Size DOES matter... and 16 is the magic number as its revealed that women wearing this dress size are the happiest

• The research found 74% of size 16 women are happy with their appearance 
• This is nearly twice as many as those who are size six (42%)
• 52% of size six women say they would like to be curvier
• Size 16 women comfortable in their clothes and have improved confidence 

By KATY WINTER

PUBLISHED: 12:04, 24 October 2013 | UPDATED: 18:53, 24 October 2013

Size 16 women are the happiest and most comfortable in their own skin, according to a new study.

The research found 74 per cent are happy with their appearance - nearly twice as many as those who are size six (42 per cent).

It would seem curves make women more content, with size 16 women - like Marilyn Monroe - saying they have high body confidence, look good and feel comfortable.

And the study suggests you can forget the mantra 'being thin is the path to happiness'.

Size 16 women, like Marilyn Monroe, report having high body confidence, looking good and feeling comfortable

Nigella Lawson was voted the curvy celebrity British women are most envious of, followed by Beyonce

Half of those whose weight has fluctuated in the past three years, reveal they were at their happiest with a fuller, size 16 figure (49 per cent).

Indeed, the research found 52 per cent of size six women would like to be curvier.

It seems they would rather look like celebrity chef Nigella Lawson or pop star Beyonce, who top the list of curvy celebrities women most admired.

Why happiness is having a size 16 figure

1. Feeling comfortable in clothes (60%)

2. Improved body confidence (46%)

3. Looking and feeling good (43%)

4. Feeling comfortable in their own skin (38%)

5. Compliments from friends and family (20%)

The survey results show women sized 14 to 18, have a more positive frame of mind when it comes to their appearance.

In comparison, those sized six to 10 are much more critical of their look, with just 59 per cent saying they are happy with their appearance.

This attitude is perhaps personified by the likes of British songstress Adele, who feels no pressure to slim down, and Steps' Claire Richards, who has yo-yoed from a size six to a size 20 over the years.

But as a curvaceous size 16, Claire has recently spoken about finally feeling body confident.

The findings also suggest size six ladies are often envious of those with curves, with a third (35 per cent) wishing for a fuller figure because it's considered sexier.

They also feel curves would make clothes more flattering (31 per cent), and one in four (24 per cent) say it would improve their body confidence. 

 

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Nigella Lawson was voted the curvy celebrity British women are most envious of, followed by Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Christina Hendricks and Adele.

Full time mother Helen Taylor, 34, of Southampton, Hants, said: 'I always used to battle trying to stay a size 8 or 10 but I did find it a struggle.

Curvy British songstress Adele (left) says she feels no pressure to slim down, while former Steps member Claire Richards (right) has recently spoken about finally feeling body confident at size 16 

Full-figure fashion advice from Littlewoods

1. Dress for your body shape, as well as your size

2. Create the right sort of drama with colour, patterns and embellishments that highlight the areas you love

3. Wear fitted clothes that will accentuate and flatter your body rather than shapeless, oversized items that will only conceal your curvaceous figure

4. Invest in quality fabrics that will make you feel confident and comfortable

5. Shapewear underwear is a must, that will not only add support to all the right places but enhance your curves and confidence

'I don't think it was really me. I put on weight after having my two children but since I've settled down to be a 14 or 16 and I love my shape now.'

The study of 2,000 women was commissioned by So Fabulous for Littlewoods.com, a range specifically designed for women of sizes 14-32.

Gary Kibble, Retail Brand Director at Littlewoods.com, said: 'It's great to see curvier real women are feeling empowered to embrace their body shape and feel good too.

'We've seen full-figured celebrities are confidently gracing the red carpet.

'Meanwhile the media have been commending the likes of Nigella and Kim Kardashian for their curvaceous silhouettes.

'At Littlewoods.com, we understand it's important for women to feel happy in their appearance.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2474815/Size-16-women-happiest-comfortable-skin-according-new-study.html#ixzz2ifze6XSM
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