Plus size history is important in according a sense of origin to the growing societal acceptance and inclusivity of plus size figures in fashion outlets, mainstream media, and in our day to day lives. It gives us invaluable insight as to when, where, and why there was a change in tide. Here we take an in-depth look to commemorate women who in history heralded greater respect and appreciation of women with curves. Let’s begin.
There are gorgeous plus size women who have helped herald self-love, positivity, and confidence among women of curvy and voluptuous physiques. These beauty legends taught the world the invaluable lesson that being and feeling beautiful is not dictated by the size of their waistlines nor bandwidths, but is a product of self-confidence and self-validation.
The increase in body acceptance and confidence among plus-size women was never because of a single woman. It was as a result of the accumulated efforts of many. Women who were imperfect but bold and strong in challenging the stereotype of beauty and body size of their time. Today, you can accept your plus size frame and flaunt your curves with pride because of their invaluable contribution.
Critics of being Full-figured
Being plus size has suffered great criticism through the evolution of western culture. With hardly any body diversity featured on TV commercials, films, magazine covers and the then celebrity landscape, it was completely unacceptable to be curvy or plus size. A trip down memory lane reveals that being thick and full-figured was considered beautiful only when western civilization began to bloom. The Italian Reissonance was plastered with several pieces of extraordinary art that depicted voluptuous women. Being plus size was considered an indication of being wealthy whereas being skinny demonstrated that you were poor.
Ironically, in the successive Victorian Era women went to great extents to achieve a tinnier waist. This fashion era was marked with super-tight and nearly rib-breaking corsets designed to slim down any waist to a shocking 12 inches. Further down, the ‘thin and slender’ epiphany was championed as the ideal body for all women. This ideology was thoroughly publicized by the Hollywood entertainment industry and permeated women’s attitudes and sub-conscious about themselves.
However, in this seemingly distraught state, some women never devalued themselves but boldly flaunted their curves regardless. Join me as we commemorate these 10 women who change the world view on plus size curves.
10 Woman Who Impacted Plus Size History
1. Marilyn Monroe
In the 1950s, no curvy woman was ever popularized as appealing let alone a sex icon. However, this didn’t stop Marilyn Munroe. She is hailed as the first Hollywood celebrity that dared flaunt her hourglass frame, for all the world to see – and she was stunning!
Several pictures of Monroe show that she had an extreme hourglass frame. She was not the standard thin and ‘straight’ silhouette that Hollywood was used to publicizing rather, she wore her curves with grace. Similar to what most plus size women face today, Marilyn experienced the turmoil of walking into boutiques and shopping centers, only not to find something that flattered her frame. She opted to custom-make her clothes instead.
Many believe Marilyn was a dress size 14 – 16. Others believe she was smaller – significantly smaller and was perhaps a dress size 4 according to modern-day US dress sizes. As per the account of her tailor, her bust, waist, and hips measured approximately 32-22-35 inches respectively. On average she was 117-118llbs but at some point in her career, she got to 140llbs!
Of course, these discrepancies all revolve around numbers and figures, which are marred with many rumors, theories, and downright lies. Some attest that her curvy frame while filming the ‘Some Like It Hot’ film was because she was pregnant. Others state that regardless of her size, she still did not have a tightly toned waist or skinny arms and that her thighs touched. While others can nearly swear by the fact that she was super toned and had a small petite frame.
Despite all the turbulence and controversy on whether or not Marilyn Munroe was plus size, she still features on our list for simply being bold to move against the grain. As opposed to concealing her evident curvy figure, she displayed her curves and America loved her for it!
2. Dolly Parton
If there is anyone who understands being unconventional it is Dolly Parton. This hit song blonde bombshell has graced America with her songs and respectable business stamina for decades now. Dolly became popular in the 1960s and rose to fame quickly. Despite her short witty physique, she made a point to always dress up her frame. One of the greatest controversies about Dolly revolved around the size of her boobs. She currently has a massive 41-inch chest that sharply contrasts her tiny 25-inch waist. She once stated that her boobs were a 36DD bra size!
Despite her enormous chest, which she did very little to downplay, she continued in the public eye unrelentingly producing song after song and undertaking grand business ventures. She is celebrated to popularize thick voluptuous busts, demonstrating that no matter your bandwidth, you still can be the epitome of beauty and success. Many have speculated that she had implants. She has been known to go under the knife a couple of times and was dabbed the ‘queen of surgery’ because of it. However, whether they are natural or artificial, who cares? She was proud to have them anyway.
3. What Catwoman and Batgirl Did in the ’70s
Julie Newmar: Catwoman
Catwoman has been played by several actresses since the official launch of the role in the Batman TV Series. There has been Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway just to name but a few. The women that played the role were quite curvaceous and full-figured. Presumably, because they needed some feminine appeal to ‘shine through’ the all-black cat outfit.
Catwoman and also Batgirl have been symbols of sex appeal, power, and strength in the American film industry. It is lovely that particularly all through the 70’s all those who played these roles were curvy, with none sporting the ‘ideal’ thin body that continued to grace fashion magazine covers at the time.
4. Lynda Carter
This superheroine character graced American screens from 1975 – 1979 when the American Action television series, Wonder Woman, premiered and was aired for 3 seasons. Carter’s intricate sleeveless costume revealed her curvy frame, relatively voluptuous bust that was wrapped up in a serious cleavage. She quickly became popular among the young and old and especially amongst the male gender who adored her for her curvy hourglass frame and fierce, yet soft sex appeal.
