Body positivity: a movement to embrace all body sizes, shapes, and forms. In the past few years, body positivity has been embraced by the fashion industry, with women of color and all sizes modeling for renowned companies and the production of plus-size female mannequins to support inclusivity. But why has body acceptance not been embraced in the men’s department? There are hardly any male plus-size models, and male plus-size mannequins are virtually nonexistent. Even though body positivity is embraced in women’s fashion, their male counterparts are struggling to do the same. As our society progresses, male fashion and its lack of inclusivity must evolve as well. 

Diversity in all industries has been trending for the past several years beginning in 2012 as stated by a study done in 2021. But even after an entire decade has passed since the emergence of body positivity, there are still hardly any plus-size male models in the fashion industry. With the average male American having a waistline of 40.2 inches, the amount of companies and designers that actually provide male clothing in sizes larger than a size large is pitifully low compared to the number of stores that carry plus-sizes for women. A major reason why there are little to no plus-sized male models is because there are simply no plus-sized clothes for them to model.

IBISWorld, a market research company, says that in 2021, there will be 1,211 male plus-size clothing stores in the U.S., making up a market size of $849 million. In contrast, 18,903 plus-size women’s clothing stores exist throughout the U.S. as of 2021 with a market size of $7 billion.

The lack of clothing variety is the root cause as to why there are few plus-sized male models, and therefore, adding more sizes to men’s clothing would promote inclusivity in male modeling. When casting agents seek out models, they look for those whose body shape will best fit the clothing. This means that if sizing is limited, no plus-size model will even get a chance to model clothing, and thus, inclusivity is stopped in its tracks.

If male fashion is struggling so miserably to adequately embrace body positivity, why is there so little outcry about it? Men are often silenced by society and their opinions dismissed when it comes to voicing their problems. Boys are taught to exhibit few signs of emotion, and this idea that they should never complain about their situation has translated into adulthood. 

“I believe it comes down to toxic masculinity,” said model Zach Miko in “Where Is the Body Diversity in Menswear?” “Men are taught that they aren’t supposed to care about what they look like; meanwhile, they are told that if they don’t have a six pack and huge muscles that they are less than everyone else.” 

In contrast, society has always expected women to care about their body and fashion. Women have been extremely vocal and involved in the fight for body positivity, and their push for inclusivity has definitely yielded results. Female plus-sized models are now being embraced in large franchises and fashion companies, and clothing sizes have expanded to give more options for plus-sized women. The success of female body positivity leaders, such as American singer and rapper Lizzo and American actress Jennifer Lawrence, both of which defy the celebrity beauty standards of being lean and toned year-round. Both celebrities and more have shown us that, as a unified whole, the public needs to stand up for body positivity in order for male fashion designers and companies to become inclusive.

“I believe a lot has to do with the lack of awareness. Men aren’t as vocal about these things, especially when it comes to fashion,” said Steven Green, a model and photographer speaking in the article “Where Is the Body Diversity in Menswear?” Even with body positivity making its way into mainstream media, no one, not even the men themselves, focus on embracing diversity in male fashion. Since there has been no support and uproar for the addition of plus-size models to the industry, no changes have been made.

Fatphobia also plays a major role in the lack of plus-size male models. As body positivity grows in popularity on social media, hateful comments increase as well, continuing to bombard people who try to express their body acceptance online. Fatphobic ideas have been ingrained in society by the fashion industry. In all parts of the industry, plus-sized people have struggled to find clothes that fit properly due to the fatphobic foundation of fashion, which is the result of a lack of inclusivity. Fashion is the root of fatphobia, and it is our responsibility as a society to break down fatphobic ideals and promote body positivity.The industry will not change if there is no outcry for change. Once the public embraces all body types, the fashion industry will be able to evolve and leave behind fatphobic ideals.

There are still some people skeptical about the idea of body positivity. Many claim that using plus-size models promotes obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle and that thin models should be the only ones allowed to walk the runway. However, these fatphobic ideals should no longer be accepted. Instead of promoting obesity and perceived laziness, plus-size models advocate for body positivity and the acceptance of every variety of race, body type, and build, and fight against the idea that an individual must be skinny and lean in order to be considered “healthy” and “beautiful”.

Amy Norton said, “Among obese adults, 29% were deemed healthy. On the other hand, more than 30% of normal-weight Americans were metabolically unhealthy.” However, another study, published by researchers in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology”, showed that the obese were more likely to develop illnesses in the future. While it is true that overweight or obese people based on BMI may be more at risk for obesity-related illnesses, the idea that the weight causes these illnesses is not accurate. A healthy weight for one individual may be overweight for another. There is no “general weight” that a person must be; healthy lifestyles should be focused on, not the number on a scale.

If body types and weight are not indicators of illness, why are male plus-size models still excluded from the fashion industry? Social standards and overall fatphobia have blocked their path. Bringing body positivity into the picture and including all body types is the best way to promote healthy body acceptance. For years, inclusivity and body positivity have been excluded from male fashion. Now, it is time for plus-sized models to obtain their rightful share of success in the fashion world.

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