Latest news with #plussize
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
How to look slimmer this summer: A top fashion editor reveals the four most stylish dress brands for women over size 16
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more A revolution is under way on the High Street. For far too long, plus-size clothing has been treated as an afterthought - which is odd, considering that 'plus size' is defined as anything above a UK 16, the average size in Britain.
New York Times
19-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
Helping Plus-Size Brides Feel ‘Seen and Heard'
As a plus-size woman, Shafonne Myers said she has spent a lifetime feeling unseen and unheard. But when she went dress shopping in late 2003 for her March 27, 2004, wedding, the feelings of body shaming and backlash for not being a size 2 felt deeply personal. 'I didn't see any images that represented me, and I'm not talking about color or ethnicity,' said Ms. Myers, a 45-year-old marketing expert specializing in size inclusivity and the owner and chief executive of Aisle Society, a wedding media company focused on plus-size content. 'Everyone was skinny and had the same shape,' she said. 'I wanted to feel beautiful. Instead, I was made to feel I didn't exist.' Back then, there were few magazines or advertising visuals for plus-size brides to connect with, she said, even though in the fashion industry, sizes 14 and up, which are considered plus-size, include approximately 67 percent of American women, according to Credence Research's 2023 report on the United States plus-size women's clothing market. 'Everything had to be imagined,' she said, 'what I was going to look like in my wedding dress, at my engagement party, on my honeymoon.' Now, Ms. Myers, a Richmond, Va., native who lives with her husband, Jimmy Myers Jr., and their three children in Temecula, Calif., helps companies 'infuse plus-size programming and imagery into their marketing and sales, which includes selecting visuals that authentically represent couples,' she said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 best plus-size swimsuits from Old Navy, according to someone who wears a size 2XL
Shopping for swimsuits can be challenging, especially if you're plus-size. You want something that's both comfortable and cute, but still supportive for larger chests and frames. As a size 2XL, I've struggled to find the sweet spot. As an Old Navy sales associate, one of the perks of my job is being able to try on swimsuits and see which ones work for my body. Luckily for me, and for anyone looking for a flattering plus-size swimsuit, there are a ton of great options at Old Navy right now. I tried on five plus-size swimsuits from Old Navy for summer, and below, I've shared my thoughts on each. To see how they fit and shop them on sale (starting from just $11!), scroll below. Matte One-Piece Swimsuit Tie-Front Swim Cover-Up Matte Cutout Back One-Piece Swimsuit Textured Swim Top Textured One-Piece Balconette Swimsuit Matte One-Piece Swimsuit This one-piece is practical, simple and a great option to wear for a beach day. I love the cut and style, and I also like that you can pair it with shorts or a skirt, too. It is more snug, so I suggest sizing up if you prefer more breathing room around the chest and waist. I also found the straps to be slightly tight around the shoulders. Matte One-Piece Swimsuit Tie-Front Swim Cover-Up This is such a cute swimsuit. I love that it isn't your usual bikini top, and I also love that you don't need to worry about it getting wet. It's a stylish option for the beach, and it's also perfect to pair with a skirt or shorts to a pool party or a barbecue. The only thing I'd mention is the fit of the top. It is a bit tight. So, I suggest sizing up if you prefer more coverage around the chest. Tie-Front Swim Cover-Up Matte Cutout Back One-Piece Swimsuit I love the cut of this one-piece. The back strings may make you hesitate, but they genuinely do work with the overall fit. The cut around the chest is super flattering, and I love pairing it with all of my skirts. It's also very true to size, so no need to size up at all. I accidentally did, and it was a bit loose around the bottom and chest. That said, you might even prefer to size down for a tighter fit. Matte Cutout Back One-Piece Swimsuit Textured Swim Top This bikini top is very comfortable and I love how it holds my chest in place. The overall fit isn't too tight or loose, and the straps also fit well. The only thing I'd be mindful of is the lock at the back. It doesn't stay in place, but it still does its job. Textured Swim Top Textured One-Piece Balconette Swimsuit This one-piece is so figure-flattering and the underwire support is much appreciated, especially as someone who is heavier-chested. It does run a bit large, so sizing down might be ideal. Other than that, this is a great option to wear to the pool or pack on an overnight trip. Textured One-Piece Balconette Swimsuit
