Plus-Size Dating Stories Real Women Experiences, Advice

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Photographed by Rochelle Brock.

Dating today is a tricky business — whether you're looking for love online or off. People ghost. They fetishize. Those who seemed nice in their profiles turn out to be total fuckboys after the first date. Regardless of who you are, the journey that is dating and relationships can make you feel like you're running around in circles.

But plus women often have an entirely different experience with dating than women who are considered straight-size. And to uncover just how different it can be to date as a plus-size person, we spoke to five women from across the country. Some date online, while others choose a more "traditional" route. A few enjoy more casual sexual experiences, while others are happy in their committed relationships. But all of them have dealt with one specific thing: their bodies being at the forefront of the dating conversation. And all of them are ready for that to change. Read their stories ahead.

More from Sex & Relationships

How To End A Date When You Realise It’s Not Going Anywhere

Often during a first date, you’re just waiting for a “spark,” connection, or literally any sign that justifies you spending you

What Is Mgen? The STI You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Many of us haven’t heard of Mgen. If you’re on TikTok, you may have seen a few videos about the bacterial illness circulating recently but even so,

by Tanyel Mustafa

What If We Told You That Your Icks Say More About You Than Them?

“Men chasing after ping pong balls! It’s so embarrassing for everyone involved.” This is just one of the answers that dropped into my inbox after I a

by Tanyel Mustafa

Forget “Icks,” Here Are Our Oddly Specific Turn-Ons

Team Unbothered is looking for someone to match our freak. This is our exhaustive, extensive, roadmap of thirst.

by Kathleen Newman-B...

I’m A Straight Black Woman Dating A Woman & Labels Are Complicated

It’s not that deep. That’s what I tell myself whenever my pen hesitates over boxes on a form, under the ‘sexual orientation’ section. It’s

I’m Happy Being Single, But…

How long have you, or your friends, been single? For at least one person in your circle, the answer is likely to be well over a year — if not years. (In

by Tanyel Mustafa

“I Don’t Miss It”: Celibacy Is Bringing Some Women Peace

Celibacy has had a rebrand. Previously, celibacy was often intertwined with religious ideas of purity and chastity, but for women today the concept is much

by Tanyel Mustafa

What’s A Cock Ring And Should You Be Using One?

Want To Orgasm Faster? Try This

There are plenty of articles on the internet instructing men how to make a woman come in five minutes, 10, or 15. But what if a woman wants to learn to mak

by Erika W. Smith

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Have (Almost) Survived Cuffing Season

For years, I thought cuffing season was fake — something we made up and clung onto each fall as a beacon of hope for the prospect of love (or any kind of

by Elizabeth Gulino

PSA: There’s up to 50% Off LELO’s Luxury Sex Toys For...

by Charlotte Lewis

4 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Think You Are In A Toxic Relat...

Trigger warning: This article contains themes of abuse. If spending time with your partner feels like it drains, upsets or hurts you, you might be in a tox

by Erika W. Smith