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Even though there has been progress when it comes to bigger bodies in the fashion industry, many plus size models have a specific type of body.
Often, they have an hourglass or pear figure featuring fat in areas like their bust and hips, but not all over. They also commonly have a flat stomach and thinner face.
So, why don’t plus size models have double chins?
because they’re born with hourglass and pear shape figures.
Plus-size models don’t have a double chin because thye mostly gain weight all over the body. Bigger models are often a size 8-14, even though women’s clothing sizes aren’t considered plus size until size 16 in most brands. Additionally, curvy models are hired for their looks and brands tend to choose models with thinner faces.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at this and other reasons why plus size models don’t usually have double chins.
Why Don’t Plus Size Models Have Double Chins?
When it comes down to it, whether a model is plus size or not, they are chosen on their looks and how a fashion company wants to portray their clothing. This means that when selecting models, many companies are more likely to hire a woman who doesn’t have a double chin.
I won’t say that there aren’t some women out there who are genetically blessed. By that I mean, they seem to have the fat in all the right places on their body and most of the time, that means concentrated in areas other than their tummy or face.
Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for fashion companies to hire models smaller than a size 16, which is what is considered plus size for many clothing manufacturers and retailers. To give the illusion of a fuller hourglass or pear shape, padding may be added. Some models even wear shapewear under their clothing to get that figure.
Basically, this means that areas like the breasts and hips appear wider, while the tummy area and face still look skinny because they belong to someone who is smaller in these areas. Additionally, since double chins are caused by fat distribution all over the body, they are more likely in plus size men and women who are fatter.
What Affects Where Fat is Stored on the Body?
There are a number of factors that affect where fat is stored in your body. Lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking, your sleep habits, and your diet and exercise patterns all play a role. Additionally, the onset of obesity (like if it happened in childhood) and genetics change how fat is stored around the body.
Stress is another factor to consider. It is well-known that stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol. According to researchers at Yale University, this is because cortisol causes visceral fat, or fat around the organs, to be stored. This is why it’s concentrated in the abdomen and waist, where the majority of our organs are located.
In the case of the double chin, it’s most likely to be caused by being a certain weight. Fat in your face and neck is caused by being overweight everywhere, so fat distribution doesn’t necessarily matter in this case.
Are There Exercises You Can Do to Get Rid of a Double Chin?
There isn’t a lot of evidence that supports doing exercises to get rid of your double chin. There are tools that you can use to help work out your face and neck muscles, however, these are more likely to help with toning muscles than getting rid of excess fat.
For people who have a lot of chin fat, which is essentially what causes a double chin, the best way to smooth the area is through diet and exercise. Double chins are most likely in people who have fat all over their body, so losing weight overall is more likely to help than supposed double chin exercises.
Of course, if your double chin is an issue, or if you don’t want to necessarily lose weight in other areas, there are also options for double chin removal. For me, though, it’s something that I’ve learned to live with.
Honestly, a lot of us have double chins and I don’t find it’s something I necessarily need to be embarrassed about. There are plenty of ladies out there that look beautiful with a double chin.
I think that a lot of us focus on it as a “flaw” and that’s why some people are sensitive about it. Truth is, double chins are beautiful, too.
Do Some Models Undergo Double Chin Removal?
When it comes to taking pictures, I know that there are very specific angles that I prefer for my face. While models can control the angle when it comes to photos, that isn’t really an option when walking the runway.
Some models have naturally thin faces and others might use contour or hold their head a certain way while walking to help stretch the skin in this area. That being said, there are also models who undergo surgery to get rid of their double chin.
Why Do Plus Size Models Have Skinny Faces in Pictures?
There are a few reasons that plus size models have skinny faces in pictures. For starters, most plus size models don’t actually look like the average curvy or full-figured woman you’d see on the street because they aren’t a good representation of the curvier body.
Instead of modeling curvy clothing on women who are size 16 and above, which is what clothing manufacturers actually consider plus size, modeling companies often choose models bigger than average.
At one time, anyone above a size 6 was considered plus size, though the average plus size model today can wear anywhere from a size 8-14 (it varies based on the brand and who you’re asking).
To give them all those curves while still maintaining features like a flat stomach and thinner face, it’s not uncommon for clothing to be padded in certain areas or for models to wear shapewear. Other tricks like body contouring and applying tape to smooth back fat or other trouble areas are also common in the fashion industry.
Is Plus Size Modeling Really Inclusive?
The term plus size is meant to describe a lot of different body shapes. Basically, it includes anyone who wears clothing bigger than the standard size in clothing stores.
I won’t say that all plus size modeling companies exclude the real female form, but for the majority, modeling companies tend to go after plus size women that have a specific type of shape. So in many cases, no, plus size modeling isn’t inclusive.
I feel it’s important to know this as a bigger woman myself because while I do love that curvy models are making a name for themselves in the industry, I don’t feel they are setting some standard that the plus size woman needs to achieve.
Plus size bodies come in all shapes and sizes, not just hourglass or pear figures, and every body shape is beautiful!
Final Word
So, why don’t plus size models have double chins? In addition to modeling companies hiring slimmer models to represent the average big girl and just adding padding, they are more likely to select models with thinner, more conventionally attractive faces.
I think it’s important for plus size women to know that while it can be exciting to see bigger bodies in the fashion industry, that doesn’t mean that they represent the plus size community as a whole.
There are a LOT more body shapes than just pear and hourglass and there are plenty of women bigger than a size 12-14 (you know, actual plus size ladies) that are beautiful, too!