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 [1].
Speaking on the "Shattering the Comparison Culture: Dressing for You" panel Presented by Kohl's at this year's POPSUGAR Play/Ground [2], 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 [3]) 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 [4] 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.
Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Shop the POPSUGAR Collection at Kohl's
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress [5] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress [6] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress [7] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top
POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top [8] ($28, originally $38)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top
POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top [9] ($28, originally $38)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress [10] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress [11] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Eyelet Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Eyelet Tee [12] ($36, originally $48)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress [13] ($51, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress [14] ($51, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Slouchy Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Slouchy Tee [15] ($25, originally $34)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Midi Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Midi Dress [16] ($51, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee [17] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee [18] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee [19] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee [20] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress [21] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress [22] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress [23] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Cropped Jean Jacket
POPSUGAR Plus Size Cropped Jean Jacket [24] ($40, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress [25] ($48, originally $64)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress [26] ($48, originally $64)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress [27] ($48, originally $64)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Collegiate Sweater
POPSUGAR Plus Size Collegiate Sweater [28] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Wrap Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Wrap Dress [29] ($38, originally $64)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Linen Blazer
POPSUGAR Plus Size Linen Blazer [30] ($51, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee [31] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee [32] ($25, originally $34)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee [33] ($25, originally $34)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee [34] ($25, originally $34)
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress [35] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress [36] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress
POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress [37] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top [38] ($30, originally $40)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top
POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top [39] ($30, originally $40)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Striped Sweatshirt
POPSUGAR Plus Size Striped Sweatshirt [40] ($28, originally $48)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button Back Tank
POPSUGAR Plus Size Button Back Tank [41] ($30, originally $40)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer [42] ($40, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer [43] ($40, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer
POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer [44] ($40, originally $68)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Wide-Leg High-Waisted Pants
POPSUGAR Plus Size Wide-Leg High-Waisted Pants [45] ($40, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater [46] ($32, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater [47] ($32, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater [48] ($32, originally $54)
POPSUGAR Plus Size Graphic Sweatshirt
POPSUGAR Plus Size Graphic Sweatshirt [49] ($28, originally $48)
EVRI Plus Size Tiered Maxi Dress
EVRI Plus Size Tiered Maxi Dress [50] ($68)
EVRI Plus Size Knit-Faux-Wrap Top
EVRI Plus Size Knit-Faux-Wrap Top [51] ($27, originally $40)
EVRI Plus Size All About Comfort Midrise Skinny More Curvy Jeans
EVRI Plus Size All About Comfort Midrise Skinny More Curvy Jeans [52] ($56)
EVRI Plus Size Strappy Twist-Front Tankini Top
EVRI Plus Size Strappy Twist-Front Tankini Top [53] ($25, originally $33)
EVRI Plus Size Ruffle Yoke Splitneck Top
EVRI Plus Size Ruffle Yoke Splitneck Top [54] ($25, originally $36)
EVRI Plus Size Fit Solutions Denim Shorts
EVRI Plus Size Fit Solutions Denim Shorts [55] ($50)
EVRI Plus Size High-Low Printed Midi Dress
EVRI Plus Size High-Low Printed Midi Dress [56] ($33, originally $56)
EVRI Plus Size Jean Jacket
EVRI Plus Size Jean Jacket [57] ($50, originally $68)
EVRI Plus Size Shirred Tank
EVRI Plus Size Shirred Tank [58] ($25, originally $36)
EVRI Plus Size Wide-Leg Crop Pants
EVRI Plus Size Wide-Leg Crop Pants [59] ($30, originally $50)
EVRI Plus Size Kimono Jacket
EVRI Plus Size Kimono Jacket [60] ($42, originally $56)
EVRI Plus Size Tiered Tank
EVRI Plus Size Tiered Tank [61] ($25, originally $36)
EVRI Plus Size Floral Twist-Front Bikini Top
EVRI Plus Size Floral Twist-Front Bikini Top [62] ($25, originally $33)
EVRI Plus Size Tummy Slimmer High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms
EVRI Plus Size Tummy Slimmer High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms [63] ($25, originally $33)