WHY??

If you are, or ever have been plus size you will know that many plus size shops, or even shops that has plus size sections, has a habit of selling clothes that are nothing but big "tents". WHY? I was browsing around the internet the other day after asking my FB followers for new places to shop. A few shops fit the criteria (that I am able to link the shop through my linking provider) so I decided to have a good ole nosy. And that's when it hit me.. Shops that are focusing exclusively on plus size clothes, often sells nothing but clothes that are meant to hide our plus size bodies..

(I will not mention names as i do not want a lawsuit for slander)

Too much fabric to show off our beautiful curves. These clothes are meant to hide and aren't all that flattering to anyone's curves.

Now I FULLY understand the need and desperate want to just want to hide our flaws away, however if all there is on offer is clothes to hide us, what message is that sending us?? A harmful one if you ask me! NO ONE! absolutely no one should ever have to be embarrassed about their body, their size or their shape nor should they ever have to feel the need to hide, just because of their size! We are all beautiful so when companies just want to push "big tents" upon us, they are indirectly telling us that we should hide and be embarrassed about our size! Now I'm not saying that there isn't a place for big and flowy pieces, all I'm saying, is that there should be options!. Plus size clothes does NOT need to be big and baggy. Fitted clothes often suit us plus babes much better.

model (guessing a size 16 pear shape) VS me (size 20/22 apple shape)

I am a UK size 20/22. I'm guessing the model in the black dress is a size 16 and most likely a pear shape. Models mostly are. This means I am several sizes bigger than the model yet in my 2 dresses I personally think I am showing off my curves much better than the model. (this is by no means an attack of the model, she is stunning and simply doing her job) Of course if the models style is what you are after, you by all means wear it, I shall not tell you what to wear. However, when I visit a shop (online or in store) and all i see is big flowy pieces, I know that that shop isn't for me and I wont shop there. Just because I am a bigger girl, it does not mean that I want to hide in my clothes. No I want to dress in pieces that makes me look and feel amazing. I too want to look like the Instagram pictures and have Instagram style. But I cant do that if all that is available is oversized and baggy pieces. It is all about knowing your body shape, knowing your style and knowing where to shop. It may take a bit of time yes, but it is so worth it when you can go to a shop (H&M is my personal favourite, size xs-4xl) and you know they have what you need. No it does not mean that every piece they have will be for you never mind fit you, but it means that the store cater to ordinary people of all sizes in a style that works for you. I have proved many times over that just because we take up a little bit more space, it does not mean we have to hide our bodies. So my point.. Find the place to shop that works for you and stay away from places that don't instantly makes you feel good. All companies have different view points and that is great. Variety is how there are room for us all. It however does not mean that all places are for us and I personally will stay away from companies that push the "hide" narrative as it makes me sad and makes me feel bad.

Marleen x