Comments on: How big is big? http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/ Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:03:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: leymoo http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8359 leymoo Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:03:00 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8359 Hm. It used to be that anything that is fitted on the bust had to be an 18W for me. That said, I tried a 20 (16 in US) shirt in H&M and it fitted. Otherwise, I'm fine with a 14 (18 in UK I think - using H&M for the translation to US as their clothes have the US sizes on them) A lot of it depends on the manufacturer and other such things. Once upon a time, people could sew and make clothing that fitted just for them. Now things are standardised by shops there is always going to be a problem that x number of groups wont get catered for. :-( Hm.

It used to be that anything that is fitted on the bust had to be an 18W for me.
That said, I tried a 20 (16 in US) shirt in H&M and it fitted.

Otherwise, I’m fine with a 14 (18 in UK I think – using H&M for the translation to US as their clothes have the US sizes on them)

A lot of it depends on the manufacturer and other such things.

Once upon a time, people could sew and make clothing that fitted just for them. Now things are standardised by shops there is always going to be a problem that x number of groups wont get catered for. :-(

]]> By: Gauss http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8171 Gauss Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:36:42 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8171 The woman in the painting has some of the most luscious hips I've ever seen.. And yes, she would be considered "big" today because she actually HAS hips, instead of just hip bones. The woman in the painting has some of the most luscious hips I’ve ever seen.. And yes, she would be considered “big” today because she actually HAS hips, instead of just hip bones.

]]> By: Denise http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8154 Denise Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:13:10 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8154 Thank you SO MUCH for the tall links. Thank you SO MUCH for the tall links.

]]> By: Jennie http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8146 Jennie Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:49:47 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8146 Marilyn Monroe would be considered a huge woman by today's standards. 8 to 10 use to be medium, 12 to 14 large, 6 to 8 a small, 2 to 4 extra small and 0 was considered unhealthy to the extreme and this was the time of Twiggy! 16 to 18 was extra large and plus started at 20. So, times change.... Marilyn Monroe would be considered a huge woman by today’s standards. 8 to 10 use to be medium, 12 to 14 large, 6 to 8 a small, 2 to 4 extra small and 0 was considered unhealthy to the extreme and this was the time of Twiggy! 16 to 18 was extra large and plus started at 20. So, times change….

]]> By: De http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8138 De Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:36:31 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8138 Angel : when I was a size 8 I was 'scouted' for modelling work. (I think red hair was very 'in' at the time...) The scout told me I could do *plus size* modelling. And I quote "Models are supposed to be the ideal, see, so you'd be the ideal for a plus sized woman to aspire to." I was offended then and I would be now too. Mostly because of this attitude toward me (that I wasn't good enough for her to send me for ALL jobs...) I didn't get into modelling. I'm glad. Now, I'm a 14-18 (depending on the brand), but I'm a busty busty hourglass and have always gone to the Plus or "woman" areas to find blouses/dresses. The only thing that bothers me is that the word 'Big' is still considered an insult or a dirty word. Too much emotion and projection goes into that word, I think. Why must we constantly compare ourselves? Why do we think in terms of -er and -est. Bigger, smaller, thinnest, etc. IF that woman is big, then what does that make me? Answer: Another woman's size has no bearing on my own. It doesn't make me anything. :D (Altho Beautiful is a given...muahaha) Angel : when I was a size 8 I was ‘scouted’ for modelling work. (I think red hair was very ‘in’ at the time…) The scout told me I could do *plus size* modelling.
And I quote “Models are supposed to be the ideal, see, so you’d be the ideal for a plus sized woman to aspire to.”

I was offended then and I would be now too. Mostly because of this attitude toward me (that I wasn’t good enough for her to send me for ALL jobs…) I didn’t get into modelling. I’m glad.

Now, I’m a 14-18 (depending on the brand), but I’m a busty busty hourglass and have always gone to the Plus or “woman” areas to find blouses/dresses.

The only thing that bothers me is that the word ‘Big’ is still considered an insult or a dirty word. Too much emotion and projection goes into that word, I think. Why must we constantly compare ourselves? Why do we think in terms of -er and -est. Bigger, smaller, thinnest, etc.

IF that woman is big, then what does that make me? Answer: Another woman’s size has no bearing on my own. It doesn’t make me anything.

