Fat girls everywhere lately! Fat girls in the news, fat girls in Sports Illustrated, fat girls in the news about being the real first fat girl in Sports Illustrated. Fatness everywhere. I say its a great thing, but let's talk about what might really be happening. Namely, "plus size" being a new gimmick. A trigger phrase. A new media buzzword, if you will.
Marketing tools- we know they exist. Its like "Gluten Free", "Green" and "Farm Raised." Can you tell I've been clean eating lately? The media and every advertising agency everywhere knows what gets the world all worked up and lately... it is fat girls. We have been breaking molds (not a fat joke, promise). We have wonderful and beautiful women doing things that society has told us forever that we couldn't do and it really makes people talk.
Now, I'm a girl that loves my attention, (public blog anybody?) but I also like to make sure that I am not being exploited. I think we are on a precarious line now. As a group, we have insane buying power. Most American women fit into the "Plus Size", 67% according to Business Insider and we spent 17.5 billion dollars in 2011 on clothing. Why aren't we using that to our advantage?
We are being bullied by the fashion industry, ladies. Everyone is throwing around the term "plus size" to generate buzz and revenue, but they aren't giving us what we want. They are taking our money then asking for more in shipping costs because we can only shop online and they know it. They keep us in line by telling us that fat girls are harder to make clothes for. They, all the while using "plus size" to get link clicks, are taking advantage of the fact that we want something better.
Should we be happy with where we are? Fat girls are now getting attention, we have more clothing options, we are breaking our way into typically straight size modeling contracts... so why are you complaining, Elle? Well, first I'll say that I've never been very good at settling. The second issue is that I know they are capable of more, but simply wont do it. The next time I hear "plus size shoppers are picky" I want to see it followed by "so we are giving them clothes in store to try on." When someone says, "plus size shoppers don't want to spend the money on high end fashion" I want to hear "so we are making an affordable luxe looking option" right after.
As a group that has spent decades being bullied individually and together, we have to stand up for ourselves. The wheels have been set in motion with the blogger movement, people are talking about us, but now is when it is most important to set boundaries. We have to negotiate for what we want instead of just taking what they give us. We shouldn't have to settle just because they threw us a bone. Am I happy we have come so far? Absolutely, but I want more because I know it can be done.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Winter to Spring Outfit
It is gorgeous outside today! The perfect early February day- which turns out is not a February-like day at all. I love this transition weather, but it is so hard to dress for! Chilly in the morning, chilly at night, but quite warm during the day... get it together Mother Nature. My answer: layers. I am a layer girl all the time anyway, but this time of year it really comes in handy. I put together the perfect outfit for this but I made it a challenge for myself finding it all at Torrid. When it is chilly out, throw on the jacket and scarf, but once it warms up throw them all down behind you as you Sasha Fierce away in the jeans and flowy top.
Special notes on clothes: These Torrid jeans are stretchy- size down and whatever you do, do not put this top in the dryer. I have three similar tops and the fabric shrinks something bad. Like two sizes. I let Prissy (my dog) have the shirt that met that doom. She is also pretty chic. The top also requires some steaming or ironing after hang drying.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Where to shop for: Extended Plus Sizes
As a girl that is at the verrrrry edge of plus sizes offered by most stores, I know the struggle of finding a place that goes above a size 24. This booty just wont fit sometimes (even after the laying on the bed and zipping your pants trick)! A lot of the plus size retailers even stop at a 24 and to that I say- bye felicia! Here are a few of the shops that you can find something other than Gran's curtains in the sizes past 24.
Holy size range batman. eShakti has almost anything you could want. If youre looking for either straight size or plus size, they have it. Their plus size doesnt stop until a size 36 and you can have clothing made based on your own measurements! Great quality, great options.
Torrid was once the most raved about in the plus community, but now with other options becoming available, they are falling a bit behind mostly because of quality and what I like to call recycled styles. They do have a lot of good options, amazing sales and they are certainly young and trendy. My personal fav is their Stiletto Skinny jeans. Hands down my favorite jean ever. I talk about them here.
Sizes 0-36
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sizes 14-36
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SWAK has grown considerably the last few years. One of their coolest items is their convertible dresses. If you need a lot of bang for your buck, I suggest trying one of these bad boys out. They even have YouTube videos showing you how to get different styles with the one dress. The only issue I have with them is that they tend to stick with the same types of fabric.
Sizes 14-32
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A lot of us are quick to discount Avenue because it is known for its matronly styles. Why waste time if you never find anything, right? Wrong. Avenue is great for jeans on a price point a little lower than most. I even find great wide width shoes there from time to time. If you take the time out to look, you may find something with a little sass!
