This TikTok stylist doesn’t want you to cover up and hide

Michaela Doyle first dipped her toe into the fashion world when she was 15 years old and working at a local clothing boutique. After moving to New York City for college and working styling gigs on weekends, the TikTok stylist decided to start her blog — sort of an “anti-fashion blog” fashion blog.

“I am OVER skimming boring blogs and not relating,” she wrote in the intro to her site, Manhattan Mrs. “Done with looking at TikToks of girls who look nothing like me and beating myself up because of it … So now, I’m taking over.”

Five years after her first fashion job, Doyle is now an important presence on TikTok where she offers fashion advice for all body types and mental health advice for common body insecurities.

“I actually think that one of the things that makes my videos so special and the community that we created so special is that my videos aren’t telling you to cover it up,” Doyle told In The Know. “The problem with inclusivity, especially on social media, until up to very recently is that we had kind of two options if we didn’t look the way we wanted to look. It was either one, be totally confident, wear whatever you want and don’t care what people say. Or two, cover up.”

Doyle, who says she’s “done her time” in terms of self-confidence issues, said that a big inspiration for starting her blog and TikTok account was the chance to provide information and visuals for girls who were still in the thick of it. It’s the content she wished existed when she was younger.

“What I definitely want for people to feel when they see my videos is the biggest sigh of relief, like a fresh breath of air that they haven’t felt in years,” she said. “It would be an absolute dream for them to be able to look in the mirror and be like, ‘Oh my gosh, this works. I feel good.'”

It makes sense why Doyle boasts an impressive 391,000 loyal followers who trust her fashion sense.

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“So you don’t know what to wear, you don’t know how to wear it, and you might have a few things about yourself you’re not totally comfortable with,” she said. “But don’t worry, I’m going to make you feel stylish.”

If your biggest insecurity involves your arms and shoulders, Doyle recommends a structured blazer.

“[It] gives these really harsh, defined lines that kind of cinch in the width of your body,” she explained. “Another thing that you can do is wear a corset.”

Doyle pairs her corsets with a turtleneck underneath, which not only makes her feel more confident about the skin that the corset may push up, it also makes the look more fun overall.

If you don’t want to show too much skin, Doyle encourages adding a top underneath to certain styles.

“I can really take control of how much skin is being visible,” she explained. “Then you also are being covered on the sides … and your entire back is covered.”

For leg insecurities, Doyle says an A-line skirt is the way to go.

“One of the best silhouettes that you can possibly find for yourself is going to be an A-line skirt,” she said. “Another thing that looks really good is when you pull that up right under your bust, so you’ve got a bit of an empire waist silhouette.”

If you’re insecure about back rolls, Doyle says take a closer look at your bra.

“Pay a lot of attention to your bra,” she said. “That’s really going to make or break a tight fitting shirt … You’re going to want to go for a bralette or a halter shaped bra that’s got this V situation going on.”

Finally, for the lower abdomen, Doyle suggests investing in high-waisted denim jeans that are one or two sizes up from your usual size.

“It’s going to end up looking a little baggy, but that’s OK because the baggy effect you’re going to stop with cinching it at the waist with a belt,” she said. “That’s going to create this really nice fit and flare look where you’re going to be cinched at the waist and then you’re going to look curvy on your thighs and on your hips.”

Ultimately, Doyle’s goal is for you to feel good.

“Do not feel bad that you’re not completely comfortable with yourself. It is a journey,” she said. “It is a long, long road. And you will get there — but do not feel bad when you’re on the way.”

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