Blake Lively Got Very Candid About Body and Shopping Insecurities After Giving Birth

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds welcomed their third child, daughter Betty, in 2019. Shortly after, Lively embarked on a promotional tour for her movie, The Rhythm Section. She looked back on that time in a new Instagram Story posted January 30, and recalled how no designers had samples that fit her post-birth body. 

“I put together a @lanvinofficial shirt and dress from @netaporter to make this pretty outfit,” Lively wrote, referencing the below look. “Because no one had samples that fit me after giving birth. And so many clothes from stores didn’t fit, either. So. Many.”

Lively continued, “It doesn’t send a great message to women when their bodies don’t fit into what brands have to offer. It’s alienating and confusing. And I wish I felt as confident then as I do now, a year later looking back. That body gave me a baby. And was producing that baby’s entire food supply. What a beautiful miracle. But instead of feeling proud, I felt insecure. Simply because I didn’t fit into clothes. How silly is that in retrospect?” 

Lively shouted out Megababe founder Katie Sturino (learn all about her here) and other style innovators for “challenging brands to do better [and] helping women to not feel alone.” 

“She reminds me, we all can ask for better from the brands we love,” Lively ended her post. 

Of course, it’s important to note Blake Lively is talking about not being able to find designer sample sizes, not regular clothes from, say, a department store or e-commerce site. That being said, the insecurity of not fitting into your favorite clothes after giving birth—or for any reason, frankly—is universal. Lively has the right idea: We should be demanding more from our favorite shops and brands. More inclusive sizing. More options. More everything. Let’s hope it happens.