I just saw an add for Nutrisystem by Marie Osmond. One thing she said really stuck out to me. She said that now that she’s lost weight, people tell her that she looks younger. She goes onto say that, “maybe this is because I can buy younger looking clothes.”
Wouldn’t a simpler solution then be to work towards a wider variety of clothes for women of all different shapes? Her statement makes it sound as if fashion is in control of her and she must mould herself to fit fashion.
When I go to the office, I travel to the city and end my trip in a very large, metropolitan train station. There used to be a Lane Bryant on the first floor. It closed a few weeks ago. And, that really has made me sad. It is hard enough to find decent clothes when you’re a woman of a certain size without one of the most common chains closing their locations.
Some years back when I was obese, I remember trying to buy clothes for the workplace, as I had just graduated uni and had my first job. It was ridiculously hard to find clothes that didn’t look like it belonged to someone decades older than me or otherwise with no fashion sense. I truly admire those women who know how to shop for their size (like those lovely chicks at Fatshionista!) – I think you are awesome!!!!) and/or have learned to sew to make sure they are clothed in the lovely clothes they deserve.
The average american woman is a size 12… or a 14 – depending on the source. Most of the stores I see call size 14 – Plus Size. If 14 is average, why is it “plus” anything? Why isn’t it just normal size? What is it “plus” of? I’m guessing that it’s “plus” compared to the average 15 yr-old girl or most fashion models. But, is that any kind of benchmark for women of all ages, whose have an average body type that is far different than teenage girls and models??
Why should 14 be the largest size you can find at way too many women’s stores (sometimes even that size cannot be found at lots of popular chains!). when 14 is the size of the average woman? I think fat IS a feminist issue and I think that saying that at the very least a woman must be average sized for most chains to make clothes for them, is discriminatory. Women must be average or much smaller… or you can forget about finding clothes at most places. Ooooo… that makes me so mad! If the average size women is a 14, it is not a stretch to think that women in the size 20’s would still be within the bell curve of normal or at the very least – there are enough women at those sizes to be served at lots of stores rather than the few and far between “specialty” shops. And yet, I was a size 22 once and finding clothes was so ridiculously hard. It was a rare day that I actually found something that fit and that I also liked and felt good in. My heart goes out to the ladies out there who are any size that is not served by most stores. But, if it’s any consolation, even women who aren’t considered “overweight” by medical charts cannot always find clothes. I am one of those. I usually live on the border of normal and overweight lately. But find clothes at the GAP? Forgetabouddit. Macy’s? Nordstrom’s? Nike stores? Banana Republic? American Eagle? Not a one. Not that I usually like to shop at the priciest places, but sometimes I wouldn’t mind being able to buy a pair of GAP jeans or a cute dress from Banana. It would be nice to be able to walk into a mall and be able to go to more than the two stores that I always go to, cuz they are the only ones that have my size. I would like to go to a mall and not feel like I’m some kinda alien, cuz for the most part they don’t make clothes for people like me. – and I am the size of an average woman! God forbid you are any larger than that. It’s just sad.
What can we do as women to push for fashionable clothes AT ALL SIZES?
Generally, I try to shop at stores that are friendly to women of size… but what else can we do, ladies? I want to know what you guys think. I feel antsy to take some action…
–AngryGrayRainbows
Angry Gray Rainbows 
I comment at stores that don’t carry sizes to fit me (K-Mart, are you listening, that’s why I quit shopping at your stores 20 years ago). I compliment stores that carry youthful designs for fat women (even though I’m 55, I don’t dress like it). I patronize online sources of clothes for fat women and do reviews of items I’ve purchased. I also know how to sew, and have taken clothes that I love (and that fit well) and used them for patterns to make more clothes that I love and know will fit well (and this is the fun part, you get to change the fabrics/prints/details to make something truly unique). I used to work in a garment factory and learned a lot of shortcuts, but I came by my talent for sewing from my mother and both my grandmothers (and I’ve been sewing, off and on, since I was in 3rd grade, that’s somewhere around 45 years).
I don’t really know what to say about this. I’m actually blessed to live in close proximity to a metropolitan area, Memphis, TN, and I’m lucky to have quite a few stores I shop at regularly.
I’m a size 26/28 (depending on the designer)and I shop at Catherine’s on a regular basis. I hit a sale Monday and bought a pair of jean shorts, two pairs of jean crop pants in different colors, a pair jean pants, 2 pairs of lounging pants to work out in and lay around in and about 6 blouses and spent $172. It was a great sale.
I buy just about all my underwear at Lane Bryant (either in the store or online)but they’re a little more expensive than Catherine’s.
All of our malls have Macy’s, Dillards and Sears. Our Macy’s has some really pretty clothes for big beautiful women! Again though, they are a little pricey unless you can find something on sale.
I would say the majority of women’s clothing stores do not cater to fat women and it seems to me they’re missing out on a huge bonus in their sales.
Vesta, gosh I wish I could sew! My mother was an amazing seamstress and sewed all my clothes as a youngster. I was never taught to sew but I can see now where it could be very advantageous to me.
So AGR, I don’t really know how to answer your question regarding clothing and the fashion industry. I do wish there were more options out there because I hate to buy things online and have to send them back if they don’t fit.
~sas
First of all, I don’t think you can blame Marie for the commercials. She is, afterall, a puppet, in that the dialog is written for her.
But I must agree with the shopping difficulties encountered by someone over the size of 14. Perhaps this is why I don’t like shopping for clothing and use my clothes until it looks like rags, or so it seems! 🙂
Best wishes to everyone in 2009!
Lol, Jas. I hear you on the wearing clothes until they look pretty beat. By the time I decide it’s time to replace some item of clothing, it can take me months to find a proper fit for this hourglass! hah.
Regarding Marie- I respectfully disagree. She is a grown adult. I would hope that she can read and comprehend what was written for her. If she had some problem with the script, I would hope she would negotiate for something better. Or, maybe she just swallowed the whole script whole, because it’s so in vogue to talk bad about your body right now. However it went down, this woman made a choice and her choice was to say some stupid stuff in a commercial.
I noticed she came out in the NutriSystem commercials right when she started shilling big time for her show in Las Vegas. I saw her go on these shows to promote her show and one of the biggest subjects of the interview was her weight loss.
I see too many woman who use weight loss as a publicity move to promote whatever they’re up to now…
It’s just sad.
Anyhoo…. Jas, you are the first commentor I have posted a disagreement too. I wanna tell you thanks for bringing up what you did, cuz it deepens the conversation – whether you agree with me or not. It’s all good.
Welcome to AngryGrayRainbows!!
Vesta, I’ll tell you… I used to be very pessimistic about writing letters to any company, but I think I have softened enough towards the idea to take your example.
The reason I never wanted to write before, is the very cliche reason that I’m just one voice. They’re gonna laugh me out of their inbox.
However, that is assuming anyone who might see my letter or email is callous.
On 2nd thought… or 100th thought, as the case may be, I think writing letters could help HUMANIZE we women who cannot fit into most of the clothes sold in stores. Maybe it’s time to reach out… and remind the people who are in control of clothes that we are people too…