Being A Plus Size Girl | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Beauty Fashion

Being the 'Plus Size Girl'

Here are my thoughts on shopping as a Plus Size Girl.

201
Being the 'Plus Size Girl'
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Drop-the-plus-campaign.jpg

One of my least favorite hobbies, believe it or not, is shopping. This may sound strange, seeing as 'all girls love shopping', but shopping is probably one of the most stressful things for me. As someone labeled as a 'Plus Size Girl', shopping can somewhat be a chore rather than a fun activity. When going shopping with my girlfriends who range from size 2-14, shopping for them is fairly easy. They walk into any store, and clothes options are infinite for them.

Fast forward to me looking at clothes, and the options are very limited. I look through the clothes in stores including Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, etc and find very very few clothes that are in my size range. While both these stores do carry Plus Size clothing, there's something very wrong with the way they do Plus Size.

First of all, why does Plus Size need to be separated from the regular clothing? It's like they feel the need to be 'size inclusive' and that sticking a few racks with bigger in the back corner does exactly that. Not only that but as a Plus Size Girl, I have a much different body type than someone who is a size 4. Therefore, making clothing that exposes our stomachs and tight around all the wrong areas, does not make you 'size inclusive'.

Taking clothes that are made to be an 'S' and making them an 'XL' does not work.

While there are clothing stores that are solely plus size such as Torrid and Lane Bryant, those stores are expensive beyond belief. A shirt on sale can cost $40. I purchased a bathing suit there, full price, that cost me over $100 just so I could be confident about going to the beach in a bathing suit. I love the stores listed above, I love the idea of stores that are just for us Plus Size Girls. What I don't love is having to watch my friends awkwardly stare at clothing that is way beyond their size range when we go shopping, and awkwardly follow them around American Eagle and Aerie knowing everyone in that store is wondering why I would even set foot in a store there was no reason for me to be in.

I'm not trying to complain or put these companies to shame, I'm just frustrated with the way society views size.

Did you know the average size for a woman is between size 16 and 18? These sizes are standard for women but most Plus Size sections START at size 16. Going onto a Hollister website, I looked at the size range of a pair of Boyfriend Jeans. The sizes ranged from size 00 to 15. The whole store doesn't even care about the average clothing size of a woman. How does this make any type of sense? These stores are willing to accommodate someone who is tiny enough to fit into a 00 but can't accommodate the average clothing size for a woman.

If the average size girl feels self-conscious walking into these stores, how would someone who wears clothing put in a specific section in stores feel? Very poorly about their self-image and feel hesitant to even walk into these stores. So next time you ask your Plus Size friend to hit the mall, and she makes up some excuse about being broke or being too tired, remember everything I laid out in this article about how Plus Size Girls are made to feel.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190029
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14789
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457772
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26583
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments