Body Stories: Charlotte

Welcome to the latest post in D&B Body Stories. In this inspiring series we talk to a range of D&B customers about their relationship with their body and how this has changed over time. It's just one of many things we're doing here at D&B to challenge some of those deep-rooted myths about our bodies needing to be a certain shape, size, colour or age, blemish and wrinkle free, to be beautiful or to belong on a beach. 

This week we catch up with Charlotte who is a passionate campaigner for body acceptance. We hope you enjoy this chat.

Tell us a bit about you

I'm Charlotte Emily Price and I'm currently self-employed, creating content on social media. I particularly enjoy sharing my experiences through life in my early 20s with my audience, specifically my body acceptance and self love journey. Discovering myself and accepting who I am has been such an incredible journey, and I hope by sharing my story online, it can encourage other women, or men, who are feeling self conscious or doubting themselves, to believe in who they are!

What is the earliest memory you have of your body image?

I hit puberty before all of my friends because I started my period at 9 years old...meaning I grew hair and boobs before any of the other girls. I was so self conscious of my body changing from such a young age, it breaks my heart thinking about it and how so many other young girls feel the same way when they should be proud of who they are.

What have been some of the biggest influences on your body image and body confidence?

I think seeing so many other women on social media embracing their true selves and loving their bodies too. Anyone who defies the beauty standard and speaks up for body acceptance has inspired me to express my thoughts and share my journey too. Some of my favourites include: Jess Megan, Curvy Nyome, Stephanie Yeboah and Chessie King.

What do you love about your body today?

Absolutely everything! All the curves, marks, lumps, bumps and dips. I find them so fascinating - that my body will adapt throughout my life to ensure it can work to keep me alive and well every single day! In particular, I used to hate my thicker thighs but I now admire them for being so strong, allowing me to walk from place to place whenever I need them to.

You use the term 'body acceptance'. Do you prefer that to 'body positivity'? What's the difference in your opinion?

I prefer body acceptance. Positivity, I feel, has become toxic in the sense that it makes an individual feel like they have to obsessively love their body 24/7. It's hard to love, or be positive, about our bodies in a fatphobic society where beauty standards exist. By simply accepting our bodies for what they do for us, we are rebelling against society standards and not pressuring ourselves to be positive about our bodies all the time.

What do you like about Deakin and Blue?

Deakin and Blue have curated an incredible collection of swimwear that cater to a huge range of sizes - something all brands should be doing! Not only do they cater for body sizes but also body shapes and cup sizes too...making your swimwear perfectly fit YOUR body type. I love how the products are completely sustainable and most importantly, that the brand advocates for diversity.

What advice would you give to your younger self to help her have a better relationship with her body?

Everyone is different and all bodies will never, and should NOT, be the same. I'd tell her that she would end up loving every inch of her body and accepting what it does for her everyday. I'd also share one of my favourite quotes - 'talk to yourself like someone you love'. You wouldn't criticise a loved one about their appearance so why are you doing it to yourself?

When I look at the photos of me in my D&B all I see is a happy girl laughing in the sun. I wish I could tell teen Char that all the memories she created were nothing to do with how her body looked (especially in a bikini). In fact, when I’m at the beach all I’m really thinking about is basking in the sun, staying hydrated and going for a dip in the sea! I'd love to tell my younger self that no one is looking at you or judging your body, so be kinder to yourself and don’t feel like you need to hide away because you’ve always been beautiful, and you've always been enough! Go make those memories for you. 

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Charlotte wears the Plunge High Waist Bikini in Lido in a size 14 Monroe