Is there really prejudice in the fashion industry against big, beautiful women? I believe it is a matter of perception. If a woman wears plus sizes and generally lives life in sweat pants and one of her old maternity tops, or the same pair of old jeans and a T-shirt, she's obviously not too concerned. It may not be surprising to hear her bashing the fashion industry for only creating super-model styles if she hasn't bothered to take a look at the latest plus-size fashions on the market.

I've seen women heading for the front door of the store after just five minutes of shopping, when I know there are great plus-size fashions. Is it really the case that "skinny clothing" is all there is? Perhaps women who complain loudest are those who haven't looked for stylish clothing lately because they don't believe it exists on the market, they are embarrassed to shop due to their weight issues, or haven't looked in the right places. Granted, there are stores who specialize in clothing suited to the super-thin among us. There are discount stores that cater to common figures and stick with sizes 6-14 on average. The quality in fabric and manufacture is not good even in the smaller sizes, so size 14 and up, when available, are not going to be quality pieces, either.

I'm short at 5'1" and rather round again, currently. I've been every size between size 8 and 20 many times over the years. It's always been hard to shop for clothing because no matter whether I'm wearing a size 8 or a size 20, I wear larger tops. I can't wear dresses very well, so have always opted for mix and match items to create a variety of outfits that fit well and suit any occasion. I do find some stores specializing in larger sizes and providing good quality. Lane Bryant, Chadwick, and even J.C. Penney's have a great assortment of plus-size clothing that can fit into mostly everyone's budget. The best way to shop is in person, though, to be sure the quality is there in the fabric and workmanship of the clothing.

Sure, there are many manufactures who target the slim and super-slim for their fashions, but the experienced plus-size woman will shop around to find the best and most stylish creations available. When you've found a good place to shop and really like their selections, stick with it for even more styles as they enter the market. With a little detective work and perseverance on your part, you'll find great-looking outfits that match your figure and personality, and you'll soon forget about discrimination in the fashion industry.

Learn more about this author, Arabella Kelly.
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