Posts Tagged: qq

Rant — 14 Comments
8
Jun 11

Can I opt out?

Have you ever ordered from companies owned by Redcats? Woman Within, Roaman’s, OneStopPlus, Jessica London, Avenue… and a couple of others.

Do you have this problem?

This is a week of catalogs – 18 total. Just last week, I recycled a big stack of them – 53 CATALOGS. This is insanity! Right? Then add in the Lane Bryant, Simply Be and Joe Browns plus all of the random catalogs that I’m now “on the list” for that I’ve never heard of or ordered from. Is there a way to opt out of this stuff!?!

I realize that the stock for these companies are always changing. The catalogs don’t. Once (maybe twice) a season. I get multiples. Then they slap a different cover on the same catalog and mail me more. I don’t mind getting mail or catalogs that have in-store coupons (like Lane Bryant) but this is getting out of control.

I do most of my shopping AND browsing on the internet. I very, very rarely go through the catalogs unless I’m really bored. I tear off the pages with my name/address and throw the catalogs in a pile for the recycling bin. Sometimes I use them as scrap paper in craft projects. I even saved them for a short time for that purpose but they come so frequently that I can pretty much count on one to come within a day or two. I also have 3-4 catalogs rolled up inside my boots to keep them upright.

But I’ve run out of ideas, so in the recycling bin they go.

It seems like a waste of paper and resources for these companies to keep sending me catalogs that I do not want. Every site I have ordered from, I have looked for a way to successfully opt out of receiving their catalogs with no luck.

When you do order something… guess what you get? Another 2-3 catalogs in your package! YAYYYYY! If I place a multiple item order, most of the time they come in separate packages which means… more catalogs!

According to their websites you OPT IN for catalogs and e-mails. This is a screenshot using OneStopPlus.com:

As you can see, I have one option checked – for Avenue e-mails. Ironically, they are one of the only companies who doesn’t send out a catalog but I do like getting their e-mails for coupons. My profile for every other company is blank – no boxes checked. Yet I still get catalogs like clockwork and this has been going on for years.

You want to know what is really funny? I moved three years ago. My parent’s STILL get these same catalogs (and volume) at their address, in my name.

Do any of you have this problem? I’d love to know if you look through/order from them or browse online. What do you do with the catalogs after? Recycle? Reuse? Toss them out? Let me know!

In the end, I’m tired of them filling up my mailbox and recycling bin. I might be writing a strongly worded letter very soon. It costs them money after all! Why send something that isn’t wanted?

Rant — 13 Comments
23
Jan 11

H&M Inclusive? Hardly.

I don’t usually post about fashion news, as it is often covered elsewhere (and better!) but this announcement got me thinking. I found it from Lauren’s fabulous blog, Pocket Rocket Fashion, who did a more positive spin – go check it out!

H&M recently announced their new collection, out in March 2011 – “Inclusive”, a one time collection that spans from (roughly) size 6-2024 US filled with lovely pieces.

Here is their press release:

This spring H&M presents Inclusive – a one-off collection of colourful and feminine fashion with lots of attitude in a wider than usual range of sizes. The twenty pieces will be available in sizes 32-54 and will be sold exclusively through H&M Online from early March. The collection includes figure-flattering party dresses in 50’s styles with large polka dots and rose patterns, as well as skirts, tops, cardigans and lingerie following the same theme.

When it comes to down to it “Inclusive” is anything but. The use of the word “Inclusive” as the collections title really rubs me the wrong way. Don’t get me wrong – some of the clothes are fabulous but (for me) it is a joke, instead highlighting what is excluded.

A few things to consider:

There is a precedent set. H&M already offers a plus range online (or at least not in US stores) – BiB or “Big is Beautiful” (questionable naming, again) that is available up to a size UK 32 (US 28). I’m curious why they didn’t continue that size range with this collection. Euro sizes 32-54 roughly convert to a US size 6-2024. Honestly, I don’t do much shopping in straight sizes but many seem to offer up to a straight size 16/18/20 in stores. H&M has demonstrated the ability to produce an extended size range – why not continue that to be truly inclusive?

The lack of international shipping. I can find an H&M store in most major cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. None of them carry the plus line, which I believe is not in US stores – but I could be wrong. The plus line is available online but H&M doesn’t ship to the US, Canada, etc. Yes, this is an online collection – so straight or plus, if you want to get your hands on these pieces… you better make friends abroad!

Personally, I see the capsule collections and smaller size ranges as breadcrumbs. A way to test the waters, if you will. Which is perfectly fine, if not necessary, because these ARE businesses.

A good example is ASOS Curve, size UK 20-26 or US 16-22. The first season was extremely successful. They created a lot of buzz and they are still going strong. Yet with this success, the range is still very limited compared to the straight size collections they offer and they have not extended sizing, despite the demand.

This collection is particularly insulting because it is titled “Inclusive”. Honestly, if it was named anything else I wouldn’t be writing this. Am I putting too much stock in the name of their collection? Possibly, but it is arrogant and rude to proclaim this era of inclusivity when they are far from it.

Some of pieces look fantastic. I love the fabrics, details and 50′s silhouettes. The party dress? I want it. But I refuse to praise H&M for being “inclusive” when they truly aren’t. To praise them for moving forward when they are actually moving backward. So far, the only thing they are doing differently is producing an entire collection in from straight to (limited) plus size. Instead of selecting a few, plain, figure flattering pieces to produce for plus sizes.

Part of me is just tired of seeing companies do things halfway intentionally. An illusion of progress. But we’re left here to hope and wait that one day, some company will take the chance.

Breadcrumbs – they keep you from starving but always waiting for more!

Edit: Ariel pointed out in the comments that H&M’s 54 is more like a US 24, so I edited the post to reflect that. Thank you! Funny (okay, maybe stupid) that I researched size conversions but never looked at their size chart that had all my answers!

Thoughts — No Comments
22
Nov 10

Baaaaa

Baaa

You know what? I miss being easygoing. This “ALL STRESS, ALL THE TIME!” is really wearing me out! Just another sheep before finals…

Regularly scheduled posts will return soon! The 30 for 30 catch up, the halfway recap and a couple of other things I haven’t had a chance to finish with the craziness the past few days. The weather and my schedule haven’t been too accommodating for taking outfit pictures! But I’m still managing.

This random, bad post is courtesy of the NaBloPoMo thing I’m participating in – a post per day, for 30 days. Now I’m off to put the finishing touches on my project before I fall asleep on the keyboard…

30for30 / Challenges — 3 Comments
18
Nov 10

Jonesing for a fix

Eleven days into the challenge and the “no shopping” aspect of this month isn’t as bad as I expected. Though I did buy a few things for Christmas gifts – so maybe that was enough retail therapy to tide me over?

The one thing I am eager for? To wear the rest of my clothes! As I pull out things from my 30 items, I remember something in my closet that would look amazing or I look through my accessories and think up an outfit that can’t be fulfilled through my choices. For example: Why didn’t I choose a BLACK cardigan? Something so simple, so essential… yet I neglected to put one in my 30. Or red, I wear my red cardigans often. But not for the next… 19 days!

My clothes are on display. Each morning I walk past my closet, the rainbow of clothing calls out. Sorting things by color definitely makes it more fun to look at. I see glimpses of patterns I haven’t been able to wear, old favorites, newer pieces… It is taunting me! Cruel, cruel world!

The shopping I can do without. Ignoring full range of my closet is proving to be a challenge. It didn’t take me very long to realize that I don’t need as much and my wardrobe can be smaller but I already knew that. Now I’m proving it! Almost half way!

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