The Plus Sized Model

I know I'm behind on this, I haven't been able to force myself to sit down and write, but I have to write about this. It's a big deal. It's a great thing.


H&M, a leading clothing retailer, used a plus sized model as their main figure representing swimwear. That's right, you heard correct, a plus sized model was the face of the 2013 swim collection.

Jennie Runk is the beauty modeling for H&M and is a role model for girls and women everywhere. She looks like the average American girl, average height, weight, and other features. She could be the girl in your class, or that you see on the train, or walking down the street––she blends in. Yet, she stands out as a model and face of H&M.

Some critics claim that using a plus size model promotes obesity, or unhealthiness.

BULLSHIT

Ms Runk does not look like she's obese or unhealthy. In fact, I see the complete opposite when I look at the photos of her. She looks happy and healthy! I think it's just shocking to some people (i.e. the fashion world and it's stick figure models) to see someone who is average. Girls and women need to see different bodies in fashion and marketing because everyone's body IS different. Everyone has their own size and shape and it needs to be recognized in mainstream media. It's sad that this is only noticed or mentioned once in a while. Yet the world so easily criticizes  anytime someone famous gains or loses a lot of weight. They are pounced upon and gossip rumors of depression or eating disorders or what-have-you filter through the news.

H&M Swimwear 2013



More recently, American Eagle Inc's brand, Aerie has pledged to stop using Photoshop or other touch-ups on their models. This is another great initiative, showing to girls and young women that it's okay to be yourself. I am all in favor of seeing natural looking models to truly reflect how clothing and other products will look on myself while shopping in stores or online.

Here is the message Aerie has posted online and in stores:

What a powerful message to send, especially for a lingerie brand! What woman doesn't want to feel good about themselves, especially when stripped down to their pretty panties?

Granted, this one decision may not have an effect on every single female, because everyone views their body differently, but it can certainly make a change of feelings for a lot of people. Since Aerie is aimed at girls in their teens through twenties, when we're just starting to figure ourselves out, it's important to have positive images and not feel "unreal".

Body image is a complicated thing, and everyone has their own thoughts, feelings, and issues with it, but this can be the start of a much needed change in the fashion industry. Let's hope the trend continues with other brands and other areas of media.

Fear of Weight

One of the things I fear is gaining weight. I hate it, even if it's just a pound or two, because in my head it means more. It starts with one or two, which leads to three or four, which leads to being overweight.

I weigh myself more often than I should, but I feel that it keeps me in check.


I fear when the time comes that I become pregnant and gain baby weight. I am afraid that I will be one of those miserable moms-to-be who hate how they look and feel ugly no matter the circumstances. I know that when the time comes my husband will tell me to shut up because I'm beautiful and carrying our child. I know I shouldn't get ahead of myself, since I am nowhere near ready to having a baby, but I know that being pregnant comes with being fat. Now, I know it doesn't happen to everyone, there are some lucky bitches who gain only in their belly and remain thin everywhere else, but as someone who has always battled with their weight, I know that being pregnant will be another body image battle for me.


I recently gained a couple of pounds and I am perplexed because I've been eating better and working out more often. I've gotten myself into a groove. I always eat breakfast, I pack a healthy lunch to bring to work (which 99% of the time consists of a yogurt, apple, carrots, banana), and I go to the gym 4-5 times per week.

I know muscle weighs more than fat, so it could be the muscle, it probably is the muscle. Because my clothes fit the same, if not a little looser, I look at myself in the mirror and don't look fatter, but seeing the number on the scale rise makes me cringe. I nearly screamed when I stood on it and saw the number go up instead of down like I thought it would.

I also know that I sound crazy and paranoid, or overdramatic, but it's fear. Fear causes us to react in different ways. Being afraid of gaining weight is no different than being afraid of heights or spiders. Something we try to avoid or reduce happens to us, and causes us to panic. The fight or flight instinct kicks in.

*Editor's note: This post was originally drafted in the summer of 2013. Thoughts of then do not necessarily reflect the writer's thoughts now.