bare MAGAZINE
[ Volume One ] September Issue
“Empowering women’s confidence through fashion.” AUS:$7.50 Inc GST | NZ:$8.24 Inc GST | UK:£4.61
Contents
01. Comfy 4 – 11
02. Glam 12 – 21
03. Lingerie 22 – 31
Creators
About us Bare is a magazine publication based in Australia that explores body positivity and self confidence through the means of fashion. As the title suggests, Bare looks beneath the surface and redefines the expectations of beauty and individuality. The magazine aims to focus on empowering young women through their fashion and embracing their identities as real and not posed. It presents a refreshing alternative for women looking for more than what’s on trend, and offers a new perspective on self-image.
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“ A woman is the most sexiest person when she is comfortable in her own clothes. - Vera Wang 5
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Comfort is the new chiqué! [ WRITTEN BY MARIA EVANGELISTA ]
The clothes we choose to wear and the amount of makeup we decide to apply is a form of self-expression.
Comfortable styling and clothing are taking over the world.
Shirley Wang from The Wall Street Journal conducted
Women all around are caring less about what others think
a research on how people can boost their confidence
and caring more about what makes them happy.
through the outside stereotypical dress code. Based on her findings with the help of PHD Harvard educators,
Society has a common perspective that women, like
Wang states “individuals who wear sweatpants often
myself, only feel confident when were glammed up and
have less to prove compared to a person draped in
put together. Although that can be true, what bothers
high end clothing.” She then continues by saying “It’s
me the most is that there is another side of confidence
important to note that most confident people won’t care
women feel that society fails to acknowledge. And it is
about what they wear in public whether it be designer or
comfort.
not, they usually downplay their appearances and keep it neutral.” It’s not always about the material worth that
Women feel confident through wearing comfortable
boosts women’s confidence. But it is about how women
clothing and embracing their natural appearances. From
can find their confidence elsewhere through embracing
wearing sweatpants and hoodies to having messy hair
their natural appearances and being anchored in that to
and being bare. This confidence often comes from women
boost their confidence.
not conforming to society’s expectations and then being socially accepted knowing that they haven’t put any effort
Wang also notes that women
but instead embraced who they are. Society accepting
embarking the outside boundaries of societal norms
their bold and fearless choice only increases a women
“are more likely to think outside the box and are
confidence and an “it’s an okay thing to do” perspective
freethinkers”. Therefore, confidence not only comes
becomes a norm in their minds, hence why more and
from the acceptance of one’s self, but it also comes
more women are jumping on the train towards being
from the feeling of being independent. Nothing is more
confident through a comfortable and natural appearance.
empowering than a woman who can think for herself and
who are confident in
take on leadership roles independently rather than being In my opinion for a woman to bare her natural state to
a damsel in distress. Independency itself is an attractive
society without any enhancements or cover-ups is an
trait to have, but women can choose to have a positive
empowering action. It sends a message to everyone that
mind set and choose to be different.
it doesn’t matter how they look, whether others accept them or not this is who they are and this where they feel
Now, it is important to remember that comfort is okay. It
most comfortable. It is often hard for anyone, not just
is okay for all women to feel confident and empowered
women, to do this because we are our hardest critics
through a comfortable pair of sweats. It is okay to
and often try and please everyone in fear of being judged,
have days where make up and tight fitting clothing are
rather than thinking about ourselves and what we feel
dismissed. For it is to the qualities like being fearless,
most comfortable with.
independent and accepting that is what helps drive the confidence within. 7
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“ Embrace messy hair and sweatpants.
- Unknown 9
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To me, clothes are forms of self- expression. There are hints about who you are in what you wear. - Marc Jacobs
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What I put on my face and body is a form of Self-expression -L
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Love the canvas and the Masterpiece [ WRITTEN BY LEAH TAVITA ]
“Women are proving that embracing their natural appearance and choosing comfort over glam can also boost their confidence.”
Wearing cute clothes and applying make up makes us
This allows us to distinguish between where we see
feel good. We feel confident and empowered. The clothes
ourselves amongst others. Through this development
we choose to wear and the amount of makeup we decide
our self confidence and self esteem increase. If one does
to apply is a form of self-expression.
not experience this self growth Sika argues in her article that ,“Women’s personal identity are affected by fashion
We should feel empowered through the fabrics that are
trends therefore a search for self-esteem, self confidence
on our bodies and the cosmetics that are applied on our
and self-acceptance are done”. Fashion and makeup are
faces.
powerful tools.
