Hello all! I’m trying to do a topic of discussion every week. I think that having weekly features will help keep the blog up to date. So this week I want to talk about plus size lines or retailers not catering to women on the larger side of the plus size spectrum.
Earlier this year
Forever 21 began carrying their plus size line
Faith 21. I was so happy when I heard that Forever 21 was getting a plus size line. I can always walk into Forever 21 and find something I wish was in my size. But, much to my disappointment the clothing only went up to a 15/16. Many “straight size” retailers already go up to at least a size 16 so, to many this is a step in the right direction but can also be seen as just a expansion to include sizes Forever 21 should have already been carrying. So, as a 24/26 this left me at a lost.
Also while Dorothy Perkins offers cute clothing (some pieces I even drool over) they only carry up to a U.K. 22 which is the equivalent to a U.S. 18. Lane Bryant carries most pieces up to at least a 28 which is good but, lets face it most pieces they carry aren’t on trend for a 20 something fashion conscience woman. Torrid also carries up to a U.S. 26 but many people have issues with the price and quality.
I Even watched a fox interview where plus size model Mia Amber( a size 18/20) stated that there are size 6 models working in the plus size modeling industry. Mia even stated that as 18/20 she is almost too plus for plus size modeling. Interview below.
So as a 24/26 where does that leave me? Should I be further alienated from the Plus size clothing industry because a lot of clothing stores don’t reach that 26 I sometimes need? Should I lose weight?
NO, I'm not loosing weight, I love my body and while I wish most plus size stores offered at least up to a 24 cut with a curvier woman in mind(my dream would be that they offered 26) that won’t happen if we don’t take action. So, here are some solutions.
1.) Write, email, and call retailers and let them know that you want them to know there is a market for Fashionable, trendy clothes in your size.
2.) Work with up and coming designers and get them to design in your size. Christina over at Musings of a Fatshionista just did a post about this you can read here. Also Project runway designer Kenley Collins line also goes up size 24 because she received the best feed back from the plus size community. More info about that also at Musings of a Fatshionista here.
3.) No matter your size try things on! I did a post about being a professional squeezer here. I wish I could walk into every store and find exactly my size but thats not a reality right now so try everything on! You never know what you can get into.
4.) In january 2010 Plus Model magazine will be focusing on designers that feature clothing and models that are 18/20 plus so support them!
5.) Spend money at places (like
Monfi C for example) that offer quality, fashionable clothing up to a size 24 or sometimes 26. The more you shop the more lines like these can expand.
So ladies let me know how you feel. Is there a such thing as being too plus for the plus size world? Where should “straight” sizes and “Plus” sizes end? Or should it even matter?
