I want you to think of the dresses hanging in your closet. What size are they? If you're like me, and the number on the tag is anything above a size 6, congratulations, according to recent articles, you're what the fashion industry considers "plus size". This idea seems more than a little ridiculous, right?
My biggest issue with the term "plus-size" is that it implies that the women it describes are "fat." That's simply not true. Ashley Graham is a name that has been getting a lot of attention lately. As the first "plus sized" model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, she's kind of a big deal. Even if you haven't seen her on that cover, you've probably seen her as Joe Jonas's love interest in DNCE's music video for Toothbrush. When both of these things happened, the media was all over it. They were quick to praise what seemed like a step forward for body positivity. The thing is though, if it were really such a huge step forward, why is it being made into such a huge deal?
Let's take a look at Robyn Lawley. Praised as one of the few, if not only, "plus sized" models to grace prestigious covers like Vogue Italia, Elle France, and GQ Australia, you might be surprised to see that she is what is considered plus sized.
Or how about Iskra Lawrence? This 25-year-old English model sparked all kinds of talk when she posted a photo of her in a bikini facing a waterfall. Iskra is adamant about not wanting to be classified as plus sized, and I daresay, she is far from the idea of plus sized the fashion industry and media are so quick to present us with. Take a moment to look at this photo of Iskra and decide for yourself, is this what you think plus sized looks like?
Maybe you're having a hard time relating to these models (go figure), so what about the every day women around you that are deemed plus sized by today's standards? I'll start with myself; I wear anywhere from a size six to 10, with the occasional 12 thrown in there, but do I consider myself plus sized? That's a big no, and it's not because there is anything wrong with being plus sized, but there is something wrong with how we classify the term. So often "plus-size" and "fat" are coupled together, but there is a huge difference in having curves and a few stomach rolls (which, let's face it, we all have), than being considered either of those things. The media and fashion industry are so concerned with labeling women (and men), that we're missing the point. Who cares what size you are? If you're happy and healthy, those should be your labels, not "plus sized."
And just to drive home my point one last time, I'm leaving you with the following images of women who are considered "plus-sized."