(article as seen in MINT Magazine)

Plus size.  What does that even mean? In the US it’s a way of letting women know that if they’re not a size 1-12 then they are most definitely larger than the “normal” woman and must proceed to shop as such.  

 

I know we’re not even two sentences in, but allow me to go on a bit of a tangent.  So, I was binge watching Drop Dead Diva the other day and she was defending this client who was fired because she gained weight and her size was no longer desirable to clientele (boo!), but then Jane (the Diva) said the average woman in America was a size 16. This show was made some time ago and since then I have tasted a Cronut, so I know that that statistical size has not decreased...sorry Michelle Obama.  

 

Sidenote: For those of you who haven’t been so fortunate as to have experienced Drop Dead Diva, it’s a about these two women, a real cute lil blonde lady, Deb, and this big and beautiful brunette, Jane.  So we meet them and then they die simultaneously in completely different scenarios.  Deb gets to the not-so-pearly gates of heaven and decides she’s not ready for her life to be over, so she is reincarnated as Jane.  But I digress.

 

The first qualm I have with the culture of plus sizeded-ness is the term itself.  Tell me something, why does it have to be “plus” size?  Why isn’t there just more size variety and then the sizes that are now deemed “plus” could be lumped in with the rest of the group? Or, if one absolutely must have a separate section for these sizes,  how about naming it something other than plus, so that women don’t have to feel self conscious when they venture to shop in that area?  How about giving the sections names that  accentuate and appreciate their body parts? Vuluptuous Vixens, Big Booty Judys, Cute-in-the-face-THICK-in-the-waist, Cutie Pies with Thicky Thighs...look I’m just spitballing options that I would vibe with, not saying any of them are quality, but you get the point.  

 

Issue #2 is for the fashions. I know, you know, I know that you’ve noticed the clothing options in the plus size areas are never as cute nor as plentiful as the “regular” areas.  So big girls don’t wanna be cute too, oh ok...nah you’re lying. And if you don’t believe me please take a field trip to your nearest Forever21 or H&M so you can see that I’m like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie.  It’s not cute nor is it healthy to the self esteem of those that shop there.  MOREOVER, don’t think I didn’t notice that the price of a regular t-shirt is higher in the “plus size” area than it is in the regular.  Listen if that’s not some type of discrimination punishable by law it shoud be.  Charging me more because I have a little bit more skin to cover?  That’s just sheer disrespect.

 

Problem tres, the culture surrounding plus sizeded-ness is a secial type of body shaming that cuts deep.  Clothes are a form of expression that allow one to brand themselves and be whoever they want to be.  In not giving big women equal opportunity to be as cute, fly, beautiful, or sexy as smaller women we are not allowing them to brand themselves but rather branding them, which last I heard was something done to herds of cattle.  I assure you, that we are not!  And another thing!  It’s hella depressing to be shopping and grabbing a plethora of different cute items you think might fit because you picked the largest size they offer, then making your way to the dressing room to find out that none of them fit, talk about a blow to the self esteem.  All I’m asking for are are equal opportunities to slay.  

 

So lemme sum up what I’m trying to get at.  

• Don’t make my thicky thickums sister pay more to be fly as hell.

• “Plus Size” has a negative connotation, let’s ditch it shall we?

• We’re Big Fine, let us know it AND show it!

 

Big Hugs and Kisses,

 

Maya G.