Fashion

In the past, overweight women were supposed to hide their weight in oversized dresses and baggy pants. Black was often the color of choice. But recently, retailers are responding to an increased demand for fashionable plus-size clothing. This seems reasonable since more than half of women shoppers wear a size 14 or larger.

Many women, especially young women, want to dress fashionably regardless of weight. Women want to wear the latest styles and look great even if their weight is not ideal. Even if they are trying to lose weight, they realize that it takes time and they want to look their best while they do it.

There are also recent challenges to the stereotypical ideal of beauty and efforts to make real bodies more acceptable. The dove campaign for real beauty, and the inclusion of plus size fashion models are a couple of examples. Many women have grown tired of the unrealistic pressure to measure up to the size 0 models and agree that it is time to get real. Designers and retailers are reacting to the market pressures by creating and selling more flattering and fashionable clothing for plus-sized women. The goal is to help women look good, show off assets and draw attention to positive areas.

Since obesity is a serious health concern and contributes to many diseases that can at least reduce the quality of life and at most be life threatening; and these health risks are preventable through weight loss and healthy life style changes; there is some concern that allowing larger women to dress well will reduce their motivation to lose weight. The reality is that dressing in baggy shapeless clothes does not motivate women to change their habits.

When women feel better about themselves they are more likely to take good care of themselves. The fashion industry by helping women of any size look and feel beautiful, will also help them feel confident and more accepting of themselves. This may do more to motivate them to treat their bodies with respect than the constant barage of "You will never measure up." messages ever did.