Glamour Magazine's November Issue: Plus-Sized Beauties

September 2, 2009

Glamour magazine learned that it pays to feature so-called plus-sized models in addition to the typical size 0 variety in their pages. (I say so-called because these women look pretty average sized to me!)

They got so many positive reader responses from their nude picture of model Lizzie Miller (sporting a little familiar-looking-to-most women pooch) that they've decided they're going to feature Miller and other curvy models like Crystal Renn, Kate Dillon, and Amy Lemons (shown above) in their November issue. They, too, will be in their birthday suits.

Are you looking forward to this issue?

Source: Getty

47 Comments

3 years 22 weeks

I think it would benefit designers,stores, and magazines to break out of this "tall and thin mentality" and include many different body types as well. I'm 5'2 sz. 0-2 but CURVY (small frame and hourglass shape) so it is completely impossible for me to tell how clothing is going to look on me by looking at it on a model, and guess what? If it it looks great on the model it probably won't on me. I think that people would buy a lot more if designers would make an effort to design clothing for people who are tall/short/thin/average/plus/hourglass/pear/broad/whatever. I mean let's face it, what works for tall and thin people simply will not work for everyone, so why design clothes as if it will? I would be more persuaded to buy something if I saw a model with a body similar to mine who looked good in it and I think a lot of other people would feel that way too. Also, I don't think you can determine if someone is plus-sized or overweight based on a given number like size, height, or weight. Body proportions and muscle vs. fat are more important. That's why I can't believe Wonderbra wanted Katie Green to lose weight when she has such a great body.

3 years 36 weeks

this is absoulutely ridiculous...many of you here have basically come out and say that if the model who wears a designer's outfit is not skiny enough or "naturally" beautiful, the clothes won't, and that's a load of crap...the size 8's, 10's, 12's 14's and and yes 22's out there will buy whatever a designer sells once it appeals to their senses and is made in their size. people spend soo much time talking positively about skinny, and that's the zeros to 2's 4's and 6's people, that they think they have some kind of superpower when all they have is probably a bad heart, early arthritis, acid reflux disease among other things. MANY of these people are so far from being naturally skinny that it makes me wonder what we are leaving for the generations after us. As for glamour's attempt to showcase plus sized beauties, i hope someone in management sees that plus are the people that walk the street everyday

cubiclequeen 3 years 37 weeks

As a big boned and tall woman who will never see the likes of a size 0 unless its the second digit in some arbitrary clothing size, I'm mildly optimistic that Glamour is taking the time to show normal sized women. I shudder at the idea that anything over an 8 is plus sized. Narrow minded and unaccepting. Breaks my heart. Huzzah to you blessed with amazing metabolism, glossy hair, and perfect teeth - for the rest of us normal girls, thank goodness we don't have to look through another magazine of stick figures and jutting ribs.

Glittersniffer 3 years 37 weeks

I could give a flying flip about my size, or anyone elses'. No clothing manufacturers can agree as to what is a 6, or a 4, or a 22, so why should I care? If you ask me, size is arbitrary, and it's not an indicator of anything except the fit model's shape and the designer's opinion. I've had body image issues, and dreaded the day that the number on the tag would go from 0 to 1 or *gasp* 2, but now, feh. I'm usually either a 4 or a 6, depending on the brand and style, but I don't care what the tag says, I care about what I see and feel.

Glittersniffer 3 years 37 weeks

3 years 37 weeks

As a make-up artist working in the catalog world in NYC, I know 1st hand size 8 is not plus sized. The majority of Plus Size Models are a size 14. I have worked with Crystal Renn & Amy Lemons and they are not tiny woman. They are bigger boned woman with amazing bodies & perfect proportions. A size 2 myself I am envious of these woman's curves - my 32 AA boobs ain't got nothing on what these woman have. But in all honesty true reality will never sell fashion or clothing!! Models are genetically gifted no matter what size they are & this is what looks best in clothing. Not everyone is model beautiful - so be it. Love what you got & make the best of what your natural gifts are - please.

audrey87 3 years 37 weeks

I think women big sized ( I mean obese people) should loose weight for their own health instead of criticize a magazine for putting really beautiful healthy women on their pages, do you really want to see obese, people on those pages?...OK, they can be beautiful...but that's not an example, like neither are super skinny women....

Retro Bunny 3 years 37 weeks

tlsgirl & ckeller825:Yes, the majority of America (and pretty much Canada too, although not as bad) is obese, but size 14 doesn't necessarily mean 'obese' or 'overweight'. It's completely important to take into account your height as well. If you're size 14 and 5'4, there may be a chance that you could be overweight. If you're 5'10 and size 14, probably not. I work at a clothing store, and when women comment on how big they are to not a size 10-12, I try to joke with them that they're too small for me too. Usually, they give me the most perplexed look and think I'm being rude or mean. I'm a plus sized to the industry, but to the rest of the world, I'm just a 'normal'.

Retro Bunny 3 years 37 weeks

tlsgirl & ckeller825: Yes, the majority of America (and pretty much Canada too, although not as bad) is obese, but size 14 doesn't necessarily mean 'obese' or 'overweight'. It's completely important to take into account your height as well. If you're size 14 and 5'4, there may be a chance that you could be overweight. If you're 5'10 and size 14, probably not. I work at a clothing store, and when women comment on how big they are to not a size 10-12, I try to joke with them that they're too small for me too. Usually, they give me the most perplexed look and think I'm being rude or mean. I'm a plus sized to the industry, but to the rest of the world, I'm just a 'normal'.

