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Meieli Sawyer

Could Kim Kardashian Be a Plus Style Icon?

By , About.com Guide   March 19, 2008

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I was considering creating a style profile for Kim Kardashian, but I want your advice. Lately I've been noticing how mega curvy she is, and how she (usually) manages to pull her look off rather well. I love the fact that she's not a "standard" body type, that her looks in general are a little more unique, and that she's ultra confident to top it all off.

So tell me: Do you think she could be a plus style icon?

Photo (c) Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Comments

March 19, 2008 at 4:49 pm
(1) Catherine Schuller :

Yes, I think she is a great role model of someone comfortable in her curves. She looks confident and stylish and not apologetic in the least.

March 20, 2008 at 1:41 am
(2) Greg Christopher :

she’s a very attractive women with curves. To say or make her a icon for all plus size females would be wrong. Her representation is for her own personal being. She is what she is a very attractive women with curves.

March 20, 2008 at 4:40 am
(3) colleen dougan :

Who is she? And why do plus-sized women need an icon? All most American women need to do is look in a mirror to see a plus-sized woman that they should already love!!!

March 20, 2008 at 9:15 am
(4) Meieli :

It can be useful to glean ideas from stars with similar shapes who have stylists– free advice!

March 20, 2008 at 9:55 am
(5) Di :

While I think it’s great she’s so proud of her body, if you ever watch her on Meet the Kardashians, the last thing you end up thinking about her is how stylish she is.

A woman’s personality is a huge part of her style, and I prefer to see women with substance be women OF substance – and Kim Kardashian has NONE.

She also has an unusual body type but is ABSOLUTELY NOT PLUS SIZED.

Look to Nikki Blonsky, Queen Latifah, or Cameron Manheim.

March 20, 2008 at 11:07 am
(6) Allura :

If she had accomplished anything in her life besides having a big ass and were a size 14+, then yes. But she meets neither of those criteria.

March 20, 2008 at 3:51 pm
(7) Martha :

Why would someone who appears to be about a size 8 be considered a plus-size icon? Let’s get real.

March 20, 2008 at 5:25 pm
(8) Carmen :

No, I don’t think Kim can be considered as a plus sized icon. That would actually be a slap in the face to all women who are really plus sized. When I look at her, I see a women who is hippy or curvy, but she isn’t what I’d consider plus sized (I’m an 18 and she doesn’t look like me)just because of a few curves. I agree with Martha-a size 8-isn’t a size 14 or 20.

March 21, 2008 at 3:11 am
(9) Lexie :

One problem…Kim Kardashian is not plus sized. She’s probably a size 8 – a 10 at the most. She has breasts, hips, thighs, and butt; but lacks the excessive cellulite, rolls, and flaps to be considered fat. Many women have this body type, especially black and Latin women, it is not uncommon.

March 21, 2008 at 9:02 am
(10) D :

Give me a break–being 125 pounds and taller rather than being 115 (pencil thin) does not make someone plus-sized. The media already has some peoples’ minds messed up enough (you, for thinking that Kim K. is plus-sized!) and we don’t need more of the same out there. Save it for your personal diary and keep it off the internet and out of the public eye!

March 21, 2008 at 9:32 am
(11) Meieli :

I appreciate all of your responses. I’ve always believed that plus-sized women can look to other women (such as Kim) for styling tips regardless of her size 8, size 10, etc. body. Just as someone who is a size 30 can use a size 16 model’s outfits for inspiration, I believe that we don’t need to restrict ourselves to traditional plus-sized figures as a rule. While I won’t be doing the miniskirt thing, I like Kim’s choice of wraps for the beach, her tunic tops, and some of her evening wear selections. (However, Kim’s personality is a discussion for another day!)

March 21, 2008 at 9:51 am
(12) ella :

I have to agree with the others that feel kim is not plus size. If she is plus size then that changes the game completey the new plus is size 7 and above. all below including skin and bones are the normal sizes. Before we know it bulima will be prescribe by doctors as the best way to lose weight and maintain a great look. That sounds just as nuts as saying kim is plus size.

March 22, 2008 at 9:25 am
(13) kay nadian :

I agree with the others. If she is plus-size….I’m gargantuan!!!! Factor in that most of us want to look classic, and she looks like a hoochie mama, no thanks!

March 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm
(14) LAKESHA :

I do not think she should be a plus icon because she would not consider herself one. I think she would be affended by it and if that is the case then I don’t think she deserves to be in our circle. Yes she does have curves and knows how to use them but is by no means a plus size.

March 26, 2008 at 3:22 pm
(15) Cynthia :

I really do not consider her plus sized nor an icon. she is curvy but far from plus and in my opinion, tacky beyond belief. No kind of icon for anyone.

May 22, 2008 at 8:35 pm
(16) isabella mccormick :

In the model world, anything over a size 6 is considered a plus size. Disgusting, I know, but true

June 3, 2008 at 3:17 am
(17) DEE :

Kim has amazing curves and she is very petite but pulls them off! She is NOT plus sized, she is 5′3″ with a body most people would want unless you are into the stick thin look. To suggest that she could be a plus sized model is insulting. Her curves are just like an hour glass, she is lucky!! Her booty is on the bigger side but better than not having one at all!

September 28, 2008 at 8:21 am
(18) Neva Mind :

She couldn’t be a plus size model because her weight isnt evennly distributed on her body. The reason why her ass is so bog is because any weight she puts on goes straight to her hips and butt. She’s a pear shape and plus size models are hourglasses and big vases like meeeeeeee.

October 23, 2008 at 8:00 pm
(19) Kenz :

First of all I’d like to say that i love Kim Kardashian’s body and she definitely has curves but she just cannot be a plus size icon because she is too short. Now i know that people can be short and plus sized, but sometimes people don’t realize how small she actually is. She is only about 115lbs and 5′2″ tall. If she were 5′8″ she would be more likely to be a plus size than at her height. =)

March 27, 2009 at 9:43 am
(20) Kristen :

I think Kim is so pretty. and we can take style ideas from her. And maybe we could take a look at Khloe Kardashian for styles for bigger figures too.

May 19, 2009 at 3:06 pm
(21) Jennifer :

The fact that you are considering her for a plus size icon is an example of what is wrong with America altogether. How is she plus size just because she is not stick thin or androgenous looking? She is not model thin or athletic, this is true, but she is not plus size, that is rediculous! She is curvy and feminine, just leave it at that.

October 10, 2009 at 9:47 pm
(22) Ariel :

Why would you make a woman who claims to be a size two into a plus size icon? She doesn’t admit to (or want to be known as) a woman with a truly womanly body- she would rather further the myth that she is a curvy (but tiny) girl. Whatever. She does look good, but why not pick someone who is plus size and has the guts to admit it and be proud of her body instead of ashamed? I think there is nothing sexier than a proud, confident woman, irregardless of dress size.

November 24, 2009 at 11:00 am
(23) manhoods :

Kim Kardashian is good looking women and man like thick and curvy girls so females eat and dont worry.

November 24, 2009 at 11:04 am
(24) gores :

Plus size icons better that skinny and boney.

November 24, 2009 at 11:12 am
(25) retros :

The reason why her ass is so big and huge is because any weight she puts on goes straight to her hips and butt. bigblackbuttbitches

January 24, 2010 at 10:06 am
(26) femari :

we’re actually the same.big butt and curves and all that.but,i dont get y she’s not saying her real dress size,i mean its soo ridic!!!ys she sayin shez a size two,wen she’z obviously not!i think plus size is sexier than thin and boney!thats sooo long time ago!!!

January 24, 2010 at 10:10 am
(27) femari :

i’ve got the same body with her but,i wont say am a size 2.thats soo ridic!its very difficult to b thin wen uv got a big ass and ur curvy!trust me!she shouldnt b sayin shez a two,not believable!!!she shud say her real dress size.but,she looks gud thou!

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