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Psychological Cost Of The Plus-Size Retail Collapse
'Sorry, we're closed' sign close up Plus-Size Scarcity: 'I Don't Think People Realize How Precarious The Plus-Size Fashion Industry Really Is' A few years ago, I was in New York ahead of Fashion Week having lunch with the CEO of a major online plus-size retailer. She frowned a little as I told her about all the reasons she should feel hopeful about the fight to end weight stigma, on the clothing front and beyond. 'I need to hear this good news,' she said, unconvinced. Her next words landed like a premonition: 'I don't think people realize how precarious the plus-size fashion industry really is." Today, as I witness one plus-size business shutter or downsize after another, I can't help but think back on what she said. Despite the optimism I'd displayed at lunch, my private purchasing habits as a plus-size woman told the story of someone who knew that precarity intimately. At the time of that meeting, we were still in the middle of a proliferation of plus-size options never before seen. Before the plus-size revolution began, I hadn't realized how many things I'd given up on ever having the opportunity to wear – a bikini, a beautiful wedding dress, a cute pair of jeans, anything made of linen, a matching bra and panty set that fit, a comfortable pair of pajamas, a business suit I liked, and the list goes on. As more and more businesses proclaimed their newfound commitment to clothing for all bodies, I reveled publicly and hoarded privately. Even though plus-size customers make up the majority of the American customer base, the fashion industry has long treated us as an inconvenient minority. As much as I wanted to believe that these options were indeed here to stay, deep down I couldn't ever fully fight the feeling that I had a limited window of opportunity to assemble the wardrobe I'd always wanted. I even bought clothes I knew I'd likely never wear, just to remind myself – in case it all went away – that there was a time when I could get a plus-size three-piece see-through bright pink mesh outfit lined with faux fur. My closet began to overflow because I was unwilling to let go of any of my newly acquired, actually fashionable clothes. This scarcity mentality compelled me to keep buying before it was too late. I knew these fears and impulses were borne from the trauma of navigating a fashion landscape that seemed to indicate at every turn that I was unworthy of dressing. I wanted to be wrong, but that lunch meeting had foretold something I think I'd already accepted deep down. "Before the plus-size revolution began, I hadn't realized how many things I'd given up on ever ... More having the opportunity to wear – a bikini, a beautiful wedding dress, a cute pair of jeans, anything made of linen, a matching bra and panty set that fit, a comfortable pair of pajamas, and the list goes on." Plus-Size Retail Collapse: 'You Are Not Meant To Be Here' As we witness the dismantling of a plus-size fashion revolution that changed history, it's important to name that this is a grave loss for everyone, but especially plus-size people. I spoke with London-based fashion psychologist Jennifer Heinen about the emotional and psychological cost of the plus-size retail collapse. For over a decade, Heinen worked inside the fashion industry as a designer and bespoke tailor. Now her work focuses on how clothing shapes emotional well-being, self-concept, and resilience. She sees fashion as a part of self-expression, but also emotional self-regulation. Heinen says that watching this collapse can feel like being silently — but persistently — pushed out of public space. 'It doesn't happen all at once,' shared Heinen. 'It's death by a thousand cuts – fewer racks, smaller size ranges, trend items missing, and online-only (options). Each moment on its own might be tolerable, but collectively, they tell plus-size shoppers: You are not meant to be here.' 