As a girl who has been overweight her entire life, I always appeared poised—loud laughs, dazzling smiles, and a don’t-care attitude that masked the truth. But beneath the surface was a girl who battled with self-hate, particularly when it came to her body. I admired fashion deeply yet kept it at arm’s length, not because I didn’t love it, but because I didn’t believe I was worthy of it.

by Gunika Garg

Crop tops? Off-limits. Body-hugging dresses? A nightmare. I dressed to hide, not to express. In the early years, I played it safe, oversized T-shirts, wide- legged PJ’s, hoodies in every shade of ‘don’t look at me.’ Baggy was my armour, a uniform of invisibility.

For years, I avoided styles I loved because I feared judgment. Those subtle glances, the stifled laughs, the unspoken rules about how a ‘girl like me’ should dress. But something changed when I started working on myself, not just physically, but mentally. I didn’t suddenly love everything I saw in the mirror, but I started choosing clothes that made me feel good, not just safe.

Now, I wear what 12-year-old me never would’ve dared to. I love wearing crop tops, they look amazing on me, and they make me feel powerful.

When in doubt, I throw on a crop top with jeans or trousers, my Apple Watch, and some gloss- effortless, chic, and undeniably me. White is my absolute favourite colour, clean, crisp, and confident. It lights me up from the inside out. And bodycon dresses? I wear them with grace and pride, walking tall and owning every curve with elegance.

My personal style has always been a mirror of who I am, only now, it reflects a much more positive, fearless version of me one that isn’t afraid to take up space or be seen. I experiment with colours, styles, and silhouettes. I show up, I show skin when I want to. I let my style speak louder than my insecurities.

Yes, I still have days where my self- doubt lingers. But I no longer let them decide how I show up. My wardrobe is still evolving, and that’s the beauty of it. Because style isn’t static, it grows as you do.