.
I often tell people that if they don’t follow @luhshawnay on Instagram, they don’t actually care about fashion. This is because La’Shaunae has been doing the most for not only for the plus size community, but for the world of fashion for years now. La’Shaunae is a revolutionary fashion icon and is far ahead of most trends. You know how cow print is everywhere these days? La’Shaunae did it first. La’Shaunae has even collaborated with Jeffrey Campbell on a line of shoes.
La’Shaunae isn’t just important to follow because of her fashion prowess, but because she gives a personal look into her struggle to break into fashion in a plus size body that the industry deems “larger than standard.” As someone who's watched La’Shaunae’s rise in the fashion world since her beginning, I am personally biased towards her. I’ve seen her fight to push boundaries and resist consistent and aggressive hate from both strangers and people in her own industry. A look into La’Shaunae’s instagram page isn’t just a look into the future of fashion, but a look into the reality of how difficult it is for marginalized voices to fight to make that future happen. To see La’Shaunae continue to thrive and blossom as a model has been so exciting, and more people need to be watching her journey.
2. @na0__
Naomie’s style is incredibly versatile. She can go from editorial to instagram baddie to minimalist without losing authenticity, inspiration and grace. I think Naomie represents a mastery of every fashion she models, which is a liberating thing for me to see, because it reminds me that all bodies have the capacity to pull off any style they choose.
Other than the fact that Naomie exudes fashion in everything she does, my favorite thing about her is the fact that she refuses to keep her weight hidden from the world. One of the first things in her bio is that she is 350 pounds and counting, and for me, this was one of the most liberating things to see in the world. Seeing a woman who exudes power and beauty at 350 pounds reminds me that I don’t lose respect or power at a certain weight limit, and I know I am not the only woman that Naomi has reminded of this.
3. @hantisedeloubli
If Stacey’s fashion wasn’t enough, her make up skills put her over the top. “i am my favorite canvas,” she famously stated. Stacey proves time and time again that what she does goes beyond what is aesthetically pleasing, she full on transforms herself into art.
In addition, Stacey has always been open with her audience about her weight gains and losses, which is a really refreshing thing to see in a world that pressures us to think our bodies are meant to stay one certain way our whole lives. Following Stacy has helped me embrace the changes I see in my own body as normal, rather than a sign that something is wrong with who I am or how I look.
4. @rosariummm
Rosa was one of the first plus size instagrammers I’ve ever followed, and I can personally assure that she’s been turning out look after look for years now. In addition to her stunning makeup, her outfits are always gorgeous. My personal favorite looks of her were from Halloween of this year, where she dressed up as Nancy from The Craft, Kim Possible, and of course, Bowsette
In addition, Rosa shows that thifting can be just as much as an option for plus size bodies as it is for straight sizes. I suggest following her depop (@rosariummm) for some incredible thrift finds.
5. @jazzmynejay
Jazzmyne is one of the most dangerous accounts that I follow, because everything she wears is something I want to buy, which must be why ASOS has enlisted her as one of their newest insiders. Jazzmyne has a super exciting and bright fashion sense that fills my heart with joy.
Jazzmyne has taught me that there are a lot of trends that are supposed to be “off-limits” for larger bodies that are in reality, really beautiful on plus size people. Particularly, my love of trendy tiny glasses, as well as bright checkerboard and animal prints is inspired by Jazzmyne. Though my wallet might not be happy that I’m following Jazzmyne, my heart surely is.
Is there anyone you think you be on this list? Let us know @alt.zine.