What is “Plus-size in your eyes?
October 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Weight Loss News
I’ve been reading lately in the news about the sometimes controversial addition of “Plus-size” models being added to the catwalks during fashion week. My first question is “When did an average size 12 become a “Plus” size”? In fact, anything over a 6 in the fashion industry is labeled “Plus”.
It just amazes me that society has promoted the waif thin figures of 0-2 size models as being healthy and normal. Besides the designers and Hollywood, who finds that attractive? And when you read about what the models and entertainers must do to remain slim enough to stay competitive, I wouldn’t tout that as healthy living, either. Unfortunately, through the fashion, media, and entertainment industry, society has promoted an entire generation of kids to feel unattractive if they’re average, and many have turned to eating disorders as a solution. Others who are overweight struggle to find acceptance, which cycles into unhealthy eating habits because of emotional eating and yo-yo dieting.
I say kudos to those models and entertainers that have stepped out of that mold and become comfortable in their own skin.
Finally, magazines like Glamour are stepping up to the plate and giving us “average” women something to relate to. So big was the response to a feature of full figured, size 12 model, Lizzi Miller, that they are devoting another fall issue to Plus-size fashion. It seems America, and maybe the world, is ready for the curves to make a comeback.
So, what does that mean for those of us trying to lose weight? Well, contrary to those who believe it encourages obesity, I think it gives most women a realistic and healthy image to shoot for. It supports finding an ideal size for your body type and lifestyle…something you can live with and maintain over the long term. And it means that women can be beautiful at any size. Self-esteem, after all, is part of the success in reaching your ideal size and becoming fit and fabulous for life.
I’ve been as big as a size 18 (just a couple years ago) and as small as a size 8 (in my twenties) in my life. Right now, I’m a 14 and working my way down to a comfortable and toned sized 12. As a baby boomer woman, my goal isn’t just to look good, but to be as healthy and fit as possible as I age, and encourage other women of all ages to live their best life.
Do you celebrate “normal” sized women gracing the pages of fashion magazines? Do you think it encourages being overweight? Do you even think size 12 should be labeled as a “Plus” size? I’d love to know what you think, so feel free to comment either way.
Thanks for this post and I don’t think size 12 is plus size. Depending on your height, plus size starts at size 14 or 16, in my opinion. My sister is 5′10″ and wears a size 14 but looks thin! I’m a size 14 at 5′2″ but I’m definitely plus figured. I think Glamour is making progress with their public relations move to feature what they refer to as ‘plus size models’, but I’m really starting to get tired of the media’s whole version of ‘plus size’. Let’s get real! Even the women they are featuring are not truly plus size and I can’t figure out why they just can’t face the realities that society needs and wants to see much larger women in fashion magazines! My blog talks about self-acceptance and other topics similar to this if you’d like to check it out: http://www.plusfigured.com.
Thank you for this article! I, too, find it a little frustrating that “average” size 12 women are touted as plus size models. Why can’t they be called average size models? Despite the fact that they aren’t “plus size” if they fit into regular, normal clothes I still think that it is great that the media and fashion industry are finally taking a look from outside their little world where being a size 6 is considered borderline obese. Even if these actions are purely tokenism, it gives real women and real women’s bodies public attention. If this goes on long enough, people start to consider this normal, as it should be! I can only hope that it isn’t just a passing fad that will be replaced by the next new Kate Moss.
I’ve always been a fan of plus-size models! There’s a great site with many images of plus-size models here:
http://www.judgmentofparis.com/
They’re all gorgeous.
The site’s forum also has thought-provoking discussions about body image and the media.
I don’t really mind what they are called, I do think though that there should be more variety in the model sizes being shown. There’s room for everyone, because plus-size isn’t just size 14, it’s that and then up to whatever! You know, there’s a website called RunwayRevolution.com that shows only models over a size 10, and it’s packed with post after post of beautiful pictures.
It’s interesting to see just how much high-quality work exists outside of the narrow view of the weight/body/celebrity-obsessed US media. There’s whole campaigns, runway and music videos and interviews showing a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Interestingly, there is an article on there about the ‘mythology’ around Marilyn Monroe’s dress size. That one is linked here:
If you know of someone struggling with their body, who needs to see proof to believe that skinny =/= beauty, then send them to check out this site. They’ll thank you for it!