To Plus or not to Plus?
After much speculation in the media and contrary to twenty-five years of branding our own products as plus-size, are we labelling acceptably?
For us (Yours Clothing), when using the phrase plus- size, we acknowledge three definitions:
- Plus- size is clothing that is proportioned specifically for people whose bodies arelarger than the average person’s (OED)
- Plus-size is honourable of a community of people relating to each other through a single phrase
- Plus- size is representative of a resilient challenger, battling the fashion industry to recognise equality between plus and straight sizes
When Yours Clothing asked blogger Sam Roswell (@fattyboomtatty) her thoughts on the term, she said:
‘For me personally I love the term ‘plus size’. I’m not embarrassed or afraid to be known as being larger than average size. I find the term helps when I’m shopping online and also focusing my look and wearability of my style, helps others in the same category.’
Similarly, Editor-in-Chief (Plus-model-mag) Madeline Jones agreed that “There are so many important topics that need to be discussed: Anti-bullying, discrimination, body confidence and here we are talking about getting rid of a term that brought us together and has catapulted many careers in the industry.”
So one question we can all answer… Is ‘plus-size’ powerful? Yes.
Opposing to the above, there are some who feel that the term Plus- Size consigns them, giving the impression they are confined to a group that is excluded from mainstream fashion.
In 2015 Australian lingerie model Stefania Ferrario headed the ‘Drop the Plus’ campaign as she and others believe the use of ‘plus-size’ is ‘damaging for the minds of young girls’ and wanted to put an end to size segregation.
Stefanie (pictured below) quoted on Instagram, “I am a model FULL STOP. Unfortunately in the modelling industry if you’re above a US size 4 you are considered plus size, and so I’m often labelled a ‘plus size’ model.”
Since, the term ‘curve’ has become increasingly popular with high-street retailers branding size 14 and above as ‘Curve’ fashion. ‘Curve’ has not been associated with body shaming and icons such as Marylin Monroe and Kim Kardashian are seen as desirable for their curves.
However, with the ethos of the #droptheplus campaign in mind and in order to prevent categorising, is it therefore OK to label as ‘Curve’?
So what should the industry be saying – if anything?
Plus and Proud?
Keep it Curve?
#droptheplus?
We would love to hear your thoughts on this – please get in touch.
Image Credit: @stefania_model Instagram
