Smaggle

All I’m going to say is this: there is a huge difference between being a healthy plus size (eg a UK size 18) and being morbidly obese and that needs to be addressed first.

I think this is kind of ridiculous. It is well known the health risks you expose yourself to if you are overweight (no, I don’t mean curvy, I mean being an unhealthy weight for your height and being unfit), so if that doesn’t act as a deterrent I doubt a lack of fashion will.

In most cases, being a plus-sized is not a choice. Most people who are overweight or obese (according to BMI) have struggled numerous times to lose weight through diet and exercise, and some of them have done so since they were children. Many of them have been shamed by family members at the dinner table, bullies on the playground, mean girls and guys at uni, and media that indicates they deserve to be loved less because they are fat. Clearly shaming has not worked, and this kind of shaming will fail, as well. Bottom line: you can eat well and exercise and still be a plus size. You can have a BMI that puts you into the overweight range and still be in better shape and healthier than someone in the normal range.

This is something I hold close to my heart.
Im 27, Ive had a baby and yep Im carrying a few extra kilos. (Im a size 18). I also have PCOS.
I have a healthy (most of the time) diet and I work out 3 or 4 times a week for atleast an hour.
My sister is 3 years younger than me and a size 8. She eats a horrible diet and doesnt workout.
People assume im an overweight chick who cannot run to save herself right??!
Well, you couldnt be more further from the truth. I took my sis along to do a 30 min aerobic class a couple of months go…She couldnt even keep up and lasted a whole 7 minutes.
The moral of my story???

Its possible to be fit and overweight (dont bash me, im working on it).
CityChic clothes were a godsend when I was pregnant as it meant I could feel funky and fashionable about myself while I as preggers.

I think there is a strong need for plus sized fashion stores and if people (its usually the size 8 or 10 women imo) want to beat them down then come and do a workout with me in the gym and id love to see how long you last!!!

PS – The woman in the pic is gorgeous and did you know most men hate stick figures?

No. Overweight people are stigmatised and vilified enough by society without the fashion industry trying to ‘shame’ them into losing weight. Being able to look good makes you feel good about yourself, and with higher self esteem comes self-acceptance and possibly, the drive and increased will to tackle their weight problem. I’d imagine the fashion industry is full of beautiful sorts who have never known what it’s like to be overweight and full of self-loathing. As an overweight teenager (20 years ago) who couldn’t buy fashionable clothes and was teased by other kida and my parents (“well at your size you should just take what you can get”), I felt so awkward, ugly and stigmatised by the lack of clothes choices that the ‘shame’ and teasing made me want to slit my wrists and put an end to it more than go on a diet. Now in my thirties and with a body completely wrecked by 22 years of crash diets, laxatives, bingeing and vomiting, the fact that I can finally buy reasonably fashionable clothes and step out of the house looking good gives me a bit of a high. Everyone is different and we should accept that.

oh oh just love the link. I’m an AU 12, but my calves are large and mstly muscle, and none of the boots on the shelves fit me.. not even close! <3 your aunt!!!!

In the US, “plus size” encompasses size 14 and up. (US sizes 14 = UK size 16). And of course, the cheaper the clothes, the smaller they run. I have a very small budget for clothes, so I buy my stuff at big box stores and thrift stores. If I bought super-expensive stuff, I’d probably wear a size or two smaller, but I just don’t have the money. My opinion is SCREW YOU, FASHION DESIGNERS AND OTHER BASTARDS. I’m staying roughly the size I am now, AND I WANT TO LOOK GOOD. Amazing, I know. LARGER PEOPLE HAVE SENSES OF STYLE TOO! GASP, SHOCK, ETC.

