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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that UK size 12 ....

38 replies

hairytriangle · 09/09/2010 09:04

Is not a frigging plus size, and the BBC shouldn't be putting out features which insinuate that it is!!!!! AAAAAAARGH!!!!!!

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 09/09/2010 09:06

Is this about 'plus size models' again?

Size 12 is not plus size for a person, but it is for a model. They are judged by different standards.

lostFeelings · 09/09/2010 09:06

most certainly it isn't

what was the title of their program?

Original poster
hairytriangle · 09/09/2010 09:09

it was on breakfast telly.

OP posts:
Jojay · 09/09/2010 09:10

For some people it is, while for others it may be too thin. I'm naturally petite and looked overweight when I was a size 12.

People should be judged by what is right for them, not brnaded with a 'one size fits all' philosophy.

IMHO

lostFeelings · 09/09/2010 09:11

it does worry me you mentioned it was on their brekfast program

teenangers who are size 10 would think of themselves as obese now...

MollysChambers · 09/09/2010 09:16

It's always puzzled me how one person can be a size 12 and have a great figure and the next can be a 12 and look, well, chubby.

Agree with Jojay.

whoneedssleepanyway · 09/09/2010 09:18

isn't it all about proportion....a size 12 on someone who is 5 ft would look much bigger than a size 12 on someone 5'10

i agree with Jojay

Marjee · 09/09/2010 10:05

I agree with JoJay, I wear a size 8 but I'm not skinny just small framed. When I was a 12 I looked chubby but my 5ft 9ins friend is a 12 and shes really slim

Original poster
hairytriangle · 09/09/2010 10:06

I'm size twelve and am distinctly flabby an slightly wobbly. I feel that I weigh more than is healthy, however, I am NOT a plus size!!!!! Im 5'3.

for a very small (no pun intended) proportion of the population it could be overweight, but not many.

So, it grinds my gears that it's ever mentioned as 'plus size' as if that means 'fat' 'overweight' etc.

OP posts:
EthelredOnAGoodDay · 09/09/2010 10:09

Wasn't it US size 12 and uk size 16?? I thought the reporter was a bit off, saying that it was all very well having 'plus sized models' but what about rising obesity?! WTF?! So, it's ok to have size 0 models?!

gagamama · 09/09/2010 10:13

It always irks me when people are described as a dress size. The sizes are ascribed to clothing, not to people. The clothes are meant to fit the person wearing them, not the other way round.

Rollmops · 09/09/2010 10:19

My sister, who is 6ft leggy blonde, is size 12, yet looks absolutely fabulous.
I am 5'8''+ and would look decidedly dumpy if size 12.
All relative....

Oldjolyon · 09/09/2010 13:54

Agree it is relative.

I am a size 12, 5 ft 4 inches and overweight. Not by much, but I am in the overweight section on the weight graph and my BMI is just above the healthy zone, in the overweight zone.

Also, a 12 isn't what it used to be any more :)

mollyroger · 09/09/2010 13:59

I'm going to cry now. 5 ft 6 and a size 12. Until i hit 40 I was a size 8.
I am trying not to mind about the extra weight, my BMI is normal and everyone is saying how ''well'' i look. They mean fat, don't they? :(

piprabbit · 09/09/2010 14:07

FFS - plus size refers to sizing beyond the 'normal' range. Most retailers make clothes up to a size 16 or 18 - the plus sizes ranges would include sizes above that 16/18 threshold.

Are there people on this thread seriously suggesting that anybdy over a size 10 is plus size? That shops should cater only for sizes 4/6/8/10 and that women size 12 and above should consider themselves lucky if the retailers deign to offer them a polyester tent to wear?

MollysChambers · 09/09/2010 14:10

Molly - Looking well doesn't mean fat. If your BMI is normal you have nothing to worry about. BMI is what's important not dress size. You can have a healthy BMI and be a size 12 and you can have an unhealthy BMI and be a 12. Depends on the person and there natural build. You were probably too skinny as a 8 Wink

Cartoose · 09/09/2010 14:12

I find that clothes sizes are all over the place anyway. I have (UK) sizes 10 12 and 14 in my wardrobe and they all fit well. It depends on the brand. Makes it impossible to answer the question "what size are you?"

wukter · 09/09/2010 14:15

Jesus Rollmops a 'dumpy' size 12 at 5'8" ?

MorrisZapp · 09/09/2010 14:17

Yup me too wukter. I just can't picture that!

I'm 5 foot 4 and a 14 - and have a bloody enviable figure! Wish I was taller and slimmer of course but in general I think of myself as slimmish and fit.

If a size 12 and five foot 8 is dumpy then almost all UK woman must be dumpy as 5 foot 4 is average height I believe?

Blu · 09/09/2010 14:21

So what if some people look a bit chubby as a size 12 - 'a bit chubby' isn't a plus size, either, 'a bit chubby' is part of a normal spectrum, surely?

Smash09 · 09/09/2010 14:28

I don't think OP is being unreasonable...For the average 5ft5 woman, I would have thought that a 12 is fairly normal (does depend on the shop though).

I do agree though, that it's all relative - my Mum is very slim with a BMI of 21 and takes size 10-12 jeans, she is 5ft5
I am rather small - BMI of 18-19 and 5ft tall, which makes me a size 6-8. If I was a 12 I would be plus size 'for me'.

Models are judged v differently though. Fashion clothing tends to be made for a barbiedoll type figure. Just the way it is and no point getting het up over it.

Wanderingsheep · 09/09/2010 14:29

Wow, looking at some of the posts here makes you realise how people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but can still wear the same dress size.

I wear a size 12 usually as I have saggy skin on my tummy and stretch marks and I feel self conscious about my tops rising up. I don't like my trousers too tight as I'm conscious of my excess skin on my tummy hanging over. I am short (5'3 and a half) with a healthy BMI of 21. I would say I was slim, well usually anyway as I'm pg ATM.

HowAnnoying · 09/09/2010 14:30

Ahem, I'm a size 12 and 5'8" I don't think I look dumpy......untill now.

Sob...wail...flounce...

MorrisZapp · 09/09/2010 14:33

You can't physically look dumpy at five 8, unless you have appalling posture.

Five 8 is well above the average height.

What height does the dumpy five 8 lady wish she was?

6 foot 2?

LaraJade · 09/09/2010 14:40

Aaagh!! Am 5'4'', 12st + size 14/16. Last year got up to 13st 7lbs (+ size 18) due to a combo of epilepsy meds, depression, binge eating + drinking, + no exercise. Got a trainer + started at gym but due to large appetite (anyone else out there on epilim with this prob??) have found it slow progress. Would love to be size 12 + that's what i'm aiming for.