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There has been a lot of positive change when it comes to body diversity in the fashion industry from a host of brands extending their size ranges to curvy models finding more work in the industry that goes beyond jobs geared towards specialty lines and retailers. Slowly but surely, negativity surrounding "plus size" is dissipating — in fact, the word itself has undergone a re-branding of sorts with the term "curve" frequently taking it's place — but not entirely, accordingly curve model, Hunter McGrady.
Speaking on the "Shattering the Comparison Culture: Dressing for You" panel Presented by Kohl's at this year's POPSUGAR Play/Ground, the Sports Illustrated coverstar and newlywed witnesses her fair share of hate, but she chooses to meet the negativity with confidence and positivity. "Believe it or not, not all plus-size women are ashamed of their bodies," she said when discussing a high-neck, body-skimming wedding dress (á la Meghan Markle) she designed in collaboration with Watters bridal for her recent nuptials. The model went on to explain how she's unafraid to wear figure-hugging outfits and refuses to limit herself because of how an outfit might make someone else feel. "I'll wear a crop top with shorts if I want to . . . I think it's so empowering," she shared.
With hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, the model also shared her favourite response to negative commenters: "Oh, don't be silly." Her own personal brand of, thank you, next. Instead, she wants to inspire other women like her. "I put my body out there . . . I get a lot of hate and it sucks . . . on the flip side, I see positivity . . . by being in the spotlight we get our message out there and people relate to the conversation," she says.
While tinges of negativity can be hard to shake for anyone, Kohl's is striving to make women of all sizes and shapes feel their best when it comes to fashion from the retailer's newly-launched label EVRI — a line of clothing that ranges from 0X to 4X — to our very own POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's featuring stylish and affordable wardrobe staples from dresses to tops and jackets.
Ahead, shop our picks from both collections and don't forget to channel Hunter's uplifting messages along the way.