I believe in almost all cases being plus-sized is a choice, or a result of poor lifestyle choices. I understand that there are health reasons that result in a difficulty for some people to maintain a healthy figure, however, this is certainly not the case for the majority of plus-sized people. I don’t believe this debate should be around image, it’s a health debate. So, in that sense, I don’t think we should enable women to be larger than is healthy by having a movement that labels overweight as curvy and beautiful all the time- it’s a difficult topic but if framed properly, around health, not looks, one that is arguable. As for what is plus-sized, I think the right size for every woman is a really individual thing, for me, anything above a 12 is ‘plus-sized’ because it’s not normal for my body to be that size when I eat right and exercise regularly.

Ugh. I’ve been dealing with this most of my life. I’m not obese, despite what ridiculous societal standards say. I’m tall and curvy and have a few extra pounds. I have some roommates who are bigger than me as well. I know I look good. They know they look good. Nobody has the right to say “Well, obese people don’t have the right to dress nice. It will encourage their bad lifestyles.” We all deserve to feel beautiful about ourselves. Often times women are so harsh on other women. This needs to stop. Life is about loving yourself and others. If that means there are cute, fashionable stores for plus sized women, then awesome. I’ve been beat down all my life (even when I was an average weight) for not being a stick. All women aren’t meant to be sticks. We come in all shapes and sizes. I’m healthy. I work out. I’m never going to be a size 6. It’s just not how my body was made. Who cares if there are plus sized stores? The people who are against it need to stop hating and start accepting that every woman is different. Love eachother! Embrace our differences! We are all beautiful.

I think the argument that people would lose weight because there aren’t any stylish clothes for big women is ludicrous! All that does is make people feel bad about themselves, and for a lot of people (like me!), overeating is actually a result of feeling bad. I strongly believe that if people feel good about themselves and forget about the weight and focus instead on being healthy and getting out doing things they enjoy, more often than not they will slowly lose weight anyway. And even if you don’t end up losing, you’re still healthy and happy.

Wait …. so making bigger clothes will encourage fat people to be fat??
Surely (using the same daft logic) – small clothes haven’t done a great job of making us all want to be thin …..

I’d like for everyone to feel great in their clothes (including folks who are stuck in wheelchairs for whom ‘regular’ clothing doesn’t work) – everyone has the ‘right’ to feel and look good in what they wear.

This is the same puritanical claptrap that has us considering if someone is ‘deserving’ poor or just ‘own fault’ poor … and at the end of the day it isn’t about health – unless someone is making a buck out of it. There’s money to be made in making us all feel shitty about ourselves. If we ever get thin enough, we’ll never be young or blonde or hairless enough…. ffs!

The original ‘debate’ is completely ridiculous. Good lord.

I do agree with Kate that it’s important not to lose sight of the health issues. (Spooky timing on this post, as I’m off to the local marae in a couple of hours for a health-issues day, encouraging everyone to get fit with some zumba.)

I am tired of being labelled ‘Plus-Sized’. I am also tired of people telling me I must be terribly unhealthy because I am a size 18. My doctor will tell you how healthy I am, normal blood pressure, low cholestrol, no major health issues. Yes, technically, I am obese. But how am I a drain on the health system?

I agree that everyone should be striving to be healthy, but how does being a size 12 or under constitute healthy? Since when did smaller equal healthier? Does that mean that someone who is a size 12 should be trying to lose weight because they would be healthier if they were a size 6?

I’m one of those people who is never going to be small. Abdominal xrays have shown that my hips only carry 1 inch of fat either side so even taking into account me losing my excess weight, I expect to be a Sz 14 in tops (large rib cage, even larger bosom) and a Size 12 in pants. Currently a Sz16-18 in tops and a Size 14-16 in pants, I know I’m not at my fittest but I am trying to get there. And while I work at it, why shouldn’t I wear clothes that make me feel beautiful? If City Chic are the only store to make jeans that cover my booty, I will shop there. For me, it’s about dressing nicely to flatter my shape, why would someone want to take away my ability to look nice?

I’m sorry… “we don’t like that you’re overweight so you can’t have pretty things”??? While we’re at it are we going to change all cigarettes to Longbeach Menthols? say you are only allowed to have cask fruity lexia if you have more than 4 standard drinks in a sitting?