Sizes 10-32
Price Range: $$$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
With a smaller collection than others, this store corners the niche market of the more formal clothing for the plus size gals. If you need a cocktail dress, this is the place to start! Oh, and there is a lot of lace so you know I'm in.
Sizes 10-32
Price Range: $$$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
IGIGI also has quite a few nice classic cocktail dresses. Most of their items are very classic, but very good quality. Need an inexpensive wedding dress? They've also got a few of those. Seriously, look at this beauty!
Sizes 0-30
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Self professed "unique & cute" clothing retailer ModCloth has a little something for everyone. Their fun and playful clothes are a bit of a breath of fresh air in the plus size world, really. Id describe them as your Grandma's clothes but in style. Hipster chic, maybe? A little dash of pin-up? Definitely worth looking into!
Sizes 0-32
Price Range: $
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I'm including ON just because they fit into the extended range category. Know that I am displeased with them. They lost my voting dollars when they pulled plus sizes out of stores a few years ago (the anger is so real). ON is known for their lack of quality, but they do have hella sales if you're looking for budget friendly.
Sizes 12-40
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Jessica London is definitely not fashion forward, but they do have a lot of great basics. Sometimes you get lucky and find a special piece, like a great classic coat or staple skirt you can pull out to wear again and again. I have a simple black dress from JL that really looks great on. Simple yet totally chic when accessorized properly.
Sizes 12-34
Price Range: $
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Dont be scared of the prices listed in pounds (not weight, currency -__-). They do ship to the states and the prices really arent bad when translated into dollars. They have amazing sales and definitely have a great selection of trendier clothes than found in most stores that carry the 30-34 size range.
Dont be scared of the prices listed in pounds (not weight, currency -__-). They do ship to the states and the prices really arent bad when translated into dollars. They have amazing sales and definitely have a great selection of trendier clothes than found in most stores that carry the 30-34 size range.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (Up to size 28)
Sizes 14-28
Price Range: $$$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
I know you're yelling at me right now for giving LB a 7, but seriously they have stepped their game up. You will pay a bit more for the trendier brands there (i.e. Isabel Toledo and 6th and Lane) but it is so worth it!
Sizes 14-28
Price Range: $$$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not all of their items go up to a size 28, but they just started adding some pants and skirts above their listed size 24. If all goes well they will extend the love into other items. The price point is a touch higher, but you pay for their quality. It is essentially The Limited for the fat girls.
Sizes 12-28
Price Range: $
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Torrid was once the most raved about in the plus community, but now with other options becoming available, they are falling a bit behind mostly because of quality and what I like to call recycled styles. They do have a lot of good options, amazing sales and they are certainly young and trendy. My personal fav is their Stiletto Skinny jeans. Hands down my favorite jean ever. I talk about them here.
Sizes 10-28
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Evans, originally a UK brand, has a pretty good selection to offer. They carry apparel, and a fair range of shoes, jewelry and intimates. Mostly classic pieces, but if you ever need a polished looking dress, the Little Mistress brand they carry has them on lock.
SimplyBe
Evans, originally a UK brand, has a pretty good selection to offer. They carry apparel, and a fair range of shoes, jewelry and intimates. Mostly classic pieces, but if you ever need a polished looking dress, the Little Mistress brand they carry has them on lock.SimplyBe
Sizes 8-28
Price Range: $
Classic to Trendy Scale
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SimplyBe has a lot of clothes to pick from. You definitely have to search for the trendy pieces, but when you find them, its worth it! Oh and can we talk about their shoe selection? If you have super wide feet, they carry EEE fit, which is even a little too wide for my wide feet in my usual size.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Asos Curve does carry up to a US size 26 (28 in some items) but they fit much larger depending on the cut. Never be afraid to try something because a size isnt what you want. For an example of Asos on a larger than size 26 body, check this video. I cannot tell you how much I l-o-v-e this store.
SimplyBe has a lot of clothes to pick from. You definitely have to search for the trendy pieces, but when you find them, its worth it! Oh and can we talk about their shoe selection? If you have super wide feet, they carry EEE fit, which is even a little too wide for my wide feet in my usual size.
Asos Curve
Sizes 12-28
Sizes 12-28
Price Range: $$
Classic to Trendy Scale
Asos Curve does carry up to a US size 26 (28 in some items) but they fit much larger depending on the cut. Never be afraid to try something because a size isnt what you want. For an example of Asos on a larger than size 26 body, check this video. I cannot tell you how much I l-o-v-e this store.
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