I’m not a stranger to luxury bags — I received a beautiful Coach bag (black and grey, and authentic) from a special someone — but a girl can’t hold onto her purse forever. I’m madly in love with my Coach bag, but I find myself needing a stylish bag that’s, well… up to date.
Which brings me to the offerings from Juicy Couture. What says “luxury” better than a high end designer brand?
I’m still looking into Juicy Couture - the brand is definitely angled towards a “girly” look. If you don’t know Juicy Couture, think “jumpsuits”. Lots of celebs these days are wearing them, but Juicy Couture also makes nifty things that all women can relate to, like handbags.
I always keep an eye on mainstream designers — you never know what they’ll do next. Maybe we’ll see some plus size fashion pieces from them. Either way, they’re worth checking out.
5 Finer Points of Plus Size Magazines
This is mainly my wish list as far as plus size fashion is concerned. I’m piggybacking off my last post on this subject, “In Praise of Magazines for Plus Size Fashion”
While I’m sure we could lengthen the discussion beyond five points, I think these are five points that we can agree on:
If we’re on the subject of plus size fashion, the only models we should see in a plus size fashion magazine are plus size models. It’s ridiculous that stores offering plus size clothes to women still use the same rail-thin, boyish models. It’s getting better - but too slow for my taste. The Charming Shoppes Trifecta can’t be the only champ in the field here; it’s also going to take mainstreamers and high-enders like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Macy’s to make a splash here as well.
While we’re on the subject of reality, let’s not forget the reason why we read in the first place: content. My dream plus size magazine should have plenty of content — timely, relevant content.
Moreover, this content shouldn’t be afraid to step outside just “fashion” alone. What about accessories? Purses, belts, necklaces, watches — these details shouldn’t be forgotten in our quest to land that perfect dress, or the best jeans.
The newsstand price is relative — I’ve purchased Glamour, InStyle, and Vogue — all of which are roughly $3 - $6 bucks. A good magazine should fall in this range, though I could see paying more for targeted content.
Plus size fashion is like any other specialized niche — for quality, you have to pay. You must be willing to be proactive, and seek out resources that fit your niche. It’s easier these days than it used to be, but I often worry that the expansion, exposure, and popularity of the Internet has spoiled people — we’re still not sure if we’re seeing the end of free, or the beginning of fee.
Content publishers (magazines, newspapers, even myself) have to expend resources (whether that’s time, money, or a combo of the two) in order to deliver quality content. I hope that potential magazine buyers keep this in mind. I do have a feeling a big print magazine devoted to plus size fashion would get some relevant ads to make it profitable.
It’s not just about magazine pricing. We’re reading plus size magazines to satisfy the visual as well as getting the text-goodies. High priced items are going to be a given, but there should also be realistic items as well. I know we’re talking relative here, but I highly doubt we’re all out buying twenty thousand dollar dresses!
Bottom line: let us dream, but give us a certain percentage of pricing reality as well!
Quite frankly, length is the most subjective issue for me in writing. My posts to all of you are generally quite long, and I generally assume all of you are intelligent enough to be able to read paragraphs.
Related story: I had to take an civics class one summer, and our final project was to write an essay on a former President of our choice. As I was getting ready to get started on the assignment, a student in the back whined, “How long does it have to be?”
We paused a bit — I remember how much Ms. Bell hated that question. She replied sweetly, “It’s sort of like a good skirt — long enough to cover everything, but short enough to still be interesting.”
That’s the way plus size magazines should be. I should get enough content to whet my intelligent whistle, while not being bored to death. We’re not talking War and Peace here — too much detail can kill a magazine.
Clarity, tone, style - you know, those nasty words your English teacher cherished more than Godiva chocolates and Chanel earrings. They matter when it comes to something so word-driven as a magazine! The content in our little plus size magazine example should cut to the chase, be clear in the message, have a great tone without sounding overbearing or snobby, and make me think on something. Fashion is only as vapid and shallow as we make it.
The signal should be high, and the noise should be as low as possible. With the use of ad revenue so prevalent everywhere, that could be a challenge. I do think that it’s possible to have good content.
