Guest Blogger: Fat Fashion
Although the average American woman wears a misses size 12, I am nevertheless stunned by the whole-lot-of-ugly that comprises what I see in plus-sized fashion. It would seem easier to lose the weight that separates me from being able to shop within the parameters of "normal" sizes than it is to try to find something that fits, right?
Wait, hang on... it's tough to type with that Ding-Dong in my hand.
While designers like Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Jones New York as well as private labels like INC as sold by Macy's have made some solid efforts, collectively they struggle to provide pieces that the size 2 and size 22 women both expect from their wardrobes: pieces that can effortlessly move from the office to happy hour mixed in with pieces which reflect current trends. [Apparently, they also can't even see fit to put their plus-size clothing on plus-size models, as evidenced by the JNY dress at right. -ed.]
Unless the trend is capris pants which distort the Russian Nesting Doll proportions of a size 20 woman.
Fat clothes are typically 20% more expensive than the same item sold in misses, a fact which I suppose is justified by actually having more material. That said, a size 14 from Talbots looks a lot like the same garment in a size 14/16 from the plus side of the store. In the Big Beautiful Women world, this is known as the fat tax. Does this mean if I lose 100 lbs, I'll pay 20% less for a size 0 pair of pants?
Strip malls and town centers host stores like the Catherine's, Fashion Bug and Lane Bryant (all owned by the same parent company, Charming Shoppes), The Avenue, Torrid and Dress Barn offer the same uninspired selection of flammable clothing made in fabrics that the 2-14 set wouldn't be caught dead wearing. Georgette. Nylon Acetate. An over-patterned dress with empire waist might be comfortable, but don't be surprised when someone on the orange line starts patting your belly sweetly asking, "boy or girl"?
I should be grateful that clothing designers, manufacturers and retailers carry something apart from a pup-tents and muu-muus. Who cares if that bohemian print maxi dress makes me look like Mama Cass?
She was one cool chick.
Today's guest blogger is JavaJennifer. When Jen Johnson isn’t drinking coffee, she manages content for www.javajennifer.com and is a Sex and Relationships columnist for www.examiner.com/dc . A metro DC resident since 1997, Jen tells the funny and sometimes painful truths about love, sex and relationships. You can email Jen at strbux@gmail.com.
*The views expressed in this blog are solely those of Jen Johnson and do not necessarily reflect those of Goodwill of Greater Washington or the DCGF. I do, however, (heart) the Mamas & the Papas.
2 comments:
The costly price of plus size clothes keeps me awake at avoiding to gain so much weight again. Aside from that, it's not very easy to find fashionable items for fat people because manufacturers have the misses as top priority. Of course, I can't go out looking undesirable. That costs me a lot, for I often needed to ask the store to resize the stylish ones.
Finally someone who verbalizes the frustration that plus size women go through when shopping! I did not used to be plus sized, but I am now. Depending on the label I range anywhere from a size 16 to a 20. It is so demoralizing to try something on in a size that should fit me but find that the armholes are incorrectly cut for someone with a full bust, or to only see gigantic florals and horizontal stripes. When will makers get it that you just don't add inches of material to make a bigger size, you also have to cut it differently. They should not just use "plus" sized models who wear size 12 or 14, they should use real women who have full busts and short waists and are average height. There -- rant done! p.s. I love the Mamas and the Papas too!
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