She was greatly admired as a symbol of beauty and strong feminine appeal. Every girl wanted to be like her – dress, talk, and have curves like her. She was among the few ladies of the 70s who heralded the acceptance of curvier and voluptuous frames in the US film industry.
5. Iris Chacon
This Puerto Rican sensation made headlines in the late ’70s and ’80s. Iris was a multi-talented singer and dancer – the original J-Lo if you will. She became even more popular in the United States for her well-choreographed and sensational dance art. She was unconventionally thick and curvy and was not afraid to move and shake her body to the beat. She wore revealing dance apparel that showed off her well-formed and defined hips, thighs, and butt.
Her greatest asset was the fierceness and smile that she wore on the dance floor. Iris knew that she was “plus-size” for her day but to her, it was only a dress size number. She became among the first ladies to host their own show, demonstrating that there was more to a plus-size lady than size. She portrayed a warm, witty and loveable woman, causing many to fall in love with not only her gift, or size but the radiance of her persona.
6. Anna Nicole
This model was one of the biggest during her time. She, however, was extremely successful and graced the Guess fashion scenery and went on to be on the cover of Playboy in 1993. She was hailed for her extreme beauty. It was a tragic blow to her community at Guess, friends, loved ones and fans when she passed away. However, in 2019, 12 years since her demise, Guess cast her look-alike for their holiday fashion campaign.
Her look-alike, Kellie, is also as stunning and bigger than the average model size. The nostalgic look in remembrance of Anna Nicole stands to entrench the fact that regardless of body size, anyone can be beautiful. We celebrate Anna Nicole for boldly treading this line in an industry that was fundamentally populated with stick-skinny models.
7. Oprah Winfrey
Besides her wealth, fame and successful TV Talk Show, Oprah is celebrated in championing for the rights, challenges, and needs of plus size women. Being a plus-size black woman, she was well acquainted with the discrimination and disgust meted on the plus size or overweight women and looked to do something about it. Among the many topics and subjects handled on her self-titled talk show, she helped women appreciate their self-worth and body image.
Losing weight in the limelight can be a frustrating exercise. The world watched her struggle to manage her weight all through her career to her recent weight loss and transformation. In narrating her journey to health and wholeness, she disclosed how she would turn to food to deal with any unwanted stress or emotion. She openly talked about her challenges as a fluffy woman, particularly her struggles with negativity and body perception, her setbacks and victories as she continued on her fitness journey.
Oprah indeed has many ‘honours’ on this plus size girl list, she is the first plus size black woman to have a TV talk show that attained such all-time success. She also went through her self-image transformation while juggling all the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight. Today, she is a healthier, more self-loving and happier plus size woman who continues to advocate for virtues such as self-acceptance, self-worth and the power of words.
8. Nicey Nash
There is a lot that resonates with both Oprah and Nicey. This plus size celebrity was also quite vocal about her body image and unhealthy perception about herself. Through her transparency, counsel, and real talk, she has helped women from all walks of life come to appreciate and celebrate their looks and sizes regardless of what society says. Occasionally, she takes to social media to share on body image and how she copes with the unrelenting media and societal ideologies of what beautiful women ought to look like.
Recently, for her 50th birthday, she tweeted:
“…Loving your body can be a rollercoaster ride ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A FILTER! but…with all that said I purpose to be kinder to myself today than I was yesterday,” she said. “Tomorrow I’ma try to keep [that] going … I’m my own #wcw.”
Nicey Nash also began her weight loss journey in the recent past and the results are amazing. She has been featured on various celebrity segments for the healthier thick and curvaceous look she is spotting. As usual, Nicey’s style and bold flamboyant personality continue to inspire women to embrace their curves and plus size figures just as she has learnt to embrace her curves and plus size frame.
9. Jennifer Lopez
When we think about J-Lo as she is fondly referred to, her songs, films, accolades and fashion take centre stage. Remember the show-stopping Green Versace Gown she wore during the 2000’s Grammy? That iconic piece of apparel helped catapult women with curvy frames to the fore. J-Lo is celebrated for her astounding musical gifting and beauty. She has showcased that bigger can also be pretty, leading to greater self-esteem, appreciation and inclusion of people with curvy frames.
J-Lo has an hourglass frame and tends to show off her curves on numerous red carpet appearances and high profile events. She recently re-enacted the Versace Gown, showing off her curves. Once more, all the world applauded her bold taste and her carefully sculpted hourglass frame. The mantra is true, Curves Rock!
10. Kim Kardashian
Kim can be considered the epitome of an hourglass frame. She definitely is not in the conventional thin category but she still looks startling! She has featured in several magazine covers and celebrity lifestyle news. Kim Kardashian is bold when it comes to showing off her extremely curvaceous thick frame. She has severally been seen spotting transparent dresses and figure-hugging body cons that dazzle her frame. Her boldness and nonchalant when it comes to fashion and style have continued to establish her as a shapely fashion icon for decades now.
With her sisters, the Kardashians have ventured to provide a wide array of fashionable clothing options for plus size women. She recently launched Skims, a successful shapewear product that helps give any woman, especially plus size women, the necessary support and synch they need to feel and look lovely in their apparel. Being a successful plus size celebrity, businesswoman and mother, the sky is the limit for this curvy bombshell.
Final Thoughts
The plus size community today is bolder and more vibrant than ever before. Today, you can feel confident about your voluptuous frames and consider yourself stunning and beautiful because of the women who made these small yet invaluable contributions in history. They all do demonstrate that size is but a number, but beauty, style and success are inherently more.
