You all know how upset I am with plus size stores. They claim to support all beauty but conform to societal standards  of beauty by solely displaying curvy, size 12- 18 models with flat, barely there tummies. Women who wear sizes 28 and up barely have representation in a community that is supposedly for them. As a former 18, now 22-24, I find it hard sometimes to feel represented. My body is curvy but my arms are fat, my breasts are large, and my legs are short. As a big busted, flabby armed, petite plus size woman, I’m tired of seeing tall, completely proportionately sized models selling clothes to me. 

Size representation is lacking. 

Secondly, the usage of darker models in major campaigns is low. Yes you can name two or three but overall, the model scene is whitewashed. The closed to white you are, the more you are hired. I see the same old models time and time again. I’m bored! I want to see fros and hijabs. 

Elloquii has released a few photos of a size 26+ model rocking their new extended line. This model is beautiful. Their line is higher end. I’m so proud of these photos! 

She is Gorgeous! The clothes look beautiful. I want what she’s wearing. Plus, she is plus size! I want to see more models like her. We need more ads like this. 

It’s almost as though plus size vendors are saying indirectly ( low key but really high key) that there is a certain acceptable way to be plus size. This model rejects the status quo. I’m here for this! Great job Eloquii! 

Next up, Torrid. The #mystorymytorrid hashtag idea is awesome! I love to see regular women modeling the clothing. What a great approach! My only issue is that the models used in photos on the website and in the stores are thinner. Torrid still conforms to status quo but uses normal women to distract the audience from it. In this next model search, if the winner looks like all of the other models, I’ll boycott this store for a while. Torrid is so close to being ground breaking but still contributing to the heartache in the plus size community. Don’t get me wrong, Torrid is one of my favorite stores. 

Lane Bryant just started a #plusisequal and #imnoangel campaigns. I wasn’t on the bandwagon from the jump! I love Lane’s clothing but the models don’t represent all plus size women. How is plus equal when the models are all tall, thin, and curvy? What’s new about this picture? Show me women size 10/12, 18, 28, and 32 rocking lingerie in a commercial and I’ll be impressed! Ashley Graham is gorgeous but she meets the status quo for what’s acceptable for plus size women. Show me Gabrey Sidobe and I’ll be enthusiastic. I need to see bellies, fat rolls, and stretch marks before I’ll buy into the plus is equal movement. 

Check out the new movement here: http://youtu.be/uZLV-mRVfOI

While, I’m happy to see beautiful big women on tv instead of the Victoria Secret Angels, I still want to see size and shape representation. 

I’m glad that the companies are trying but I feel insulted by a few of the attempts. 

I will not be the yes blogger. If I feel that something is funky, I’ll say so. Simply put, im on the extremes of the emotional spectrum. Either I’m excited or hella unenthusiastic. 

What are your thoughts on advertising in the plus size community? 

Can’t wait to hear from you! 

Until next time, 

-Nora