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Two Friends Show How The Same Outfit Looks On Their Different Body Types (33 New Pics)
Interview With Artist
You've probably heard about the two best friends turned fashion influencers, Denise Mercedes and Maria Castellanos, who have been turning heads on NYC streets. Not so long ago, we wrote about their TikTok challenge “Style Not Size” where the two BFFs of very different body types have been dressing up in matching outfits.
Their snack-sized videos took social media by storm, and the size 14 model Denise has grown her Instagram audience to a whopping 1 million followers. "She inspired me and I gained confidence in myself, and it then became about inspiring others around us, too,” said the petite size 2 Maria about her friend.
This time, they’re back with some new jaw-dropping outfits that prove it’s not size, but style that really matters. And we’re talking crop tops, high-waisted jeans, body-con dresses, swimsuits, and whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful!
More info: TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | DeniseMercedes.com
This post may include affiliate links.
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Bored Panda reached out to Denise Mercedes to find out more about their viral “Style not Size” movement. Denise, who made herself into a captivating influencer with 1 million followers, said it all started back in early 2019 when “my friend Maria and I would pose for photos wearing the same bikini."
It did so well and people reacted so positively to it that we continued doing it here and there.”Their follower count started growing, and when the pair shared their very first video on TikTok, it got more than 1.5 million views. “Once TikTok had become popular, we decided to do a fun video and that’s when it went viral,” the style influencer said.
They then realized it was time to come up with a hashtag of some sort and start an actual body positive movement, since so many women found their videos so inspiring. They let their Instagram followers vote between #ThroughThickAndThin and #StyleNotSize, and the second option won.
Denise said that their key message is “to dress however you please and to love your body.” Also, she added that it’s time “to stop comparing yourself to others.” Feeling confident in your own skin is what makes everyone shine from within.
She also stated that “the fact that we can inspire so many women to feel confident and be themselves makes us want to continue this movement.” The pair is over the moon to get so much positivity from people on social media.
And lastly, Denise shared her perfect autumn outfit for curvy women, which is basically some high rise mom jeans, boots, a shirt and a leather jacket. “That’s always my go-to,” she added.
#7
#9
Full of Giggles 4 years ago
They both look great but definitely need a camisole slip under the dress.
#13
Blue of the yams (They/He) 4 years ago
Oh yes, that is beauty right there! Reminds me of a scene from The Prince And The Dressmaker.
#14
Makayla Rhodes 4 years ago
The girl on the left looks so confident in that dress. You go girl! Woo
#15
A Dumbo Octopus 4 years ago
eeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhh I don't really like this dress in general...it seems cheap and it's all wrinkly on both girls
#18
Tracy Wallick 3 years ago
I need to know where curvy friend gets her jeans, cuz I need some for my babymakin hips
#24
Christine Packard Didier 4 years ago
These photos give me hope that I can look good in anything I want to wear.
#26
Levity Camilleri 4 years ago
This dress looks AMAZING on both of them. (first to comment as well, squeeeee!!!!!!!)
#29
Charlotte Anderson [STUDENT] 4 years ago
They are definitely both gorgeous people. And the girl with blond hair hair in this picture has pretty tattoos. Just not really a fan of the dress.
#31
TheOfficialAshfoot 4 years ago
It looks great but why is the shirt like that on the back, it makes it look kinda odd (imo)
#33
Clare Chapman 4 years ago
I think on nearly all the above pictures, the curvy girl looks better in the outfits 😊
b l a n c 4 years ago
yeah i agree. it's better accentuated on her because she has more curves. the other girl still looked very pretty in a lot of them and there were some where she looked better but most of them i agree with you
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Kenna Cook 4 years ago
Ok everyone, hear me out. Clare Chapman commented:"I think on nearly all the above pictures, the curvy girl looks better in the outfits 😊" Which is completely fine. The thing I don't get is that if someone had said "I think on nearly all the above pictures, the skinny girl looks better in the outfits 😊" They would be publicly shamed. I just don't get it, why should it be ok to favor curvy girls but it's not ok to favor smaller girls. This is an issue I have been thinking about for a long time. Please comment your thoughts!!
Rainy Day Wolf 3 years ago
this happens to me a lot if the blouse has "shaped boobs" is totally gonna look empty because I have nothing to fill them with XD
Cynthia McDonald 3 years ago
The way the top is cut around the breast area is unfortunate on both 😕
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Roxanne D'souza 4 years ago
I love their series, although I have to say the curvy girl is appreciated and her style is loved so much because she has an hourglass figure with a slim waist and flat tummy which is still seen was very attractive. Most plus size modelling is carried out on bodies like hers and it's can actually be mildly misleading to plus sized women because not everyone has a tiny waist and big hips. But baby steps I guess.
