“I never wanted to look like models on the cover of magazines. I represent the majority of women and I am very proud of that.” Adele.
Well said Adele, I am sure there are lots of us that agree with you.
Research shows that the average size for a British woman is a curvy 16 and nearly half of UK women are a dress size 16 or above.
So why are we still bombarded by the media with waif-like models and celebrities? More than one popular magazine each week can be criticizing celebrities because they have put on as many as 8 lbs!
The real thing that concerns me about this is the effect it has on our teenage daughters. Isn’t it more important to be happy, have body confidence, think of a successful future than being body conscious at that age and dieting?
Though things are changing slowly, on my recent visit to the Fashion Show at Bristol Fashion week we had two models that were size 16 out of the 10 on the catwalk. Also Debenhams are using size 16 mannequins to merchandise their clothes.
My style advice for those of you who on the plus side is to find out what your body shape is. A lot of High Street retailers assume that if you are a size 16 and over, your body shape must be ‘oval/round’. The danger with being sucked into this is that you will wear baggy clothes that will make you look bigger especially if your body shape is a full hourglass or rectangle.
Many of my clients have been eternally grateful to me for letting them know their correct body shape and what style clothes they should therefore wear enabling them to look their slimmest.
My friend Jenny (who is a plus size lady), has a fabulous full hourglass figure. She always follows her rules of wearing shaped clothes and looks amazing as she travels around the country to attend meetings for the UK’s largest training provider. Jenny is a lover of comfort too and teams her black trousers with outstanding jackets and tops in her best colours.
I think Jenny would agree with Dawn French’s quote:
"If I had been around when Rubens was painting, I would have been revered as a fabulous model. Kate Moss? Well, she would have been the paintbrush!"
Take these words to heart the next time you get frustrated with current concepts about what makes a beautiful body. What Dawn French is saying, is that concepts of beauty are entirely subjective and change over time. In the 16th century, when Peter Rubens was a painter, unnaturally thin women were considered both unhealthy and unattractive. So, what matters is that you are accepting of yourself and see yourself as beautiful.
On a final note, my last quote for this article:
"If nature had intended for our skeletons to be visible it would have put them on the outside of our bodies." Elmer Rice, American Playwright.
Written by Shan Williams, Personal Stylist
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