Actress and comedian Amy Schumer was in the news this week saying she had been unjustly labeled as a ‘plus-size girl’ in this month’s issue of Glamour magazine. She stated that she wears size 6/8.

Apparently Amy, (who was featured just months ago as one of “Glamour’s Women of the Year”) was upset because Glamour included her in the magazine, (along with Adele, Melissa McCarthy, and plus-size model Ashley Graham) without her knowledge/permission.

Hmmm, this got me thinking about the latest media fixation with ‘full-figure,’ ‘plus-size,’ and/or ‘curvy’ women. If you’ve got a more politically correct name for those of us who aren’t pixies, just let me know.

So much has been publicized recently about acceptance of the plus-size girl. But haven’t we always been here?

Curvy Barbie

Earlier this year Mattel added the “Fashionista” line of Barbies, which includes three new body types (tall, petite, and curvy) and various skin tones and hair textures. Evelyn Mazzocco, senior vice president and Barbie’s global general manger, said, “We are excited to literally be changing the face of the (Barbie) brand – these new dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them – the variety in body type, skin tones and style allows girls to find a doll that speaks to them.”

Project Runway goes Plus-Sized

Last season’s Project Runway winner was revealed to be  24 year-old Ashley Tipton–the first designer in the show’s history to create a clothing collection for plus-sized women. It was purported by some that the choice was made by the judges because they felt a plus-size designer would be the novel and ‘diplomatically-savvy’ choice. I totally disagree.
I absolutely LOVED Ashley Tipton’s chic-nouveau designs inspired by colorful 1950’s Cuba.

Sports Illustrated

Then came the 2016 Sports Illustrated cover model, Ashley Graham–lovely, young, and curvy. I think she looks spectacular.  Size 14 purple bikini…you go girl!

Several months ago, I wrote a blog about Melissa McCarthy (The Movie Star You’ve Gotta Love). Apparently Melissa has lost weight in the last few months. Do I love her any more because she wears a smaller size? No. Did I love her any less when she wore a larger size? Absolutely not.

When I was writing Quintessential Style, I remember a principle my co-author Janna Beatty held in her heart. The theme was so important, I knew I had to make this quote a priority in our introduction:

“Our beauty lies in our diversity.”  –Janna Beatty

Such a simple statement. So masterfully put.

Why must we assume that because we aren’t of a ‘certain size,’ we are less than or more than?

We are ourselves. Beautifully and wonderfully made…unique in all of time. All with different gifts to present to the world.

And as my lovely, stylish friend Adele says:

“It’s not what size you wear…it’s how you wear your size.” –Adele Dallas Orr

If we choose to be enslaved by unrealistic ideals concerning our size, that’s our choice.

If others are enslaved by thoughts about their size, that’s their choice.

We can only steer our own thoughts and choices in the direction we want them to go.

I’m 5’10” and I wear a size 14/16. I just thought I’d mention that. But somehow I don’t think it matters one iota to you, my lovely readers, because you are the type of kind, generous, intelligent people, for whom it will never make any difference. Thank you for that.

Whether you are curvy, petite, missy, or junior, please comment below and let us know your thoughts.

Here are more women who have ‘more’ to share. And God bless them.