The idea of varied shapes and sizes of the female body is one of true prevalence in the current fashion industry. With the rise of ‘plus size’ ranges and ‘Fat is Fabulous’ slogans encouraging female and body empowerment, we have to ask ourselves if this strong media emphasis on larger ladies is actually, in fact, condoning the growth of obesity.
Size and weight is a bit of a grey area when it comes to speaking about being over or under weight, but it is something that increasingly needs addressed. Despite the poignant fact that 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese, many retailers in recent years have made a beeline for targeting ‘plus size’ fashion.
Is this a good thing?
Considering more than 30% of the worlds adult population is classed as obese, there seems to be more of a need than a want for plus size ranges, yet by glorifying them are we actually excusing being grossly overweight?
Then again, with the current UK average female dress size currently at 16, does it even make sense to call models of size 12 or more ‘plus size’?
A big problem with sizing in general is its inconsistency across retailers; where you could think you are a size 10 in one shop; it can range from an 8-12 (or worse) depending on the retailer. The website http://sizes.darkgreener.com allows you to enter your measurements of bust, waist and hips, and generates what size you would be in a range of top UK stores. There is quite a vast difference, so how do we know what a definitive size 10 even is anymore?
Plus size models seem to be fast becoming the ‘in’ thing in the fashion world, with top retailers such as Next, Boohoo, Debenhams, New Look and Misguided stocking separate ranges for plus size women, stretching sometimes up to size 24. Could this be going too far? Surely at size 24 you are classed as morbidly obese, and by endorsing such products these retailers are inevitably making profit from medical dysfunction. It is estimated that by the year 2030, 74% of men and 64% of women will be overweight in the UK. This staggering projection from the UK Health Forum outlines the need for change when it comes to plus size endorsement as a good thing; fat is not fabulous.
On the flip side, think about how outraged the world was about the ‘Size 0’ fad. By the means of being ‘inclusive’, shouldn’t we start stocking these smaller sizes for underweight, skinnier people? Society seems to portray that being ‘fat’ is beautiful, but being skinny, is unhealthy. Surely this is overtly contradictory, and we should at least be consistent.
Having said all of this, I saw something on Boohoo recently that really got my back up. The image below is taken from a ‘plus’ range. This girl is no more than a size 10-12, very toned and definitely not overweight. To call her plus size is distressing, and greatly concerns me for the generation of young girls looking at her and thinking ‘Am I plus size?’ at a healthy size 10. Could Boohoo have done this to make their ‘plus’ range more accessible, or widely reached? If so, it is a very dangerous marketing move, where the implications could be fatal.
Take Jesy Nelson from girl band Little Mix, whom when she appeared on the X-factor was largely targeted online for her weight, and boldly said ‘I’m a size 10-12. I know I’m not fat. Don’t worry I’m not going to change.’ Ironically, she is now closer to a size 6.
This just shows how things can swing both ways; being underweight leads to just as many health risks as being overweight, and neither are commended. We need to find a happy, healthy medium.
(Note: I am all for female empowerment and being confident in your own skin – just not at the expense of your health and well-being!)