ENTRE PERTENCIMENTO E MARGINALIZAÇÃO: a moda Plus Size como como território de estigma corporal

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the psychological and social impacts of plus-size fashion on the self-esteem of fat women and on the ways they face body stigma. It is based on the understanding that the fashion industry still relies on normative standards centered on thinness, reducing the visibility and access of larger bodies to clothing capable of expressing identity and belonging. These limitations directly affect emotional experiences and the construction of these women’s self-image.The study included 42 women above size 44, living in municipalities in the Central-North region of the state of Piauí, Brazil. The selection of this sample was justified by the need to understand the experiences of consumers who live in contexts where the availability of inclusive fashion is more restricted, intensifying feelings of exclusion, inadequacy, and aesthetic devaluation. This focus made it possible to analyze the influence of regional inequalities on access to fashion and their effects on self-esteem.Data collection was carried out through a structured questionnaire containing objective and open-ended questions related to the body, consumption habits, and emotional experiences associated with clothing. The responses were analyzed using Bardin’s (2016) categorical thematic Content Analysis, allowing the identification of recurring patterns and the organization of data into categories.The results indicate that the lack of access to appropriate and representative clothing is the main factor negatively impacting self-esteem, reinforcing body stigma. It is concluded that, although fashion has inclusive potential, the reality experienced by the participants is still marked by aesthetic exclusion.