Fat Fashion: The Thin Ideal and the Segregation of Plus-Size Bodies

The fashion industry is losing a significant share of the plus-size market due to the perpetuation of the thin ideal, despite evidence of its harm to women. This study explores the factors behind the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models, standardised sizing, and attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body. It also considers the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and the potential future for consumers, designers, and marketers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 09 September 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise.

The average body mass in many Western cultures is on the rise, yet the fashion system seems largely unchanged. Major fashion houses still limit their output to small sizes, and the dominant ideal of the female body in fashion imagery is still thin, dangerously thin according to World Health Organization standards. Why is the industry forfeiting a considerable share of the market in the form of plus-size consumers, seemingly against its commercial interests? Why does the thin ideal reign supreme despite damning evidence of its harm to women? And is there a way out of this system of thin ideals and segregated fat bodies?

In this original study, Paolo Volonté answers these questions and more, drawing on influential literature on the body, beauty standards, and the roles of clothing in society. He reveals some surprising factors behind the perpetuation of the thin ideal, such as the precedent of thin models and the introduction of standardized sizing for mass-manufactured clothing. He also revisits less surprising factors, such as the attitudes of designers and consumers towards the female body and notions of perfection. By critically analyzing these factors, Volonté reveals why plus-size fashion is often characterized by low aesthetic commitment and low-quality marketing. He explores the nature of the segregation of fat bodies in fashion and considers what the future may hold for consumers, designers, and marketers alike.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350126930