When asked to interview Linda Peavy about her new book, “The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women,” I wasn’t sure exactly how the interview would go, and I definitely didn’t know how inspirational the author would be for me.
Not only did this interview trigger my childhood traumas related to being a curvy girl who matured into a plus size woman, but it also triggered how sometimes I’ve allowed society to sculpt my reality for me instead of sculpting it myself. All of it hit me like a mountain of bricks, and quite frankly, I needed to experience it.
As a stylish, plus size woman in her mid-30s, I didn’t really consider the realities of women who dare to age and how they are represented in today’s media, society, and fashion industry. By the time I reached my 20s, I had already accepted my full-figured body, learned how to style it, and been confident in who I was.
While interviewing Linda Peavy, not only did I get a reality check, I got inspired: inspired to grow older, inspired to be daring, inspired to love myself, and most importantly, inspired to not give a damn about what anyone thinks of me or my body – besides me!
Even though “The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women” is an incredible read and guide for mature women who are currently plus size, newly plus size, or having trouble making a connection with themselves through personal growth and style development, the real message of the book is: Linda Peavy wants more for women who society purposely likes to leave out.
“The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women”: a reminder that aging shouldn’t be a social death sentence
Linda Peavy sits looking lovely as ever with style, grace, and poise donning a red silk blouse, blue eyeshadow, and red lipstick – pure elegance personified.
Like a star-struck fan walking Hollywood Boulevard, I was smitten by her persona, eagerly ready to interview her to learn more about her book, brand, and next move for the new year.
More than three years in the making, “The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women” author Linda Peavy bridges the gap between the ever-growing plus size community and the need for appropriate styling (and apparel) for women over 40 who still want to remain sophisticated, sexy, and adventurous.
At the age of 60, Peavy realized that she didn’t have an outlet for self-expression, self-love, and style, so she decided to create one!
In “The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women,” Peavy painted a picture that I could understand about what it’s like to not only age in a youth-obsessed society but also be curvy and not always be able to find adequate apparel.
Peavy doesn’t want anyone, especially mature women, to ever feel less than sophisticated, sexy, and stylish, saying, “People believe that once you hit 50 your life is over and that you need to be sitting somewhere in a corner, and that’s not true. That’s what the book is all about! We as mature women, we want to be sexy, right?! We have a life! We still want to be able to go out, dress well, and feel good!”
Being plus size since the second grade, Peavy had the privilege of an upbringing that embraced her size and allowed her to thrive as herself: fabulous and amazing. No matter what the outside world ever projected onto her, Peavy decided that she was going to be her best and look her best no matter what.
I couldn’t help but admire her confidence, beauty, sex appeal, and such strength and ambition. I found myself thinking of my childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood. In those pivotal years, being larger than a size small was considered a fault, even for someone under the age of 21.
As these memories came flooding back, I found myself thinking about all of the traumas, triumphs, and turmoils that I’ve experienced as a plus size woman, who happened to be confident, in a world that wanted me to hate myself.
Linda Peavy’s inspiration for The Cultured Curves Guide
Peavy wanted to create a comprehensive guide that outlined fashion brands, cosmetic brands, independent fashion designers, body type styling, positive affirmations, confessions, and tips and tricks on how women over 50 could look their best without compromising their individuality, personality, and comfort levels. When asked why, her answer was this:
“When I reached my early fifties, I realized many women didn’t have the self-esteem that I did, and they really had issues with their body images. I made the decision then to create a resource where I would be able to allow women to feel good about themselves. I was 56 when I created Cultured Curves! I wanted to teach women how to look their best, which in turn propelled me into creating the blog that later turned into the book.”
Peavy hopes that her book will be one of many dedicated to being a voice for those who feel like their voices aren’t loud enough.
“I think it’s the level of education that is needed to teach designers that at the end of the day, the fashion industry [is just like] any other capitalistic industry. It’s all about profit and loss. Mature women have a much higher [amount of] disposable income than their younger counterparts. Designers need to know that they’re leaving money on the table by excluding us. Not to mention, the average American woman is a size 16; the average woman is considered plus size, and yet is excluded from the representation of fashion and style. Lastly, it’s all about mindset and who looks good in what. Oftentimes, it boils down to discrimination and these designers not believing that a plus size or curvy woman will look good in their designs. We know that that isn’t true.”
Linda Peavy
You can get the book, “The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women” at Amazon.com!
As the interview continued, it was clear that Peavy is serious about creating a loving and stylish environment for women 50 and above to become the women they want to be one page at a time. With a book like Linda Peavy’s on the market, it’s evident that this movement won’t be just a one-time occasion, as Peavy expressed interest in creating events and retreats for mature, curvy women.
Thank you Linda Peavy for all that you have done and all that you will continue to do!
