The following text is an adapted English version of the original published in Brazilian Portuguese at the website virgula.com.br. The author is Ronaldo Testa, and you can find the original version here: https://www.virgula.com.br/modaebeleza/afinal-quando-uma-mulher-e-considerada-plus-size/).
The term plus size is increasingly popular, but many people, still don't know what it actually means. After all, when is a woman considered plus size? To end this doubt once and for all, we decided to talk everyone who works with plus size fashion to understands the subject.
The Star of several brands auditions of underwear and swimwear, model Aline Zattar, says there are even several understandings about what it is to be plus size, but all of them can be explained:
“The international fashion market in general considers plus size those who do not fit the catwalk patterns ’and also the “chubby” ones. This generalizes in a big way and causes a lot of bollocks!”, Explained the model, also saying there are other considerations.
“In order to enter a Miss Plus Size contest, for example, the regulation asks you to wear it above mannequin 44. Plus size clothing stores only sell clothes above mannequin 44. Garment factories also consider plus size above mannequin 44 - although they often use 40 mannequin models in campaigns”, she said.
According to Adilton Amaral, who coordinated the project “Mulheres Reais" (Real Women), since 2009 the industry “undervalue women with curves and volumes”.
Technically the plus size would start at size 46. However, in practice, the woman who wears 44 is already considered plus size, due to the difficulty of finding cool clothes from traditional brands. These labels usually produce only up to 42, leaving 44 women in a kind of ' fashion limbo' ”, explained Adilton. “The fashion industry despises women with curves and volumes, even though there is a lucrative demand for clothes with higher numbers. Every woman looking for an ‘M’ or ‘G’ look has faced the drama of not finding the piece in her size, ” he continues.
Photo Credits: Rodrigo Nascimento
Model: Aline Zattar
