Should we be thanking Jennifer Hudson for finally showing the world that you can be bigger than a 10, but still look curvy and gorgeous? Or is it a culmination of the fashion industry shunning underweight models, while plus-sized women seem to shine? Whatever the reason, I say it is about time.
It has been known for a long time that the average size of women in the US is 14. 14 is where plus-sized apparel begins and many times, where good fashion ends. As I get older, and right after having each of my son’s, I have no choice but to wear a size 14 since it seems to get more difficult to drop the weight that I put on during pregnancy. Normally I go back and forth between 10 and 12; mostly 12, but I can tell you that even at a size 12 you feel plus-sized and the lack of fashion is truly discouraging.
Now many more stores are beginning to extend their brands into the plus-sized market and are seeing them taking off. Finally recognizing that 14 and beyond is more common than a size 4, many clothing stores are finding that plus-sized clothing means plus-sized profits. Not only do the stores themselves recognize this, obviously the designers supplying the clothes are, as well.
I’m certainly not advocating being overweight or even obese, but if you are, why should you have to suffer wearing a mumu?