Call me stripe obsessed, because I am. Not sure when it happened but it went from a casual fling into a full blown “thing”!
The first item I reach for when getting dressed? Stripes. What draws my eye when shopping? Stripes. What did I buy when I finally got to a F21+? Stripes. I tweeted this picture on my trip to Los Angeles in January:
Sorry about the awful picture, my cell phone and I don’t get along…
The fact that I’m breaking one of “THE RULES” on a regular basis is just icing on the cake.
This was my outfit for day 3 of Fa(t)shion February!
Cardigan – New Look, UK 26
Tank – Old Navy, XXL
Skirt – Old Navy, XXL, here.
Teggings – Re/Dress
Ring – Evans
Necklace – F21 (p.s. it’s an elephant!)
Flats – Evans
This skirt is apparently sold out online in the larger sizes but if you like it, definitely go find it in the store. It could easily fit up to a size 30. When I saw this skirt, I knew I’d break one of my “personal shopping” rules but damnit, it was worth it.
I get the whole philosophy behind “make it work” and in most cases, I agree. But it depends on the context. Making it work with the tools you have at hand versus… seeking out clothing in smaller sizes to see if you can “make it work” are slightly different to me. And I’ve seen this phrase describing a myriad of fashion-y things and/or concepts.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The size on the tag means nothing. I have thrifted things in my closet that say small. A size “small”, I am not! I think that as purveyors of fashion we need to use all resources available. Any and all resources. If we didn’t, the world would be a sad, sad place.
Do I also need to say that these thoughts apply only to me and my shopping habits? I don’t care (or judge) what other people do. Good? Okay.
In my last post, I mentioned that I use my hard earned money to support stores that cater to my body. Stores that make clothing for ME. If I walk into a store that carries up to size large, is it possible that I can “make something work”? Absolutely, even as a size 28 and I’m not talking accessories. The oversized trend is like fashion’s gift to fat girls. Sure, that top was meant to hang off someone’s frame… but hey! If it works, it works.
So what’s my problem?
Economics. When I’m buying straight sized clothes off the rack, it is just a number to the company. Their stuff sells and that’s what they care about. If I’m buying their clothing, even if they don’t care to cater to plus sizes… why should they bother changing that? If I’m buying retail, I avoid buying from companies that don’t offer plus sizes.
But thrifing, eBay, second-hand, etc.? Everything is fair game. I’ve seen things in store that I have not bought and later sought out online (saves money too!) because of this.
Some companies offer limited plus ranges and for me, these are borderline – ASOS Curve, Eloquii, etc. Each time a plus line is launched and it stops at 24, babies cry. No joke.
For decades, the “industry leaders” have had lines up to size 28 and stopping short of that is just annoying. It makes me highly suspicious that these companies see clothing fat bodies as “promoting obesity” or that fat(ter) people don’t deserve clothing that makes them feel good but that is a rant for another day…
Old Navy makes my borderline list because they don’t carry their plus line in stores (but make up for it slightly with free return shipping). But the sad fact is that they offer a lot more options in straight sizes, and if a similar version makes it to plus – it is probably $20 more and not as cute.
I probably think way too much about this stuff but to me, it is important to consider all angles. I like cute clothes as much as the next person, but after 15+ years of wearing fat girl clothes I am fed up. Where I spend my money, giving constructive feedback and being vocal are some of the tools that I can use.
I took a picture of my tripod because I planned to make this a (funny to me, facetious) post about how much I love my tripod. In reality, I’ve been spoiled by handing off my camera to other people and having them snap pictures for me. Instead… I got distracted by a rant. I’ve realized that I prefer to either be behind OR in front of the camera – not both!
Do you make conscious choices about what or where you buy things? It doesn’t have to be clothes.
