---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't understand why it's not okay to…"
description: "\"I don't understand why it's not okay to be plus-size. I don't know why people hate that phrase. Many models have built their careers as plus-size women..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/tess-holliday-5545_hate_i-don-t-understand-why-it-s-not-okay-to_221577.jpg"
---

#  I don't understand why it's not okay to be plus-size. I…

![“I don't understand why it's not okay to be plus-size. I don't know why people hate that phrase. Many models have built their careers as plus-size women and then suddenly don't want to be called that anymore. But you're still cashing checks from plus-size designers.” quote by Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/tess-holliday-5545_hate_i-don-t-understand-why-it-s-not-okay-to_221577.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/tess-holliday-5545_hate_i-don-t-understand-why-it-s-not-okay-to_221577.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/tess-holliday-5545_hate_i-don-t-understand-why-it-s-not-okay-to_221577.jpg)

> “I don't understand why it's not okay to be plus-size. I don't know why people hate that phrase. Many models have built their careers as plus-size women and then suddenly don't want to be called that anymore. But you're still cashing checks from plus-size designers.”

[Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Societal bias marginalizes plus-size identities despite their commercial value, highlighting inconsistency in acceptance.

**In simple terms:** People judge plus-size unfairly even when they profit from it.

Key Takeaway

Challenge stereotypes and demand respectful language.

Themes

body positivity media representation sizeism

Mood

frustrated hopeful

Type

social commentary advocacy

When to use this quote

- fashion industry
- social media
- advertising
- personal branding

Key Concepts

cultural bias identity politics commercial exploitation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we align language with genuine respect?
- What actions show true support for plus-size creators?

A Different Perspective

Acceptance may be selective, not universal.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Plus size](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plus-size/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/)

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> [The majority of my following is not plus size, it's very diverse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/the-majority-of-my-following-is-not-plus-size-it-s-very-diverse/)

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> [I don't think there is any harm in being plus-size as long as you are fit internally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zareen-khan/i-don-t-think-there-is-any-harm-in-being-plus-size-as-long-as-you-are/)

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> [There's 67 percent of women that are in this plus-size world that we live in. And that's over half of the women in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/there-s-67-percent-of-women-that-are-in-this-plus-size-world-that-we/)

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> [Yes and, you know, I can't use the nice words anymore because I used to chicken out by using them. I used to call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/star-jones/yes-and-you-know-i-can-t-use-the-nice-words-anymore-because-i-used-to/)

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> [I'm a 12-14. I don't think 'plus size' is a shameful term at all, I just feel that it's important to label me properly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ash/i-m-a-12-14-i-don-t-think-plus-size-is-a-shameful-term-at-all-i-just/)

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[Ashley Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-graham/)

## More by Tess Holliday

> [Loving yourself is a journey, not a destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/loving-yourself-is-a-journey-not-a-destination/)

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> [For so long advertising hasn't been inclusive when it comes to plus sizes which is crazy to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/for-so-long-advertising-hasn-t-been-inclusive-when-it-comes-to-plus/)

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> [Being able to love who I was, while also understanding that I deserved to be treated with kindness, helped me create a more positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/being-able-to-love-who-i-was-while-also-understanding-that-i-deserved/)

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> [I love layers. And I definitely love boots and hats, I have a ridiculous amount.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/i-love-layers-and-i-definitely-love-boots-and-hats-i-have-a/)

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[Explore all 100 Tess Holliday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/)

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