The plus-size movement is great — but why is my size 16 sister still too ‘fat’ to go shopping?
Writer Emily Clarkson can't hit the shops with sis Katya as so few cater to both their sizes
SOCIETY would label most women in the UK as fat. Despite the average dress size being a 16, the stigma is massive.
Plus-size fitness trainer Louise Green shared her story on This Morning earlier this month, telling how even though she is overweight, she is still fit and healthy.
Twitter was unsurprisingly divided because, where bigger women are concerned, everyone’s a doctor, right?
“Why are you letting her advertise this as a new trend?” asked one woman.
The fact your life does not stop if you tip the scales needs to be talked about – it’s not a fleeting trend.
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In 2014, I realised I would no longer be able to go shopping with my sister.
As a size 10, I can walk into any high street shop and find an outfit.
My size 16 sister Katya is not so fortunate.
On account of her size, she – along with a large proportion of women in the UK – is told in no uncertain terms she is not welcome in certain shops.
I have heard this said by unashamed shop assistants.
The fact my sister and I are unable to do something as simple as shop together because of our differing sizes is not good enough.
Saying our daughters, sisters and friends are too fat to go shopping frightened me so I started my blog, .
The plus-size movement is great – there are options now that there weren’t five years ago – but sending my sister to the back of the shop while I peruse what is in the window is not great.
Neither is sending me to Zara and her to Evans.
Millions of women are not only judged for their size but actively shamed. That is why I can’t love my own body
And we are still prevented from living out a childhood fantasy of wearing matching dresses to a party because of this division.
People ask why I’m so invested in the campaign for equality in the fashion industry when it doesn’t directly affect me.
But it does affect me.
Katya, Louise and millions like them are not only judged for their size but actively shamed.
That is why I can’t love my own body.
How can I, when all women are so open to scrutiny?
It affects me. It affects all of us.
— Can I Speak to Someone in Charge? by Emily Clarkson is being published by Simon & Schuster this summer. Pre-order on .