'Fashion isn't just aesthetic," says Heinen, 'It's psychological scaffolding. When that scaffolding is absent — when someone walks into a store and sees nothing made for their body — it creates more than inconvenience. It creates emotional erosion. And over time, that erosion leaves a trace in how people speak about themselves, in how they show up socially, and in how much space they allow themselves to take up.' Heinen sees clothing as a form of narrative. We dress ourselves into who we are and who we want to become. When plus-size options are stripped away it disrupts that ability to create a narrative. It sends a message that if you're plus-size, your story isn't worth writing. "That message isn't abstract. It lands in the body. It lands in the mirror. It lands in the quiet resignation that builds when shoppers stop expecting joy or creativity," says Heinen. Heinen described four psychological phenomena that can deeply negatively impact plus-size shoppers: learned helplessness, symbolic annihilation, identity suppression, and body image destabilization. Jennifer Heinen is a London-based fashion psychologist who says that fashion helps people express ... More themselves and emotionally self-regulate Learned Helplessness: 'Why Bother Looking? Nothing Ever Fits.' 'Nothing ever fits.' 'Why bother looking?' 'It's just going to be disappointing again.' These are phrases that are commonly expressed among plus-size shoppers, and Heinen says this is part of a psychological state known as learned helplessness. 'It's what happens when people are met with chronic rejection," says Heinen. 'They stop trying, not because they don't want to succeed, but because they've learned it won't matter.' The process begins with inconvenience and disappointment that morphs into shame, grief, and sometimes withdrawal or resignation. That resignation erodes agency, reinforces shame, and strips people of the hope that they'll ever be seen or celebrated as they are. She says this isn't just a consumer issue, it's a public mental health concern. Heinen recalls shopping for a formal event and standing in a plus-size section full of greys, blacks, and outdated cuts. 'I knew that if I wanted to be included, I'd have to dim myself." That moment stayed with her. 'I hear this over and over, from friends, clients, and people online. We don't want more basics. We want more belonging. When that's missing, the psychological impact isn't subtle. It shapes how people see themselves in the mirror and in the world.' 'When a group is consistently excluded from self-expression, their emotional regulation suffers," ... More says Jennifer Heinen, fashion psychologist. Symbolic Annihilation: 'You Shouldn't Exist At All' Symbolic annihilation is a theory that describes what happens when certain identities are made invisible, mocked, or only selectively included. 'In fashion, it manifests through disappearing racks, hidden plus-size sections, and a total absence of larger bodies in visual campaigns," says Heinen. 'It's not just exclusion, it's instruction. It teaches all of us who deserves visibility and who doesn't. To plus-size shoppers, the message is clear: You're not profitable enough to be seen. To straight-size shoppers, the message is more insidious: This is the 'normal' body. This is who fashion is for." Heinen says that for plus-size consumers, this erasure doesn't just communicate the message that we don't belong in retail spaces, it often implies we shouldn't exist at all. For straight-size consumers, Heinen says this exclusion reinforces the illusion of neutrality. 'If the only bodies on display are thin, then thinness is seen as normal, desirable, default. This not only perpetuates anti-fat bias, it stokes quiet fear. The fear of being excluded next. When fashion limits its definition of beauty, it doesn't just hurt those excluded. It creates a system where everyone is watching their reflection with scrutiny.' When retailers stop making clothes for plus-size shoppers, it sends a clear message: you don't ... More belong here. Identity Suppression: 'The World Won't Let Me Be Who I Am." Alienation doesn't always show up in obvious ways, says Heinen. 'Sometimes, it's skipping the mall. Sometimes, it's declining an invitation to a wedding because nothing fits, or because what fits doesn't feel like you. Sometimes it's declining a job interview because your professional wardrobe doesn't include your current body. It's subtle avoidance layered over years of exclusion.' From a psychological lens, this is identity suppression: when external structures, like limited fashion access, constrain someone's ability to express their internal identity. When someone enters a store and realizes they can't participate in trends it reinforces a the message that the world won't let me be who I am. 'I've seen this manifest as wardrobe apathy, performative neutrality ('I'll just wear black'), or style silence — people dressing only for invisibility. That's not minimalism. That's trauma management,' says Heinen. Body Image Destabilization: 'This Isn't Just Disconnection From Fashion. It's Disconnection From Self.' Body image destabilization occurs when the world keeps signaling that your body is a problem to be fixed. 