Shelby P 4 years ago
Yes, thank you for explaining this. I am not skinny but I have a decent body except I hate my stomach because it's not flat. That's where all my fat goes so I always look pregnant unless I suck it in. It is what it is, but it's hard to appreciate my shape since looking pregnant if you're not is considered wrong. Not to mention the fact that now medical professionals are attacking belly fat as the ultimate indicator of bad health. *sigh* I can't help where my fat goes...
Load More Replies...
Slinkman 4 years ago
Some pics the skinny one looks better, in some pics the bigger girl does. I'm kinda missing the point to this i guess.
Stille20 4 years ago
I think that is the point. Everyone has different body types. It doesn't mean they can't find stuff to make them look and feel good or that they should be held back by whatever the latest "ideal body" is
Load More Replies...
MeK1602 4 years ago
I agree. It's like they are trying to emphasize exactly that.
Load More Replies...
Pittsburgh rare 4 years ago
Everything looks good on you if you have a guitar shape body. Now try doing the same with a plus size lady with no curves...aha. Not so easy, right?
Harry Cooper 4 years ago
So unbelievably amazing how they each look in the clothing! I used to be a size zero, and after gaining 60 lbs I will never have a waist, so it's no consolation for me at all; but hey! It might be good for some people's self worth. More power to ya! In the meantime I'll just start digging.
Mimi777 4 years ago
I know what you mean I gained a lot of weight as well and don’t have a small waist either. I have love handles! But it’s ok I’ve accepted it. These two ladies definitely look great!
Load More Replies...
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I have commented this several times, so here it goes again: My mother was a teenager in the 1930s. I remember seeing one of her old fashion magazines from 1939, and inside the pictures of the newest fashions showed the same outfit on three models, one was the usual “model” size, one was a much bigger girl, and one was really short. My mother said they used to do that so people could see how the clothes looked on a range of body types. I wish they’d revive that practice. There are so many times I loved a particular style—-until I saw how it looked on me.
Julie 4 years ago
It doesn't matter what size you are, only that you are healthy and happy. If they are truly promoting a healthy body image, than they maybe should not lie or stretch the truth. The one is not a size 14, the other is not a 2 . Why even include sizes in the first place?
LittleMissLotus 4 years ago
Exactly, I was just thinking that- I think both of them might be a size or two larger. But if the point here is that people can be beautiful at any size, why did they say they were samller sizes than they are?
Load More Replies...
Rainbow Panda 4 years ago
They look awesome! ❤️ I love the message they are trying to show us, that everyone looks good. 😊
Helen Haley 4 years ago
If you're plus-size and not a natural hourglass, you are screwed. There is no looking good, there is just strategic camouflage.
Stina Kolling 4 years ago
It's easy to be a body-positivity leader when you have an hourglass figure and a flat stomach. That's still an acceptable body type for women to have. Let's see someone with an apple bodyshape try this.
Another loser 4 years ago
I love these pictures though i HATE how much fat shaming is on here :C
PurplePringle 4 years ago
These two look great! And I think it's awesome that the less curvy girl doesn't have a flat stomach. This makes her look so much more normal.
Elisabeth Chai 4 years ago
The clothes either look good on both of you or neither (specifically the lame dresses), but that is because of the very poor shape/cut of the dresses. You both rock!
Hui Huit 4 years ago
... boring People saying "waow, the curvy girl looks surprisingly better that the other" are lying, or trying to be nice. In fact none of the girls of these pictures is particularly beautiful. Not ugly. Average. Both of them. Stop trying to force others to accept your curves. Just accept yourself and don't look for social validation on the web...
A Random Panda 4 years ago
https://www.liketoknow.it/denisemmercedes Guys, I found a link to all of their clothes!
easter bunny 4 years ago
I am always doubtful when I see photos of bigger people with suspiciously flat stomachs. I either feel like there has been some form of liposuction, a lot of editing or they are holding their stomachs in. I weigh 52kg and even though I do alot of running and cycling I still don't have a flat stomach. I think the photos could end up being misleading for larger people looking to buy these clothes
JustAWeirdoGirlChild 4 years ago
i prefer the bigger girl in all the pics, but they are both so gorgeous
Ivana 4 years ago
I wish online shopping sites would do this, show the clothes on different body types, including short models. I am five foot nothing...no model shows me what the item will look like on me. But women's clothing doesn't take height into consideration. All pants are way too long.
