Ruqayyah Snyder
The 'average' Australian woman is a complex topic. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Australian woman is Sally Smith, a 37-year-old Christian with English, Australian, Irish, or Scottish ancestry. She stands at 161.8 cm tall, weighs 71.1 kg, and is considered overweight. However, this notion of 'average' masks the diversity of Australian women. In terms of clothing sizes, the average Australian woman wears a size 16, with 67% wearing a size 14 or above, challenging the standard largest size of 14-16 considered 'normal'. This discrepancy between the sizing of Australian women and the fashion industry's representation has significant impacts on body image and mental health. While there are varying opinions on the general characteristics of Australian women, with some suggesting they are more 'masculine' than women from other countries, it is important to recognize that gender is a construct and that diversity and inclusion are crucial in accurately representing the varied identities of Australian women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dress size | 14-18 |
| Weight | 71.1 kg |
| Height | 161.8 cm |
| BMI | Overweight |
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What You'll Learn
The average Australian woman is plus-sized
The limited clothing options for plus-size women in Australia have been linked to negative effects on mental health and body image. Despite the high demand for plus-size clothing, only 6.3% of Australian clothing retailers sell sizes 16 and above. This has resulted in feelings of isolation and shame for many Australian women, who have been advised to lose weight to fit into the 'average' and 'healthy' range.
The discrepancy between the reported average size of Australian women and the reality may be due to the inconsistent sizing across brands and garments. The term plus-size itself is also open to interpretation, with different definitions provided by various sources. However, it is clear that the majority of Australian women are considered 'overweight' and fall into the plus-size category.
The lack of representation in the fashion industry has been a long-standing issue for plus-size women in Australia. With only 0.8% of looks at Australian Fashion Week in 2024 being plus-size, despite the majority of women falling into this category, it is no wonder that many Australian women feel underrepresented and struggle to find clothing that suits their body type.
The movement towards greater size inclusivity in the fashion industry is gaining momentum, with apps like Mys Tyler offering improved representation and body confidence for women. Mys Tyler's FIT Algorithm matches shoppers with fashion creators of similar body shapes and sizes, leading to increased body confidence and a lower purchase return rate.
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The average Australian woman wears size 16
The average Australian woman wears a size 16. This means that she is considered 'plus-size', as are over a third of Australian women (36.9%). In fact, only 9.1% of Australian women are considered 'straight-size' (size 4-8), while more than half (53.9%) are considered 'mid-size' (size 10-16).
The average Australian woman also wears a D cup or larger, with 80% describing themselves as curvy or full-figured. This is in stark contrast to the average size of an Australian runway model, which is reported to be a size 8 or smaller. This disparity between the sizing of Australian women and what they are being advertised and sold has been highlighted as an issue by Mys Tyler founder Sarah Neill, who hopes to keep inclusion and diversity at the top of the fashion industry's agenda.
The lack of representation in the fashion industry has been shown to negatively impact women's body confidence. In 2022, 50% of 18-29-year-old respondents reported negatively comparing themselves to women they saw in fashion advertising and on social media. Mys Tyler's FIT Algorithm matches shoppers with fashion creators who have similar body shapes and sizes, and 86% of users have reported increased body confidence.
The average Australian woman wearing a size 16 is also reflected in waist circumference measurements. In 2017/18, the average waist circumference of Australian women was reported to be 88cm, which corresponds to a size 16-18 on the size charts of Australia's most popular clothing brands. This makes the average Australian woman officially 'plus-size'.
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Two-thirds of Australian women are size 14 or above
In Australia, the average woman's clothing size has long been considered to be between 14 and 16. However, new data suggests that the average Australian woman actually wears a size 16 or above. Mys Tyler, a company that aims to improve representation and diversity in the fashion industry, gathered data from over 32,000 Australian women, finding that two-thirds (67%) of Australian women wear a size 14 or above. This discovery highlights the fashion industry's failure to represent and cater to the majority of Australian women.
The discrepancy between the traditional benchmark and the reality may be attributed to outdated clothing standards. Until 2008, Australian clothing standards were based on measurements taken from a group of self-elected white women over 80 years ago. This outdated reference may have contributed to the persistent notion that the average woman is smaller than she actually is.
The underrepresentation of larger sizes in the fashion industry has significant implications. Firstly, it reinforces the idea that being above a certain size is abnormal, contributing to body image issues and low self-esteem. Secondly, it creates a practical challenge for women trying to find clothing that fits well and suits their style. This issue is not unique to Australia, as similar trends are observed in other parts of the world, such as the UK and the US.
The fashion industry's lack of inclusivity has been a topic of discussion for years, with many advocating for more diverse representations of women in terms of size, age, height, ethnicity, and abilities. While some progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to ensure that the industry serves and represents all women equally.
It is worth noting that the concept of an "average" woman may not be the most effective way to approach this issue. As mentioned earlier, variance is the norm, and each woman has unique characteristics that may not be captured by a single "average" representation. Nevertheless, recognizing that two-thirds of Australian women are a size 14 or above underscores the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry and beyond.
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The average height of an Australian woman is 161.8 cm
In Australia, the average woman is considered plus-sized. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2017-18 National Health Survey, more than two-thirds (67%) of Australians aged 18 and over were overweight or obese. This has had an impact on clothing options, with only 6.3% of Australian clothing retailers selling plus-sizes (size 16+).
The average Australian woman wears a size 16, with 67% wearing size 14 and above. This is in contrast to the average Australian runway model, who is reported to be a size 8 or smaller.
The notion of the 'average' Australian woman also masks a considerable diversity in the country. Australia has a diverse population, with people of various ancestries, cultures, and backgrounds. Therefore, while the average height of an Australian woman may be 161.8 cm, there is no single defining characteristic that all Australian women share.
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The average Australian woman is overweight
The average Australian woman, represented by Sally Smith, is in her late 30s, stands at 161.8 cm tall, and weighs about 71.1 kg. With a Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement, she is considered overweight. While Sally represents the average, no single person in Australia matches her exactly, and the country's diversity is growing.
The fashion industry has been criticized for its lack of representation of plus-size models, with only 0.8% of looks at Australian Fashion Week being plus-size. This has contributed to body image issues and mental health concerns for many women, as they feel underrepresented and struggle to find clothing that suits their body type.
The impact of this disparity extends beyond limited clothing options. Many women feel pressured to lose weight to fit into an 'average' and 'healthy' range, even though the basis of averages in size and shape is often inaccurate and stigmatizing. This has resulted in gaslighting and weight stigma, negatively affecting the mental health of many Australian women.
The average Australian woman's weight and the subsequent impact on body image and mental health highlight the need for better representation and diversity in the fashion industry. It also underscores the importance of recognizing that the 'average' is not necessarily representative of the majority.
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Frequently asked questions
The average Australian woman wears a size 16, with 67% wearing a size 14 or above.
The average height of an Australian woman is 161.8 cm.
According to the Body Mass Index, the average Australian woman is overweight, weighing about 71.1 kg.
67% of Australian women are considered plus-sized.
The average Australian woman is in her late 30s, specifically 37 years old.