Recommendations should be positive, without too much bias. I’m quite sure other writers get some sort of compensation for reviews of certain brands — fashion giveaways are too tempting to pass up. However, we should be given not only a sell, but a good sell - make me want to buy what you’re reviewing.
Biggest gripe: we should not feel like we’re being talked down to. I’ve gotten a chance to meet a lot of plus size women, and they are some of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met — it’s not like we’re that different from other women. Don’t dumb down, be real with us.
There’s so much bull out there, I need another section — along with a shovel or five — to clear it. My biggest gripe with women’s magazines is that there’s too much how-to-get-a-man-in-10-days, lose-20-pounds-before-beach-season, and other asinine topics that I’m not interested in. Show me fashion for everyone, not just those apparently interested in “catching” a man. Some of us plus size women are happily taken, thank you! We’re professionals, wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, students. Others are happily single — spare us the “how to get a man” and give us more tips that we actually can use!
Fashion doesn’t end up being a how-to-get-a-maaaaaan drama for me - I would like to think I’m in good company on this matter.
What are your ideas on plus size magazines? Do you agree with the Five Points? I’m not as verbose as President Wilson was, but I try.
Plus size fashion is so interesting because the customer has so much power. If we all start creating buzz, and back it up with the almighty dollar, I bet you things will really start a changin’.
The same reason why I like magazines so much runs along the lines as why I actually decided to build a site like Deluxegrrl.
I was in Fashion Bug (St. Ann, MO), with armfuls of the latest Black & White craze in my hands (cute black cami and a pair of gauchos that looked spectacular), when this lady came up to the counter. She had one or two fashion staples in her hand and a worrisome look on her face.
Being the courteous fashionplate I am, I asked her if something was amiss. She comments with,
I’m really grateful for stores like this - seriously. But you know - I really feel like I’m back where I started. I mean, we have stores that carry our sizes now - which is great and all - but it feels like we’re still fighting over what to wear.
While I haven’t been posting as many pictures and other visual goodies for everyone, my mission is still the same. I want to expose people to the latest styles, along with showing them how to piece things together to get a style that’s truly theirs. In an age of Lane Bryants, Old Navy’s, and Torrids, I think that’s the best that we can ask for.
Things will change, but as the lady pointed out, maybe we aren’t really stabbing at the real root of the problem.
Magazines have slipped onto the Internet as gracefully as a knife glides through butter. It’s the new thing to be able to load up Style.com instead of grabbing a copy of Vogue or W from the newsstand. I still tend to go for a blending of online and offline media — I’ll still pick up a copy of Glamour or Essence to go with my usual online fanfare.
Hat tips to Timika for pointing me towards Bombshell Magazine, a magazine for plus size women. There are some features that aren’t open — you will need to actually sign up — but as far as I know, everything is free (haven’t run into any payment snafus). There’s a lively forum community attached to the site, so you might want to drop in and check everything out.
Magazines for plus size women are trying to fill in the gaps left by other more mainstream magazines. I’m not quite finished with the topic of magazines for plus size women yet - we’ll tackle that tomorrow with, “5 Finer Points of Women’s Plus Size Magazines”.
Oh man, Spiegel is still around. We use to have their catalogs in my house all the time.
I decided to check today and see if they had anything that we plus size women (and fellas, can’t leave out Glen and the silent plus size male majority now) could honestly have.
It would be nice if the site had the women’s sizes a bit more prominent — as it stands, the link is smushed way down at the bottom of the page. C’mon, Spiegel - we’re spending enough dollars for you to at least pretend we’re the stars of the show.
Other than that, I was throughly impressed by some of the selection.
I’m seriously considering this top - I really love the texture and the color. There’s more stuff I want, but I think I’ll save that for another post.
I’m not saying the site is perfect; there’s going to have to be a bit more range in the women’s sizes for me to truly throw it as a pick for everyone - I guess I’m spoiled by Lane Bryant & Co. However, there are some lovely things here either way - if nothing else, visit the site to get a good feel about what’s out there. That’ll go a long way to helping you craft a style you’ll love!
I’ve been a little under the weather lately - but the carnival must go on! I’m sure we all have lovely things to discuss, so I wanted to remind everyone that I’m still looking for submissions!
