#WeAreTheThey

You may have noticed that this week, being plus size has been in the news rather a lot. It was suggested on Loose Women by Jamelia that women below a size 6, and above a size 20, should not be able to shop in normal high street stores, but instead in specialist stores, because allowing us fashionable clothing glorifies obesity. The thing that I personally found most disheartening, was her constant referral to women above a size 20 and below a size 6 as 'they'. As though we are some faceless terrifying other.

The incredible Debz started a wonderful movement in response to this on twitter using the hashtag #WeAreTheThey. Debz aimed to allow us all to show that we aren't some monstrous faceless other, we are just regular people who happen to enjoy fashion! It was so inspiring to be a part of this hashtag, seeing all of the other beautiful women posting to it and the positive message. There was no hate, just love being shared which is incredible. We as a plus size community answered hate with love and it was amazing.

As luck would have it, I was due to have a photoshoot with the ever so fabulous Mary Burgers again days after this all occurred, and we wanted to shoot something in response to this. Both of us are plus size ladies with an intense love of all things fashion, it seemed perfectly timed.

One of the things we wanted to respond to was the idea that simply by existing while fat, and enjoying fashion, we are glorifying obesity. It's just a ridiculous suggestion. We are cute and love clothes, so why wouldn't we dress how we want? You cannot look at someone and know how healthy they are, and either way, it is none of your concern!

You cannot tell how someone eats by looking at them. You cannot tell how someone looks after themselves by looking at them. Your concern trolling for our health is unwelcome and just plain rude. 

So the obvious thing to do was have Mary eats hot dogs and doughnuts and glorify obesity, because apparently that is what we do by simply existing! 

Yummy yummy vegetarian hot dogs with lashings of ketchup.

Forcing someone who exists outside of your beauty ideals to dress in a way you don't consider to be fashionable is a bizarre idea. Shaming us, and making us feel bad about ourselves encourages unhealthy food behaviours, is damaging to mental health and will not magically force anyone to lose weight.

Lush doughnuts! Sugary, jammy goodness. 

A cake doughnut, a doughnut that is a cake, amaze!

Since I started blogging, I have become so much more confident and happy in myself. I have gone from someone who wore a 'uniform' of a black skirt with a plain top with sleeves with full length leggings, to someone who will at least try on anything and has embraced different colours and styles I never thought I would wear. 

We should be celebrating and supporting each other, not tearing each other down. I would rather know that I am at least really trying to be a good person, than focusing on trying to look a certain way. 

So here we are, 'glorifying obesity'. We aren't going anywhere. We are cute, pretty, beautiful, handsome, bad ass, ass kicking, sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, trans, queer, gay, fat, thin, chubby, feminine, masculine, tall, petite, disabled, colourful, unusual, fashionable, wonderful human beings, don't hate us for simply being ourselves.

Much love,

Kitty xxxxxx

ps. Mary is the most ridiculous mega babe right?