The super-affordable high street retailer is rebranding dress sizes 10 and 12 as ‘small’, and the changes will see a 2XS (size 4-6) and 2XL (24-26) added to their ranges, to promote the inclusivity of more diverse body shapes. And also for all those times when their size 10 fits like a 4 (not cool).
Primark has officially updated its clothing sizes – replacing the traditional numbers format for letters (S, M, L etc).
The new format comes after a doctor sparked a fierce debate on Good Morning Britain about high street stores ‘glamorising’ obesity.
Health guru Dr Stoppard appeared on the ITV breakfast show where she argued that plus-sized models and a wider range of clothing sizes are normalising being overweight.
On the show, she suggested that overweight women should opt for smaller sizes in order to encourage them to lose weight, so naturally we’ve already low-key had enough of her opinion.
Josie Gibson, who has struggled with her fluctuating weight, joined Dr Stoppard and was accused by viewers of having ‘dangerous’ views that could promote eating disorders.
But viewers were quick to hit out when the doctor failed to mention the fact that the weight of catwalk models isn’t regulated, and often results in young girls facing eating disorders in order to become reputable in the industry. Surely the same principle here, right?
Is it healthy to show people who are dangerously underweight then? We all come in different shapes and sizes. To show that when modelling is what that should be about. Modelling clothing that fits all shapes and sizes!
– Prophet of Doom (@jodiebird21) June 29, 2018
You can be plus size and healthy why can’t people understand that, not everyone who is a size 16/18 is unhealthy ?
– Katebhood34 (@katebhood34) June 29, 2018
Josie Gibson, who has seen her size fluctuate between a size 8 and a size 22, said she thinks that the food industry should take responsibility for fashion.
She said: “I have been a size 8 to a size 22, I have been a whole range of sizes, and we’re taking it out on the fashion industry. We need to stop that.
“Every single bit of research is blaming the fashion industry. It’s nothing to do with the fashion industry it’s down to the food industry this is what we should be doing the research on. ”
Josie also pointed out that plus size women who are trying to lose weight are struggling to find sportswear to fit, which she finds ‘discouraging’.
As Primark’s new sizing range is slowly being implemented into womenswear, only time (and the media) will tell if using letters over numbers in clothing will eradicate the ‘shame’ in being at either end of the scale.
Body positivity for women of all sizes is so important, and we’re happy to see Primark getting involved by attempting to reduce stigmas and promoting positive outlooks.
People are going nuts for this £15 Primark dress (it’s sold out everywhere)
