More Than a Size: Erasure, Access & the Politics of Plus-Size Fashion

Content warning: this episode will contain conversations around my binge eating disorder, body image, anti-fat stereotypes, socioeconomics, and how these impact folks in larger bodies, specifically within the clothing industry.I’m finishing up this season of the show with a conversation that started in the comments of some of my TikTok videos. In one video I said: I’m sure we can all agree that the solution to a lack of sizing is not weight loss.Well, someone didn’t agree, which is a-okay, in fact it led to a lot of richer conversations around the topic of plus size clothing; the rules we follow, the lack of sizing, the politics of plus size clothing and why some of the most anti fat people in society are former fat folks… but all that for another time.In episode 22 we’re exploring:Why weight loss isn’t the solution to the lack of clothing options for folks in larger bodiesHow size bias and discrimination within clothing influences more than just the fashion industryMy experiences growing up plus size, and the impact on my body imageThe erasure of plus size models, plus size departments and stores3 reasons clothing brands don’t want to invest in the plus size marketAnd, at the end of the episode I have TWO calls to action for y’all, one for the fat community and one for listeners in straight sized bodies. I’m going to just bare my soul here; this is the kind of content I’ve always wanted to create. At the age of sixteen I had BIG dreams of working in fashion, but I guarantee you that in all those dreams I was in a smaller body. The belief that I needed to be smaller stole my dreams from me, because I believed to achieve what I wanted in life, first I had to be thin. This work heals my inner teen, the younger version of me who had no idea how to execute her dreams.Sometimes social media and the online space can at the very least be insensitive, at its worst it causes serious harm and danger to marginalised communities. But one of the best things is that it has allowed us to find community, connection and common ground amongst some of our worst experiences.The next season of The Culture Of It All is coming in April, and I’m deep in ideas and planning, so if you have any topics you’d like covered, or questions you want answered send me a message!Chapters00:00 Next Season & Fat Gurl Sticker Sale02:56 Why Weight Loss Isn't The Solution13:51 growing up plus size, OOTD and healing my inner teen18:45 The Struggle To Find Your Own Style22:15 Erasing Plus Size Bodies Within Plus Size Brands25:35 Weight Bias, Discrimination & Stereotyping in Plus-Size Fashion34:34 Call To Actions for Plus Sized & Straight Sized FolksThank you for listening to The Culture Of It All! this podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive early posts, bonus material and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack. Come say 'hello' on social media! You'll find episode content on Instagram stories. Looking for more conversations around the politics of fashion? Join me on TikTok Until next time, pals — keep showing up, speaking up, and taking up space.