'When options vanish from stores, when models in your size disappear from campaigns, when 'plus-size' becomes a whispered afterthought, your sense of worth becomes conditional. The result isn't just disconnection from fashion. It's disconnection from self," says Heinen. People begin shrinking their style, avoiding mirrors, and dressing to camouflage rather than for expression. "It breeds mistrust of the body, often leading to mood instability, hypervigilance, or avoidance behaviors that bleed into other areas of life." Navigating the plus-size retail collapse means learning new strategies and tools. Six Tips For Combatting The Negative Psychological Costs Of The Plus-Size Retail Collapse Heinen has a lot of advice for plus-size people who are experiencing things like learned helplessness and body image destabilization: 1. Reclaim your narrative through micro-expression. When mainstream fashion doesn't reflect you, start with small style choices that feel true to who you are. This might include a favorite texture, bold glasses, a scent that anchors you, or a piece of jewelry that reminds you of your strength. 'These are not superficial details. They are micro-acts of identity,' says Heinen. 'In fashion psychology, we call this symbolic self-completion, using external signals to affirm internal identity. These choices help regulate emotion and assert agency.' 2. Take power back through tailoring. If the clothes don't fit, change them, not you. 'There is radical self-compassion in altering a blazer instead of blaming your arms, or hemming trousers instead of shrinking your thighs,' says Heinen. 'Fashion taught us for too long that we must mold ourselves to the industry. Alteration is adaptation — and adaptation is power.' 3. Reframe beliefs: Your body is not the problem. The exclusion is. Heinen encourages something called cognitive reappraisal, which is the process of changing how we interpret a situation to reduce emotional distress. When clothes don't fit or options vanish, the instinct is often self-blame. Heinen points out that self-blame is commonly expressed through the impulse to lose weight. She encourages shoppers to reframe this: 'This brand wasn't designed with me in mind. That's their failure, not mine. This shift is not denial. It's clarity." 4. Use style rituals as grounding techniques. In psychology, rituals are known to reduce anxiety and reinforce identity, especially during change. Even simple acts, like choosing jewelry that makes you feel powerful, or laying out your clothes the night before can function as emotional regulation tools. 'These moments help you return to yourself, especially in a system that keeps pushing you away,' says Heinen. 5. Normalize grief. It's okay to mourn what's missing. Grief is a valid emotional response to exclusion. 'In trauma-informed psychology, we recognize that not being able to dress joyfully or be included in trends is a type of loss. You don't need to minimize it. Grieve the options that never included you. That grief is not indulgent. It's part of healing.' 6. Use 'if–then' coping plans to reduce avoidance. Heinen suggests making simple mental plans for when you hit roadblocks. For example, if nothing fits in the store, your plan can be to take a deep breath, remind yourself it's not you, and plan to check your favorite online creators for inspiration instead. 'This reduces emotional spiral and builds self-trust,' says Heinen. Simple rituals like brushing your hair, wearing soft fabrics that comfort you, and choosing colors that make you feel positive are micro-practices of self-respect. 'You don't need to love your body to honor it,' shares Heinen.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Plus-Size Model Claps Back After Her Bikini Photos Sparked 'Discourse.' Why She's Not Letting It Get to Her (Exclusive)
Plus-size model Erin Marley Klay sparked "discourse" on X after posting a series of bikini photos on the platform, where she also clapped back at the criticism with a thread of empowering posts In response to the crude and body-shaming comments on her viral post, the 24-year-old wrote: "Pls don't let society's preconceived notions of what is beautiful and what's not stop you from living your life" She opens up to PEOPLE about her reaction and navigating the fashion industry as a curvy womanOne plus-size model is opening about her experience with body-shaming following a string of hate comments on her latest bikini photos that went viral on social media. On July 8, Erin Marley Klay, 24, posted a series of snapshots to X of herself posing on the beach in a string bikini. Although the content isn't out of left field for the influencer, who often shares swimsuit-centered content on her feeds, the post took off on the platform, garnering 75 million views followed by post after post of degrading comments. "Oh gosh, the discourse has been