Fashion designers who are increasing their ‘plus size’ ranges are responding to consumer demand (which is exactly what is expected of them in a capitalist environment). The increase of the average size of Australians is a concern. As is the increase in the number of overweight and obese Australians. By all means measures should be taken to reverse this trend. But saying ‘if we only let you wear trackpants from now on you’ll finally be motivated to lose the weight’ is not only backwards logic, it’s absurd.

Yikes what a debate to start LS!

First I guess the question is what is deemed a plus sized these days? Because from what I understand of the fashion industry sizing now, if the supermodels, as in the original supermodels Cindy, Elle, Naomi etc, were to strut their stuff down the runways now, it would have to be in the plus sized category.

Second is, does it really matter if we do or do not make ‘fashion’ in all sizes or not, basic common sense dictates that although sleeveless minidresses may be in fashion, and we CAN make them in ‘plus sizes’, I would be very surprised if anyone would buy them and wear them, because they will simply not be flattering. But, should we be creating clothing (disregarding fashion trends) that is flattering, and sensitive to a range of body shapes? Absolutely!

I think what we are wearing has a direct correlation to how we feel about ourselves. If I walk through the shops, or meet friends for coffee and I have not made an effort to pick out something that I feel good, or even great in, for example if I whack on jeans, hoody and chucks instead of jeans, a pretty top with ballet flats and a little mascara then I assure you these subtle changes can make all the difference in how I feel.

I believe a persons mindset changes when they do not feel great, lack confidence, and feel sorry for themselves, they lack motivation, and see no hope, think sod it, and have the cake with coffee to make themselves ‘feel better’. I am the equivalent of and Aust size 11, I have being as ‘big’ as a 14, and as ‘small’ as a 9, and have felt those feelings at both spectrum’s of my weight range if I did not feel that I looked good in what I was wearing.

Maybe it is just me, and maybe I am a little cuckoo, but I can assure you, that if I feel good in what I am wearing it carries through to all aspects of my life, I have higher motivation to eat well, exercise, socialise etc to maintain that ‘buzz ‘of feeling good.

I think that we should be trying to ensure our populations are healthy, but health is not just physical, it is mental, and emotional too, and if we can make people emotionally happier, and allow themselves to feel pretty, and attractive first, we may well help them on the paths physically too.

To say that plus sized females should not dress is ridiculous. There are so many different shapes around that needing to define what a *normal* size is would be utterly ridiculous.

I am struggling at the moment, I am anywhere between a size 16-20 and while I am overweight I still have a figure. This means many plus-sized shops that cater for my size just make me look bigger, make me feel worse about myself and make me want to run to the next Hungry Jacks for a Double Wopper with cheese thanks (kidding, sort of). Anyway, while City Chic in my opinion is full of slutty inappropriate wear (I am a mother of two that does not want to wear tight strapless tops and shiny pants thanks), it has opened the market up to a growing demographic. While this is sad (that us younger people are getting bigger) it’s a reality and it should not be abolished because someone has decided its *unatural or unhealthy*. Remember BMI that came out years ago as the perfect way to measure your weight? Yeah, well, turns out it’s not so perfect afterall and Dr’s are now encouraged not to use it as a measure (unless it is done in conjunction with other measures also). So, if we follow this path, will we realise in ten years time when the world is full of muu-muu clad youngsters, that low and behold, there are *bigger* people in this world, and it doesn’t always mean that they are unhealthy, or should be marginalised for this. It makes my blood boil.

Not to be cynical, but, what these companies are doing is what capitalism dictates – catering to a market. And who ‘deserves’ stylish clothes anyway? Fashion is already a luxury, and one that only people who can afford it can access – just like the food and cars and booze that make us fat, and the gyms and weight loss centres that we pay for to try to not be fat. This isn’t a question of morality or justice, it’s only a question of whether or not there are people willing and able to pay for the product. Which there are.

