Plus Size Modeling 101: Before You Start a Career

Before you start a career in plus size modeling, educate yourself with the basics. Take your time, avoid dilusions and you'll be in a much better position to succeed!

For some women this is a business, for many others though, it's a hobby. If you’d like to find your place modeling within the plus size fashion industry, do yourself and your wallet a favor and learn the basics first.

Why Do You Want to Model?

I'm asking you to take a moment and be honest, okay? Why are you here? Chances are you’ve been told that you should model. Beautiful women who don’t fit the size 0-12 fashion mold are often told by friends and loved ones (sometimes even strangers on the street) that they should become models. Before you decide to spend a dime pursuing this career, arm yourself with unbiased information.

PS: A modeling school's brochure is not unbiased information!

What is the Plus Size Industry?

Good question. The plus size industry is a rapidly growing segment of the clothing business, designing, manufacturing and selling clothes for 62% of American and Western European women.

While you and I know that full figure modeling is a form of fashion modeling, not everyone is quite so smart. Plus modeling is the process of showing clothes (usually those clothes are size 12 or larger) on a live human being.

There are other forms of modeling plus size clothing but traditional fashion and beauty are what most women are interested in when they consider a career here.

Where Do Plus Size Models Work?

Girls work in print, on runways, and electronically (on the web), as fit models, and informally modeling in showrooms.

Some models are represented by agencies. Many others try breaking in without an agent. You may have noticed that most plus size models seem small by plus size clothing standards. There’s a reason for this industry bias and it has to do with sales.

Whether you and I agree with the logic or not, plus models are hired by designers, manufacturers, retailers and others within the industry to sell clothes because smaller women are known to sell more clothes at a mass consumer level.

There is a belief that more women shop when they see clothes on smaller models.That belief runs rampant throughout the industry. In fact, it runs the industry. If you don't fit the mold, you need to read this paragraph again. And again.

Requirements for Plus Size Models

Most new models wonder how small (and more commonly how large) you can be and still work as a plus size model. Here's the good news. The key to all plus size modeling is proportion. Size standards are different for agency models than for a motivated self-starter representing yourself.

Do You Need An Agent?

There are two main ways to approach working. One is trying to get an agent and the other is breaking in without an agent. Each road has obstacles and rewards. You need some honest self-assessment to make this decision and keep your self-esteem in tact.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Every industry has it’s standard equipment and this one is no different. You need a well stocked models bag among other things. Learn about the standard equipment if you are going to work as a model and have one of your dreams come true.

Return from Plus Size Modeling 101 to Plus Size Fashion and Style Advice.