InstagramInstagram may be guilty of pulling down photos of plus-sized women (or known to everyone else outside the fashion world as: women) posing in their underwear, but these amazing photos of ladies celebrating their beach bodies are thankfully here to stay.
The #Fatkini hashtag has been taking over Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr, which means that's it's taking over the world. And it's so fantastic that we're pretty bummed that summer is basically over, which means we will be seeing less of these gorgeous women on our Instagram feed and more of our friend's kids learning to ride a bike or walking for the first time. Ugh.
The term "fatkini" is credited to blogger Gabi Gregg, when she posted vacation photos back in 2012 of her showing off her adorable striped bathing suit that channeled her "inner Wendy Peffercorn." If you don't get that reference please go to our friend Google and then come back a better person than you were before.
"As always, I truly encourage you guys to get to the beach (or a pool) this summer. Don't let body shame keep you from having a good time!" Gabi writes. "I don't expect everyone to feel comfortable in a two piece, but hopefully I can inspire some of you to take the plunge. I can't tell you how freeing it is to just have fun without worrying about what other people think."
Gabi also has her own bathing suit line for girls that have a shape like her own for the site Swimsuits for All.
Instagram has become a "safe place" where women can be proud of their body and bond with other women who aren't ashamed of their size, and the #fatkini and #LoseHateNotWeight hashtag has allowed women from all over the world to show off their beach bodies and share their stories of self-confidence. Do yourself a favor and check out the campaign on Instagram and Twitter.
So before the weather cools down, put on that bathing suit and get your ass (whatever size it may be) to the beach. Show up and show off!
And don't you dare touch these photos, Instagram. We've had enough of that.