“Dress Heavy:” The Plus Size Modeling Industry

I think everyone can agree that body image has always been a huge influence on teenagers. When you are looking back and forth from your social media feed to your own mirror, life can get pretty tough. Although social media has grown to acknowledge different body types, it's usually the blonde hair, small waist, and tall beauty standard that is valued in our society today. Many people assume that Plus Size modeling and body positivity go hand in hand but are they really that similar?

Elianah Sukoenig shares her story about her difficult experience in the modeling industry. Sukoenig speaks out about the size gap, meaning how when you are not a “straight” size or “plus”, you are pretty much banished from the industry. A straight size is a word the modeling industry utilizes for models who fit the traditional sample size and “plus” size is a term for sizes above twelve. However, plus size modeling can start even as low as a size eight. She states, “I was a size zero when a modeling agency labeled me plus size” (Byrdie). A study was done in 2018 that the average United States woman wears a size sixteen to eighteen. That means Sukoenig was sixteen to eighteen below average and was considered plus size. Relentlessly, Sukoenig kept trying. She kept going to castings but she would either have to lie, “telling me to “dress heavy” and “say you’re a size 10”’ (Byrdie) or get rejected, “Even at a size 2, I had multiple agents turn me down and encourage me to shave inches off my hips” (Byrdie). This is just one of many examples that Plus Size modeling is not exactly what we think it is. Sukoenig started to speak up about her harsh treatment from the modeling industry on Instagram. She has gained thousands of followers who admire her for using her platform for body positivity.

Sizes four to six don’t get the same opportunities as straight or plus do. Why does society need these labels? Why can’t everybody model no matter what number size you are? These questions have a simple answer, but society tends to complicate and not acknowledge the fact that being human is beautiful. Every body is different and that should be celebrated in the modeling industry. Every body shape, gender, race, height and every single variety should be able to model. If the model industry was completely inclusive, there would be no more labels such as “plus” or “straight.”

While some brands work with Plus Size models, the models still have a long list of requirements. They are expected to have ‘perfect’ proportions: small waists, large busts, and hips. Plus size models are also required to have a sharp jawline and long limbs. The job at the end of the day is to sell a product and beauty does sell. However, every type of beauty should be able to sell. If Plus Size models have to fit such a specific body type to be successful in the modeling industry, then this industry is not as body positive as it implies.

So, when will society step into reality rather than exceptionalism? The biggest and most challenging step to creating this change is reconfiguring how society perceives body shapes and sizes. Right now, society labels women and forces them to fit certain circumstances. They are told what to wear and what to steer clear from. For example, many people say “don’t wear horizontal stripes, it’ll make you appear wider then you actually are” or “cover up your bad sides and accentuate the good side.” This mindset is damaging and ultimately tries to change the Plus Size models to look like the typical beauty standard. This illustrates that body positivity has a long way to go because of the standard forced on women. Society should strive to change their mindset from judgement to embracing different bodies.

While many body types are being represented in the media, there is still judgement by society of the models not exceeding the expectations of the forced standards. However, we can make a difference by encouraging body positivity on social media or just in everyday life. It can be life changing to see your body represented in the media. It makes you feel like you are not alone. Society and brands need to keep pushing for more body positivity so everyone can feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies.