Being in a larger body and wanting to participate in fashion trends and overall fell good about the body your in can be challenging.Majority of the styles and fashions you may want to wear may come with an high price tag or be from a fast fashion company that has unethical business practices that many in your everyday life or online community spaces may not agree with (shein, temu etc).
The body positivity movement, gained popularity in the middle to late 2010s. It embraced the notion that all bodies, regardless of size, shape, or impairments all bodies are beautiful in its natural state.From this movement I saw society move into a positive direction from beauty brands such a Fenty beauty being released that had over 50 foundation from fair to dark. Or other major brands like Nike, Old Navy, Yitty, and Target, who used plus-size models in their advertising campaigns and had plus size mannequins in all there stores and offered size-inclusive apparel lines often going up to an 5xl or 6xl. Those in plus size and fat bodies had options and could shop, browse ,window shop and enjoy the in store shopping experience that weren’t out of dated stores like Torrid, Ashley Steward and Lane Bryant .It was such a beautiful thing to enjoy the in store shopping experience without asking a sales associate if you had an 2xl or 3xl in the back or having to see if your size was available online.
However I’ve notice a shift happened in the last year or two both with major brands and certain social media trends as the body positivity movement in a way faded from the mainstream fewer plus-size models in advertising for plus size clothing , reduced availability of extended sizes, and a lack of representation in physical stores. Some brands that once championed inclusivity have quietly phased out size-inclusive options, even on there websites which left me and many plus size shoppers frustrated and disappointed.It feels like we took such a huge step backward especially with the “unbig” and “big back trends” on social media.Some of the videos are actually funny as its people talking about times were they indulge in a food they like or get themselves a sweet treat but when people began to stuff pillows and bedding under there clothes is were I fell like it crosses the line and becomes fatphobic and harmful.
Unruly Bodies 
I’ve noticed this shift too and it’s extremely unsettling. I have to call into question what changed? Part of me believes that the world never really had any real stake of drive behind pushing forth this kind of social change. I feel like it was a real hop on the bandwagon type of deal — especially for these major corporations — as a way to keep up with the “trends” and avoid slander. I think this goes hand-in-hand with the fact that there really are no good options for plus sized people in the fashion world. Like you mentioned, you’ll get crucified for shopping fast fashion (one of the only places to get affordable trendy pieces in your size), but they fail to mention that shopping sustainably isn’t feasible for most people. I don’t have $300 to shell out on a single garment because it’s artisinally crafted in my size, and that’s the same situation for most people. On top of that, shopping second-hand has become increasingly more popular. While I believe this is a positive thing, this means that more people are flocking to thrift stores including straight-sized people buying up all the larger clothes for the “over-sized” look when companies make that for you !! This means thrift stores are hiking up their prices and the contents are getting less and less accessible. I have a lot of feelings about this topic and I think you bring up some amazing points.
I have noticed the same occurrences throughout the mainstream discussion of bodies, especially bigger bodies. Not only is clothing getting smaller, but people’s perceptions of being fat are starting to fall back into viewing bigger bodies as a “moral failing.” Simply taking a look at social media, you can see the amount of hate and dehumanization that takes place on videos of plus-size people simply living their lives. You can also see it throughout popular culture, like in the resurgence of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show and the embracing of ultra-thin models. However, I think it is important to note that these thoughts never left; rather, they were simply hidden under the mainstream’s performative “embrace” of bigger bodies. It’s not necessarily that we are reverting back to an extremely fatphobic culture; it’s more so that we are realizing that there was never really any effort to dismantle fatphobia in the first place. It’s disheartening to say the least, and it clarifies how much fatphobia is ingrained in our culture.
Your post touches on a lot of important points about body positivity, representation, and the challenges that people in larger bodies face in the fashion industry. The shift you’ve noticed reminds me of broader cultural trends where movements like body positivity often lose momentum when they stop being seen as “profitable” for brands or mainstream platforms.
Your point about the “unbig” and “big back” trends is especially thought-provoking. These trends seem to undermine the progress made by making a joke out of body diversity, which, as you pointed out, can quickly become harmful and perpetuate fatphobia. It feels like a reminder that genuine inclusivity requires ongoing effort and isn’t just about marketing or superficial trends; it’s about fundamentally changing how we view and respect all bodies.
I have also realized the shift you’re talking about it seems like it’s not many ads that I have came across recently that have plus size models in it. Being a clothing brand owner I have also realized that it costs extra to get sizes bigger than xl to use as a base which is crazy to me because anything below a large is the same amount of money. And speaking on wanting to wear a specific clothing style it’s hard finding certain stores that actually match your body type sometimes coming from a short masc with a very feminine body not many masculine clothes fit me the way I would like so I try to shop at stores that can match my body but it’s very hard to find that.
Hey, I agree with the noticeable changes that stores are making. I feel like these stores only added these sizes as a way to gain more popularity. Often times, I noticed these stores would carry plus size but have it pushed all the way in the corner with 2-3 racks of clothes. It is extremely unfair that someone should have to feel limited in clothes they can buy because of what is offered. No one should have to pay 3 times the price for clothes they don’t even feel comfortable in. I really hope more brands and companies can incorporate more sizes with better variety. It shouldn’t just be a social media trend.
I completely understand and relate to your experience. I always find myself checking the price of plus size clothing first before I even think about buying something I really like to see if it has the “fat tax”. It’s part of the reason I prefer body neutrality over body positivity; it’s defined as “…adopting an accepting, non-judgemental approach to one’s body, de-emphasising the importance of appearance, and viewing the body as a vessel that carries a person through life.” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39146631/). I much prefer this because it makes it more clear just how ridiculous it is to not be able to find reasonably or equally priced plus sized clothes, or plus sized clothes to begin with that are appropriately sized and look nice, and the lack of plus size models as the years go on.
I completely agree with you. Participating in fashion trends and feeling good in your body shouldn’t be so difficult or exclusive. The progress made during the height of the body positivity movement was so encouraging, with brands finally offering extended sizes and inclusive representation. It’s disappointing to see that momentum fade and brands stepping back from size inclusivity. Social media trends like the “big back” challenges only add to the frustration, as like you said, can cross into harmful territory and perpetuate fatphobia. It’s a reminder that there’s still so much work to be done to ensure everyone feels represented and respected.
Hello! Thank you so much for talking about this, I have also seen a regression of body inclusivity in brands too. I’ve been having a hard time figuring out my size because I’ve been gaining weight but it’s been really hard to figure out what kind of clothes I like to wear that are made for my body type. I feel like there isn’t enough clothing that is made well and fits nicely for people with bigger bodies. It always seems to be a struggle so I end up wearing the same thing all the time. Social media trends definitely aren’t helping either and I’m glad you brought up the new trends that are harmful to body inclusivity.
Hello, you are not alone in your thoughts. I believe, through the activism we’ve seen for marginalized groups for their social rights have centered their marginal experiences in a society where center any part of a marginalized individual aside from their body (which is reserved for constant examination and ridicule) is not supposed to be centered, is jarring and incites negative reactions. We are being removed from the purposes of these inclusive acts, but still seeing the activism being done which angers many people and causes a reverse reaction where the increased bigotry we have been seeing lives.