Clothes and makeup however do not define us, we are
It is one of many forms of communication used among us
not worthless or unattractive with or without it. We like
women. We express our individual styles by sharing them
to look good because it makes us feel good, we do it for
among eachother. We as beautiful strong feline creatures
ourselves. Varyanne Sika, a feminist writer and researcher,
unfortunately feel the need to compete with one another.
mentions in her article ‘How Fashion and dress shapes women’s identities” that “All women, should be able to do
Just as Sika mentions we should discourage the cliché
what they want and be whomever they choose to be”.
that ‘Women are their own worst enemies’, we must unite and support each other, a great example of this are
There’s this misconception shared throughout society
Beauty bloggers. They experiment, explore and create
that women wear a certain amount of makeup or dress
expressive looks that communicate a feeling or presence
to impress for the sole purpose of seeking the attention
of a persona they feel comfortable enough presenting to
of others. Some may find it vain or narcissistic to love
the world.
yourself and to love what you wear, whereas others find it refreshing and empowering. We showcase an image we
We feel empowered through fashion and makeup due to
feel comfortable displaying to others, our character and
the sense of control we receive from within us as we get
personal identity.
to chose how to portray ourselves to the public. Some find this deceiving others see it as refreshing.
We may feel pressured from this idea of perfection advertised and encouraged throughout magazines
We should feel empowered through wearing dressy
and television; however we remind ourselves that we
clothes and applications of makeup as we can create,
wear what we want and how we want, Why? Because it
experiment and express different styles and enhance
makes us feel empowered it allows us to break down the
features of ourselves that we should already love. The
expectations founded by society and allows us to focus
overall process is a self discovery, once you learn to love
on our individuality.
yourself your one step closer in loving others.
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Just because I know I look good does not mean that I am vain.
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There is nothing wrong in loving yourself.
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The Art of Lingerie [ WRITTEN BY FARIHA HABIB ]
“Never underestimate the power of good lingerie on a bad day.”
Sensual, glamorous, a secret, quirky, comfort. All
And you know, that’s what lingerie does. It ignites a fire
synonymous with lingerie. Why? Because lingerie has
in you and you feel alive.
the power to transform a woman and boost their self confidence on many different levels. It is proven if a
Now, lingerie is often perceived as something sexual, and
woman associates positive connotations with an item
not at all empowering. Some argue that ‘pretty’ lingerie
of clothing, it has a powerful impact on what attributes
should only be reserved if it’s going to be shown off.
they take on and how they carry themselves.
Not necessarily. Like any item of clothing, lingerie can be and should be worn as a self expression to promote
And it all begins with lingerie.
confidence and minimise self doubt. For something that is not seen, it allows a woman to strengthen herself and
For centuries, undergarments were considered a taboo
become her own ruler.
to see and talk about. It was centred upon creating a
‘likeable’ and ‘desirable’ figure in order to fit into societal
A woman is beautiful when she becomes comfortable in
norms. Fast forward, it has now evolved into something
her own skin. She embodies art, with galaxies growing
more rooted within the woman herself. Lingerie has
inside of her. At first it is only for a passing moment
become a secret power tool for women to be comfortable
where she’s not picking out her flaws or looking at
in their own skin. Other people may not see it, but it does
her reflection without regard. But as time passes, the
not matter because it’s about what lingerie makes you
moments seem to grow and she begins to understand
feel.
herself and holds herself with respect, because she believes she looks absolutely stunning in her underwear.
A young woman with a constellation of freckles across her face, slips into soft lace lingerie and sits in her chair as
That is the power of lingerie.
if it’s her throne. She feels untouchable. Another looks at her reflection through the fogged up mirror and admires
Don’t be fooled by the habit of just wearing underwear.
the way her deep pink underwear pops against her bronze
Take a moment and appreciate what you’re actually
skin. She loves it. A few blocks away, if you walk down the
wearing and allow that to transform your perception of
sidewalk with the yellow orchids, you’ll catch a glance of
yourself to reach new bounds.
a woman through her apartment window. You can’t hear the music she’s dancing to or her off-key singing, but you
After all, it’s what’s underneath that counts.
are captivated by the sight of her falling in love with life. She’s happy.
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i am fierce
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WEARING PRETTY LINGERIE SETS THE ATTITUDE AND STARTS THE DAY ON A HIGH NOTE 26
i evolve in my lingerie 27
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And four years later you’re dancing around in your underwear, with a pint of milk in your hand.
The windows are open wide, the neighbours are still awake, and they are watching you.
They are watching you fall in love with being alive. MORSUS ENGEL 29
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CLASSY
CONFIDENT 31