While curvy girls are accepted and even celebrated in mass media abroad, the situation in Pakistan is still pretty abysmal. Even the fashion world has deviated slightly from the thin stick, cookie cutter models and normalized having curvy models on the ramp. Clothing brands are becoming more conscious of their consumers’ demands and moving towards a variety of cuts and sizes that would flatter curvy physiques. However, all of this is pretty much non-existent in Pakistan. Here are some things you have to deal with if you’re curvy.
Covering up
You are the living, breathing embodiment of SIN, especially if you have some extra ‘cushioning.’ Skinnier girls can get away with wearing almost whatever they want (as long as their parents let them), but curvy girls have to think twice before wearing tights or skinny jeans. Your parents advise you to wear ‘dull’ clothes to avoid bringing attention to your jiggly bits, tights and skinny jeans are off limits too. You can probably get away with wearing potato sack sized kurtas, though.
Finding your size
You go to the store and this beautiful, flowy dress catches your eye. You go to the changing room and try it on, only to find that it won’t slide over your chest. You try to take it off but you’re stuck there; blind, alone and with your arms over your head, looking like a necromorph. You try on a few other dresses but to no avail. I’m not saying it’s impossible to find dresses your size, it just takes a lot more effort and grunting in the changing room. And everyone pretty much knows that clothes available in stores are designed for skinny girls. There are cuts which don’t look flattering on a curvy body. So selling those in plus size won’t do you any good. It’s the cut that matters!
Getting stared at by perverts
I know, I know, perverts will stare at anything that moves, but from what I’ve noticed and experienced, they tend to stare at curvier women more often. Doesn’t matter if you’re wearing skinny jeans or an abaya, they will undress you with their eyes and disgust you to your very core with their creepiness.
The ‘rishte ka masla’
Rishta wale log are almost never happy with anything. ‘Thori bhari hai’, ‘Bohat kamzor hai’, ‘Bohat parhi hui hai’, ‘Bohat modern hai’, ‘Bohat saans leti hai’, ‘Zaroorat se ziada hi zinda hai.’ These are just a few of the vicious remarks passed by the people who come to scrutinize you from head to toe for their beloved, doodh ka dhula hua beta. However, more often than not, being curvy or a bit on the heavier side lands you an instant rejection.
The unsolicited advice and backhanded compliments
If you’re curvy, people will rush to you with their expert advice regarding YOUR body. They’ll tell you all these tips and tricks to slim you down, make this slimmer, that smaller, and why not? They know your body way better than you ever will. ‘Aaj slim lag rahi ho’, ‘Aese kapray ache lagte hain, ‘I never thought you’d look good in this.’ The best way to deal with backhanded comments is to not give a fudge.
It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not the ‘ladylike’ thing to do, but who cares? It’s way too easy to let these comments get to you, and they’ll definitely bring you down and make you question your worth based on the inches on a tape or a number on a scale while you completely ignore everything else that you’ve accomplished in life. People won’t change, not overnight, at least, so the best course of action would be to ignore them. Learn to love yourself, and be more forgiving about whatever flaws you may have.
Kluchit Staff
Ameera Mehmood