Tracy Wallick 3 years ago
I love this whole gallery, and they both look FABULOUS <3 although, the curvy friend is making me question how straight I am XD
Franc Esca 4 years ago
The "plus size" girl doesn't have the protruding belly most of us chubby people have hence why she can wear these outfits successfully and they look so good. All her extra weight is in her thighs and hips. Thoss trousers usually look terrible on slightly overweight people unless theres wearing shapewear to the nines
Julianna Gonzalez 4 years ago
I love the curvy girl looks better in all the outfits! Like i mean she looks beautiful
Anja Schmidt 4 years ago
sweet friendship! The advantage of a more voluminious person with such a beautiful skintone - it really looks aestethic. imagine the same size in pure white skintone with dry skin and the look could not compete anymore ... lucky all the coloured people - you look all more healthy and kissed by the sun ...
Elizabeth Butler 4 years ago
Some of these outfits look better on one girl, some on the other girl. And some of these on neither one--bad fashions. But both girls look great.
Cynthia Levy 4 years ago
I'd like to know where the curvy one gets her jeans. She has a big rear end like me and I can never find jeans that fit; they always pull down in the back.
Gudrin Quae 4 years ago
Both lovely ladies are gorgeous but neither of them is well dressed. I mean their outfits don't fit their body shape. I can understand they like dressing alike as BFF
Grace Perez-Grafals 4 years ago
They're both beautiful girls, but the curvy one makes everything look good.
Tiffany Marie 4 years ago
I have an hourglass figure.. But I'm fit. I hate being heavy. I love exercise and being athletic. Betty Page and Marilyn Monroe inspire my look.
Animal lover❤ 4 years ago
I've said it before and I'll say it again, both women are so pretty. No matter your body type you are gorgeous.
Pangolin Pal 4 years ago
Both ladies are lovely, but so many of the outfits are just painted-on stretch dresses. I wish they'd chosen more creatively designed and tailored outfits to wear.
Marietta Tyks 4 years ago
They both look good but I feel that Denise looks gorgeous in all the outfits. The slender girl, Maria looks a little too skinny and too pale. She needs to gain a couple of pounds to maybe a size 5 or 6.
Roxanne D'souza 4 years ago
I love their series, although I have to say the curvy girl is appreciated and her style is loved so much because she has an hourglass figure with a slim waist and flat tummy which is still seen was very attractive. Most plus size modelling is carried out on bodies like hers and it's can actually be mildly misleading to plus sized women because not everyone has a tiny waist and big hips. But baby steps I guess.
Shelby P 4 years ago
Yes, thank you for explaining this. I am not skinny but I have a decent body except I hate my stomach because it's not flat. That's where all my fat goes so I always look pregnant unless I suck it in. It is what it is, but it's hard to appreciate my shape since looking pregnant if you're not is considered wrong. Not to mention the fact that now medical professionals are attacking belly fat as the ultimate indicator of bad health. *sigh* I can't help where my fat goes...
Load More Replies... Slinkman 4 years ago
Some pics the skinny one looks better, in some pics the bigger girl does. I'm kinda missing the point to this i guess.
Stille20 4 years ago
I think that is the point. Everyone has different body types. It doesn't mean they can't find stuff to make them look and feel good or that they should be held back by whatever the latest "ideal body" is
Load More Replies... MeK1602 4 years ago
I agree. It's like they are trying to emphasize exactly that.
Load More Replies... Pittsburgh rare 4 years ago
Everything looks good on you if you have a guitar shape body. Now try doing the same with a plus size lady with no curves...aha. Not so easy, right?
Harry Cooper 4 years ago
So unbelievably amazing how they each look in the clothing! I used to be a size zero, and after gaining 60 lbs I will never have a waist, so it's no consolation for me at all; but hey! It might be good for some people's self worth. More power to ya! In the meantime I'll just start digging.
Mimi777 4 years ago
I know what you mean I gained a lot of weight as well and don’t have a small waist either. I have love handles! But it’s ok I’ve accepted it. These two ladies definitely look great!
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I have commented this several times, so here it goes again: My mother was a teenager in the 1930s. I remember seeing one of her old fashion magazines from 1939, and inside the pictures of the newest fashions showed the same outfit on three models, one was the usual “model” size, one was a much bigger girl, and one was really short. My mother said they used to do that so people could see how the clothes looked on a range of body types. I wish they’d revive that practice. There are so many times I loved a particular style—-until I saw how it looked on me.
