Blake Lively has criticized the fashion industry for failing to produce inclusive sizes after struggling to find clothes that fit after the birth of her third baby.
The Gossip Girl star shared her frustrations in a recent Instagram story. In the throwback photo taken when she was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2020, Blake is pictured wearing a feathery black shirt and slitted dress. The actress herself put the look together after nobody had samples that would fit her postpartum figure.
As well as dealing with limited wardrobe options backstage, Blake could no longer shop at her favorite fashion brands.
“So many clothes from stores didn’t fit either,” she revealed. “So. Many.”
Blake, who has three children with husband Ryan Reynolds, admitted that her inability to find the right size left her feeling insecure."
The traveling pants may be fictional, but Blake Lively is still calling on fashion brands to be more inclusive with their sizing after feeling insecure and alienated postpartum. 💜 https://t.co/DcRe9KLBc4 pic.twitter.com/coNyf2FbmEJanuary 31, 2021
She called out fashion brands for damaging their customers' self-perception and confidence, writing, "It doesn't send a great message to women when their bodies don't fit into what brands have to offer. It's alienating and confusing."
Although Blake's self-esteem took a hit at the time, she now realizes that there was never anything wrong with her body. "That body gave me a baby," she wrote. "And was producing that baby's entire food supply. What a beautiful miracle. But instead of feeling proud, I felt insecure. Simply because I didn't fit into clothes. How silly is that in retrospect."
More from woman&home:
Blake’s unapologetic post was praised by many body-positivity advocates online and fellow actors, including Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner.
"Yes @blakelively one more time for the people in the back!!!" the Dark Phoenix actress responded. She even dropped a Game of Thrones reference, honoring Blake with the compliment, "Not a queen, a Khaleesi."
Sophie, who married Joe Jonas in 2019, gave birth to her first child last July. Her words of support didn't go unnoticed by Blake, who replied, "Queen of the north everyone," alongside an image of the Game of Thrones villain, Joffrey, on his deathbed. The shot was a tribute to Sophie's character Sansa Stark, who witnessed the notorious king's demise.
Blake concluded her post with an acknowledgment of Megababe founder and body-positivity advocate Katie Sturino. Sturino's company, which sells personal care products to women of all sizes, aims to break body taboos and inspire its customers to feel more confident.
Blake praised Katie for her innovative business and for "challenging brands to do better, helping women to not feel alone."
"She reminds me, we all can ask for better from the brands we love."
