Just when you think things can’t get any worse when it comes to plus-size fashion, in walks Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias. The feel good-romance premiered season 4 on February 6th with 10 new episodes. And there was one thing above the rest that I hoped would get better. We’re talking about Dana Sue and her outfits.
For three seasons her outfits have reminded me how much Hollywood doesn’t care to dress bigger bodies. They throw us in a sack, slap a belt on it, and call it a day. And it’s so common place that even myself, with a bigger body, still don’t know how to dress myself in ways that complement my body without looking for plus-size influencers.
MORE: Sweet Magnolias made Dana Sue wear cursed outfits in season 3 too. Read more here.
Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias is a continued cry for help when it comes to Dana Sue’s outfits. None of her outfits embrace her body. In fact, I think they try to drown her in as much fabric as possible as if they fear her body. And that in turn draws the eye to her outfits every time she’s on screen as a viewer. It’s like Netflix is telling me this is the only way to dress plus-size bodies.
There is nothing to fear when it comes to being plus-size. But shows like Sweet Magnolias perpetuate this narrative that if you aren’t petite like Maddie or a tall goddess like Helen, you can’t embrace your curves in cute outfits or sit in a chair without a pillow in your lap; the latter which happens multiple times on this show with Dana Sue because how dare a plus-size person sit down and have her belly *gasp* still be there.
Not being able to dress plus-size bodies on TV or in movies also tells brands, designers, and retailers, “Don’t worry, you don’t actually have to make cute or fashionable clothes for plus-size people. Just size it up with no care in how proportions change if you’re not a standard medium and boom. Clothes.” That’s why Dana Sue’s outfits bother me so much on Sweet Magnolias.
TV and film are part of setting standards on what our communities “look like.” And right now, the representation this show is giving us is telling retailers that we should hide our bodies, be ashamed of them, and that a belt can fix anything so why bother putting in effort into plus-size fashion. We’ve got four seasons worth of proof that slapping a belt on something isn’t the magical fix studios think it is. It never has been.
MORE: Let’s not forget how Sweet Magnolias dressed Dana Sue in season 2.
Here are some of Sweet Magnolias season 4 biggest disasters when it comes to Dana Sue:
Helen is wearing a flattering color. Maddie is looking cute. And then there’s Dana Sue wearing a fancy dress… with a belt.
Oh and let’s talk about the tops. Always oversized drappery as if acknowledging she has a plus-size body can not happen on this show.
More drappery but kitchen edition.
Both Dana Sue and Helen have a belt. But one owns all the belts in the town because its their favorite basic accessory. The other is using it to accentuate her trendy pants.
Same shape. Same style. Drapery top. Surprised she doesn’t have a belt.
Another flowy and shapeless top with a belt. Shocker.
And this is only up to episode 2 of season 4 of Sweet Magnolias. Imagine what the rest of the season is like?
Sweet Magnolias season 4 is now available on Netflix.
You are absolutely correct. I began encountering the remarks regarding her outfits at the end of season 2, when I was researching Maddie’s outfits. There wasn’t any changes in Season 3, so I had really high hopes for Season 4. I feel that it is such a tragedy because she is stunning! Doesn’t Torrid, Bloom Chic or Eloqui exist?
I agree. Her clothes are hideous!
I agree .She could look fab with her gorgeous face and beautiful curves !
One million percent AGREE! She is such a gorgeous women, why do they style her like she’s trying to hide herself? It’s frustrating!
I totally agree I thought the same thing with this season. She deserves to be dressed so much better. I love the show but I always notice her outfits as a curvy woman myself. They can do way better with the money they have.
It was the first thing I noticed! I think she has a tough body type to style. But they can do so much better. No belts please. I’m not a stylist. But she is beautiful and the clothes are not.
And that black skirt with the rushing on the side!! So awful!! I hope they do better!!
I watched every season very closely. I have seen Dona Sue on one of her other shows as Drop Dead Divas years ago and she was dressed pretty fashionable and cute !
I thought over and over what in the world with the short skirts , belts and the boots, a big no! On the last season I thought they’d fix that but what a disappointment! Maddie and Helen’s clothes were very nicely picked!!
Her outfits this season definitely have me saying why so much fabric or why did they do Dana Sue like that?! The gold sparkly thing was absolutely hideous!
Thank you, it’s sad when you can’t just dwell on their great acting abilities but no, the outfits are so unflattering, she’s so beautiful makes me so upset.
I agree let her pick her own clothes she always looked amazing on Drop Dead Diva. Another excellent show.
I agree they could improve Dana Sue’s wardrobe, but what in the world is going on with Cal’s hairstyle?? It looks absolutely ridiculous!!
I don’t know which one is worse. Dana Sue’s outfits or Cal’s hair. Both are equally horrible..
I was embarrassed for her. Belts and glitter? Skirts that ride up on the side? Did they run out of a clothing budget?
Yessss!!! Thank you!!! They need a better stylist for Dana Sue!! None of her outfits are ever flattering! It’s cringy how badly they style her.
I am so happy we can comment on beautiful Dana Sue. Does she dress like that in real life. Please please do everyone a favor and spend some money on some beautiful clothes
She could also use a new hairdo. That long straight hair does nothing for her. Whenever there’s a scene with her hair up, it is so flattering.
First thing I said when Dana Sue walked in w/that silver dress and horrific black belt is…omg; that looks terrible! Not flattering at all. Hope they do better
No excuse for how horribly they dress Dane Sue. Talk about lazy styling!!
