Bust magazine and fatshion blogging
A few weeks ago, a writer at Bust wrote a column, pondering the use of the word “fatshionista”. They objected to the usage of the word “fat” and felt that so-called fatshion bloggers were deliberately segregating themselves and that size shouldn’t have to define a person. They stated they see style, not shape.
In a way, I agree – it shouldn’t have to. But it does. And these bloggers don’t care that it does. It’s a word they use to describe themselves. Just a description. Sometimes it’s an identity, sometimes it’s just a descriptive word. It’s a word that people are trying to reclaim.
There are some words that I feel uncomfortable with reclaiming. Fat isn’t one of them. If someone wishes to describe themselves as fat and wants to talk about fat fashion, then they can describe themselves however they want to and talk about fat fashion as much as they want to. The general public, the general “you” opinion doesn’t matter. People can identify however they choose to.
It’s been said that style is a state of mind, not a dress size. But someone’s dress size can be at the forefront when they’re trying to define their style. Their size can be hard to ignore, and maybe they don’t WANT to be ignored/dismissed or ridiculed anymore. Their size can restrict their style or the style they aspire to have, and they may want to talk about that and the challenges they face. Should that be stifled or minimised for this hope that we should all be homogenous style bloggers, that don’t discuss any, pardon the pun, larger issues? I don’t believe so.
I strongly believe the body is political, a fat body, a fat woman or woman-identified body, even more so. Every time we leave the house, we are sending a message with the clothing we choose to put on our bodies. Maybe we’re not consciously doing it, but people are still taking the message we put out there. So, what if you’re trying to consciously portray a message of, “Fuck yeah, I love skinny jeans”, but instead, it’s more, “Balls, these jeans ARE NEVER SKINNY ENOUGH, WHY?” Or, “I’d like to express myself through my choice of clothing, but all there is available to me is shapeless, poly blend black”? What do you do then?
This is why I think fatshion blogging and fatshionistas are important. The more political blogs, as well as the blogs that only contain outfit photos – they’re all important.
The normalisation of different bodies, and the realisation that it’s okay to identify as fat if that’s how you want to identify yourself, are important.
