by Jo Howard

Created on: September 23, 2008

There is a collection of derogatory terms I could use in writing a response this question, toward both plus-size and skinny people, but I feel that it is unnecessary. When asked the question of whether plus size clothing should be modeled by plus size women I couldn't help but feel utter pity toward those who have to actually think long and hard about it.

Plus size clothes are intended for plus size women, are they not? And, for clarification, plus size is size 14 and above, according to most stores that have a plus size department (i.e. Sears, DEB, Khol's, and more). So, if those clothes are meant for plus size women, then should the shopper be shown how the clothes look on an actual plus size individual?

One store comes to mind that does use plus size models: Lane Bryant. Plus size women across the United States will most likely recognize this name. Lane Bryant's in-store images are plus size women showing off their collection of clothing. They do not look anorexic or overly obese, either. Normally, companies like these use size 14-18 models to ensure the product looks like it flatters the figure.

In this case not only does it do the clothing justice, but it is false advertising. For those sizes it does do what it claims to do. To use a non-plus sized figure with plus size clothing would imply one of two things. First, that the clothing is going to make a plus sized women look quite a few sizes smaller than she actually is. And secondly, that the clothes being sold are cut much smaller than the normal plus sizes. This would detract customers from wanting to purchase the clothes, thinking that a size 14 in one pair of jeans is a size 20 in another.

There is also the sexual appeal behind having an hourglass shaped woman modeling plus sized underwear and bras. While it is true people do not wish to see someone in the higher sizes, but a size 14-18 can be extremely sexy. In fact, for a person to properly have the hourglass figure that men claim to love and women supposedly wish to have, you have to have a bit of weight on you.

In the end, I think the problem is that the modeling industry has yet to open their eyes and take a look at the world around them. Women and men are larger than they were fifty years ago. Or, as the case may be, they are being categorized as larger by the fashion industry. The industry presents a wonderful array of clothing for small, medium, and large sizes, but they only put emphasis on the small. And yet if a shopper walks into any non-specialty clothing store they will be more likely to find medium (6-12) sized clothing. The fashion industry needs to wake up and get a clue.

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