Does the "Mid-Size" Fashion Label Hurt Your Body Image?
Posted April 7, 2024 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods
Standard sizes for women’s clothing have always been widely available, and the plus size market has increased rapidly over the past several decades, resulting in more wardrobe options for those in larger bodies. But it has become clear that some women are feeling lost in the shuffle.
These self-identified “mid-sized” women report that standard-sized clothing doesn’t fit them because it is designed for people who are thin. But plus-sized clothing doesn’t fit either because it is designed for people who are in larger bodies. Who is looking out for those who are in-between, the mid-sized women ask? These women have taken to social media to highlight a need for representation of those who are mid-sized by posting shopping and style tips, along with funny and relatable displays of fashion misadventures. Their posts have received a lot of positive responses from women who feel seen and heard.
The movement has also faced criticism, however, so it's worth asking ourselves some questions about whether this new label serves us well. As women, we face unrelenting cultural messaging about how our bodies should look, so it is important to recognize that we have the power to decide if internalizing these body labels works for us individually.
But on the other hand:
So, where does this leave us? We, as individual women, have the autonomy to decide what is best for us. For some women, categorizing themselves as a particular body type and seeing other women with similar body types may lead to positive feelings about themselves. For others, the labels may feel self-limiting or lead to unhealthy thought patterns. Ultimately, we may find it best to reference the role models that contribute to our own healthy body image without labeling ourselves. For example, we can take helpful style tips from relatable sources irrespective of how they refer to themselves. Given both the benefits and costs of body labels, taking the time to reflect on what serves us best personally is a worthwhile investment in healthy body image.
Myers, T. A., & Crowther, J. H. (2009). Social comparison as a predictor of body dissatisfaction: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 118 (4), 683-698. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016763
Russell B. Clayton, Jessica L. Ridgway & Joshua Hendrickse (2017) Is plus size equal? The positive impact of average and plus-sized media fashion models on women’s cognitive resource allocation, social comparisons, and body satisfaction, Communication Monographs, 84 :(3), 406-422. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2017.1332770
Uher, J. (2013). Personality psychology: Lexical approaches, assessment methods, and trait concepts reveal only half of the story—Why it is time for a paradigm shift. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 47 (1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-013-9230-6
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Janet Boseovski, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology, and Ashleigh Gallagher, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer of psychology, at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.