nothing short of insane," Klay tells PEOPLE, explaining that she's had such a "divisive" experience reading some of the crude — and outright offensive — criticism on her curvy image. The Los Angeles-based content creator admits that this isn't the first time she's "sparked such a large debate" over her body, detailing another incident that happened when she was 18, the age she started posting regularly on social media. "When it happened, I laid low for a while and let it blow over. I was somewhat unequipped to deal with so much perception over the way I looked," she says. This time, Klay wasn't about to take the heat. Instead, she chose "to lead with light and positivity" when she made the decision to clap back at the negative commentary. "I feel like I've come full circle with how I handle things and I'm glad I'm in a place where such a large discourse had little effect over my self-worth." In a thread of follow-up posts on X, Klay wrote: "Pls don't let society's preconceived notions of what is beautiful and what's not stop you from living your life. What someone says about your appearance reflects on them alone, not you." "You have to realize someone with so much hate in their heart is far more miserable than you could ever be wearing a bikini at the beach. Get out there," she wrote in another post on X, while encouraging her followers to "go to the pool, try out a new hobby, wear the jeans you're insecure about, and enjoy your body to the fullest this summer." Klay emphasizes to PEOPLE, "What I chose to focus on were all the women telling me how much me being confident in my visibly plus-size body meant to them," adding that she took the opportunity to empower women, "rather than spending my time only responding cattily to hate comments made by men who would never have the gall to approach me in real life." Fortunately, she's received an outpouring of love and support, with people's responses being "overwhelmingly positive." "It's easy to be jaded when you've been online for so long, but the response reminded me why I do this. Seeing other people with my body or people with insecurities feel even a little bit better by me putting myself out there is what keeps me going." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Ironically, Klay says the negativity happens online — and online only. "The thing a lot of people forget about online hate is that it exists almost in a vacuum; these people would never have the courage to spew such hate in real life." In fact, when she does proudly wear a two-piece to the beach, she says, "No one is looking at me wondering why I'm wearing a bikini and not a one-piece, or picking apart my body. Have people probably insulted me in their head but kept it to themselves? Sure. That just means they're normal about it." Klay began professionally modeling when she was scouted on Instagram by agency, Zion Models, at the age of 21. She's worked with fashion and beauty brands including Selkie, Wet n Wild, Nordstrom, SKIMS and House of CB. "I'd say the biggest challenges I faced at first were due to my own fears," she reveals. "This industry is daunting, especially as a plus-size woman. I let my own insecurities — most of which were tied to not feeling good or worthy enough of taking up space in any room I walked into — hold me back for a bit. I would talk myself out of wearing outfits or going to certain events." She continues: "While my confidence and feelings of self-worth have grown exponentially since then, there are things you can't control in this industry. From top agencies deciding to no longer represent curve models to brands discontinuing their plus sizes, and even agencies telling you to your face 'big girls aren't booking well right now,' you can have all the confidence in the world yet the fatphobia and diet culture is so ingrained in our society that it's hard to break through sometimes." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. However, she reminds herself that "it isn't a crime to look the way you do, whatever that may be. No matter how badly people have made you feel for it. You're allowed to take up the space you do in whatever way." "Plus-size bodies are here to stay, they've always been here. You can throw whatever diet fad or hateful remarks you want into the world, but we'll continue to exist. We need to show society, production companies, brands, directors and top agencies that our bodies deserve to be represented in the media we consume," declares Kay. "I plan on being in your face whether you like it or not. I'll take as many jabs at my appearance that are necessary if it means I can shift the scales even slightly in the favor of representation for every body. I can take it. In fact, I welcome it." Read the original article on People
