“Skinny women have it so easy”

When we are faced with our own style difficulties, we can be quick to assume that others have it easier. This can be said for many things in life, that from the outside, other people have it “easy” when really it’s just a fraction or snapshot of the reality.

I feel passionately against body shaming of any form and sometimes it’s done without even realising it. It’s not always as black and white as directly criticising someone’s shape, it can be assuming that they “have it easy”.

So many women think that “skinny women have it easy, they can wear anything and everything”. What if I told you that women with slender figures have their own struggles, their own insecurities and worries?

When I shop online for a client I often find that the choices for a curvier silhouette are vaster and that clothing fits their shape more easily. Many clients say that they would love big boobs and curves to wear 50’s style dresses. Dresses can often swamp their shape or gape too much at the sides. Ankle boots can gape on the legs, the fashionable chunky trainer styles feel too oversized for their frames.

Imagine being bullied at school for being too skinny, having “Olive Oyl” legs or being “flat chested”. Now imagine that you’re an adult and you see quotes like this being shared…..

So often, we take our anger and frustration out on each other, when in reality, we ALL have our own insecurities. We have parts about our bodies and faces we dislike and it’s a value judgement to assume someone has it easy.

The trouble is, the fashion industry hasn’t helped matters. When Zara’s average maximum size is a 16 and Mango’s is a 14, it’s not surprising women feel excluded by fashion. Why does there even have to be a plus size range online? Why can’t it just be that the retailer stocks the item of clothing in all sizes, without segregating us?

What I’m saying, is that the issue is caused by a higher power that wants to exclude us. They are the ones that create that separation and divide. How amazing would it be if Zara stocked everything from a size 4 to a size 28? Zara would no longer have that reputation as being an intimidatingly, exclusive brand that curvy women “can’t” shop in.

But, hey, we can’t change that can we? Hopefully one day, all shops will see sense and realise that to keep the high street alive, they need to be more inclusive with their sizing as well as their lengths. For example, why do they assume that petite sizes need to stop at a size 16?! I see plenty of petite clients who are a size 20 or 22 who have to constantly get items tailored just to get them to fit. This is an added expense and chore that is really unfair.

In true Susie style, let’s focus on what we CAN change. We can change how we make judgements on others, we can change our assumptions based on a small snapshot of the true reality.

So, in conclusion, I don’t believe any woman has it “easy”. Confidence comes from within, body acceptance comes from within and that includes the acceptance of other women…fellow women….women who feel the same things you feel. Whether they are skinny, curvy, tall, short…..they are all beautiful and deserve to find a style that helps them to shine. Let’s stop the witch hunts yeah?