Images of bikini models in online stores and magazine spreads can be discouraging for women who don’t have the traditional “model body” and can’t fit into a size 0 swimsuit. Shopping for swimwear already tends to make many women feel insecure about their bodies. The whole process can be stressful and discouraging enough without being flooded with pictures in the media of models who are meant to represent what women are “supposed” to look like in swimwear, but who don’t look anything like you. The truth is that the vast majority of women do not have bodies that look like the figures of bikini models you see in the media.
Representation matters, and seeing more swimwear models that look like you can boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable flaunting your figure just the way it is. These five women are committed to promoting body positivity by celebrating their curvy figures and sharing them with thousands—in some cases, hundreds of thousands—of followers on one of the current most popevents.ca popular social media platforms.
Tash Ncube @tashncube
Tash Ncube is a law student who is based in New York City. She is also a curvy Instagram model and has earned almost 17,000 followers.
In addition to being plus size, Tash is also a woman of color—both of which are demographics that are severely underrepresented in the media, particularly in terms of women’s fashion models. Her Instagram feed consists mostly of creative, artsy images of herself rocking a wide range of swimwear styles and everyday street clothes.
Jada Sezer @jadasezer
Jada Sezer is an advocate for mental health and self-love. She also holds a master’s degree in child psychology. Jada is a plus size model signed to Wilhelmina Models. She has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.
Jada’s Insta posts include photos of her wearing formalwear, workout wear, lingerie, and—of course—swimwear. No matter what she’s wearing, Jada and her posts encourage women of every size to remain authentic and to love themselves and their bodies just the way they are.
Leslie Sidora @lessance
Leslie Sidora is a model signed with Natural Models LA. She has more than 150,000 followers on Instagram.
The majority of Leslie’s Instagram posts showcase her sexy, curvy figure in various swimwear styles. However, she also branches out to post pictures of herself in formal gowns, workout attire, and simple jeans-and-crop-top outfits.
Ashley Graham @ashleygraham
Ashley Graham is one of the most well-known plus size models around the world. She has been featured on the cover of major fashion magazines including Vogue, Glamour, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, and is renowned as an icon for her overwhelming success as a curvy model.
Ashley has more than 8 million followers on Instagram. She regularly updates her feed with pictures from various shoots of herself in workout wear, everyday outfits, and a wide variety of sexy swimwear styles.
Brielle Anyea Cunningham @missesbrielle
Brielle is a model who has almost 70,000 followers on Instagram. She uses her large platform to share images of herself in everything from high-waisted bikinis to strappy one-pieces to low-cut tube tops to bedazzled sequined party dresses.
Brielle makes daring fashion choices that prove to plus size women everywhere that there is no “right” or “wrong” thing for plus size women to wear. Brielle looks best in whatever makes her feel confident, and the same goes for women everywhere—regardless of their body type, shape, or size.