Here Every Creed, and Race, and Size?

Here every creed and race, (and SIZE?) have an equal place, so may God bless our nation?

This is a line from the Trinidad and Tobago national Anthem (minus the size line), but it give way to a debate that is being discussed on my favorite blog of all time. Trinidad Carnival Diary.

(Read the debate here.)

http://www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com/2008/07/question-and-answer-with-band-leader_23.html

In Trinidad Carnival Diary’s weekly, “Ask a Band Leader” series, the question of variety in size and ethnicity of models used during the mas band launches and on their websites is broached, which produced some very interesting responses.

One response from a young lady was of particular interest to me. This is her direct quote.

"Does anyone think that those very very skimpy costumes are made for plus sized masqueraders? That alone should tell certian bodies (pun intended) that the band is not for you, find a band with more cloth if you have more extra pounds carrying around. it is harsh but reality is if you weigh 200lbs why you want to be in a costume designed for a woman 120lbs? The designer has a vision of how their mas wants to look and who says that the plus sized masquerader has to be accommodated just because she wants to fit into a costume that is obviously not appropriate? if you want to wear the skimpy costume loose some pounds!from ash Wednesday you have enough time to hit the gym if you know you want to play in a two piece and some beads.and all this hating on skinny chicks no one talks about. I am kinda fed up of people wanting to play in the hottest skimpiest band when they should be looking at trini revelers or mc farlane with loads of cloth to cover their bodies."

I agree with this young lady that not every costume is for everybody, and this does not solely apply to plus sized people. We as women of ALL sizes have to take responsibility for how we present ourselves whether it is on the road for carnival or the in the work place. For instance, the skinniest large breasted women may have a tendency to shy away from halter type bras because of the pressure that the weight of their breasts put on the back of the neck, causing discomfort.

Would this skinny woman have the right to ask the bandleader to make adjustments for her? ABSOLUTELY! And that right to ask is reserved for everyone INCLUDING plus sized woman.

(Please note. I also feel that it is absolutely within the band leader’s right grant or to deny that request, it is their band after all.)

I cannot speak for other plus sized women, but I can say if a particular band leader decided to deny the request, it would be fine with me. As I stated in my introductory post, it would let me know where NOT to spend my hard earned money. It would just be a matter of me exercising my consumer power and not giving that band my business. But what I have found over the years is that many of these bands leaders are less concerned about the size of a woman’s waistline, and much more interested in the size of her wallet!!! For some, they may see the plus sized adjustments as a win/win situation. They buy beads and fabric for cheap in bulk, and can slap on another $600 - $1200 TT for their adjustment troubles. Plus size beauty is happy, and so is the mas camp’s bank account. (SMILE)

As to loosing some pounds from Ash Wednesday… that is a very good suggestion. However, for some people, no matter how many pounds they loose, Genetics is the powerful offspring of Mother Nature. When she wields her mighty DNA wand, many of us cannot simple say, “ABRACADABRA”, and send the big butt of mummy, the large breasts of Tantie Merle, or the little pooch belly of Great Grandma Dinah off into oblivion. As a side note, I also want to point out, that I AM an advocate for exercise but with an emphasis of exercising for HEALTH. Anyone can crash off pounds, but at what expense to their overall health? Hence, I encourage ALL women to be kind to and to celebrate their bodies and work with what we have. And while you are working it….WERK IT WELL!!!

I am saddened that this young lady is fed up of people like me wanting to play in skimpy bands. So much for sister hood eh? When will the time come when we will begin to advocate for one another as women, and not let something as small and unimportant as a costume divide us when worldwide our children are dying, wars are waging, and the earth is wasting away.

I want to be very clear that my opinion on this subject goes BOTH WAYS. I too, cannot stand to hear the Plus size beauties "hate" on the smaller girls. PLEASE DO NOT participate in this behaviour ladies. To hear women diss and hate on each other, is not only unattractive on all body types, it is downright counterproductive. No one wears intolerance well; it is not a cute accessory.

For those of us who are Trinbagonians, let us begin to not sing the words of our anthem in vain, but to sing them with sincerity, that us THE WOMEN, will be the ones to advocate for every creed, race, ( and SIZE), to have an equal place…. AND MAY GOD BLESS OUR NATION!

Till next time.