Julie 4 years ago
It doesn't matter what size you are, only that you are healthy and happy. If they are truly promoting a healthy body image, than they maybe should not lie or stretch the truth. The one is not a size 14, the other is not a 2 . Why even include sizes in the first place?
LittleMissLotus 4 years ago
Exactly, I was just thinking that- I think both of them might be a size or two larger. But if the point here is that people can be beautiful at any size, why did they say they were samller sizes than they are?
Load More Replies... Rainbow Panda 4 years ago
They look awesome! ❤️ I love the message they are trying to show us, that everyone looks good. 😊
Helen Haley 4 years ago
If you're plus-size and not a natural hourglass, you are screwed. There is no looking good, there is just strategic camouflage.
Stina Kolling 4 years ago
It's easy to be a body-positivity leader when you have an hourglass figure and a flat stomach. That's still an acceptable body type for women to have. Let's see someone with an apple bodyshape try this.
Another loser 4 years ago
I love these pictures though i HATE how much fat shaming is on here :C
PurplePringle 4 years ago
These two look great! And I think it's awesome that the less curvy girl doesn't have a flat stomach. This makes her look so much more normal.
Elisabeth Chai 4 years ago
The clothes either look good on both of you or neither (specifically the lame dresses), but that is because of the very poor shape/cut of the dresses. You both rock!
Hui Huit 4 years ago
... boring People saying "waow, the curvy girl looks surprisingly better that the other" are lying, or trying to be nice. In fact none of the girls of these pictures is particularly beautiful. Not ugly. Average. Both of them. Stop trying to force others to accept your curves. Just accept yourself and don't look for social validation on the web...
A Random Panda 4 years ago
https://www.liketoknow.it/denisemmercedes Guys, I found a link to all of their clothes!
easter bunny 4 years ago
I am always doubtful when I see photos of bigger people with suspiciously flat stomachs. I either feel like there has been some form of liposuction, a lot of editing or they are holding their stomachs in. I weigh 52kg and even though I do alot of running and cycling I still don't have a flat stomach. I think the photos could end up being misleading for larger people looking to buy these clothes
JustAWeirdoGirlChild 4 years ago
i prefer the bigger girl in all the pics, but they are both so gorgeous
Ivana 4 years ago
I wish online shopping sites would do this, show the clothes on different body types, including short models. I am five foot nothing...no model shows me what the item will look like on me. But women's clothing doesn't take height into consideration. All pants are way too long.
Tracy Wallick 3 years ago
I love this whole gallery, and they both look FABULOUS <3 although, the curvy friend is making me question how straight I am XD
Franc Esca 4 years ago
The "plus size" girl doesn't have the protruding belly most of us chubby people have hence why she can wear these outfits successfully and they look so good. All her extra weight is in her thighs and hips. Thoss trousers usually look terrible on slightly overweight people unless theres wearing shapewear to the nines
Julianna Gonzalez 4 years ago
I love the curvy girl looks better in all the outfits! Like i mean she looks beautiful
Anja Schmidt 4 years ago
sweet friendship! The advantage of a more voluminious person with such a beautiful skintone - it really looks aestethic. imagine the same size in pure white skintone with dry skin and the look could not compete anymore ... lucky all the coloured people - you look all more healthy and kissed by the sun ...
Elizabeth Butler 4 years ago
Some of these outfits look better on one girl, some on the other girl. And some of these on neither one--bad fashions. But both girls look great.
Cynthia Levy 4 years ago
I'd like to know where the curvy one gets her jeans. She has a big rear end like me and I can never find jeans that fit; they always pull down in the back.
Gudrin Quae 4 years ago
Both lovely ladies are gorgeous but neither of them is well dressed. I mean their outfits don't fit their body shape. I can understand they like dressing alike as BFF
Grace Perez-Grafals 4 years ago
They're both beautiful girls, but the curvy one makes everything look good.
Tiffany Marie 4 years ago
I have an hourglass figure.. But I'm fit. I hate being heavy. I love exercise and being athletic. Betty Page and Marilyn Monroe inspire my look.
Animal lover❤ 4 years ago
I've said it before and I'll say it again, both women are so pretty. No matter your body type you are gorgeous.
Pangolin Pal 4 years ago
Both ladies are lovely, but so many of the outfits are just painted-on stretch dresses. I wish they'd chosen more creatively designed and tailored outfits to wear.
Marietta Tyks 4 years ago
They both look good but I feel that Denise looks gorgeous in all the outfits. The slender girl, Maria looks a little too skinny and too pale. She needs to gain a couple of pounds to maybe a size 5 or 6.
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