In their January issue, PLUS Magazine's feature story is exactly that... Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway? If you're familiar with this blog, then you know that A Brunette is a plus size girl in a size 0 world--and this article hits close to home.
I look back throughout history to a time -not so long ago- when the ideal women had a curvy, buxom, and full-figured body and I wonder what happened? I understand that we are all 'made differently' and I do believe all bodies are beautiful in their own way.
One could say I am biased because I feel as though women with curves are far more beautiful than any woman who looks sickly, with bones showing through their skin...but it's the truth and it leaves me wondering WTH happened?
Why is it that ALL high-end fashion designers and most retailers only cater to the 50% of women who are under a size 14? Furthermore, why is it that most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia? Something has to change. Young girls should be able to flip through magazines and have realistic and beautiful women to look up to. We have to stop hating our bodies and we have to be open to these new ideals and standards.
PLUS Magazine's article says it best... "The answer to the question is this, there is nothing wrong with our bodies. We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat. Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy."
So what can we do? How do we create change?
- Support the companies who market to you.
- Use social networking sites and email to let brands and designers know how you feel about clothing, options, and the use of straight sized models (thin models) to market to you.
- Your dollars count! If you stop buying at “Store A” and let them know you will not be purchasing clothing until they market to you, this will raise concern.
- Use every avenue and opportunity you have available to you for your voice to be heard.
xo- the brunette
I look back throughout history to a time -not so long ago- when the ideal women had a curvy, buxom, and full-figured body and I wonder what happened? I understand that we are all 'made differently' and I do believe all bodies are beautiful in their own way.
One could say I am biased because I feel as though women with curves are far more beautiful than any woman who looks sickly, with bones showing through their skin...but it's the truth and it leaves me wondering WTH happened?
Why is it that ALL high-end fashion designers and most retailers only cater to the 50% of women who are under a size 14? Furthermore, why is it that most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia? Something has to change. Young girls should be able to flip through magazines and have realistic and beautiful women to look up to. We have to stop hating our bodies and we have to be open to these new ideals and standards.
PLUS Magazine's article says it best... "The answer to the question is this, there is nothing wrong with our bodies. We are bombarded with weight-loss ads every single day, multiple times a day because it’s a multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the fear of being fat. Not everyone is meant to be skinny, our bodies are beautiful and we are not talking about health here because not every skinny person is healthy."
So what can we do? How do we create change?
- Support the companies who market to you.
- Use social networking sites and email to let brands and designers know how you feel about clothing, options, and the use of straight sized models (thin models) to market to you.
- Your dollars count! If you stop buying at “Store A” and let them know you will not be purchasing clothing until they market to you, this will raise concern.
- Use every avenue and opportunity you have available to you for your voice to be heard.
xo- the brunette
