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BIG TALENT: many felt that US actress Gabourey Sidibe was too large to enjoy success in Hollywood

ACTRESS, RAPPER and businesswoman Queen Latifah is launching her own clothing line later this year. Called the Queen Collection, the line will cater to women of all sizes.

Having maintained her voluptuous figure throughout her 20-year career, Latifah has been a powerful representative for larger ladies. Yet, despite her confidence, style and elegance, the 41-year-old feels that women like her have been neglected by popular fashion brands, who seem to only cater for smaller women.

On the term ‘plus-size’ Latifah said: “Plus-size is a word we need to bury at this point. The truth is, we all would like to wear the same clothes. We all want to wear beautiful, fly clothes, no matter what size you are.”

In today’s society, women use many terms to describe and define themselves. The use of the term plus-size is just another way of doing this. And whilst I appreciate what Latifah is saying, I do not agree. Women come in all different shapes and sizes, some of them wonderful, some of them not so wonderful!

THEN AND NOW: Jennifer Hudson

Essentially, the plus-size label caters for two types of women. Firstly, women who are naturally curvaceous; women who need their clothes to be more supportive, whether it’s for their large breasts, wide hips or sizable derrière. These women need clothes that will accommodate their voluptuousness.

Secondly, the term is used to describe a woman who is fat. Note: fat, not curvaceous! The type of lady whose fat is visible and jiggling as she walks.

Some might say this is malicious, however, I believe that fat women should not wear the same items of clothing as slim or curvaceous women, no matter how confident they are with their bodies.

Being fat denotes that you have not looked after your body through maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise. Why should members of the general public watch such people parade themselves in skimpy, unflattering garments, just because they feel comfortable? It is not attractive or fair to the human eye! And away from aesthetics, it is not healthy for women to be obese.

LOSS: Mo'Nique

Supporting this notion are the celebrities who have lost weight in the past. Celebs including Missy Elliott, Raven Symone, Jordin Sparks, Mo’Nique and Jennifer Hudson. All these women have undergone transformations that have affected not only their health for the better, but has also changed the way they can now dress.
All of these women can now wear figure-hugging dresses without the worry of being mocked about unflattering photos.

In fact, in a recent interview with here! Jennifer Hudson said of her weight loss: “I can move around a whole lot easier and I love wearing heels now, whereas before, heels used to feel like handcuffs on my feet!
“And in terms of fashion, there are so many more options of clothing now.”

Similarly, Mo’Nique, who had once been so vocal about loving her large body, switched lanes when she decided to shed the pounds. Subsequently, she had to fight back criticism for losing weight, but she replied to the negative comments saying, “There is nothing wrong with being big and beautiful, but let’s be healthy”.

SLIM: Raven Symone

Indeed ladies, be healthy! Being a healthy woman that looks after your body is something to be proud of. And whilst I understand and sympathise with the curvaceous woman’s dilemmas due to restrictions with clothing, I simply cannot feel sorry for fat, obese ladies that have not looked after themselves.

Healthy eating and exercising to obtain a smaller figure will allow you to wear what you want. Until then, fat women should stick with plus-sized garments.