Friend Friday: Size

Ok a few weeks ago I joined Modly Chic's Friend Friday group, but as of yet have not had time to participate. This week is different!

Every week she sets 5 questions on a specific subject and all of the group post their answers and link back here so we can all read each others.

This weeks topic is: Size

So here we go!

1. Should someone's size stop them from fashion blogging or having a voice in the community?

Definitely not. We come in all shapes and sizes in the real world, so why shouldn't there be a true reflection of that in the blogging world. What I will say though is that if you are a fashion blogger you need to at least be a healthy size, this is more to do with the influence you may have on others. If your too skinny or too over weight its not good for your health and it influences others badly, but if you are healthy and feel good in your skin then it shouldn't matter what size you are.

2. In your opinion, can the term "curvy" and "plus-sized" be used interchangeably when it comes to fashion?

The short answer is no. I was referred to as 'curvy' this week, which sadly I have never thought of myself as. When the term 'curvy' is used I think of women with bigger boobs and rounder hips but still slim-ish figures: think Beyonce and Holly Willoughby. And sadly I don't think I have the chest size to class myself as 'curvy', but I suppose the fact that I have a sort of hour-glass figure these days means I can call myself 'curvy' (yay!). 'Plus-sized' on the other hand is very hard to define. If you watch any of the 'Top Model' series 'plus-sized' seems to term anything over a 12UK. This to me is very unrealistic, a size 12 UK is in no way a 'Plus-size'. I am a size 12 and would never think of myself as 'plus-sized'. I am more with the understanding that 'plus-sized' is a size 16+UK. Stores like Evans were 'plus-size' stores and only stocked size 16 upward in most cases. But if a 'plus-size' model is only a size 12 it is an unfair representation of larger women. If these terms are used interchangeably it is very wrong, they have 2 very different definitions as far as I am concerned. Although that isn't too say that a 'plus-sized' lady cannot be a 'curvy' lady at the same time, it just means that a person can be 1 or the other or both.

3. Many people make the argument that catering to plus sized women would promote being overweight as "okay". What do you think? Should more designers be catering to plus size women?

Im kinda on the fence with this one. I worry that catering more to plus-size women may well lead to an idea that being a size 18 is 'okay', which it is but it is healthier to be a little smaller. I suppose the problem is what size to we stop thinking plus size is okay? Is a size 20 still okay or is a size 30? Should we still make maxi dresses for people who are morbidly obese, or will that fact that designers don't cater for them actually help them realise they need to change? I do think however that designers should be encouraged to send 'normal' sized women down the catwalk. A size 6-8 model is not an average size women in any country (at least I don't think so) yet this is usually what is represented on the catwalk and in magazines, when in fact most women are more likely to be between a size 10-14. More designers should try to cater to women of these sizes as they are more common and are a healthy size. 'Average' size models would be a good role-model too, meaning hopefully we could stop childhood/teen eating problems.

4. Should the mainstream fashion industry be showcasing more plus size models?

As I have just said I don't think it is a case of 'plus-size' models because in the fashion world 'plus-size' is a 12UK which is not what 'plus-size' tends to mean in the real world. I think it is a case of the fashion industry showcasing more real sized women, what ever that size may be. It would give a truer representation of the real world and show how different items look good on different sized women. In most catwalk cases only stick-thin models could ever carry off the items being shown and this is very unfair to real women.

5. For you personally, how do you view your size, the struggle with it through the years, your ideal size, etc...

Ahh this is kinda a touchy subject. For all of my childhood and teens I was very tall and very skinny (too skinny most would say). I got the nickname 'Twigs' or 'Twiglet' because of my tiny boney body. But I was health as I ate plenty, but was very active so burned most my food off. At the age of 16 I gave up all my sport to concentrate on my studying and sadly I started piling on the pounds. This was because I did not change my diet to compensate for my lack of exercise. I'm 5ft 9inch and at age 16 was a tiny size 6-8 and barely weighed 9 and a half stone. After a 3 week holiday in Canada I came back a very happy size 10 and everyone said the extra bit of weight suited me. I stayed this size until I was about 18 and I loved being a size 10, I think it just suited my frame alot better. I hit my heaviest weight at 21 when I went up to a size 12-14 and weighed 12 and a half stone. This is when I was most unhappy with my size. It was a shock to me that I was no longer slim and I truthfully hated it. I think settling into a relationship also added to my weight gain, as is often said. I am now 23 and am down to a slimmer size 12 and weight 11 stone 5 (when I last checked). I'm still not entirely happy at this size, although alot happier then when I was a stone heavier. I am hoping to get back down to that size 10 at some point but am not really worried as my health is currently good and a size 12 really isn't that big. I actually fit some clothes better now that I am a nice size 12 and have a more hour-glass figure. I think for me it is just a case of toning my body a little. I have very broad shoulders and a wide chest and I don't think I would ever be able to be a size 8 again (even if I wanted too) so I just need to be happy with the figure I have for now.

So there you have it. My first (hopefully of many) Friend Friday piece. I hope all that made sense.

Whats your opinion of fashion sizes?

I shall post another blog later today with some more of my 30 for 30 challenge too I think.

See you all later

Daisymay X