I agree with other commenters that there’s big difference between what the fashion industry labels as ‘plus-size’ and what is a genuine health issue. To think that offering stylish plus-size clothing is going to encourage gaining weight is nonsensical. For many people weight is a far more complicated issues than just eating too many pies.

It actually takes more design talent and skill to design for curvier women, as there is far more diversity of shape once you get past about size 12. Designing for straight up and down figures is easy in comparison. Designers who work in the ‘plus size’ market should be applauded.

What shouldn’t be applauded is the many chain stores who do a terrible job catering for anyone over size 16. In NZ, if you can’t afford to shop at the handful of expensive plus size boutiques, your only choices are the chain stores (The Warehouse, Farmers) which offer mostly shapeless polyester sacks. I wish retailers could see the potential market for stylish larger clothing, they could really make a killing! Thank goodness City Chic has started opening stores in NZ, it sounds like they are on to it.

I’m sorry… this is incredibly silly! Of course plus sized woman should be able to get a hold of fashionable clothing! As should tall people, short people, what have you. If anything, people are more likely to take care of themselves if they are bothered enough to want to dress well! It’s the sweatpants and lose fitting frumpy clothing that is likely to encourage gaining weight – If I wore sweats all the time guaranteed I’d gain 5 to ten pounds like THAT!

Anyway – cheers to anyone out there contributing thoughtful fashions to the population at large – whatever their size.

Interesting (and heated) debate, Lady Smaggle. I remember the debate that raged over the announcement about 18 months ago that Leona Edmiston was going to start making clothes for women over a size 14. You can’t imagine the vitriol that was espoused then – it was horrifying that women could speak to each other in that way.

I am a size 14 (based on standard Australian measurements). I am 5 ft 8in tall. I have clothes in my closet that range from a size 10 to a size 16 and from a size S to an XL: all of them fit me. I am a 32G bra size. I go to the gym three times a week – I try to walk as much as I can. I eat a balanced diet. Even if I starve myself (like I did in my early twenties) I can barely get into a standard size 12. I wasn’t healthy then and I am now. This is who I am and who I am meant to be.

Comparing who we used to be with who we are now is irrelevant. Our bodies have changed and fashion has evolved with that and will continue to do so. Case in point: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/the-shape-of-things-womens-cups-runneth-over-20100411-s0wb.html Our breasts are getting bigger and our shapes are changing. Get used to it – it’s a fact of life. Getting whiny about it won’t stop it.

We are all created different but we are still all equal and everyone deserves the right to look pretty and dress well. Saying women who are overweight don’t deserve to have access to nice clothes is like saying women who are a size six need to eat more and shouldn’t be allowed into Sass and Bide until they can fill out a pair of jeans properly. Being underweight is as serious from a health point of view as being overweight. And as a previous poster mentioned, men seem to like curvier girls anyway, not bony stick figures

But, back to the topic. Restricting people to just wearing crap clothes is not going to change people’s minds about being over weight. If it was as simple as changing your mind, everyone would be a size 8, wouldn’t they? It’s narrowminded and naive to suggest such a stupid thing. I’m sure plenty of people could do more to lose weight but taking away their choices while they are “plus sized” really isn’t going to help.

And the fact that the plus sized industry is finally FINALLY getting around to making nice clothes for girls who can’t shop at Witchery is such a good thing. There is a genuine market for plus sized clothing. They are realising that labels overseas cater for a larger range of body shapes, types and sizes and many people are voting with their feet (and wallets) and choosing to shop online to find great quality and styled clothing. Hopefully more and more fashion labels will realise that having a big bust and bum doesn’t mean you don’t like fashionable things – you just want something to flatter your assets.

And for the people who say that people who are larger shouldn’t have access to nice clothing, what is is to you if they do anyway? Does it offend your sensibility if people look pretty? If plus sized equals 16 and above, that’s the majority of Australian women. It makes you look, frankly, a bit stupid, petty and well – wrong.

