I know what you're thinking. No, this post isn't about Beyonce. While I'm wildly obsessed with the singer and I happen to love the WDYLM video (posted about it
HERE), this isn't about her. It's about me. Me and every other plus-sized fashion blogger out there who gets discouraged or thinks twice about posting an outfit series or exposing our curves to fashion communities like
Chictopia or
Lookbook.Nu to name a few. On my weekly blog-hunting trip this week, I stumbled on a post by curvy British blogger
Jettica of Feeling Stylish entitled "Why Do I Need To Be Thin?" After reading her words and sentiments - a mix of curiosity and disappointment - I came to the realization that I too have the same insecurities and harsh feelings. Here's what she had to say...
"It seems that on sites like LookBook or Chictopia you only get 'HYPE' and fans if you are thin...I sort of feel that I don’t get a great deal of comments or love on my blog because I’m a fat girl writing about fashion."
- Jettica of Feeling Stylish
After reading these words on Jettica's post, I became overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. Part of me was angry. Not at Jettica, but at myself, for feeling the exact same way. "I mean, who cares? It's just a fashion community. It's just for fun, it doesn't mean anything", I uttered to myself in defense. As much I tried to shrug it off, the reality is - it does matter. The validation of having someone else credit your style choices and give you their stamp of approval feels good. Knowing that you inspire others and that your fashion efforts are duly noted gives a high nearly equivalent to narcotics. But sadly, only a certain "type" of user gets to revel in these emotional rewards...
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| Snapshot: Lookbook.Nu Homepage, Oct. 23rd, 2AM EST |
Take a homepage snapshot of any of these fashion communities, on any given day. They will undoubtedly be flooded with images of rail thin, model-esque (or so we think) users who generate tons of followers and rack up all this "HYPE" because essentially their pictures look like editorials snatched straight out of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar. Now considering the lack of anything above a size 0 in the modeling industry, let alone in fashion editorials, how is a plus sized girl to compete in an arena like this? I can't tell you how many outfit posts I've decided not to reveal for fear of criticism or because of the overwhelming and devastating assumption that no one will care.
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| Snapshot: Lookbook.Nu post with no comments, October 23rd, 2AM EST |
I'm new to Lookbook.Nu, so granted I haven't had much experience, but I've personally posted 2 looks on there since joining two weeks ago and it seems they've both gone completely unnoticed. Not a comment, not a "HYPE", not a peep. Is it because I'm new? Or is it, like Jettica points out, because "I'm a fat girl writing about fashion" who is not interesting enough for the masses or not worthy enough to be noted or regarded?
Now don't get me wrong, the fashion industry has definitely come a long way. It warms my heart to see curvy models like
Crystal Renn stomping the runways in Paris, and shows like
One Stop Plus actually getting shine during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC, and fashion icons like Diane Von Furstenberg cracking down on eating disorders in the modeling industry with CFDA regulations. Tyra Banks and DVF even got rid of the first contestant on this season's ANTM because of her anorexic image! But while the industry can try and correct itself over time, the real power is truly with the people. If users on sites like Chictopia, Lookbook.Nu or Weardrobe are in any way indicative of the fashion-forward masses, then these sentiments still resonate loud and clear. Plus size isn't posh. Curves aren't chic. Hips don't get "HYPE". And thus the unsuspecting outfit-poster who boasts a size of double digits is left to wonder if there's room for her, or if she should just stand by and look.
What do you think? Is there room for the plus sized fashionista in these communities? Soundoff below!
