Word on the Street: Plus Size News Roundup 5.16.12 |

Word on the Street: Plus Size News Roundup 5.16.12

| May 16, 2012 | 2 Comments

Welcome to this week’s Plus Size News Roundup!  We recap last week’s plus size news, thanks to Diana from Fat Chic!  You can get caught up on what is happening in fashion, the business of plus size fashion, and what is trending outside the US! Know something that went down that you would like added? Feel free to leave a comment! Remember though, this is last week’s most headlining news! Are you ready? Take a read!

Natural Model Movement

Word on the Street: Plus Size News Roundup

  • Weight really is “one of the last acceptable prejudices,” according to a survey performed for Glamour Magazine. I disagree with the statement because there are lots of prejudices that are pretty darned unacceptable that I still see actively embraced. That said, the attitudes behind this particular form of female social violence are pretty darned upsetting.
  • Weight Watchers in the UK is launching a campaign to teach shop assistants a bit more tact when it comes to handling plus-sized customers. This after a study revealing that 30% of plus-size shoppers walk out of shops because of rudeness. Education in decent customer service – and the idea that your taste, even if good taste, can not possibly cover all situations – would help.
  • Julie Burchill talks about the use of underage models and its sexual inappropriateness. My opinions about this on the primary level are: get your hands off the kids. Not too controversial. But I think there’s more than just gender politics involved, and I’m pretty sure the world isn’t ready for where I think some of these continuing problems come from. It’s misogyny, all right – just not from sources even the most ardent feminist is willing to recognize.
Glamour Magazine's Weight stereotypes
  • We have a word for it now: the natural model movement. This is an extension of the Healthy is the new Skinny campaign.
  • BoingBoing ran a piece on how hijab (Islamic modesty dress) has become a form of expression. There are women where I live who wear what I consider “punk rock hijab” and I saw some women in Paris who were honoring their values while looking amazingly stylish. The side effect of this creativity, though, is that women who claimed they lived beyond the male gaze and sexual judgment are now experiencing self-esteem based body issues. I do want to mention this: there’s a LOT of research out there that makes it clear there is NO living beyond the male sexual gaze. Covering yourself should always be a personal choice, but covering yourself in an effort to control the thoughts and behavior of another human being is not a choice based on objective fact. Men are quite capable of taking responsibility for their hormonally motivated actions, too. The body issues are often because of –again – female social violence.
  • More 20-30 somethings are going for a clothing swap in lieu of shopping.
  • Maryanne Mackenzie, a plus-size friendly designer out of Nairobi, talks about choosing fashion over the hotel business.
  • In southwestern Illinois, plus size clothing chains are finally appearing.
  • Style Goes Strong asks if some women are too old to wear caftans. This is a bit of a reversal – I’ve always believed  caftans are more popular with older women.

Business of Plus Size

International

 

Did something catch your eye?  Make sure you visit Fat Chic to read the Plus Size Heath roundup, and catch her Plus Size Sales Roundup as well!

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Tags: body image, business of plus size, plus size fashion, Plus size news

Category: Word On the Street

About the Author ()

Marie Denee is owner of the Curvy Fashionista, sharing the latest trends and designers in plus size fashion, beauty, and accessories to keep you Curvy.Confident.Chic.! Have you checked out Curvy.Confident.Chic - the home of the JUST LAUNCHED plus size ebook!? BUY NOW!
  • Charlynnesafo

    Wow, reading this took me back to my psychology classes! I love this. The idea that we must try to control other peoples actions by covering up most of ourselves is ridiculous, but unfortunately an ideal that a lot of us buy into. And being body conscious sometimes definitely comes at a price… Being plus sized doesn’t mean that we are not fashionable and that we are not humans too. The fact that others feel the need to subject plus sized women to what I call the stare and confine them to a little box is the most annoying and unacceptable thing. I am glad that you blog about this issue in a way that I can connect! Check out my blog at
    http://Www.charlyn87.blogspot.com

  • Valerie

    It is wonderful that some fashion is offered for plus sized figures, but I really object to the seperation and second class statistics. Why are there seperate departments? Are we lepers? Other stores have seperate sides or evermore different stores. What is wrong with putting extension.Dec sizes right on the rack behind the smaller sizes? Let me deçide if a style is flattering, and do.’t make me chase all over to find it.

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