What. The. Hell.

Yes, I’m fat. Yes, because of this, I’m at risk for health problems that other people (skinny or not) may be at risk for.

But my weight, my body, and my health is MY BUSINESS. And so is what I wear. NO ONE has the right to tell me what to wear, and no one has the right to choose what kinds of clothes I am or am not allowed to wear.

An underweight person is just as much a health risk as an overweight person, but we would NEVER suggest that skinny people be denied fashionable and attractive clothes because of their weight (or lack thereof).

In fact, using clothing as a “motivator” is placing focus not on a person’s health, but on their appearance. If people were truly interested in their community’s health, they wouldn’t start by using external motivators that encourage negative self image and self-loathing. They wouldn’t start by alienating groups of people based on their appearance. They wouldn’t start with this utter shite.

This is not about health. This is not about encouraging people to lose weight. This is about fat hate.

[...] Smaggle Style » Blog Archive » Can I get a consensus? Plus sized … [...]

It is tough call for me, I think plus size ladies should have access to nicer clothes, but it was when I no longer fit in the largest size at my favorite store I was motivated to lose 30 pounds.

Perhaps these protesters should do something more worthwhile, like bothering fast food chains to be healthier, as this is commonly targeted as the root of the problem.
Many plus-sized women ARE in fact healthy, often up to an Australian size 18 or 20. Inversely, many thin women are incredibly unhealthy, and use their dress size to try and convince themselves, and other people, otherwise. I think the line between plus-size and obese needs to be recognised here.
The Australian average size, after all, is a size 14, and it’d be simply ignorant and stupid to deny women clothing for the size they are. Would they stop making women’s clothes in small sizes to discourage unhealthy eating or eating disorders? No, because some women have no choice in the size they are. There are a lot of illnesses and disorders that can cause people to gain weight- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome for one. Not something that can be helped. I work with people with Lymphoedema, for instance, and they need large clothing sizes.
I think places like City Chic are doing great, offering a stylish alternative to the boring plus-sized clothing usually offered at chain stores. There’s not just one standard size or shape for beauty, and it’s good that they’re recognising it.

How sad that people can be that dictatorial / obsessed.

I agree with Kitty.

Most of the ‘plus size’ models I see are definitely not what you could consider overweight/unhealthy.

While I agree that being unhealthy is not a good thing – restricting fashion to only sizes 0 to 10 is also not healthy. How many women have an (undiagnosed) eating disorder or an unhealthy relationship to food? I’d say on my calculations about 80%!! Which means a lot of cranky, low energy people in the world.

I’d rather be at my size (12-14) with a normal relationship to food and lots of energy for my life (husband, three kids, dog, work f/t etc) than forced into dieting to fit into some of those pathetically (and incorrectly!) sized clothes sold at ‘fashion’ stores.

There are people I know that are above their BMI because they train hard at the gym and are all muscle without a cm of fat – statistically those people are overweight!

And as AshleyGee said this is about ‘fat hate’.

The debate is an attempt at a politically correct version of ensuring that fat people continue to be overlooked/invisible and discriminated against – dress it up as a health issue as much as you like but it is discrimination!

So making people feeling worse about themselves is supposed to encourage them to “look after themselves” more??

Sorry, I can’t see how that makes sense.

The only thing I have a problem with, regarding the gradual increase in the size of the Average Australian Woman is that it’s making clothes less affordable for me because of vanity sizing. Target size 8s now fall off me when they used to fit, so I have to go to places like Cue to buy pants now. But in the grand scheme of things, that’s a very small first world problem and does not even compare to the lack of choice plus sized women used to have.

My question is:

Why is it called “Plus sized” ?

Because it’s not. It’s normal. Most ‘plus-size’ models are around size 12+.
Why aren’t the usual ‘stick insect’ style models called that?

