Some bloggers are portraying certain types of curves as being sexier than others. You know exactly what I’m talking about. We consistently see pictures of curvy women with small waists and large hips being presented as “plus-size perfection.” I don’t want women who don’t have an hourglass figure to feel any less beautiful.
It’s almost like the plus-size positivity movement is edging away from including all plus-size women in favor of celebrating only a certain kind of curvy woman. It upsets me. As a plus-size community, we need to stick together because we’re stronger as one. All bodies are different, and all bodies deserve to be celebrated.
I think what upsets me the most is that some people do not consider plus-size and curvy the same thing. I’m disputing the people who believe that one is more desirable than the other.
To war or not to war …
First, some common misconceptions.
Curvy: A curvy woman may (the keyword here being MAY) have an hourglass figure, with a thin waist, a nice-size rear end and in many cases nice-sized breasts. A curvy woman is not always overweight. It just depends on who is using the term, because many plus-size women prefer to use this term to describe themselves, even if they do not have large breasts, full hips or a large bottom. So don’t let the first definition throw you off.
Plus-size: The definition of plus-size depends on who you ask. Some people say it’s 6 or 8 and up (crazy, right?) or 12 or 14 and up, depending on where you live. Its true definition describes above-average clothing sizes, not a female body type. Yet the average woman now wears a 16 or 18. Fascinating. If that’s the average size, a plus-size woman would, by definition, be larger yet. The International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education in 2017 reported “The average size of an American woman is now between 16 to 18, which is an increase from 10-year-old data that indicated most women in the U.S. were a size 14.”
A Curvy Fad?
Some people believe plus-size women are not as desirable as curvy woman. Can the curvy designation be considered a new fad?
It upsets me when curvy women disassociate themselves from the plus-size movement. Some curvy women love all this new attention and are offended by being called plus-size because they believe it to have negative connotations.
Some bloggers are trying to branch off from the plus-size movement after the new social media curvy-craze. There are lots of types of bigger-bodied women, and one type should not be seen as more desirable than another.
Some women are paying plastic surgeons to get curvy hips, asses and breasts that are way larger than what they normally would carry, so they help to contribute to the newfound issue of how curvy women are being defined. The new curvy standards may have come from women like this. Some of these women have very small waists and large hips, but not all of us are built that way.
Take a look at Lizzo. She is never called curvy. She is considered plus-size. She’s amazing, beautiful and talented! She’s worthy and valuable. But please understand you don’t have to be an entertainer to be amazing. You are worthy and valuable just as you are.
What defines plus-size? Good luck!
It depends what state or region you live in in the world. When I lived in New York, I saw some people define plus-size as starting at size 6. In Atlanta, where I live now, it seems to start at a size 12. This can be attributed to social norms in these areas. Ever order something from China and wonder why the hell you’re a 7XL (lol)? Yep, that’s because our body types are not frequently seen in their society.
Social media has created a really comfortable situation for the “curvy” woman now, while the plus-size woman still has to fight to be seen as valuable, desirable and fashionable. Thank God for the soaring popularity of Lizzo!
So what can you do to resolve this? Mind your business and live your life. Don’t contribute to stepping on your plus-size sister to lift yourself up. Be the best version of you that you can be. Don’t let the social media machine define your greatness. Basically, don’t believe the hype. Probably about 98 percent of the media images we see — the standards to which we hold our body worth — are airbrushed and transformed by the time you see them.
Remember you are an amazing and valuable person. Surround yourself with valuable people. Be kinder to yourself. You’re worth that much.
So please, stop the war between plus-size vs. curvy women.
Lead with love and acceptance. As the famous saying goes, “be the example you want to see in the world.”
About Ro’Yale: Ro’Yale is a plus-size pole fit instructor and YouTube sensation based out of Atlanta, Georgia. She loves fitness, competing in pole-fit competitions, catching up with her college-aged daughter and playing cards. Her goal is to inspire all women around the world to feel sexy in the skin they’re in.
Videography and Editing: John-Paul Steele – @johnpaulsteele
Photography: Mario Pujals – @marioshotme
MUA: Crystal J Beats – @crystaljbeats
