True or false? Shopping for plus-sized people is a nightmare!
Hindustan Times | ByDrishti Vij
Oct 28, 2018 12:39 AM IST
Despite its claims of inclusivity, does fashion “include” different sized people. We get three women to go plus-size shopping and note the facts
‘Plus size and proud’, ‘fashion for all’ is great to tap on when you see social media ablaze with talks and posts of body positivity. But is fashion as fun for someone who is size 16 as it is for a size 6? This is one of the prime questions that the clothing industry is grappling with globally. While we have witnessed a few attempts on the ramp by designers like Wendell Rodricks presenting a plus-size collection at Lakme Fashion Week last year and Nida Mahmood inviting plus-size Yoga trainer, Dolly Singh, to walk the runway for her. Or the fact that 30-year-old American model Ashley Graham is above size 12, has featured on the covers of publications like Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan and is one of the highest paid models in the world — it does say something about an industry that has long worshipped unrealistically skinny women.
Despite hot claims of fashion being inclusive of everyone’s size and shape, is it really? Three ladies go plus-size shopping and count the challenges(Bellona)
It’s not rocket science. Someone plus-sized finds it easier to fit into the basics, like a classic cardigan with a pair of jeans. From left : On Radhika: Cardigan with jeans, Gap; On Nicole: Peasant top with ripped jeans, Gap; On Jahnvi: Sweatshirt, Gap; jeans, Levi’s When they find dresses that fit and flatter, curvy girls want to save them for the ‘right occasions’. From left: On Nicole: Striped maxi dress, H&M ; On Jahnvi: Co-ord set, FableStreet; On Radhika: Polka-dot dress, The Olio Stories (Bellone)Nicole tries to find dresses that fit her best, which are usually flowy and ‘anti-fits’. Shirt, Marks & Spencer; blazer, Calvin Klein and pants, H&M (Bellone)For work, a semi-casual blazer with a white shirt and trousers always work. The only thing, Nicole says, they must be comfortable! (Bellona )Jahnvi feels at ease when shopping for sweatshirts; it’s the only thing she can buy without a try on! Striped top, Zara; denims, Levi’s (Bellona)However, Nicole feels that homegrown Indian brands (think Anomaly, The Olio Stories, Lila and Two Fold Clothing) offer a wider variety of styles and sizes. Dress, Nicobar (Bellona)Are overlays always intended to hide imperfections? No, say the girls. When chosen right, they accentuate the curves. All dresses, shirt and overlay, Nicobar (Bellona)As a stylist, Jahnvi rarely finds plus-sized press samples; it deters her ability to represent curvy women. Dress, Nicobar; shoes, Carlton London (Bellona)Radhika hates it ‘coz trendy clothes are not often available in her size. Dress and shirt, Nicobar (Bellona)
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