Q: Are plus sized models really plus sized?
A: As a hefty size 14, I often hear people tell me, "You are not plus-size." Everything's relative. If you were to put me next to a standard-size model, I would be at about six sizes bigger than she is. Most of the models you see in advertising and editorial photographs are size 2 to 8, wearing size 8 clothing, which is the sample-size standard. (You should see how the clothes are pinned in the back!)
Welcome to "fashion reality." Just as I, a size 14, represent the "plus-size woman," models who are tall, slim, and small-boned represent the "average American woman." The real average American woman is actually 5'4", about 140 lbs, and size 14.
A letter I received recently from a woman named Myron motivated me to share my thoughts not only with her, but with all of you. Here's the letter and my response, for if Myron is curious about this double standard, she is not alone. Many of you have asked the same question-if not to me, then to one another or to yourself. The fact that I'm addressing it to Myron makes my response no less personally heartfelt to you.
After all, we are in this together.