For most young people, shopping for clothes is a way to express who they are. But for Kyla Mangsat, a 20-year-old from Parañaque City, it’s not always that simple.
Kyla wears a size XL, and while she loves fashion just like anyone else, her shopping experience comes with a unique set of challenges. “I usually stick to physical stores,” she says. “They’re just more accessible—and at least I can try things on before buying.”
Like many in her generation, Kyla has tried shopping online. But her experience? Far from perfect.
“I’m never sure when I’m looking online,” she shares. “Especially with different manufacturers, sizing is all over the place. It’s hard to know what will actually fit.”
She rates her satisfaction with online plus-size purchases at a 3 out of 10—a clear sign that something isn’t working. “The style might look the same as the pictures, but the fabric, the fit… it’s usually off. I either try to make it work or it just ends up in the back of my closet.”
Interestingly, she notes that clothes are often bigger than expected—but that doesn’t necessarily mean they fit better. “It’s still a gamble,” she says with a shrug. “You never really know what you’re getting.”
Kyla doesn’t put much trust in traditional advertising. “I don’t rely on the marketing,” she says. “I go straight to the reviews, especially on TikTok. The live sessions help too.”
What does catch her attention, though, is when brands use realistic models—people whose bodies look more like hers. “It makes a difference when I see someone I can relate to,” she says. “I really don’t like it when they use one-size-fits-all models and just say they offer plus sizes. It feels lazy.”
Ask Kyla how she feels about how plus-sized people are shown in media, and she pauses. “It’s a hit or miss for me,” she admits. “Sometimes I feel seen—but not always.”
And when it’s done wrong? “It can be damaging. People start to form unrealistic expectations about what plus-sized bodies ‘should’ look like. That’s not fair to anyone.”
For her, inclusion isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s necessary. “Big brands, especially fast fashion ones, have the resources to make clothes for all body types. It’s not that hard.”
When we talk about consumer protection, Kyla is candid: she’s never heard of any legal safeguards for plus-sized shoppers in the Philippines.
“No, I’m not aware of any,” she says. “And no, I don’t think they’re being enforced, if they even exist. I’ve never raised a complaint—mostly because I didn’t know where to go or if it would even matter.”
Even with all the frustration, Kyla hasn’t completely given up on brands. She’s still willing to recommend plus-sized labels—if they offer good quality at an affordable price, something she says is still pretty rare.
“At the end of the day,” she says, “we just want to find clothes that fit and make us feel good. Is that too much to ask?”
Kyla’s story is more than just one person’s experience—it’s a reflection of what many Gen Z and millennial shoppers are going through today. Her honesty reveals a fashion world that’s slowly evolving, but still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity, transparency, and representation.
As the push for body positivity grows louder, voices like Kyla’s are a powerful reminder of who the industry should really be designing for: everyone.
Written by: Wes Macatangay
