here's something else to consider…i'm five feet tall. sure, people are pushing the envelope with “plus-size” models, but what about short models? other than tyra banks, nobody is even touching on that subject. and i think the girl who won that antm cycle was actually 5'7″ and that's still a lot taller than me! what i'm saying is, there will always be body types that are left out. and you can't categorize every human being into “curvy, thin, petite, pear” etc, etc. sure, i just bought some size 0 jeans…but i couldn't even zip up a size 7 dress the other day, because i have a wide ribcage. so what stereotype am i with a range like that?!

http://www.judgmentofparis.com/

They're all gorgeous.

The site's forum also has thought-provoking discussions about body image and the media.

You're entitled to your opinion, but it's this sort of thing that leads to a fat-shaming society. As Kate Harding of Shapely Prose (http://kateharding.net/) often states, fat does not always equal unhealthy. Believe it or not, some people just ARE naturally bigger than others. Even with a proper diet and exercise, some people will never be what you believe is acceptable. And that's okay, because if they tried to be, they'd only be hurting themselves.

Also, I VEHEMENTLY disagree with the statement that thin represents self-respect. If a woman really has self-respect, she'll love her body for what it is and not torture it with useless fad-diets and insane eating habits.

I can't explain why, but your comment seems like it was made by a person full of self-hatred, and for that, I am truly sorry. Honestly, as long as a person eats properly (not over-indulging OR starving oneself) and exercises regularly, it doesn't matter what her or his weight is. If a doctor (one who knows her stuff and does NOT just dismiss every problem as being attributed to weight without any tests) can confirm that you (general “you”) are healthy–adequate blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.–then there's nothing wrong with being a size 12 or a size 24.

Also, never having struggled with my weight (knock on wood) I see and hear women who do and I feel empathetic to their struggles not because I've gone through it myself, but because I feel bad that they are struggling with themselves and not just food. I've been at a point when I've had low self-esteem and didn't like how I looked, and I was miserable. I feel like learning to love myself, no matter the flaw, has been so integral to the person I've become, and I'm saddened when people… women… don't feel beautiful in their own skin.

My mom is a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner (I'm proud of her success, can you tell?), so I realize the health repercussions of being overweight, but the naïve optimist in me wishes everyone could just love who they are and what they looked like. Of course, there will always be room for improvement, but I wish there was some middle ground where people can say, “yes, I need to lose weight and will try to reach a healthy weight, but no matter how many pounds I gain or lose, I'm still me and I've accomplished X, Y, and Z in my life and no one or weight can change that.”

I do agree, though, that advertisers cash in on the skinny lifestyle, making it as luxurious as a Chanel handbag, because financially it's much easier to eat fatty, unhealthy foods. I'm pretty sure a cheeseburger at McDonalds cost least than a bushel of carrots. That's what's really sad.

I wanted to mention that what is unappealing about the girl in the black bra is the obvious extra weight she carries around her arms and midsection. Not everyone can have a 6-pack, but studies do show that access belly fat is linked to heart disease, so no one can argue that “curvy” is healthy in this case.

OK no more novels!

I believe the average size in the U.S. is a 12, and I will never accept that as healthy. As someone who can easily go from a size 3 to a size 9 in a year's time, I know firsthand that maintaining a healthy weight takes work. We are inspired by images that remind us of what/who we want to be, and thin represents not just sexiness, but self-respect and hard work. In a time and a country where anyone can afford to be fat, keeping a healthy weight is admirable.

Also: Even at a size 2, I will still be curvy. Curvy is NOT a synonym for fat! Even thin (not emaciated) women can have hips and boobs.

I'm so, so tired of women being berated and judged for their body type, no matter what it is. The human body is a beautiful thing; can't we just celebrate it?

Also, very glad you made this post. It's great to see those who are into size acceptance in the fashion world.

p.s. I know I already told you, but Happy New Year!