by Margrette Butler

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: July 11, 2008

Discrimination comes in all sizes and shapes. Women viewed as being above the average or perfect size have been subject to all forms of humiliation both publicly and privately throughout the years. There is a perfect example illustrated by the fact that there is even a need to debate the question should plus- sized clothing be modeled by plus- sized models. The answer to this question is very easy and requires little thought to process the winning response which is a resounding, yes!

How long would it take for you to decide if the debate was slightly altered to pose a different variation on the original subject? Should plus-size women model clothing for the average sized woman? The easy answer here is a quick and very loud NO. I am certain there may have been a few chuckles as you envisioned the scenario and quickly responded with the correct answer!

Just as it sounded a little ridiculous to envision plus-sized models attempting to represent clothing designed for average-sized women, the opposite would seem to draw the same conclusion. How do you go about putting plus-sized clothing on an average size woman and make it look inviting enough for the plus- sized consumer to purchase it. Isn't the purpose of a model to display similarly what the clothing would look like on the one wishing to purchase it? If the clothing remains plus-sized as by design, there is no way that this scenario could even be possible. Imagine the perfect average sized woman in an outfit designed for someone possibly several sizes larger than her own actual body.
It makes my mind flash back to being a child dressing in Moms old clothes. It was kind of cute then, but the same effect would not be realized in this situation today.

If the trend in fact exists to where average sized women are modeling clothing for plus-sized women, then both discrimination AND deceptive practices exist within the circle. Discrimination is biased or unfair treatment which IS in existence when you insinuate that a plus-sized woman should not model clothing for her very own size. Can't plus-sized women represent the beautiful in our country without being made to feel like a second rate citizen? Does such greed or vanity exist that designers must resort to such tactics to sell the public on their specific line of clothing? Do the designers recognize that they could be guilty of misrepresentation by allowing average sized women to model plus-sized clothing?

My belief is that all people should be treated fairly and equally regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, and in this case, the size of their clothing!

Plus-sized women of the world, stand confidently and continue to represent! Be proud of the person you are inside and perhaps your shining light will open the eyes of the blinded visionaries. Go forth.. and model YOUR clothes!

Learn more about this author, Margrette Butler.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.