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The Full-Figured Revolution - fashion for larger women - Brief Article
Ebony, Jan, 1999
For The New Black Woman
The fashion industry and mainstream society are finally catching on to what most of us have known for years--that beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes. Thanks to the increased popularity of full-figured celebrities such as The View co-host Star Jones and ER star Yvette Freeman, achieving a "perfect" size 6 figure is no longer every woman's goal. A new kind of body pride is taking shape, one in which women who wear sizes 12 to 24 and beyond are embracing their figures and demanding as many fashion options as their smaller peers. From the executive suites to the college campuses, full-figured women are strutting their stuff and showing the world that size has nothing to do with style.
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The fashion world is taking notice, offering more clothing in larger sizes than ever before. The full-figured trend has created an increased demand for plus-size models, catering to the needs of the 60 percent of American women who wear a size 14 and above.
Lana Thompson doesn't look like supermodels Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks, but she receives enthusiastic applause every time she graces the Ebony Fashion Fair stage. Thompson is full-figured and fabulous, a statuesque diva who walks the runway like she owns it. Rooting for her at every show are women happy to see a model who looks more like what they see in the mirror.
"That's the part I love," Thompson says of the audience's enthusiastic reaction. "Women come up to me after the show and say, `I didn't think I could wear that, but now I can!' It's a great feeling."
More of us look like Thompson than her thinner colleagues. While the average fashion model is 5-toot-10, weighs 125 pounds and wears a size 6, the average Black woman stands 5-foot-4, weighs 150 pounds and wears a size 12 or larger.
"I think it's the best thing that ever happened to womanhood," says full-figured actress and singer Yvette Freeman. "Women can finally be themselves. There's no way we can fit into those things cut for skinny models ... that's not a Black woman's figure." Freeman, who currently stars on the NBC shows ER and Working, wasn't always comfortable with her size. "I've been on every diet ever invented ... I was crazy," she admits. "I don't think I'll ever be a skinny woman because that takes too much effort out of me. I can just be a beautiful, healthy woman, and my husband loves it."
When Freeman finally embraced her voluptuous figure, she threw away all of her tent-like outfits in favor of tailored ensembles that show off her legs. "I like for my figure to be seen," she says.
Talk-show co-host Star Jones is another hall-figured woman who isn't afraid to flaunt her curves. "We have to give ourselves permission to reject Madison Avenue's idea of beautiful," she says. "I want women to get to a point where they are proud of who they are." Jones, who receives hundreds of letters from women applauding her sense of style, plans to launch her own clothing line in the future.
Her decision makes good fashion and business sense, because 25 percent of the money women spend on clothes is on sizes 16 and up. More and more clothing manufacturers are meeting the demand for both trendsetting and classic designs in larger sizes.
With all of the new clothing options full-figured women have to choose from, there are several things to keep in mind:
* All Full-Figured Women Are Not Created Equal.
Full-figured women have different body types. As a result, women of the same height and weight can wear radically different sizes. When buying clothes from a new designer or store, take the time to try on items and pay close attention to how they fit.
A woman with an hourglass shape may have a problem with pants and skirts being too big in the waist. Top-heavy women need to pay special attention to the fit of shirts and jackets. Look for gaps or pulling fabric. If you can't afford to have garments altered, try different brands or designers until you find the one that fits you perfectly.
* Small Details Make A Big Difference .
Two items of clothing may look exactly alike, but subtle variations can dramatically alter how it looks on you. For example, shirts and dresses with princess seams create the illusion of a curvaceous waist. A sweater with a V-neck flatters a beautiful bust. Single-breasted jackets are more flattering for fuller figures than double-breasted designs. Bigger back pockets can create the illusion of a smaller rear end. Take note of your favorite outfits and what makes them work for you, then look for similar details when shopping for new items.
* Foundation Garments Smooth and Flatter.
To reduce the appearance of bulges and cellulite under clothes, invest in foundation garments that hold everything in place. The latest foundations are lighter and more comfortable than their predecessors. There are slips, bustiers, pants liners and girdles designed to work with any outfit.
Regardless of shape or size, full-figured women have more options than ever before.
No longer restricted to frumpy designs or out-of-date styles, women sizes 14 and up are setting trends and showing women of all sizes what it really means to have a great sense of style. Good looks, like good health, are no longer just for the smaller percentage of the population.
