Why do people think women can only be big or extremely small?!?

[Scarlet von Harlet {★}]

I've been talking about this on a few other sites and pages and I thought I would bring it up here. Not to sound like agrouch , but I get annoyed when people call me full figured, plump, etc. Seriously? I'm a size 4. How am I "proving that you don't have to be skinny to be beautiful"? All my photos on various sites have comments like that and although it seems to be meant as a compliment, I'm like dude, I'm not an Olsen twin, but I'm not a big girl either...What's wrong with just being in between? There are so many beautiful ladies that are ACTUALLY full figured, I'm not sure how I made it into that category. It seems as out of nowhere as when people try to say that I'm tiny. I'm not. I'm an average height, average weight, average BMI, average body fat...

I love full figured beauties, but I am not one. Just like I love skinny girls, but I am not one of those either. It's just so obnoxious that people want to put everyone in one extreme or the other. I'm not trying to whine, offend, or fish for compliments, but I can't help but wonder: does any one else notice this? Everyone on this site has put themselves 'out there' in terms of photographs of our bodies, have you received strange or similar reactions and comments? Maybe these people just don't know anything about photography or about women for that matter. 

 

[Scarlet von Harlet {★}]

Same with me! It seems to be only one extreme or the other with modeling :( It's sad, but at the same time, I'm glad it's not just me :)

dreamyjewel said:

You are so right on with this post! I'm 5'4 and a size 4-6 clothes.By far not a size 2,but not a size 12 either!

And it seems with a lot of modeling,you either have to be one or the other.Tall and skinny or  a size 12 or over to do plus size modeling.What about the rest of us? We certainly represent a number of women who fit our proportions.I have been thinking this for a while,and I'm just glad to see others who feel the same

 

[Dixie Belle]

Its true that in America the average sise woman is a size 14. With this being said you are thin. Not saying this is right. I think women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Myself being a size 16-18 am more "plus size". I hate that term. I love pinup because no matter how big or small we are, we are accepted. We don't have to worry as much about someone sayi.g you are too fat or thin. We embrace one another the way women should.

[Electra Rose]

I think that in terms of modeling, fashion and other areas where someone is put, for lack of a better term, on display, people have a tendency to 'pigeon h***' the subject into areas that make them feel like they understand the socially accepted norms. For example, glamour shots of female celebrities where perhaps her sternum is visible, or other parts of her skeletal structure because she is so skinny, has become a 'norm' so to speak. It is in our face, TV, movies, billboards, magazines, etc. So in comparison when they see someone who perhaps isn't 'plus' merely a healthy size/weight, they see her as the other end of the spectrum. Of course the media doesn't help this by publicly flaming those they see with 'unfit' bodies.

The point being, when they see someone, example a size 4, their mind immediately compares into the photos of celebrities that they see each day and they comment from there.

You think it is bad at a 4? Try throwing yourself out there when you are legitimately 'plus size'. [I mean no offense here, just that you are skinny to me, i could probably carry you in my purse, lol]. As I have mentioned before [in other threads and my profile], I am damn proud to be a size 14 and 6' tall. I have had a lot of trouble finding work in the modeling world, and so far have only a few photographers would photograph me. One even admitted to being uncomfortable with someone so much bigger than him. (I am only 6'5" in most of my heels, not too bad, right? lol).

In summation, since I seem to be rambling, I think they are trying to pay you a compliment in the best way that they know how. It may be a back-handed compliment, but still they are trying to say that you are beautiful.

[Anita Fixx]

Well here's my two centavos..for what it's worth..I used to be really thin (NATURALLY) and I absolutely hated it. All I wanted was to have curves and the girls that I draw all the time showed that. Then I gained quite a few pounds which I liked until I went to Chile and my relatives made fun of me saying I was getting "fat". Fast forward to the present, I tried going vegan but I've found I'm losing way too much weight and curves. So I think I'll just keep on being vegetarian (sorry peta!) and eat vegan once or twice daily but supplement with more fattening foods.

Uh..I geuss the point is, curves are beautiful! Who the hell would'nt want them? And don't listen to extended family members or anyone else for that matter. Being healthy is what's important, and that comes in a different size and form for everyone. For me it's just big child-bearing hips..I still don't have the boobs...probably never will. Oh well, that's what push up,padded bras are for! lol    : P 

P.S Don't hate on me because I gave up the vegan thing..it is my personal choice. Gracias!

[emamatic 8.0]

I get that too.. Some people pick on me for being a 'twig' and some people pick on me for being 'thick'. I'm not thin or full figured but I'm happy where I'm at shape wise.

I also dislike when people say thin women aren't real women because they may lack some curviness or full figured women need to be stick thin. Beauty is subjective :/ I think all women any shape or size is hawt. But that's opening a whole new can of worms. 

[Vier Mädchen]

I always thought a size 4 was tiny?

[Lil_Bit {★}]

Proud to be me....Hell I aint no size 0 either and even tho my pinup name is little bit it doesn't describe what shape I am....I'm a size 10 yep i said 10! I was blessed with a wide load and I love em...sure every time I see a nice vintage dress and it only comes in size 2! I wanna put down my friend chicken but I'm comfortable with what i look like. I'm just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up....even though I maybe waiting a long time. I was born this way (lady gaga <3) Love yourself and others will too.

[Coco H {★}]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one that thinks this! The amount of comments I've seen on some photos of people, just like yourself (and myself by the way! A UK 12-14) I just don't understand it!
Regardless, you're beautiful! As long as you're healthy and happy it doesn't matter! x

 

[Nikki Nekro]

Im think the average body is beautiful its right in between nothing wrong with that. I consider myself average cause i know im not full figured and Im definetly not skinny. I have a flat tummy and wide hips like an hour glass.

[Lauren Luck]

Yep I definitely agree. I guess anyone that sees a model who isn't a size 00 wants to congratulate the model for breaking the mold. That is the beauty of Pin up and Alternative modeling though, any size goes.

 

I definitely think your boobs obscure people's perception of your actual body size though hahaha.

 

You're perfect!!!

xo