The media is typically saturated with one body type (usually tall and slim) and it can sometimes be hard to feel positive about your own body when it’s so easy to compare yourself to the women we see Facetuned and photoshopped. It used to be that we saw these images on the pages of glossy magazines, but now it’s easier than ever to find yourself deep on the Instagram explore page looking at countless images of fitness bloggers while you wonder why you don’t also have a six-pack and plump booty.
After doing this one too many times while eating goldfish on my couch, I realized that I could be consuming better media and sought out women who keep it real AF on Instagram. They exist and they’re awesome. I rounded up 13 of my favorite body positive women who aren’t afraid to show off their curves and imperfect bits who make you feel empowered by your own body.
1. Nadia Aboulhosn
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaQdtrMnBn2/?taken-by=nadiaaboulhosn
Nadia Aboulhosn is a fashion blogger, model, and designer. She’s one of the most sought-after plus-size models and has even worked with Khloé Kardashian on her Good American line. She isn’t afraid to take fashion risks and show off her body no matter her size She’s funny, beautiful, driven, inspiring and will make you want to strut around in a bodysuit on the daily.
2. Gabi Gregg
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYHRcF6gTnJ/?taken-by=gabifresh
Gabi Gregg, also known as Gabi Fresh online is a plus size blogger who created a swimsuit line for all bodies. She’s always breaking the “fashion rules” and looks incredible doing it. Along with her message of body positivity, her feed is full of amazing style inspo. that makes her an awesome woman to follow.
3. Miss Eaves
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZBmETXA8wP/?taken-by=yoeaves
Miss Eaves is a Brooklyn rapper whose debut album, Feminasty came out earlier this year. One of her most popular songs off the album, “Thunder Thighs” reclaims the term for thick legs and empowers us all instead. Between this badass babe’s body positive ‘grams, music and videos, she and her work are making the world a better place for women.
4. Tess Holliday
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaSb_NlhInU/?taken-by=tessholliday
Tess Holliday is a plus-size model and one of the pioneers of the body positivity movement. In 2015, she became the first Curve model above a size 20 to be signed to a mainstream modeling agency. This woman has been breaking through barriers her whole career and is just getting started. Her posts on Instagram are real AF and will make you want to show off your own bod because like Tess says, every body is beautiful.
5. Iskra Lawrence
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaXIgwAhW4A/?taken-by=iskra
Iskra Lawrence is an English model best known for her work as the role model for Aerie. She is also an outspoken activist, serving as a brand ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. She commits to posting unretouched photos on her Instagram and in her modeling photos when she can help it. And when photos are retouched, she tells her audience. She’s an amazing reminder that even the most “perfect” bodies still have flaws, but we should love them anyway.
6. Denise Bidot
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaNS0xkFc8y/?taken-by=denisebidot
Denise Bidot was the first plus-size model to walk the runway for two straight size brands during New York fashion week in 2014. You probably remember her from a 2016 Lane Bryant ad campaign where she was featured in a unretouched photo that showed her stretch marks. This mother of one has no qualms showing off her bod and we’re totally here for it.