Social and Psychological Aspects

Is the Body Positive Movement Too Narrow?: Extra Large Insights Into Plus Size Men and Clothing Offerings

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Abstract

Plus size men constitute approximately 70% of the U.S. population and as of 2018 the male plus size market had grown to over $1 billion in revenue (Howland, 2019; IBIS World, 2019). According to the CDC (2019), the average man in the United States weighs approximately 200 pounds and has a 40 inch waist, placing him in the plus size category of apparel. As a response to the strict appearance norms, the Body Positive Movement (BPM) developed as social campaign to include and celebrate all types of bodies in media (Dastagir, 2017; “The body positive,” 2019). The current research has left out the male experience with the BPM and apparel, even though they represent a significant share of the plus size market (Howland, 2019). Research is needed to understand plus size men’s perceptions of the BPM and its effect on their appearance and shopping experience.

Keywords: apparel, appearance, Body Positive Movment, men, plus size

How to Cite:

Thompson, M. L. & McKinney, E. C., (2020) “Is the Body Positive Movement Too Narrow?: Extra Large Insights Into Plus Size Men and Clothing Offerings”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.12038