I believe, sadly, that along with the increase in obese Australians we are also seeing a slow but steady increase in the rate of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
(As an aside the youth suicide rates in the western world aren’t looking to hot either).

Maybe all clothes should only come in size, say, 10 then everyone will have to be exactly the right weight if they want to wear clothing. Anyone not fitting into size 10 will be made to wear hessian bags tied up with rope until that change their lifestyle to meet healthy requirements.

also… the ‘plus size’ model lady in the photo doesn’t really look all that big and unhealthy to me, actually she looks pretty hot.

Only 5% of people who lose weight keep it off. Many people who are fat have something else going on-antidepressant use (gains of up to 50 lbs) or disabilities that keep them from exercising. Being fat doesn’t mean being unhealthy. Look it up, doubters. There are some new studies that show if your mother dieted during pregnancy you’ll be fat. Why is someone else’s body anyone’s business but their own?

Hmm I think Rachel mentioned something important. I think there’s a big difference between having a few extra kilos and being obese.

Accounting for bone structure, height and muscle mass I think there are women up to a size 18-20 that I would think are still curvy and NOT obese. That’s their natural body shape and give or take a few kilos, that’s not unhealthy.
It would be unfair to not provide fashionable clothes to these women and in this current times, 14 or up is considered plus size. This obviously doesn’t provide for those so called ‘larger’ women who are still healthy.

Do we still need to separate these sizes or should we bring the 14+ into the standard size ranges? I am sure that a lot of smaller designers would still not jump on board as making clothes in a larger range of sizes is obviously more costly. But it’s unfair that so many normal women do not even have the option of regular chain stores.

As for the topic of eating disorders….no need to get into the skinny bashing either…I am certain a very high proportion of females, large or small have *iss-ues* about food to some degree. Everyone has an allergy these days or some kind of intolerance…or they are simply uneducated about what is actually healthy. I know most of my friends, despite saying they aren’t fussy, have some kind of weird relationship with food.
I think this needs to be addressed far more urgently than what size clothes we wear.

… and another thing. Whilst we’re all losing our shit over this – it isn’t just about fat ladies – men get fat too. And we all get old and die – but don’t expect to be dressed nicely – or if you do – be prepared for mutton-dressed-as-lamb type snark. I pay into a health care system that pays for people who binge-drink their way into an early demise, or smoke themselves (and their kids) into ill-health. But wait … this is the golden age of entitlement and smug bastards. And sponsorship in bucketloads from the alcohol and tobacco industry of healthy sporting events.

Ahhhh …… falls off soapbox exhaustedly ……………..

OMG. Are you serious? *slaps head*

So.. when I suffered from an eating disorder, smoked, starved myself, drank heavily, never exercised, was regularly depressed.. it was ok because I could sometimes wear a size 10 or 12?

Yet now that I have been cigarette free for 2 years, I (try) not to drink too much, I exercise regularly and now I’ve worked through a lot of my issues with food it’s not ok for me to go shopping and buy clothes I like because I am a size 14/16/18?

This makes me so mad I want to crack skulls together.

How about instead of making people feel like shit because of the way they look we encourage them to feel good about themselves and subsidise more programs to help people become and stay healthy?

Can we also talk about standardising clothing sizes while we’re at it? That makes me want to crack the skulls as well… *grumbles away to self*

Everybody deserves to be able to find clothes that they enjoy wearing and feel comfortable in. Nobody should be excluded from the utter joy of experimenting with fashion. Just because someone is fat, doesn’t mean that they should be made to feel even worse about themselves because there are no fun, fashionable clothes available in their size.

I don’t think that making larger sizes encourages people to be fat. Weight and body image are complex concepts with loads of interacting factors.

I think that having stores that cater especially for plus-sized ladies is a great idea. However, I have noticed that in the past 10 years, some more mainstream brands have been upping their sizes. I own a pair of pants from Target that I purchased 10 years ago. They are a size 6, and they fit perfectly. I have not lost or gained a significant amount of weight during this time. However, a current Target size 6 literally falls off me. It’s fine for the mainstream brands and department stores to cater for the current trend towards larger sizes, but don’t leave us petite ladies behind at the other end of the spectrum!

