Mary Lambert On Crop Tops, Self Love And Her Latest Single

Photo: Coutsey of Mary Lambert

The world is filled with musicians that create music that awakens feeling that are hiding deep within your soul. Musician and song writer, Mary Lambert is one of those people that knows how to make you feel alive with her music. The lyrical genius is leaving her mark in the world, beyond her music. Her words inspire people, but her style is just as moving. As a plus size woman that has dealt with her share of bulling and body shame, she is turning a negative into a positive by being a leader in the body positive movement.

Lambert had a chat with StyleBlazer recently about self love and her personal style, as well as how the plus size fashion world have evolved through the years.

What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is about confidence and makes you feel good. I think that’s where retraining mental patterns comes into it play. I believe fashion is such an intricate part of rewiring your brain because our clothes are how people see us and how we present ourselves to the world. It’s an opportunity for expression and a proclamation to make a statement to the rest of the world. What are you going to do with that responsibility, you know?

Do you believe in fashion rules?
I don’t believe there are any rules in fashion. When people think of rules, they are talking about judgments and how they will be perceived rather than how it makes them feel. The biggest rule of fashion is how you feel in your outfit. If you feel good, then wear it! It’s really simple.

We love your stylish threads. How would you define your personal style?
My personal style is versatile. I love bright colors, crop tops, twirly skirts, and really feminine floral things. When I want to butch it up, I wear cut-offs, flannel shirts, and combat boots. I want my style to be indicative of my personality, which is so multi-faceted. We are incredibly complex. In general, people want to be loved and accepted. In our society, it’s easier to love someone when they are “digestible.” When you put someone in a box —say, rockabilly, or something, it’s sometimes easier to be understood.  Style can reflect that.

I remember when I came out at 17, I was so sad. I thought, “Well I’m gay. Now I don’t get to wear makeup and have to cut my hair.” I didn’t understand that being gay is just a part of me and that didn’t have to define my personal style. I can still enjoy my favorite things and activities. I can still be a complex person and embody that.

You mentioned your teenage years. What fashion advice do you wish someone would have given you then?
You don’t have to hide. I think that was my biggest frustration. I mean ten years ago there weren’t a lot of plus-size options and going shopping was a devastating event. I’m really proud of the strides that plus-size fashion has made.

Photo: Mary Lambert

Speaking of strides in the plus-size world, we are excited to see that you are part of JCPenney’s #HereIam Campaign.  How does it make you feel to see a major retailer supporting the body positive movement?
You have no idea how honored I am to be a part of this. Rather than speak for the plus size community, JCPenney asked us what we wanted. The 17-year-old me is leaping to see bodies like mine, confident, sexy, and dressed in cute clothes. One point I really wanted to drive home from this campaign is that every BODY is on its own journey. You don’t know where someone’s at when you meet them. You have no idea what they have experienced, what illnesses they’ve had, or where they are in their self-worth or self-love.

Back to your style, is there a city that you feel has really inspired your sense of style?
Totally. New York is so great and I love that there is so much variety in terms of fashion. I’ve been to London a couple of times and people there are impeccably dressed. I’m like, “Why am I wearing jeans? I can’t possibly wear flip flops here!” I like to rise to the challenge! I’m also heavily influenced by Seattle. Growing up, I remember wearing overalls with one strap off.

What do you love about Seattle and the style scene there?
There is great body positive activism in Seattle that encourages me. One woman in particular, Kim Felling, comes to mind. She’s this amazing fashion guru and I have always loved her aesthetic. I actually invited her to my “She Keeps Me Warm” video shoot, and she came wearing a crop top.  She was the first plus size girl I had ever seen wearing a crop top and I remember thinking, “What is she doing? We’re not allowed to wear things like that?” She was a big inspiration.  I like seeing people my size wearing crop tops, bodycon dresses, and whatever the f**k they want because they fell good in it.

What’s your biggest fashion “ah-ha” moment?
The revelation that I can wear crop tops. I love crop tops and I must have 20.  I’m wearing one now and feel so free, sexy and cute. In the past couple of years. I’ve been able to look in the mirror and not feel indifferent. I look great. I really love my body!

I feel like we do this thing in the body positive circle from time to time. The messaging is to just love yourself and your body, but it’s not that easy. You don’t just go from complete self-loathing to loving and embracing your body and wanting to wear a crop top. There is a process involved, and I want to look at it critically. What are the tools we can also share as a community that work for different people? I know that for me, I look at my body in the mirror functionally rather than aesthetically, and ask myself, “How do I feel?”

We’re going to take a wild guess here, but would your crop top be the clothing item you couldn’t live without?
Yeah, I think it would be. It makes such a statement. They are comfortable and I think it’s empowering to see women of all sizes in crop tops.

Tell us a little more about your new single “Hang Out With You.” When it comes to your fashion styling for the video, what was your vibe?
“Hang Out With You” is very autobiographical. Being genuine is  important to me, and I wanted that to translate to the video. The outfits I wear in the video are my actual clothes. I wear that sweater all the time! I wanted to show a more relaxed, casual side as well as show the side that prances around in crop tops- both are reflections of my identity.

Your style has a retro vibe, do you have a favorite pinup?
I love Ditta Von Teese, Brigitte Bardot, Bettie Page, all the quintessential rockabilly idols.

Before we go, we have to take a moment to admire your sleeve. What is the significance of your pansies?
The pansies on my half-sleeve represent the generations of Mary’s in my family. My mom, grandmother, great grandmother, and myself are all singers, play the piano, and have pansies.

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