Tyra Banks

When PEOPLE magazine’s cover story on Tyra Banks (You Call This Fat?) hit the stands, neither we nor Tyra could believe the amazing response. Nearly 1000 of you left comments here on Off The Rack, and 300 more wrote letters to the magazine. After learning how many women she had inspired to love their bodies, the talk show host she decided to dedicate an entire show to that very subject. On Monday, February 26, The Tyra Banks Show will feature a whole audience full of women wearing the same red leotard — donning their weights for national TV. Be sure to catch the launch of Tyra’s new “So What?” campaign, as she encourages women everywhere to say to ourselves, “I’m not perfect — so what?!” Then, come back here on Monday afternoon to tell us your thoughts on the show. See you then!

Photo: Polk Imaging/Warner Bros.

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After 17 years in the fashion business and dealing with her 30 pound weight gain, this week’s PEOPLE cover subject Tyra Banks has figured out a few key ways to stay looking good. Here are Tyra’s top tips:

1. Give up Super Low-Rise Jeans. “This whole low jeans thing is not a good look,” Banks says. “Even the smaller girls are going to have a muffin top. I recommend a higher jean and darker colors.”

2. Spanx Your Booty. “I’ve got dimples in my booty. There’s nothing wrong with Spanx or control tops. And if you can handle it, there’s nothing better than a corset. Find someone who can lace it up for you, it pushes everything down and up.”

3. A Cinch in a Snatch. “That’s what my stylist Yaniece and I call being locked into the cinched belt. My breasts are getting bigger so if I get loose clothing, it looks too unshapely. You ask ‘Where’s the body?’ Even when it’s out of fashion, wear it!”

4. Let Your Personality Shine, Not Your Clothes. “Women, don’t wear anything shiny or satiny. Those kinds of materials catch the light and makes [you] look bigger.”

Click here to read more about Tyra, her PEOPLE cover story and to see readers’ comments.

Photo: James Murphy/loud & clear media

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In this week’s cover story of PEOPLE Magazine, Tyra Banks shoots back at her critics about her recent 30 lb-weight gain and discusses her body issues as a former model. Dieting and body image have been in the headlines of PEOPLE and media general over the past year, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. As Tyra tells her personal thoughts on her former career and her life now, we want to give you a chance to share your thoughts. Check out Tyra’s photos with her exclusive commentary and read the cover story — then come back and tell us what you think.

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