Plus-Size Fashion Obesity Debate
Fashionable Plus-Size Clothing and Increased Self-Acceptance
Dec 30, 2006
In the past, an overweight woman has had slim pickings as far as plus-size clothing. Oversized dresses, baggy pants, bright colors, flowered patterns and sequins were common choices. But recently, retailers have noticed a trend in women’s clothes. There is a high demand for plus-size clothing. It makes sense since 62% of women wear a size 14 or larger.
Another factor that demands a change in the fashion retail industry is that much of the younger population is now overweight. Young ladies want to wear the latest styles and look nice, even if they are on a weight loss program and hope to get below a size 14. Weight loss doesn’t happen overnight and they want to look their best everyday.
Fashion models who wear a size 14 or larger are now making waves as well. Commercials, magazine ads and runways are featuring plus-size models to represent their merchandise. With more than half of the population being overweight, these women are more relatable than the size 2 models we have seen repeatedly over the years, sending us signals that our bodies will never be good enough.
Since so much of the population is overweight, why is there still a stigmatism attached to plus-size clothing? Retailers have finally decided to cash in on this market and create lines of clothes that are neutral, flattering and fashionable for plus-size women. The goal is to provide coverage while showing off curves and drawing attention to positive areas.
The debate over fashionable plus-size clothing comes from others who see obesity strictly as a disease and a serious health problem that can lead to death. Obesity is the second leading cause of death in the U.S that is preventable.
Some people think that if obese women are allowed to dress comfortably and fashionably it will give them more self-acceptance and less reason to want to change their current health situation. With limited clothing choices, losing enough weight to be able to fit into misses’ size clothing has been a big motivator for many women.
The problem with the debate is that you can’t fit every woman into the same mold. We are all different sizes and shapes. We have different curves and different genes. Granted there are a lot of overweight women, but some women who fit into plus-size clothing are not overweight. Some are body buildings and others are tall with big bones. Others gain weight because of medicine they are taking. We aren’t all going to fit into a prescribed size that meets our societies’ acceptance level.
Dangling smaller pants and models with tiny waists isn’t going to inspire women to lose weight. What is inspiring is the plus-size models who take the stage with a high level of confidence and clothes that flatter her figure while accentuating her curves.