She is a beautiful woman. If the fashion police can’t put her in decent clothes then they simply are NOT who they say they are.
I think everything you said is on point! Dana Sue is an attractive plus sized woman but the clothing choices for her are ridiculous! Like they got a sheet and put a belt on it. Everything as a matter of fact! I’m wondering if she even has a say so in what she wears? I really hope there is a season 5 in the not too far off future and they raise the bar with Dana Sue’s wardrobe! Let that woman dress cute like Maddie and Helen!
I wondered if it was only me judging Dana Sue’s clothes. I agree; she needs a new stylist or let her do her own. Not thrilled with Maddie’s wardrobe the majority of the episodes. Helen could wear a sack and make it look elegant.
Agree!! At least take her to Lane Bryant or Torrid. My new favorite is Bloom Chic!!! She needs to embrace her curves. And the pillow when she sits!! Cal’s hair this season is almost as bad as her clothes. And please, can we give her a new hairstyle??? Madi and Helen have had such cute hair styles!
I am there with you 100% Every time she’s on screen it’s all I can see. As I plus size woman myself, it’s offensive. They treat her like she’s an afterthought. She never gets a different hairstyle either. Maddy & Helen get different hairstyles frequently. Poor Dana Sue is stuck with the same drab hairstyle that does nothing to highlight her facial features. The color also does not do her skin any favors. Please, somebody get her a stylist that cares!
Omg this is my only complaint of this show… I love all the characters and their chesey Hallmark lines… Lol
But Dana Sue & that god awful belt just sitting there at the widest part of her body must go… The ruching side skirt is a no no also. She must not have any say so in her wardrobe because I know the actress knows better… Maddie & Helen are always on point and it’s not fair.
Cal must be wearing a bad toupee smh
Dana Sue is such a pretty woman, so they need to dress her like one!!!!!!!The outfits they choose are always just not flattering and very dumpy. DO BETTER PLEASE!
I don’t entirely agree. First, know that I am plus-sized and have also struggled with fashion choices. Plus sizes come in different shapes. I think Dana Sue’s character designer may be trying to balance her top and bottom portions while creating the image of a waist. The styling choices show off her shapely legs. It’s not my personal style, but have you considered the actress may have given her input? Also, I often sit with pillows on my lap out of habit. Maybe the actress is doing this as opposed to being directed to do so. I would like to think that the actress is free to give her input (positive or negative). This might not be everyone’s style, but that doesn’t mean plus-sized fashion is “typecast.” Netflix has other shows that don’t follow your theory. Just look at “Survival of the Thickest” or “Dumplin’.” I do agree fashion choices are limited for larger sizes, but that is not Netflix’s doing. This seems to be a styling preference. I’m curious as to what Brooke Elliott, the actress playing Dana Sue, has to say.
What is really odd to me about the way they dress Brooke Elliott ( Dana Sue) is that they know how to style her beautifully, Her character in Drop Dead Diva would never be caught dead in those looks. Why doesn’t Brooke stand up for herself?
I agree, however they are in a little one horse town in SC maybe that’s why? I don’t think they dress Helen very cute either. Some of her clothes look like a cross between a hotel curtain and African garb. Maddie is the only one who looks cute. And yes what’s going on with Cal’s hair? When they met his ex in that restaurant omg his hair was atrocious!
Thank you! I have been plus sized also and never once have I worn a belt or clothes that look like a sack. I have wondered why with a their resources they dress her like that. Go to the wardrobe department for The Voice. They have beautiful clothes for plus size women.
I find it interesting this article nor people in the comments didn’t *seem* to stop and think that maybe… just maybe… the actress WANTED to be styled this way? People are comparing the actresses outfits now to her outfits on a show from 2009… 16 years ago. Looking back on the outfits from Drop Dead Diva there were a lot of belts. Looking at pictures of the actress at events, she also wears a lot of belts and blouson tops. Not judging, but it looks like she’s gained weight and perhaps has an apron belly. An apron belly is extremely hard to style. Wearing pants without a longer top makes it look like you have a “front butt.” It’s really embarrassing and most people do what they can to hide it. Skirts, dresses, and belts are the only way.
This could be why Dana Sue dresses the way that she does because it’s how the actress has requested to be dressed… I would assume most actresses have *some* say in what they wear. Maybe this is how she is most comfortable and allows her to feel confident. For this reason, I feel that this article is a bit mean toward the actress.
I agree 100%! She is gorgeous and the wardrobe department needs to get it together and put her in outfits that accentuate her body! She has curves, she isnt a circle with legs! Get off the dang belts already!
I totally agree! If there stylist can’t dress a plus size women in other than what looks like an altered paper bag they need a stylist who can.
Or just send Brooke Elliot to Torrid to pick up nice stylish outfits for her own character.
I loved the way she looked in the all black outfits fit she wore to get out and get down with her hubby on his new bike.
She is a beautiful woman. Work on that wardrobe!
I feel like they’ve had her in the same skirt so many times. I made a comment to my husband the other day that it seems like they didn’t make a budget for her wardrobe so she has to repeat outfit pieces or something!? It was driving my crazy so I decided to google it to see if I’m all alone in this. Glad to see there are others. I’ve seen her in other shows where I thought she had adorable outfits. Sweet Magnolias costume design is just falling short.
Agree 💯. They keep putting her in that same black skirt!!!!