Body goals is a term that has been coined to idolize the bodies that society holds up as conventionally beautiful. And that body type usually only represents one kind of shape. When in reality, women come in all shapes and sizes—and each one is beautiful in its own way.
With the rise of the body positivity movement, the fashion industry has had to come to terms with its beauty bias and expand its horizons to become more inclusive and reflective of real women and their differing body shapes and proportions. This movement also shed light on the fact that most women in America were a size 14 through 18, meaning the standard of beauty women have been shown in media isn’t actually what is realistic. So what is plus size? The average American woman.
But the body positivity movement could not have taken place without the body positive pioneers and women who spearheaded this initiative and unapologetically loved themselves and amplified full-figured fashion, showing their legions of fans just how fierce they could look when dressing for their body type.
Now, we see so many different kinds of bodies and shapes represented in the media and in fashion, which has inspired women of all backgrounds and sizes to embrace their curves. And we owe thanks to these women who sparked a movement and still give it the momentum it needs to reach women worldwide.
Jessamyn Stanley
If you thought all athletes had a similar body type, and that anyone who had a shape outside of that conventional body type couldn’t be an athlete, think again. Meet Jessamyn Stanley, a body-positive advocate and yoga instructor. Jessamyn has broken the stereotypes made toward the fat body, and she has shed light on the misconceptions of what athletes really look like. We also enjoy her bold style!
Tess Holliday
This plus size queen shows the world that style exists at any size. Tess Holliday’s bold outfits break all the rules wrongfully put on plus size women by society. If you need a fierce advocate to look up to, she’s the one! She has also graced multiple magazine covers, sometimes making her one of the first plus size people to be on the cover of popular magazines.
Gabi Gregg
If you have a plus size swimsuit that you love and feel confident in, thank Gabi Gregg–also known as Gabifresh. Gabi revolutionized the swimwear game for women. She created the term “Fatkini,” and plus size swimwear hasn’t been the same since. She created the first plus size collaboration with Swimsuits For All, which propelled the fatkini and plus size swimwear category to reach new heights. Her incredible style and vulnerability make her a relatable and powerful icon.
Mama Cāx
Cacsmy Brutus was a body-positive advocate, cancer survivor, disabled rights activist and supermodel. She walked fashion week runways with a prosthetic leg and turned heads everywhere she went for her bold sense of style. She amplified disabled bodies in fashion, and the industry is more inclusive and accommodating of disabled bodies because of her advocacy.
Lizzo
If you ever need someone to lead you to unapologetic confidence and self-love, Lizzo is your girl. Not only will her music make you fall deeper in love with yourself, but her unapologetic style and the fashion risks she takes will have you feeling empowered. If you’re having a day where your confidence is suffering, turn on her music and allow yourself to have a 15-minute dance party. This is a game-changer!
Kellie Brown
Kellie Brown created the hashtag #FatAtFashionWeek and was one of the first people to openly speak about what it was like to be a fat fashionista at the fashion event of the year. Through her platforms, she shows women of all shapes and sizes that they can embrace the trends they love without following the rules. You’re going to love her style, which is made up of bold patterns, bright colors and daring silhouettes.
Ashley Nell Tipton
She’s the first-ever plus size fashion designer to win fashion reality television show Project Runway, and since her win, she has made styles for every body type. The winning collection she created on the show was for plus size women, and Ashley Nell Tipton was one of the first ever Project Runway designers to use curvy models in the final show.
Editorial credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com
Emme
Emme was one of the first plus size supermodels, and one of the first plus size people to be included in People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People feature. She has been a social reformer and body positive advocate as a model and now an educator who works to make fashion design programs more inclusive of plus size bodies. Without her, plus size models would not be as common as they are today.
Liris Crosse
A true body-positive supermodel and advocate, Liris Crosse can be seen in magazines, television shows, video games and movie screens everywhere. Not only does she turn heads as she graces runways, but she also teaches women how to “make the world their runway” with confidence and self-love advice. Liris was also the first plus size model to win Project Runway.
Katie Sturino
Not only is Katie Sturino a plus size gal herself, but she has dedicated her platform on social media to calling out brands who don’t carry plus sizes and providing a call to action for them to get with the times—in the nicest way possible. Katie has also elevated the plus size community by creating products that fill major gaps in the plus size market like Megababe—an anti-chafing product line. Her style is incredible!
Are you feeling inspired yet? Now that you have 10 amazing body-positive role models and you’re feeling inspired to rock your curves, get adventurous with your style and put your figure front and center! You can always turn to your favorite plus size boutique to stock up on clothing that makes you feel as confident as ever!
Editorial credit: FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com
