Why is nobody talking about midsize girls?
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Mid-size. What is it? Why have you maybe not heard of it before? For decades, the modelling industry represented the smallest of bodies, creating an unhealthy obsession with remaining slim and unrealistically small. Whilst there is nothing wrong with said body type, the reality is that it's achieved through a strict lifestyle and more importantly, genes. Some bodies simply will never look like that, and that’s okay. Notably, the industry has slowly moved on from this representation. Now, more plus size models frequent runways, photoshoots and magazines. However, with this great and inclusive representation, an important group seems to have been missed. The girls in between. The one that’s a size 12, 14, that isn't plus size, but isn't petite. The one that feels unusual, ugly, frumpy, because they cannot see themselves reflected in popular culture. Clothes seem to be tailored to each end of the spectrum. Despite the most purchased clothing size is a size 12 in the UK, closely followed by size 14, there is little reflection of that in stores and online. The impact this has had on me personally, and girls alike, is significant. Yet, if you look enough for it, I promise you can find girls like you as well! Midsize has been taken in the hands of influencers on Instagram, Tik Tok and the like, girls are unashamedly showing their natural bodies, their rolls and their Mid-size inspo. Midsize fashion doesn’t have to be all about the fact you’re midsize however and can just be about seeing outfits represented on the way your body looks. Hopefully the fashion world isn't too far behind.
Clothing trends in 2020 have been very Y2K-esque – baggy jeans, tight crop tops, miniskirts, baggy jeans, that all hang nicely off tiny bodies. Whilst these may look great on your Pinterest board, thigh-chaffing and tummy rolls are very real things. Jeans have always been a midsize rival. The mom jean trend was hard for thick thighs and small waists. My bum could never squeeze into my usual size, so it was either not breathing or having the waist hang out 5 inches. The importance of seeing this type of body in media channels, in stores, in magazines, cannot be stressed enough. I wouldn’t be constantly disappointed because I don’t suit a certain style or be uncomfortable trying to fit into a trendy outfit. It can take a toll on friendships, relationships, casual hook-ups and even familial bonds. The pressure from society to focus on weight can cause tensions from your overbearing parents or make you feel like nobody wants to have sex with you. The true depth of a lack of representation is so damaging. Simply seeing more midsize people in films or tv would show that this body can be photographed well, can look good, can be something to look up to. Obviously, our own worth isn’t defined by what we see in the media, but it can only help. Not only would it change our own mindset, but too those who call women fat for being this size, or siblings who like to dig at you for weight gain. It is educational as much as it is uplifting.
I struggled with my size for a long time and only last year stopped editing my photos, so my arms looked less ‘fat’ and my waist thinner. I spent my first university years grappling with my changing body as I grew into an adult and gained weight. I went from an 8/10 to a 12/14. This changed seem dramatic to me. I felt disgusting, unsexy, unloved. I couldn't see how people would ever find me attractive when I was so ‘weirdly’ shaped. I hid myself, pretending I was okay online, but at home would stare in the mirror and cry. Eventually I stopped looking in the mirror, finding it easier to refuse to accept my new body. I tried to find help online, but was confronted by either larger models, or size 6’s. The truth however, which I have now accepted, is that my body will never be what it was when I was 16. A female biologically goes through so many changes that create all sorts of differences in our bodies and the way we carry our muscle and fat. Try as I might, I will never be as slender as I was once. It is so easy to self-blame, but it is so important to learn to love who you are and the body you have. I sought my own online comfort, using Instagram and changing up my feed. I found midsize influencers who I now see every day when I check my phone. The difference I feel to seeing casually my body type has been so positive for me. I now feel so much more in love with my body than I have. My curves are sexy, my jiggly arms are sexy, my arse is sexy, my bigger thighs are sexy. Every body is sexy and more importantly every body is loved. If not by you then someone else. I promise. Your Instagram photos don’t have to cleverly hide the rolls you had in that dress or the double chin you had smiling. Self-love is paramount in achieving happiness with your mid-size self. Nobody is going to degrade you for simply looking like you. If you walk into that room feeling confident and looking confident, size will be the last thing on people’s minds.
With sustainable fashion on the rise there has been a huge increase in buying second hand and vintage clothes. This again is another challenge us midsize girls face. It can be difficult to improve your own sustainability whilst also finding clothes that fit your body type. That is what inspired me to do the shoot with GUFR. Glasgow University Fashion Revolution is a society dedicated to promoting ethical fashion sourcing. An important part of our student body, this mission was close to my heart. I enjoyed following them and the inclusivity they promoted, so it seemed only right when the modelling opportunity presented itself to take part. Not for my own vanity, but for other girls like me that might be finding it hard to see themselves in representation. It was an affirmation of how far my self love journey has come. Putting myself on Great Western Road in the middle of the busy pavement, posing with photographers and not wanting to delete every single photo I saw, was my own revolution. The day was uplifting, and hopefully, you will find the Lookbook uplifting as well. For myself it was a challenge, but I found great reward, and I hope other people with similar body types can feel the same way looking at it.
Midsize representation has far to go, we know this. Yet, there is hope. From bloggers to youtubers to tik tokers, many more girls are stepping into the limelight to make others feel comfortable too. If you have self-worth and self-love, then your mid-size body is perfect. Just because we are less seen does not mean we have less worth. Remember that.
