Cut to Size — But Never to Fit In
“So what if they see a bulge? So what if you take up space? You were meant to.”
One of the core promises I made to myself before launching Don’t Tell Mama was that I would never design only for margins. I would design for people — real people. Fashion isn’t just for a size small. But let’s be honest: fast fashion has made plus-size women nearly invisible. And when they are visible, they’re often made to feel small — not just in sizing, but in spirit. Many mainstream brands skip plus sizes altogether because, truthfully, they believe extended sizing eats into their profits. So they take the easier route: exclude, avoid, erase.
Let’s just agree to it — the fashion industry has done a great job at telling curvier women that their bodies are a problem. From backhanded compliments to limited sizing racks, the message has always been: fit in — or don’t shop here at all. That’s exactly what I set out to change.
I’ve dealt with body image issues from both ends of the spectrum — when I was too skinny and when I was heavier. The doubt creeps in just the same. Maybe this is too revealing. Maybe it’s not flattering enough. Maybe I’ll draw the wrong kind of attention. But here’s what I’ve realized: those thoughts were never truly mine. They were given to me — by magazines, brands, sizing labels, and even the people closest to me.
So when I started custom-making garments, I made a rule — I ask how you feel first. Not just your size. Your comfort. Your preferences. Your story. Then, as someone who knows the structure of silhouettes and the psychology of design, I may suggest what could look incredible on you — not to push, but to empower. Most of the pieces at Don’t Tell Mama are made to flatter every body. They’re built to highlight the waist, sculpt the curves, and most importantly — make you fall in love with your reflection.
I’ve seen plus-size clients come in with a friend who whispers, “Isn’t this too revealing for you?” or “Won’t it show your bulges?” And all I can think is: So what if it does? Who decided visibility was a crime?
At Don’t Tell Mama, we don’t just make clothes. We make space — for the unapologetic, for the confident, and for the women who are done shrinking themselves to fit into a system that was never built for them.
Because darling, you were never too much — they were just too little.
- Srishti Suri, Founder- Don’t tell mama
