Given my own minor, middle-aged revolt, was delighted by this: when Chidera Eggerue was a teenager she wanted a boob job because hers didn’t look like they were ‘supposed’ to – you know, a matching pair (nb our logo is v deliberately not!), round, high, no skin tags or wonky nipples etc.
As she got older, she came to and decided that larger breasted women without stereotype breasts should or shouldn’t wear a bra as they chose, without censure or being gawped at and/or being told to cover up. This prompted her to launch her blog the slumflower for people who don’t relate to or comply with the very narrow idea of what we should look like promulgated by the mainstream fashion industry.
This branched into how to be independent in various areas of life from your looks, to relationships and more – with Chidera dispensing unsentimental advice to those who request it. I did wince a bit when she was reported saying that even women of 50 (dear god!) have connected with her. But when you’re young, 50 is so so old. Remember having a bit of a fit about turning 30. Or was it 40?
Her blog, and now her debut book (at 23), What a Time to Be Alone, are an antidote to the proliferation of middleclass self-help stuff. The book is in three parts – You (“celebrate yourself”); Them (“don’t worry about them”); and Us (“feel the togetherness”).
As soon as I find my reading glasses, I’ll be on it.
The Persistent Woman 