While there is a movement in how people view beauty in American and the world at large

The definition of beauty is evolving, thanks in part to the rise of social media, where women can now celebrate their natural beauty and receive positive feedback from others. This shift is not just cultural but also backed by data. A study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education examined over 5,500 American women and found that, on average, women’s body sizes have increased over the past two decades. At the start of the millennium, the average waist size was 34.9 inches. Now, that average has increased to 37.5 inches.

This shift in body size is reflective of greater ethnic and racial distinctions in the data. As Susan Dunn, one of the study’s lead experts, pointed out, this shift is important for women’s self-image, as it shows how beauty standards are changing. Dunn emphasized that clothing designers should take note of these changes and stop restricting their clothing lines to “ideal” sizes that no longer reflect the real, diverse American woman.

Currently, the average American woman wears a size 16 or 18, which falls within the lower range of plus-size clothing. Dunn and co-author Deborah Christel, who are both faculty members at Washington State University, hope the fashion industry will update its standards to match reality. By doing so, they argue, the fashion world can cater to a broader customer base rather than sticking to outdated notions of what “regular” sizes should be.

This study highlights the importance of making clothing available for women of all shapes and sizes, advocating for a more inclusive fashion industry that embraces the changing body types of modern-day America.