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WE EXIST: DIVERSITY IN PLUS SIZE BODIES

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[/wc_column][wc_column size=”one-half” position=”last”]Why do I keep seeing the exact same bodies being celebrated in the plus size community???

I’ve been a part of the fat community for about 5 years now (though I have been fat much longer than that), and one thing I am certain of is that this community is shaped by a very wide variety of individuals. Our community is awesome, and one of my favorite things about it is that there are so many intersections within it. Being fat is not exclusive to one gender, sexual orientation, or race, and it doesn’t discriminate based on your physical or mental capacities. Being fat is something people across cultures can experience, and even people who are not fat can identify with body image issues. So why do we frequently see the same body shape and size celebrated in plus size fashion??? You know what I’m talking about (but if you don’t I’ll clear it up): white, under 30, on the smaller side of fat, able bodied, and evenly proportioned.

So how does that effect people who don’t see bodies like their own? The world tells us to love our bodies and to be confident, and we’ll finally have the body image we’ve dreamed of. But how are we supposed to know that we are worthy of love and a positive body image when it doesn’t even seem like our existence is acknowledged? Recently I wrote a post called “Clothing For Size 28+“. The post got an

[/wc_column][/wc_row]overwhelming amount of people who told me that I “should add Forever 21+ to the list”. People really didn’t know that 3x does not serve as the final destination on the fat journey! People come in bigger sizes than 28 and they don’t have options like Forever 21! There is such a huge amount of diversity in the plus size community that goes unnoticed, even by the people we share the community with.

We know that we won’t find much representation in the mainstream media, so we turn to places like social media to find people who we connect with. But the impacts of mainstream media are pervasive, and when people see certain bodies touted as “good” day in and day out, it’s difficult for them to find value in a body that they’ve never even been exposed to. Even on social media, we see a trend toward certain bodies being more celebrated than others. So the question is how do we create representation for people? Well, we create spaces to say “THESE BODIES EXIST AND THEY ARE AMAZING!”. The fat community (namely people who are well represented already) must make space for the varied individuals that don’t get the spotlight often enough. It’s up to all of us to question why we may or may not think certain fat bodies are more acceptable than others. Just because we’re fat positive doesn’t mean we are exempt from toxic views. We have to continue to push ourselves to challenge the discrimination within our own community.

This post is for every fat babe who has felt under represented in the community because of the color of their skin, the size or shape of their body, their ability, or their gender. For the beauties with huge bellies and tiny legs, and the babes who can’t find their size even in the plus size section, it’s for the hairy babes, for the double chins and double bellies. Because seeing plus size bodies that don’t show much variation from European beauty standards isn’t giving a lot of us the representation we need to feel like our bodies, our beauty, and loving ourselves, is valid. The diversity in this community is endless, and it’s our responsibility to make sure that all bodies are represented and celebrated. There’s a lot of room for improvement, even in this post, but the people in our community deserve our very best efforts. They are worthy of representation. We all are.

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

Eve // twitter

Plus Size Representation | fatgirlflow.com

Crystal Newton facebook

Plus Size Representation | fatgirlflow.com

Kelly Lynn // facebook

Plus size babes | fatgirlflow.com

Brianna // IG Fatalina_winemixer

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

Lauren Crow // laurencrow.carbonmade.com IG: 4locrow

Brei //kurvyetiquette.blogspot.com// facebook.com/kurvyetiquette

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

IG: Ashhhsmashhh

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

IG: Laureldickman for #wearyourvoicemag & #fuckfatphobia

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

Monica Lizama // IG: monicalvz

Diversity In Plus Size Bodies // Fatgirlflow.com

Angelina Duplisea // IG: AnActingAngel

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

Alysse Dalessandro // www.readytostare.com // IG: readytostare

We Exist! Diversity in Plus Size Bodies // Fatgirlflow.com

Desiny N // Chocolateist.tumblr.com // IG Chocolateist

Heather Albright Tumblr/IG: overcomethisworldwithlove

Heather Albright // IG: overcomethisworldwithlove

Plus Size Swimwear Representation | Fatgirlflow.com

www.psitsfashion.com // IG: TheLizBlack

Shanie <3

Shanie // facebook

We Exist! Diversity in Plus Size Bodies // Fatgirlflow.com

<3, Yours Truly

*For more info on where to shop for swimwear check out this post!

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Chloe Polston

Sunday 10th of July 2016

This entire page has really aided in my confidence boost! I'm 19 now, and I haven't worn a bikini since I was about 5, and even that was a tankini! But enough! I'm treating myself to a fly as bikini, and showing off who I really am on my upcoming beach holiday! Thank you!

LaChen

Thursday 14th of April 2016

I came across this from Pinterest and I must say that I am super proud of all those FLY GIRLS in their swim suits! YOU GO GIRLS! I will continue to follow this site for inspiration!

michael fisher

Monday 12th of October 2015

"I'm so glad You are bringing out the Best of yourselves."

Chanda

Saturday 11th of July 2015

I would love to share some pics! Just tell me how! This is awesome!

malu

Thursday 9th of July 2015

Its very nice to see how happy all these fuller figures ladies are with their bodies. I came here via a website that was toally against it, saying promoting obesitas is the same as promoting pro-anorexia websites. I am not plussize at all but I still enjoyed reading your article! :) xx The Stylish Confessions | Fashion & Beauty blog

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