That’s so silly, I remember watching the first season of Australia’s Next Top Model and there was a girl there that was a size 10 and they were calling her “fat” and “plus size” what nonsense! That said, a lot of women vary in as many as 6 sizes between their top half and lower half. For example, I fit size 10-12 pants and yet my upper half is a size 16 when it comes to tops due to my cup size. Everyone is different, no two people are the same, they can’t just lump everyone that doesn’t fit their size 6-8 idea of “perfection” as “plus size”.

I think it’s great that there are more plus size options coming out, hopefully eventually people will stop being so ignorant about it. One thing that I would like to see more of in plus sized clothing is nicer lingerie and swimwear for curvier ladies. It is often very depressing going to Bras & Things and not being able to buy anything nice or sexy for a 16 C, the only place that seems to have half decent lingerie for curvy women is Target, and even then it’s limited to the Target brand of lingerie and that’s about it really. Finding swimwear when you’re curvy is a nightmare too. I’ve been badly wanting to wear a bikini but can’t find a single one with the right support because there is hardly anything like that on the market. I hope that with the range of plus size clothing that is coming out on the market there will be a swimwear range included of flattering swimsuits that actually offer support and that will be available in department stores instead of selective overpriced online websites where you can’t even garuntee it will fit anyway because you can’t try it on.

Thanks for posting this

Just wanted to chime in and say fashion isn’t that much easier for skinny girls. I wear a 32A US bra size and it’s nearly impossible to find anything without 2 inches of padding in the cups. I guess the manufacturers think anyone with a smaller chest must want to look bigger?
Also I wear a size 2/4 and finding adult (not teenage girl) clothes in department stores in my size is a struggle.
I suppose either extreme, plus size or uhh smaller size, is going to have it’s fashion issues.

I remember one NZ Fashion Week, the “plus-size” clothing designer The Carpenter’s Daughter showed, and there was a massive hoo-hah over the fact that a “plus-sized” womens label had it’s own show – well why on earth not?! They’ve gone and taken the big step into a market that seems dedicated to anyone who is model-like, and showed normal stuff for normal people. Not everyone is ever going to be size 0-10, some people just aren’t that shape or size, and never will be without being very unhealthy.

I say that the fashion market should see what lucrative business there is in “plus-size” and make them some dosh, by expanding their target market, getting more customers’ money in the tills and having higher foot traffic through the shop doors – because the ladies that aren’t under size 14 can actually buy the label. And if everyone can buy the label, then they have a permanently larger clientele base – win/win, no?

I can’t believe some of the crap i’m reading. Overweight people do not need permission to inhabit their bodies, and clothing/fashion is a right, not a privilege. All the hullabaloo seems to translate to: “Stop looking good while i’m trying to make you feel like crap!”

I maintain a healthy diet and I exercise regularly. My blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol etc. are all normal. If you take those things into account, I can be considered a healthy person. But I also happen to be a size 14-16. Far too many people judge me based on my size, presuming that I am lazy and unhealthy. You (‘you’ being those who judge larger people on sight) may not like it but this is my natural weight. I treat my body well and I won’t tolerate people who pretend to be concerned and hide behind inaccurate statistics trying to criticise it.

I feel good and I look good – if you have a problem with that, I hope you get over it. I won’t hear a bad word about my style.

