I refer to myself as fat, tall, and both those things a lot. Self-idenitfication as a person of size is important, but when it comes to labeling I generally try to leave identifying as a certain “type” to the person themselves.
To be honest, there are a lot of different body types and shapes that can be defined as a tall BBW. So here we’ll briefly go over what that phrase actually means, why I identify as one, and some examples of other (kickass) women who can also be defined as one.
what it means
I notice when I refer to myself as a “tall plus” most people, initially, don’t have a clue what I’m saying. So lately, I’ve been using the phrase “tall bbw” which just means “tall big beautiful woman” because honestly, more people seem to be familiar with that term (is that because of Drake?!)
Very simply, “tall bbw” is a descriptive term for women who are both tall, and fat. For me, the term is not derogatory, just as calling myself fat is not a slight, but merely a word I’ve reclaimed which I use to describe my body type. I do not live in a fantasy world where I consider myself to be slightly curvy, I am fat.
why i identify as a tall bbw
I wrote here about reclaiming the word “fat”, and identifying as a tall fat woman is simply an extension of this. As someone who grew up taller and bigger than all the girls around me, I was poked fun at because of my size.
Words that used to be insults, I now merely use as words to describe my body. I’m tall, and fat, so I will call it as I see it and turn once negative connotations around my size into positives.
measurements of a tall bbw
I’m 5’10” and a bit, and weigh over 300lbs.
There is absolutely no hard and fast rule about what constitutes a “tall bbw.” I am not someone to tell others what they should, or should not, identify as. The way I see it, a tall plus size woman is generally a woman who is 5 foot 7 or over, and has a dress size above the national American average (14.)
Most of the women I profile in my inspirational women section are noticeably larger than this, but for me those cutoffs are about right as by definition women who fit that criteria will be taller and heavier than the average (read: more unique.)
one size does not fit all, duh
One thing that’s really helped me in my journey to body enlightenment is following women who own their size.
While I am not the biggest fan of picking apart measurements, to show the variety in women considered to be tall and plus I think it’s important, so let’s take a look at two vastly different women I consider to be inspirational: Abby Roedel, amateur plus size model, and Rachel AKA Corgifairy, fat acceptance influencer.
abbey roedel
Height: 6”
I’d hope Abbey wouldn’t be offended by being referred to as a taller BBW. She is wider in the shoulders, and has legs to die for (I mean, look at those things, girl!) Obviously, I’d just refer to her as a beauty!
corgifairy (fat positive fairy)
Height: 5’8”
I profiled her as an inspirational woman, and you can check out my post on her by clicking on the title above. On the fatness spectrum she’d fit more into the SSBBW definition, but she’s also impressively taller than average at 5’8″ and, even though I hate labeling women, could absolutely fit into the “tall plus” category.
courtney (aka plump princess)
Height: 5’10”
Courtney Mina is another woman who’s inspired me to love myself, and at roughly the same height as me and over 400lbs, is by all standards a truly tall BBW. I kind of just wanted an excuse to post this photo of her looking like a total boss witch babe!
Thing is, all these women are beautiful, and proud to be the size they are. Really, that’s what it comes down to: owning your body shape and having confidence in yourself, no matter what you identify as.
