What is Plus Size?
Share
At SexyPlus Clothing, we sometimes receive comments from customers on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn) that we are not using plus size models to represent our clothing. The issue comes down to the question, "what is plus size" and from the manufacturing and designing perspective, plus size starts at a size 10 or 12 and so some brands choose to use smaller plus size models to represent their styles. These brands, like Kiyonna and Igigi for example, offer sizes up to 32 yet they use the smallest models for their product shoots. While all are very beautiful, they do not represent the body shape of the average plus size woman. The models have no belly fat, smooth, firm arms, no evident cellulite, skinny legs, etc. which makes it challenging as a plus size shopper to see oneself in the clothing and make a purchase decision.
Valentina Illusion dress by Kiyonna (available at SexyPlus Clothing), shot on their model:
Tasha Dress by IGIGI (available at SexyPlus Clothing), shot on their model:
As a small business, SexyPlus Clothing has limited resources to shoot all of the products that we offer, so we use the images provided by these brands. SWAK (Sealed With A Kiss Designs) on the other hand uses a greater diversity of model sizes for their product shoots which we find very refreshing.
Dress by SWAK, shot on their model:
For other brands which do not provide product pictures like the award winning Joseph Ribkoff Designer line, or the Canadian made Artex line, we love being able to shoot on our very own models who represent a wonderful diversity in sizes and shapes. Take a look below of SexyPlus Clothing models ranging from sizes 14-22.
Comparison of IGIGI product shoot for the Ariel dress (size 14/16) versus the same dress on a model we used (size 22/24) (model: Sharean Edwards-Fairman):
Comparison of Kiyonna product shoot for the Stop & Stare dress (size 10/12) versus the same dress on a model we used (size 18) (model: Ophilia Alleyne):
Other product shoots by SexyPlus Clothing on models ranging in size from 14 to 24:
Model: Ophilia Alleyne, size 18
Model: Christine Turingia, size 14/16
Model: Lesley, size 20/22:
Model: Trisha Hillary, size 18
Model: Rosalynn Aracelis Minaya Carbuccia, size 22/24
We are committed to celebrating curves of all shapes and sizes and continue to make every effort to represent our clothing on a variety of models. This post was inspired by the recent article in Plus Model Magazine which discusses the issue and makes some interesting points as well.