The Monroe Debate

One thing I see over and over again as a plus size model with an hourglass figure, is references to Marilyn Monroe. Although the sexy, sultry, glamour-puss of the silver screen was indeed curvy, she (unfortunately) was nowhere near what is considered to be a ‘plus size’ model in this day and age or in her own time. So after being directed to yet another store blog stating that she was, I compiled a response:

Hi,

Thanks for sending this to me on twitter – it was very interesting to read. I’ve been a plus size model for the last 5 years; I know exactly how stunning hourglass figures can look!

I would like to point out that: although Monroe is most famous for having an hourglass silhouette, she actually wasn’t a plus-size nor a true hourglass – her standard measurements were bust:37inches, waist:23inches, hips:35inches, many people confuse her bra size (35C) and add this to her hourglass figure but its technically incorrect - bra sizes are calculated by reducing 3inches from the true measurements (for cup sizes A-C) – this making her true measurements 38-22-35 (some even argue she was a bra size 37D, this makes her measurements 40-22-35), Monroe was top heavy – not an hour glass.

Although it’s arguable about which sizes are considered ‘plus-size’ now-a-days (some say it’s a standard size 12 others say it’s a 16) it’s usually accepted that the smallest “plus-size” will have the following measurements – bust: 39.5in, waist: 32in, hips: 42in, obviously Monroe (38-22-35) was no where near this.

In Marilyn’s day, she was a dress size 12; standard measurement clothes sizes changed in the 1970s from the standard measurement being a “dress size” to being “pants size”. According to Columbia Studios in 1948, Monroe weighed 118lbs (rumours of her weight fluctuating up to 140lbs) with a pants size of 8. As curvy and beautiful as Marilyn was, at most she would have been a size 10-12 in today's sizes.

The size 16 myth started in the early ‘90s by pro-size advocates in the USA, unfortunately it is completely false.

Official hourglass figures are calculated using a 75% rule – in my instance as a plus-size model with an hourglass shape, my measurements are 47 – 34 – 47, bust and hips must essentially be the same (of course there aren’t going to be perfectly spot on every time, but they can’t be more than 1 inch apart) and my waist is less than 75% of my bust/hips. Below is a simple diagram for working what a woman’s shape is: http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/bodyshape.gif

I don’t want to come across as venomous by writing all of this, big girls need much more support then what’s out there and the fashion industry is horrendous for its treatment of plus-sizes. I just don’t think spreading rumours and falsely defining someone “to make them feel better” is correct either – the fact is men do prefer women with curves. Personally, I’m of the belief that no matter what your size, weight, height, shape, hair colour, skin colour on wards – if you show that you are comfortable with who you are then you’re sexy – as we should all know by now, confidence comes from within – not someone classifying you as ‘whatever shape’ for whatever reason.

- Hanna

Sources:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1005120802556

http://marilynmonroepages.com/facts.html

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article6044724.ece

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071219090353AANL56Y

and general knowledge.