Be safe. Be well. Be beautiful!
Voluptuous Masquerader
http://plusandproud.blogspot.com
Voluptuous.masquerader@gmail.com

Welcome to Plus Size for Carnival

A place where ladies who are curvy, luscious, voluptuous and proud of it, can get together to discuss physical fitness, nutrition, health, as well as the special circumstances that we face in this weight challenged society. We can also research which bands are willing to accommodate with well fitted Carnival costumes for plus size beauties.

I am in my 30's, a wife and mother. I am from the beautiful twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, whose Carnival is touted as "The Greatest Show On Earth". I have loved Carnival since I was old enough to walk. Just as Carnival has undergone changes in costumes styles and pricing over the past 15 years, so has my figure. (Smile).

There used to be a time when the sight of a skimpy costume would send me into a self confidence spiraling anxiety attacks. I would feel my heart beat against my chest wall at the very thought of those skimpy costumes, knowing full well that I could never fit into them and still look wonderful.

Add to the fact, that I have always, even in my skinnier days, been well endowed with a buxom breast line. The mass purchased flimsy bras offered at the mas camps, were like putting a band aide on a cantaloupe. They did me no good in the support department.

To make my anxiety worse, I would go into health depleting ritual starvation mode. My warped mind actually had me thinking that I would actually to fit into a costume like the 5'11, 120 pound model on the flyer or website. Over the years, I tried every fad and crash diet prior to Carnival and only ended up making my self sick and miserable with minimal strength to play mas, and even more minimal weight loss results. All of this hoopla, and my costume would still be uncomfortable and ill fitting.

In 2004, I wanted to play mas, but I was sick of sore breasts from ill fitting, non supporting bras, bikini bottoms that left the inside of my thighs sore and chafed, and just of over all not feeling good and confident in my Carnival costume. Lest I play with the one of the "older band" in a fully covered mas outfit, and give up the bling and beads, I felt that my options had run out. I was ready to give up on the thing that has bought me the most pleasure each year. Carnival.

I then had a revelation and a HUGE reality check. I had to accept that I was no longer the 18 year old motherless girl who could freely wear a bikini. I had to accept that some things just genetically predispose some women to thicker thighs, bulkier midsections, and bigger bamsees. In light of all of this, I did realize that I had strong advantage. I WAS HAPPY AND HEALTHY. Although I was a what would be considered a "tick ting", I was as strong and healthy as a horse. I was not plagued with diabetes, high blood pressure, or any of the other disease processes that are associated with being outside of the recommended Body Mass Index. I was grateful that God had given me two good legs, and two good feet to jump up on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and I planned to utilize them. This is when I got PRO-ACTIVE!!

I refused to chip down the road with my parents to the smooth sounds of the Starlift's steel pans just to have the support and the coverage I so badly needed. I decided that despite my thick size, that I was fully entitled to support, coverage, and all the bling I wanted for my money.

I began looking past the thin MODELS on the mas bands' websites, and began looking at the COSTUMES that I found attractive. I shifted my vision to see how those very same costumes could be tailored to fit MY needs. I composed an email asking about the possibility of bringing my own well fitted bra for the mas camp to decorate, and began inquiring what other bottom options where offered to cover my thighs. Needless to say, I go no response from some bands/sections, and letters of apologies from others that they did not cater to women like me. Undaunted, I looked at this "rejection" as a God send, because I knew now, where NOT to spend my hard earned money.

One the sections whose costumes that I was really in love with, did email me back. Then they called. This was the beginning of me being an advocate for my own comfort and appearance on the road during Carnival. I had my own custom bra made, and my costume tailored to how I wanted it. I was not only ready for Carnival, but the question was, "Is Carnival ready for me?!"

Carnival 2004 was a turning point for me. Having my own well supporting bra, and well fitted costume, it was the first Carnival in my adult life where complaints about a sore big toe took precedence over tears and tenderness of sore breasts. This also was a turning point for my husband and my on the road liming partners. We spent the day doing what Carnival day was meant for. Having a good time! The experience was not clouded with me holding camera, drink cup, and other on the road essentials while my husband adjusted my bra, pulled down arm and leg pieces that had rolled up, or adjusted an ill-fitting belt that had gone askew.

Now, as a result of me looking after my own comfort and needs, I can enjoy my beloved Carnival in all of my BEAUTIFUL PLUS SIZED SPLENDOR!

This is my story. What is yours?

I look forward to your participating and sharing.

Plus and Proud,

Voluptuous Masquerader.
voluptuous.masquerader@gmail.com

Picture source: Trinidad Guardian