Christina Trujillo

Re-reading this piece over a year after writing it, I notice the tone came off more harsh than I’d intended. Of course, that makes complete sense within the context – but maybe not at first glance.

On it’s face, this piece is about me saying something awkward (my brand) in front of a group of women who expected me to feel something deeper than a passion for bralettes. The women serve as a background to a punchline I’m telling about myself: look at weird, quirky Christina compared to these gorgeous, sincere, and talented women. Eventually, I provide a deeper meaning for why I love bralettes: because they helped me find peace with my body. There. Beautiful women, I hope you’re satisfied.

With the benefit of hindsight, I realize the actual point of the piece is that being genuine is hard for me. The answer I give isn’t misreading my audience; it’s actually a rebellion against the question. What is passion? Who really feels it? Since I’m accustomed to using sarcasm as a defense mechanism, of course I picked something as innocuous as “bralettes” as an answer.

The funny part is that, in the space between writing and reading this piece, I’ve come to love many of the women who sat at that table. What I perceived as silent judgement was simply earnest listening. I almost reach this realization at the end of my piece, when Queen Beautiful Woman recognizes me as “bralette girl” and asks me to tell her about bralettes.

Anyways, I had dinner with several of the beautiful women recently, and I told Queen Beautiful Woman that I’d written a story about the bralette incident, and would she mind taking a selfie with me so I could share it alongside my blog? She said yes – story unseen. Her actual name is Sunny, which is a perfect depiction of her soul. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, and I appreciate her being a part of this pseudo-experiment where I give a little more background on my writing. 

A few more notes:

1. I’m afraid that having said nipples on the internet may prevent future employment opportunities.
2. I’ve evolved past lacy bralettes and am currently in love with True & Co.
3. My friend, Marjorie Grace Mathis, is the one who salud’s in cheers and is a genuinely amazing person. I cry every time she sings “God Bless the Child” and so you should follow her on Facebook and buy her music.
4. Ines Alvidres unironically uses the clouds to remind her to stay present, and I don’t do her explanation justice in my bralette piece. What she said at that moment changed my life way more than bralettes ever will. She also happens to be a super talented artist.