The Independent recently released findings on why thin people react in disgust to overweight people. It appears that “highly evolved immune systems” perceive that obesity is prone to pathological disease. Evidently, they’re afraid to “catch fat,” preferring to emulate celebrities like Nicole Richie.
As an average-sized woman (size 10/12) working in fashion, I can report that The Devil definitely wears Prada and it doesn’t particularly like those who can’t fit into it. I attend events all the time where people physically recoil in horror away from me. Last weekend, some girl shoved past me in a crowded room with a “Move, you big bitch." She’s lucky she was fast before I threw my average-sized shoe (size 8.5) into her ass.
Unfortunately, there are too many people at these parties like her and I really do like my shoes. It’s a misunderstanding that you have to be tiny and malnourished to look and feel good about yourself. Nordstrom carries cute Michael Kors
and Ralph Lauren
at a variety of sizes. Even Target has great lines (Isaac Mizrahi and the Go International collections) that roll up into “plus” sizes.
Malnourished on the runway may be one thing, but you don’t have to be hungry to be hot.
SheFinds asks you: what’s your opinion? Is this evolved or disgraceful? Are you afraid to catch fat or do you have to be truly sick to think this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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I am SO sick of angular, thin BOYISH women who are jealous of us women with curves.
Get over yourself and get some fries, for God’s sake!
We’re REAL. You’re not.
I’ll never be a size four and I never have been.
I’m a gorgeous size 12. Eat your heart out, Little Girl….
You are the company you keep.
I think being thin just comes naturally for some, and they don’t understand how hard it is to lose or maintain weight. I think that society gives them permission to think that they are better than “fat” people.
I admit I work out and try to eat right to stay within my comfort zone (4/6). However, I would never dream of calling someone else a “big bitch” because she didn’t do the same. Being anorexic isn’t any healthier than being severely overweight. Anyone notice how men don’t tear each other down as much as women love to do? Maybe we should learn something there.
I’m as offended by accusations of emotional instability hurled at women who are tiny as I am by insults about women who are size 12. But it’s politically OK now to insult women with “Eat a cookie” or “skinny bitch”, while “fat pig” horrifies most civilized people. It’s not OK for ANYONE to pass judgement on our bodies! Women are beautiful, whether thin & delicate or voluptuous. It’s bad enough that society snarks at us no matter what without us doing it to each other.
The average woman is a size 14 and is 5′4″. Most designer clothes go up to a size 16; and then they run small. Its hard for a “curvy” girl like myself to find great designer clothes. I would rather be “curvy” than stick figure thin and have a shallow attitude about people around me. DESIGNERS GET A CLUE CUT YOUR CLOTHES BIGGER for us curvy girls. We enjoy shopping too. Thin does not equal sexy, your attitude and the way you carry yourself no matter what your size makes you sexy.
I’m with you Cheese, why is everyone so afraid of being who they are. Stop starving yourself and be happy. I will never be a size 4 again but I am really happy with my size 9-10. I feel good!!!
I would like your permission to copy this onto my blog. I think it something my customers would like to see. Of course I will reference SheFinds.com in any way you wish. Thank you so much for this bit of wisdom. Deb. at Plus Size Junction.
I think it has to do with the shape of your body more than the size. In the past 9 months, I’ve lost over 60 pounds, but the proportions of my waist, hips, and chest are still out of whack, so I am losing more to get to proportion so clothes fit and fall correctly on my body. Definitely believe fashion designers should design clothes that the average person/woman can wear. Isn’t the point of business to bring in the most sales possible?
Debra you asked me to give you permission to put my comment in to your blog. You got it. I hope other curvy girls can realize curvy can be sexy too.
For me, it comes down to this: Nasty, self-obsessed, bigoted people suck, regardless of whether they are thick or thin.
Yes, society will try to make you think beauty only comes in size 0-6. Been there, done that!! I totaly bought in!! Now as a BEAUTIFUL womenly shaped women, I now focus on being healthy, staying active, traveling, and enjoying life with family & friends. Loving who you are in the skin you’re in, is the best feeling in the world, walk with you head up, sholders back and know that the majority of the world is NOT in the 0-6 size range. ALWAYS LOVE YOU!
Yes, beauty comes in different sizes and shapes. However, let’s not forget that while the average size may be 14 today, that wasn’t the case 10 years ago. Let’s face it, as a society, we are getting bigger and bigger because we are eating more and moving less. It’s easy to hide our heads in the sand and say “fat-is-beautiful.” That may be indeed true for some people. Beauty is very much a matter of personal perception. Health is not. Get real.