
Growing up, terms like โbig-boned,โ โchubby,โ โplump,โ and โheavysetโ ran rampant within the communities and homes we lived in. If rude aunties werenโt emphasizing the size of our frames at family functions, neighborhood bullies threw around the socially controversial word โfatโ to hurt our feelings. However, as terms like โthickโ and โcurvyโ gained popularity, some of us were left to question:ย Am I plus size?ย
It is interesting to note that โPlus Sizeโ is a term that originated in the early 1900s, was birthed by Lane Bryant. At its inception, the term was โMisses Plus Sizes.โ As the category evolved, so did the term.
In the early 2000s, there was a peak in the phraseย โplus sizeโย when the fashion world attempted to include clothing for women of larger body types. Due to insincere diversity missions, brands began to use models with waists that only extended a few centimeters over the industryโs โnormโ to represent the plus size standard. Within the blink of an eye, people with slightly broad shoulders or size 10 were pushed forward as plus representations.ย
However, on the fashion front, more work still lies ahead. Over the years, the industry has evolved from constantly displaying small thigh gaps to a realistic array of pudgy stomachs and wide hips. Unfortunately, many still find themselves perusing the size charts of online boutiques for hours โ wishing, wondering, and waiting for someone whose shape resembles theirs to leave an authentic review. Today, that problem remains when adding an extra 2-3X to the end of the item tag.ย

What Classifies You as Plus Size?
According to theย Cambridge Dictionary, โplus sizeโ is used to โdescribe someone who is larger than average in size.โ Interestingly, the term holds different meanings around the globe.
In this day and age, being plus size isnโt as subjective as it once was. The effects of living life as a plus size woman are validated through the experiences we come up against daily. From shopping difficulties to social discrimination, even those who are mid-size have experiences vastly different from those who are plus size.ย
To some, a size as small as 8 to 10 could be considered the starting point of plus size, while others stress 12 to 14. Nowadays, companies promote a size 14/16 as the beginning level of plus size. However, the language around this subject grows even murkier as we add in the shape of oneโs body with their size. However you classify your size, there still lies the challenge or push back against the โsocietally acceptableโ version of larger women shaped like Coke bottles.ย
Navigating This World as a Plus Size Person Shouldnโt Have to Be Hard
Here is one thing to noteโฆ Plus Size is only a category or classification, NOT a precursor or definition of your worth, value or beauty. Butโฆ while sizing does play a huge factor in determining where your categorization may fall, the everyday nuances of maneuvering in society as a bigger person are telling enough.
Itโs in the looks of discomfort as we stride through the department stores, taking up space on aisles that arenโt even wide enough, to begin with. Itโs in the comedic drawl when we ask for another chair or garment to (better) accommodate our shapes because we โshouldnโt have let ourselves gotten like this anyway.โ
Itโs even in the charts of the physicians who hurt us more than help us by writing every ailment off as a result of โbeing overweight.โ An overactive thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome, or even diagnosed mental issues that have developed a deep-rooted trauma bond with food are all real-life obstacles that we often face.

So, the next time weโre frowned upon (or even laughed at) after begging the world to save a seat for us or add an extra stitch to a dress or inch to a bra strap, maybe these individuals should think of all the women suffering in silence from medically induced obesity whoโve only ever wanted was someplace to fit.
Fatphobia is real, and pear shapes (smaller top, bigger bottom) shouldnโt be where inclusivity stops.
Despite the hardships and technicalities regarding oneโs weight, we, as plus size women, can (most definitely) wear what we want and wear it well. However, the agony comes with the fight we have to put up to have flattering and attractive pieces to choose from. Such roadblocks often lead to hits to our self-esteem, allowing our insecurities and some of these companiesโ failure to expand (and lack of compassion) to make us feel as if we simply just donโt belong.
Orโฆ as if thereโs something we need to change to meet their standard and exist comfortably. All along, itโs the world that needs to adjust โ not us โ and realize that one-size-fits-all doesnโt work forโฆ all. Our desire to add something other than floral fabrics to our wardrobes shouldnโt be an inconvenience but a courtesy. Hiring someone who looks like us and understands the style necessities for us may be an extra bill for their bank account, but it will inflict a much-needed, decades-long change in plus size fashion.
All that aside, if youโre wondering,ย Am I plus size?ย Your answer lies in the relief you feel when you donโt have to walk into a retailer and be bombarded with disappointment at the little to no selections available. Your answer lies within the exhale you can take when you encounter someone who remembers that youโre just as much of a human as they are; regardless of the width of your waist, marks stretched across your body, or the amount of Xs behind your clothing size.
Are you still asking yourself Am I plus size? after reading this? Let us know in the comments below!
The authorโs content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.