Yesterday on Facebook, my friend Melissa shared a crazy story. NBC San Diego reported about a local runner whose picture was going to be appearing in SELF Magazine. SELF had emailed her for permission to use the photo of she and her friend running the San Diego Marathon in their tutus.
Only it turns out, SELF was making fun of them and the tutu fashion in runners. Turns out, Monika, the woman who SELF emailed, not only makes the tutus but she was co-owns her own tutu company {Glam Runner}. She donates a portion of the sales to Girls on the Run and is a brain cancer survivor.
I’m thinking the editors at SELF Magazine are feeling pretty ashamed about now. The photo will appear in the APRIL Self Magazine, which apparently hits news stands today.
{Edited to add – the Editor of the magazine did issue an apology. In my opinion, it felt more like a “we’re sorry we mad fun of someone with cancer” statement than actually apologizing for misleading her about the photo and then in turn making fun of her race day attire choice. I still find it upsetting, especially for a magazine that should be empowering women and not making fun of them.}
I feel completely the opposite of how SELF does – I absolutely adore the tutu and glam-it-up fashion trend with runners in races. As someone who runs, I feel inspired and happy when I see other people dressed up and having fun with their race. I’ve worn Wonder Woman socks in races as well as a blingy skirt I got from Sparkle Athletic two years ago.
In honor of having a little spirit and a whole heck of a lot of fun by dressing up on race day, I’m dedicating today’s Fashion Friday to some fun running gear finds for those of you who feel as I do – it’s all in fun!
Better Be Wine At the Finish Line T, $26.35
Run Like a Beast, Finish Like a Beauty, $22.95
Black Argyle Running Skirt, $59
Black & Red Tough Girl Tutu, $29.99
Wonder Woman Race Set from Race Junkie on Etsy, $55
By the way, this is the photo that will be appearing in SELF. Aren’t these outfits ADORBS. I would have featured them as a tutu to buy but because of the overwhelming response they are receiving from the press, they are not accepting new orders. Still – bookmark them and check them out for sometime in the future at Glam-Runner.com:
I am so happy at the support for Glam Runner. I certainly hope that SELF will issue an apology for their insensitivity. Some of those darling outfits would be suitable for working out at the gym!!!
By the Way, now that Winter MAY soon be over, and I will head outdoors. what would you and your readers recommend as a good sunscreen?
Aunt Brenda, our fav is Neutrogena’s Sun Defense… I’ll put a post up as we get closer to see what others have to say!
Great post. 🙂 FYI – Monika and Taramae started Glam Runner long before the brain tumor as a way to support Girls On The Run San Diego.
Thanks Carolyn for the correction – I will edit. Monika & Taramae seem like great peeps – I don’t even believe the cancer should be the focus on any of this but it should be about empowering women to have FUN while running & wearing whatever the heck they want that makes them have that fun while doing it! Right? And love that they support Girls on the Run, it’s a great organization
Shame on Self. (hopefully they have learned something from this. And thanks Whit ,for your great review and support of this courageous woman , her cancer battle, her company and her charitable support.
I like the idea of wearing a tutu when I get back into tennis! a new , fun trend!
They asked for permission to use her photos only to embarrass them? How awful! Thanks for sharing this story. Now I may never wear a tutu for a race or anything… but more power to these ladies who are simply sharing a fun and positive message!
I love that you featured runner bling today! I was astounded to see SELF making fun of the tutus, and the apology was no apology at all. They should have been up front about what they were going to do.
As someone who can’t even picture myself running, what poor taste Self has shown! Who cares what they’re wearing? What matters is what they’re doing and how great they are for doing it. Go runners!
Having once worked on Self magazine many years ago, this saddens me. They were all about empowerment then – and I was so proud to be working on media that mattered. I don’t know if I would wear the tutus myself but I would certainly embrace anyone who does!
Thanks for the comment Jessica – yah I think that’s the point. Even for someone who may not wear a tutu while running, at least be accepting to everyone having their own sense of style and thing that inspires them. That’s what made me so sad about this whole story… we should all be supporting women in fitness, not teasing!
I LOVE that you did this post Whit – perfect!!
I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I saw you post it on FB yesterday. I have been wanting to do a “fun run” to dress up for a while now. I can honestly say, that these ladies (as well as you) have inspired to just go for it! Why wait?!!!
yay Tanya! You are not the only one I heard say this has inspired them to now go out and dress up! Take that, SELF!!! 😉
I haven’t stopped thinking about this story since I saw you post it on FB yesterday. I have been wanting to do a “fun run” to dress up for a while now. I can honestly say, that these ladies (as well as you) have inspired me to just go for it! Why wait?!!!
I’m right there with you. I love your picks.
Me too! I want to get out there to wear a tutu NOW! To support fight against cancer, to support this courageous woman, and last, . . .I know I should be charitable and forgive but to ‘SHOW ‘SELF'”!!!! They really should not be allowed to get away with this simply UNCLASSY behaviour. It’s like elementary school bullying!. . and in addition to all of the above: the tutus are adorable!!!!
This makes me so mad! However you get excited to get out and exercise, that should be commended. Those tutus are adorable. I love them! And I completely agree that I love seeing people in races that are having fun!