A lot of what I’m feeling has already been said, so I’ll just say a few things. First of all, being larger doesn’t necessarily = being unhealthy. I’m a size 16 in tops and 18-20 in bottoms. I’m technically classified as “morbidly obese”, however I think this is complete BS. I’ve run my first half marathon in October 2009, and will be running my second one this July. I’m more fit than my 85kg 6 foot 5 fiance. One of the best moments in my life was running into the MCG towards the finish line, and watching the looks of utter disbelief that I, a “plus sized” girl, was about to finish a half marathon. I’m healthy, I eat healthy, and I exercise daily, probably just as much if not more than a “skinny” person. Don’t I deserve to look beautiful in my clothes? Don’t I have the right to walk into ANY shop, not just a “plus sized one”, and try on fashionable clothes from designers? Don’t I have the right to buy more than just designer accessories, since that is all that will fit me? I work as a sales assistant in a leading Australian “plus size” fashion store, and it is wonderful to be able to see the joy and absolute happiness on the faces of my customers as they try on fashionable clothes that are actually made to fit and flatter their bodies. I’ve seen women cry in the dressing room, because they have never felt so beautiful, and have never dared to go shopping in the city before, because of the mean looks and stares they receive from strangers. How heartbreaking is that? Every woman deserves the right to shop in every store, not just the one or two shops that can cater to their size.

I’m not sure about other countries, but here in the US, obesity is a system-wide epidemic. To blame the individual is just plain stupid. Trying to “punish” the overweight by not offering fashionable choices is cruel. A lot of overweight people in the US are in lower income levels because they can’t afford fresh, whole foods. They can buy more processed food for their money just because that is how the government has subsidized our food chain. There are myriad reasons for this complex problem which in the end I think the consumer is the victim. To put all the responsibility on the individual isn’t right and it doesn’t address the problem. Give the people their stylish clothing fat and slim alike. At least we can all look good whilst they try and figure out how to solve this HUGE problem. (no pun intended)

I couldn’t agree more with Laurie. Philippines is one country that mostly follows the path of American food consumerism and this trend is slowly spreading about our land. It’s too hard not to get tempted by something as cheaply-priced and tasty as a sugar-free soda. And fruits are usually more expensive, and less palatable. Is it possible that these processed foods have altered our palettes to resist more nutritious food?

As someone who has struggled with my weight for the past 4 years due to a health condition, I can tell you it’s no fun being unable to find anything to wear… It’s not exactly conducive to feeling good about yourself, or being willing to go out into the world and enjoy life, both of which are crucial to losing weight, not to mention your mental health! In fact, I would argue that offering overweight women fashionable clothes is going to make more of them want to lose weight; feeling attractive can be addictive, it can make you want to try harder to look even better. When I went from a size 12 UK to a 16 UK within two months due to the medication I was put on, all I wanted to do was hide in my house. In fact, I was so depressed I actually thought at the time that death would be preferable to being fat (yes, I was an idiot). Four years and countless diets later, I’m still not back to my original weight, and perhaps I never will be. But I now have a much healthier diet, I work out regularly, and I make an effort to dress myself in as flattering clothes as I can find. Who can do anything more than that?

Being a Libertarian I think that whatever people want to do with their bodies is their own business, I also believe that healthcare should be privatised. I think the debate here is Australia stems primarily from that side of the fence.

People don’t like paying for other people’s poor choices.

I also agree with other people that the vast majority of obesity is a choice as there is a simple equation to maintaining a healthy body weight – calories in vs. calories out.

It’s unfortunate that some parents start their kids off poorly and I also think that raising overweight kids is tantamount to child abuse because it is extremely hard to break out of such poor habits that have been solidified by poor upbringing.

I am curvy, an AU size 12 but I have also had 1/2 of my thyroid removed. Any bigger than I am now I would consider myself to be overweight, I’m right on the cusp as it is but because of my thyroid, I sit at this size pretty consistently whereas I used to be a size 10. My husband is also very fit and the slimmest of all of his friends from high school.

His sister is overweight but so are all of her friends and instead of trying to do something about it, they make jokes about how they’re fat. She did not grow up fat.

I don’t think it’s funny.

I think the debate in Australia stems from having a public healthcare system, take that away and people probably wouldn’t care as much but while we all have to pay for it, I think it’s a valid concern.