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Girl, Stop Hiding Your Body
When I was a little girl at summer camp, we learned a song that went, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” We even stuck our thumbs in the air and waved them around like lighters at a Phish concert.
And why not? “Let it shine” applies to so many things in life: talent, the sun, and your beautiful self. So the next time you get ready for work, I want you to think of this — even sing it, if need be — and quit hiding your body.
Specifically, consider why you might carefully construct a great workplace outfit, and then cover it under a giant, shapeless sweater. It’s akin to a bucket of water on your little light, and you deserve to shine, baby, shine. Clothes should not conceal; they should reveal your best self. So let’s walk this out.
Why Are You Hiding Your Body?
I’ve worked in an old building where, during winter, I lost feeling in my fingers and was unable to type. I’ve worked in a modern building where, during summer, the air conditioning was so frigid that colleagues wore gloves to work.
Work environments can be cold, and sometimes a huge sleeping bag of a sweater feels cozy. I get it. But you can do better in such situations. (More on that in a minute.)
Another reason women sometimes blanket their figures in oversized clothing is because they want…