:D
(Altho Beautiful is a given…muahaha)

]]> By: Violet http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8135 Violet Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:05:31 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8135 There's 12 and 12, and there's 14 and 14, is the thing. I wear a 12-14 (and an occasional 10 full-cut skirt or 16 trouser, depending ... yeah, I'm built a lot like the Salome in the picture). Believe me, I'm frustrated often enough in misses that I've repeatedly gone into plus size stores or sections. What the fuck do I care? I just want something that'll accommodate my ass and look good. But it doesn't work. A size 12 or 14 in a plus line is built differently. So I identify as big, but not as plus, if that makes any sense. In the world of thin women I'm a whale; in the world of big girls I'm generally just one size too small to take advantage of what big-girl resources there are. God knows there are worse problems to have and I'm not that sorry for myself about it -- OK, maybe a little ragey occasionally. But, FWIW, it's not like being a 12-14 and being a 4-6 have much in common experientially speaking. (end inbetweenie blathering) There’s 12 and 12, and there’s 14 and 14, is the thing. I wear a 12-14 (and an occasional 10 full-cut skirt or 16 trouser, depending … yeah, I’m built a lot like the Salome in the picture). Believe me, I’m frustrated often enough in misses that I’ve repeatedly gone into plus size stores or sections. What the fuck do I care? I just want something that’ll accommodate my ass and look good. But it doesn’t work. A size 12 or 14 in a plus line is built differently.

So I identify as big, but not as plus, if that makes any sense. In the world of thin women I’m a whale; in the world of big girls I’m generally just one size too small to take advantage of what big-girl resources there are. God knows there are worse problems to have and I’m not that sorry for myself about it — OK, maybe a little ragey occasionally. But, FWIW, it’s not like being a 12-14 and being a 4-6 have much in common experientially speaking.

(end inbetweenie blathering)

]]> By: Angel http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8098 Angel Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:33:19 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8098 Hmmm, I think plus size is "officially" size 12 and up. These plus size stores size like this: B and Lu starts at 14, Torrid starts at 12, Cherished Woman size 14, Svoboda 14/16, Lane Bryant size 14, Nordstrom size 14/16. Okay, so the consensus is plus size starts at size 14? I think there are many plus size models that are a size 12. The woman in the painting is certainly plus size by the standards of today. I'm sure when this was painted her body was luscious and revered. Just like ours would have been. So many gorgeous bodies in art. One just has to look at the paintings of Rubens to see some voluptous, strong women that would be considered obese today. Check out his painting Venus at the Mirror. That gorgeous blonde could be me sitting there. :) Hmmm, I think plus size is “officially” size 12 and up. These plus size stores size like this: B and Lu starts at 14, Torrid starts at 12, Cherished Woman size 14, Svoboda 14/16, Lane Bryant size 14, Nordstrom size 14/16. Okay, so the consensus is plus size starts at size 14? I think there are many plus size models that are a size 12.

The woman in the painting is certainly plus size by the standards of today. I’m sure when this was painted her body was luscious and revered. Just like ours would have been. So many gorgeous bodies in art. One just has to look at the paintings of Rubens to see some voluptous, strong women that would be considered obese today. Check out his painting Venus at the Mirror. That gorgeous blonde could be me sitting there. :)

]]> By: kristin http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8083 kristin Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:42:54 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8083 Patia- I love that ad! Patia- I love that ad!

]]> By: Patia http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8076 Patia Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:05:03 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8076 I confess, I had the same thoughts about that picture, although I didn't comment. But you've redeemed yourself with that last line. ;-) May I offer up a few relevant suggestions, if you haven't already see them? The book, "Zaftig: The Case for Curves," is an incredible compendium of big beautiful women in art throughout the ages. And <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/patia/2236403210" rel="nofollow">this ad</a> is one of two that perfectly illustrate the fickleness of ideal body standards. I confess, I had the same thoughts about that picture, although I didn’t comment. But you’ve redeemed yourself with that last line. ;-)

May I offer up a few relevant suggestions, if you haven’t already see them? The book, “Zaftig: The Case for Curves,” is an incredible compendium of big beautiful women in art throughout the ages. And this ad is one of two that perfectly illustrate the fickleness of ideal body standards.

]]> By: dogmamaonly http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/comment-page-1/#comment-8071 dogmamaonly Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:39:35 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2008/02/18/how-big-is-big/#comment-8071 First of all: that woman in that painting is HAWT. Secondly: It seems to me that couture, at least, considers anything above a size 2 too big. But I can't afford those clothes, so whatever. Lastly: "I am beautiful, no matter what they say/Words can't bring me down." :) First of all: that woman in that painting is HAWT.

Secondly: It seems to me that couture, at least, considers anything above a size 2 too big. But I can’t afford those clothes, so whatever.

Lastly: “I am beautiful, no matter what they say/Words can’t bring me down.” :)

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