Sweet Magnolias has a problem and it’s absolutely got to do with Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott). Or more accurately with her outfits. In season one of Sweet Magnolias we forgave them. Maybe they were dealing with season one jitters and they hadn’t found their footing yet. Or maybe Dana Sue was trying to hide away in subtle ways after what Ronnie did to her and her subsequently kicking him out. But it’s season two and it’s become obvious that this show doesn’t know how to dress big/plus-size/fluffy/party size women. And we’re tired of it.
Season two of Sweet Magnolias saw Dana Sue wearing belt after belt to the point of insanity. We couldn’t focus on her story (which is a damn shame because how often do you see plus-size stories with romance) or what was going on with her love life or friends because we were focused on the show’s inability to dress her in a way that felt empowering. Instead, we got outfit after outfit where it looked like Dana Sue was wearing a bed sheet or a set of curtains with a belt slapped on top of it all to make it look fancy, fashionable, or whatever else they were going for.
It failed, FYI.
Does Sweet Magnolias understand that plus-size women wear cute and fashionable things that complement their bodies? Do they not get that they know that they are bigger than the “ideal” and that they’re more than ok with it? Even something like this very author, who struggles with her self-image, knows that plus-size women can look fierce AF without hiding behind drapes. And Sweet Magnolias continued belt situation with Dana Sue demonstrates that they don’t get that.
Maddie? Sure, get her some cute outfits. She’s cute as a button. Why not give her some outfits that complement her even if we don’t love all of them. Helen? Yes, please. Let’s make her look fierce in everything she wears and have her express parts of her personality through her clothes. But Dana Sue? Nah. Let’s hide that she’s plus-size behind dark colors and drapes because a bigger woman would never dare to show who she is and be confident in that body. It’s a no for us and we’re not alone.
Sweet Magnolias season 2 is available on Netflix.
Thank you!!! I literally just googled this issue because I kept thinking I can’t be the only one that had noticed this! What they are doing to that beautiful woman’s body hurts my eyes and drives me crazy! How can you not know in this day and age how to dress her body type??? It is really not that difficult people. I mean really. Also, the dark colors they use, her makeup and hair is way to harsh, makes her look older than she is. Give this poor woman a break.
I have to agree. To be honest though, all of the clothes are pretty awful. Even the ones on the teenagers. Why can Dana Sue only wear red?
I 100% agree. I love Brooke Elliot and I hate what they are doing. She is a chef and is always dressed way too dressy and boxy. Also, why is she always in heels? It doesn’t matter the situation, she is always in the same black pumps. Fat women deserve better representation.
I’m only on Season 1 episode 6 and I am ready to scream–MORE BELTS??!! I loved Brooke in Drop Dead Diva–they KNEW how to style her on that show! I’m already sick of this show, for this & other reasons.