The fashion industry has a lot of responsibility to take in how women feel about their bodies.
For years, there were only a few acceptable sizes (and never mind that we also have to battle inconsistent sizing). But the body positivity movement has reminded the world that bodies come in many sizes, not just 2-4. The fashion industry, however, hasn’t fully embraced the movement in little ways that are important to notice.
The BF Community recently spoke out about what they hate about the industry.
Here’s what they said:
1. Less trendy
I get so frustrated at how many brands decide to make their plus-size options far less trendy and fashionable than their straight sizes. There’s just as many plus-size women as there are straight-size, so it makes no sense to ostracize that many people when it comes to fashion trends.” “I should be able to have cute cottagecore or vintage-inspired dresses in my size, too! And don’t even get me started on the trendy brands that won’t even extend their sizing at all.” –ladyofthelake
“I hate when stores only carry a few of their items in extended sizes. And it’s never the cute things that are available in plus. It’s only ever super simple basics or something hideous. Fat people deserve the same selection as skinny people!” –mollenb
2. Use a different scale
I hate when stores make plus-size clothing using the same scale as the straight sizes, just in bigger measurements. I’m sorry, but a size 4 and a size 18 do not have the same chest-to-waist proportions.” –mollenb
3. Cost
Cost! If I want something that’s NOT a T-shirt, it’ll cost me minimum $40 just for a nice top because I can only get it from specialty stores (Torrid, Lane Bryant, etc.).” –l40130aa86
“I could walk into a store at the mall and find the same lace body suit in a medium and a 2XL; the medium would be near $20, but the 2XL near $30. WHAT IS THAT? I deserve to feel sexy in my body. It shouldn’t be retailed at a higher price because I’m bigger.” –Anonymous
4. Breast size
Not all plus-size people have giant boobs! I struggle to find clothes that fit because my boobs are smallish for my frame.” –Anonymous
“You can’t find bras with larger band sizes that don’t have enormous cups.” –imheretopost
5. Carry more of it!
We are told plus-size is not ‘normal,’ but then why are sizes L–2XL always the first to be sold out?! It would be awesome if companies carried enough of the larger sizes. It seems like the only sizes left by the time they’re on clearance are small and x-small.” –jennyfr0mthebl0ck
6. Models still don’t resemble people
Every plus-size model is always tall, with flat stomachs and big boobs. They don’t represent the average plus-size person with lumps and bumps. The fashion industry just isn’t connected with reality.” –Anonymous
“It’s rare to see plus-size models in all our different and beautiful shapes, sizes, and heights, with our rolls and wobbly bits. It makes buying clothes a nightmare because what it looks like on her is not what it is going to look like on my short, curvaceous self! I want clothes that flatter my body and make me look amazing because I’m proud of who I am, and I ain’t trying to be anyone else!” –Anonymous
7. They don’t add length
When plus-size clothes are made, they add to the width of the items, but they always seem to forget to add length! When I buy a shirt, my breasts and belly fit, but because my body is round, the shirts never seem to be long enough! Then, I spend the whole day pulling my shirt down!” –Anonymous
8. 16 vs 26
Even within the realm of plus-size, size availability is not treated equally. A size 16 woman can reasonably expect to find her size at many stores offering plus-sizes (either in store or online), whereas a size 26 woman will almost certainly not find her size in a store and will likely struggle to even find clothing online.” “The #FightForInclusivity movement has rightfully gained traction in the last several months for initiating a conversation about which brands say they are size inclusive but stop at a size 24 or smaller, and it’s a conversation worth having.” –Anonymous
9. Always small
The plus-size section is always the smallest in the store. It’s so frustrating not to be able to go into a store and have as many options as smaller people. It feels like we don’t matter, and the stores don’t really value our business.” –Anonymous
10. Androgynous clothing
It’s hard to find plus-size androgynous clothes. I’m a woman, and I have more of a masculine style when it comes to fashion. But I don’t have a lot of options other than large men’s clothes, which obviously aren’t proportioned to accommodate hips and breasts.” “Men’s clothes don’t fit my figure, and there aren’t a lot of options for plus-size androgynous clothes designed to fit a female body.” –Anonymous
11. Not big enough
Long-sleeved shirts and jackets in XL+ are never big enough in the arms. For some reason, when plus-size clothes are represented, it’s always by plus-size models with relatively small arms. That’s not the case for a lot of plus-size women in the real world!” –Anonymous
12. Promoting obesity
That somehow the mere existence of plus-size models or, God forbid, putting them on the cover of a magazine is ‘promoting obesity.'” –houdinisbox
“I’ve been told I was promoting obesity because I posted a pic of myself on IG that I liked. I was simply existing and happy in that captured moment.” –Lolocri13
13. Padding
That they give models padding to wear under plus-size clothing because they want the model’s face to still be ‘slender.’ WTF kind of BS is that? Show us what a real plus-size body looks like in your clothes. There are so many wonderful and beautiful plus-size people out there who look damn good in any clothes.” –Anonymous
14. Finding cute clothes during pregnancy
It is already INCREDIBLY difficult to find cute plus-size clothes, but it’s nearly impossible to find ones that fit during pregnancy. For example, Old Navy has clothes that go up to 4XL, but their maternity line only goes up to 2XL. Plus-size women have babies, too, so why aren’t they allowed to have clothes that fit?!” –Anonymous
15. More give!
Pants need more give in the waistline. A lot of the time, we’re curvier in the mid-section. More often than not, jeans are still cut for women with flat stomachs, and it’s super uncomfortable.” –kmm53820
16. So frilly
Why are plus-size clothes made to style my 95-year-old grandma or my 5-year-old daughter? It’s full of flowers and sequins.” –Anonymous
17. Trendy stores
“When stores are ‘size-inclusive,’ but all the plus-size clothes are only available online. So, we don’t deserve to try clothes on before we buy them? We don’t deserve to take clothes home with us? UGH.” –Anonymous
“Stores like Victoria’s Secret don’t carry my size in-store. I have no choice but to order my size online. I feel like I’m being discriminated against because of my size. I want to try on my bras in-store and decide right there if I’m going to purchase. By ordering online, I have to wait until it’s sent to the store or to my home; then, if it doesn’t fit well, I have to return it. It’s a hassle.” –Anonymous
“It’s humiliating walking into trendy stores, knowing you can’t wear anything there. It’s traumatic, especially as a young woman, not being able to shop for the same brands and styles as your peers and facing reminders everywhere you shop that your body is outside the ‘norm.’ The first time I walked into a Gap and saw my jean size on a rack (not just offered in extended sizes online), I teared up.”