Retro Bunny 3 years 37 weeks

Wow! I'm so excited!Also, after years of trying to be thinner at my height (I'm 6' and weight 170lbs, my thinnest was 140 at this weight because of a stomach problem), I've finally decided to try plus-sized modeling! So it's a very exciting time for someone trying to get into the industry to see this boom!Yes, it's crazy that women who are sizes 8-14 are considered 'plus-sizes', but it's a step in the right direction. If people can get used to seeing plus-sized models, and realize not all tall girls are born that thin, then hurrah!I still get a lot of comments from (mean) people saying that I could be a model if I lost weight. &$#@ you! I'm doing it my way! ;)

Retro Bunny 3 years 37 weeks

Wow! I'm so excited! Also, after years of trying to be thinner at my height (I'm 6' and weight 170lbs, my thinnest was 140 at this weight because of a stomach problem), I've finally decided to try plus-sized modeling! So it's a very exciting time for someone trying to get into the industry to see this boom! Yes, it's crazy that women who are sizes 8-14 are considered 'plus-sizes', but it's a step in the right direction. If people can get used to seeing plus-sized models, and realize not all tall girls are born that thin, then hurrah! I still get a lot of comments from (mean) people saying that I could be a model if I lost weight. &$#@ you! I'm doing it my way! ;)

ModernGraceKelly 3 years 37 weeks

For their height, these women are healthier than their fellow models. I don't believe that the majority of those women are born skinny, they are starving.

Lori Gragg 3 years 37 weeks

My daughter is 15 and she is 5'10 and wears a size 14,which is not skinny,but she's not fat either. She wants to be a singer,and is very talented,she watches all these models and singers, and is constantly saying how she hates the way her body looks, and she is a very beautiful girl,so I will be glad to see larger models in magazines, I will definately buy this issue,even though a size 8 is definately not plus sized.

1955nurse 3 years 37 weeks

When Whitney won AMNTM I thought we would strike a blow for reason in this country, but I guess not! 'Plus sized' to most people with a brain is NOT size 8 or 10, and the Couture Fashion people as well as those who support it can start taking some responsibility for the MILLIONS of young anorexic/bulemic/suicidal people that they help create!!! Maybe when a young, talented member of their family dies from Cardiac arrest/wastes away they will get the point!

Chrstne 3 years 37 weeks

It's true that sizes can be related to height. A 30 inch waist on someone of average height, 5'4'', looks totally different from someone who has a 30 inch waist and is 5'8''. But, since we are talking about models, and they don't usually take models of average height, 8 is damn skinny and LOOKS damn skinny. Not sickly skinny, but skinny enough!

ckeller825 3 years 37 weeks

I agree with Candace, SpaceKat, and TLSgirl...Size 14 may be average, but you also need to also realize that most American women are overweight/obese. So is it fair to say that 14 is average to the rest of the world? I wouldn't think so. I thought size 8 was average, for a taller woman. If you're 5'2" and size 8, I would think that's crossing the line as being overweight.Just my 2 cents for the day!

ckeller825 3 years 37 weeks

I agree with Candace, SpaceKat, and TLSgirl... Size 14 may be average, but you also need to also realize that most American women are overweight/obese. So is it fair to say that 14 is average to the rest of the world? I wouldn't think so. I thought size 8 was average, for a taller woman. If you're 5'2" and size 8, I would think that's crossing the line as being overweight. Just my 2 cents for the day!

ali321 3 years 37 weeks

I don't really get why size 8 is a plus size. I'm not trying to rip on skinny poeple, but I don't agree that it's attractive to be as skinny as most models. I think it makes you look unhealthy and skeleton-like. I just don't know who decided that models should be that size. I guess I think a model should just be a model and they should come in all shapes and sizes like real people do.

3 years 37 weeks

I'm so absolutely sick of this crap. Seriously. No wonder people have eating disorders. (Anorexia, bulimia, but also binging). You're helping NO ONE! Glamour, do me a favor and get out of here with your "plus size models". Its and absolute joke. You're not empowering women. When I see things like this it makes me feel bad and guilty for being fat. I'm so sick of it. Let me just be happy with myself. I'll model for you and give you real plus sized, you big bully.

gingirl 3 years 37 weeks

I like that this is a step forward. I just hope the fashion industry realizes how much women want to see more normal looking women in their pages, and feature them more consistently. And btw, there is no way an 8 should be considered plus size.

staple salad 3 years 37 weeks

Apparently I'm doomed to be fat. :P I'm a size 18-20 now, and the smallest I want to be is 12-14. I'm 5'10" going on 5'11" and the women in my family look thin enough to be models in a size 10, and I don't wanna be that skinny.I think it's redonkulous how "thin" you have to be to be a model. I saw a photo once, where the model could pretty much wrap her hands all the way around her waist.

staple salad 3 years 37 weeks

Apparently I'm doomed to be fat. :P I'm a size 18-20 now, and the smallest I want to be is 12-14. I'm 5'10" going on 5'11" and the women in my family look thin enough to be models in a size 10, and I don't wanna be that skinny. I think it's redonkulous how "thin" you have to be to be a model. I saw a photo once, where the model could pretty much wrap her hands all the way around her waist.