Plus size has become a huge trend in fashion and lifestyle
promoting body positive image. In our societies where slim figure is known as
mark of beauty, bodies that are considered ‘fat’, ‘chubby’, ‘large’, are often
criticized. Starting with TV commercials, fashion magazines, to beauty
products, fitness programs, everywhere ‘slimness’ is shown as the only path to
success. Such images create social pressure on men and women to look a certain
way, feel a certain way, and be happy with it. As a result, extreme dieting
ends up in causing anorexia, depression, and other lasting problems.
Plus size challenges these dominant images and makes
non-slim bodies more inclusive. It celebrates natural figures and encourages
people to be more confident about their body sizes and shapes. Several designer
brands have started producing plus size clothing. As a result, many plus size
men and women have gotten job as models. In the modeling world where thinness
rules the call of the day, plus size concept has definitely brought a welcome
change. These models are called ‘curvy’ rather than ‘fat’ because it is more
consumer friendly. One of the major benefits of plus size clothing is that it
promotes a healthier lifestyle where people do not have to worry about eating
less to conform to a particular size.
At first glance, this sounds like a wonderful solution! What
could possibly go wrong with plus size, right? Unfortunately, plus size comes
with its own downfalls.
1.
Nomenclature: The name ‘plus size’ is a very
conflicting term. The term ‘plus’ means addition to something where this
‘something’ signifies zero. So, plus size means addition to sizes that are zero
or ‘slim’. By calling a clothing or body type as ‘plus size’, we are
paradoxically promoting slimness! Displayed in the shops is a separate side,
plus size would automatically bring a sense of insecurity among the buyers.
This faux inclusiveness brings nothing but lack of confidence among people of
‘plus size’. Although it is truly commendable that clothing of all sizes are
made available, creating a separate terminology for people who cannot wear
‘normal’ sized clothing, further creates the discrimination.
2.
Gender bias: It is perhaps a common knowledge by
now that women are the most prominent victims when it comes to body image.
Starting with materials used in clothing to makeup techniques like contouring
or highlighting, all are intended to make women appear slimmer than they are. The
magazine covers flaunting sexy models endorse impossible-to-get figures and
encourage women to become like them. The photo editing techniques are
contributing in this image making even more. In this scenario, when ‘plus size’
is introduced, naturally the assumption is that women are liberated from
fixation to particular body types. But is it really so? Plus size, as mention
earlier, creates a separate category for ‘fat’ people. So, women, who reach out
for plus size clothing is automatically considered ‘fat’. Although the
companies try to create a lucrative market by terming these women ‘curvy’
rather than ‘fat’, the insecurity persists. A term like ‘curvy’ objectifies and
sexualizes the female body. Moreover, ‘curvy’ comes with a lot of implications
where the body needs to look like a wave with round bust and buttocks but a
slimmer waistline. The inclusivity of plus size and its description as ‘curvy’
seem to contradict each other. On the one hand, plus size is for women who are
‘fat’, but on the other hand, the assumption is that they should look ‘curvy’
rather than ‘fat’. Thus the slimming aspect of clothing remains unchanged.
How to solve this problem? Considering the issues with
nomenclature and gender discrimination, a possible solution could be erasing
the ‘plus’ from ‘plus size’ altogether. They should be considered normal
clothing as everything else. They should be displayed in the racks with
clothing of other sizes and not in a separate corner.
The rise of ‘plus size’ shows how fashion forwardness is
still dictated by dominant gender biased images. True, we have come a long way
where we can now see non-slim models posing for popular magazines and brands.
But have we truly progressed? Have we truly learned to accept diversity? By
pointing out difference as ‘different’, are we not following the path of
discrimination? At one glance ‘plus size’ may seem a relatively harmless
clothing size. But when put against these questions, ‘plus size’ appears to be
a dangerous weapon that enhances discrimination. Therefore, the time has come
to truly give these labels and be inclusive!
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