I’ve bumped the carnival’s actual debut to the 31st of July - this should give everyone plenty of time to get their submissions in!
Too easy. To submit your carnival entry, go to our page on BlogCarnival. That should get you where you need to be.
I know it’s been a little quiet lately here, but rest assured that I’ll be back with great posts for everyone’s enjoyment!
Stay fashionable!
As if 750+ stores aren’t enough, Lane Bryant is opening up outlet stores hopefully in a place near you.
The initial incentive to stop in is 25% off orders over $50; they’re striving to keep you in the outlet stores by helping you save 25 - 40% off every day. If the promises hold up to reality, I definately predict a massive shift in the way Lane Bryant / Charming Shoppes sees purchases being made.
Right now, I don’t see too many offerings, but there’s enough locations that hopefully the journey out to the new outlet stores won’t be too hard on your head — or your wallet. I fully expect Lane Bryant to roll out new outlet stores incrementally over the next 8 months.
I’ll most likely be going to the Branson, MO location in September when I pass through Springfield to see Mr. Deluxe. Maybe I’ll catch you fashionable ladies and gents there!
Note: the 25% off orders over 50 bucks deal ends Aug. 31, 2006. It’s not valid in the traditional store, or online. Buyer beware.
I hope everyone’s had a great 4th of July - I decided to take a couple of days off and see what else needs to be discussed.
I’ve got some great stuff to talk about, but I’m being stolen away from all of you by an upcoming conference right here in St. Louis that I have to go to.
I’d take normal pictures, but my apartment’s a complete mess and I don’t want everyone to see my plus size pj’s thrown over the couch and my socks wrapped around a table leg (kidding. honest.).
I grabbed what I’m going to wear from WalMart:
I got the package a couple of days ago. Everything fits nicely, and I really like the way the clothes came together.
I’ll be gone from the 6th to the 8th, but I most likely won’t post too much until the 9th or 10th of July.
See everyone soon!
I wrote a letter to Charming Shoppes, Inc. a few days ago. Looking back, I could have added a lot more to my argument, but hindsight’s 20/20. Check it out. I think that it’s a relevant issue, considering how many women - including myself - shop at a store under the control of Charming Shoppes.
Demi Moore called: she wants her nude magazine cover shot back, Britney.
Or that’s what a lot of feedback from the blogosphere says. Naturally, I don’t think that Demi Moore is losing any sleep over what photos Britney Spears takes of herself, or what Britney does with her life. Therefore, I haven’t really paid too much attention to the story.
What I am paying attention to is the deeper issues around the story. I took a good long look at the pictures — they look very polished. Is that the polite term these days? Perhaps they aren’t doctored, but like most readers, I have a hard time believing that people in magazines aren’t touched up in some manner.
I want to see this again.
I’ll give the rest of you a few seconds to bring your chins up off of the ground. I don’t mean to say that I necessarily want to see Britney again, but I want to see this concept again. I want to see a woman right off the street. Bonus points if she’s a plus sized woman. She doesn’t even have to be pregnant to satisfy this little dream of mine. Just being curvy and female would go for a lot more in my book.
I want to see curves, I want to see genuine smiles. I want to see happiness. And if we see another pregnant woman, can we see stretch marks? I want to see reality, I want to see a body untouched. I’m not going to say that this is an easy task, by a long shot - it’s embarassing to be out in the open without some sort of safety net. I still don’t have the guts to post my mug out to the world.
Mr. Deluxe — who is proud to be assimilated into my fashionable universe, I must say — argued with me about the latest episode of Britney. It went like this:
Me: Honey, Britney Spears posed naked on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar.
MrD: So?
Me: She’s pregnant.
MrD: Your point? Demi did that already.
Me: … (long sigh)
Me (continuing on): It’s still a big thing, but we need more. I think it’s important to show that pregnancy is natural, and not “hide” it away.
MrD (sounding surprised): It’s hidden?
He doesn’t see it because dear Mr. Deluxe is an ardent fan of pregnant women. He loves the “glow”, the promise of life inside the woman, and the “wobble”. I didn’t say he was normal. He tells me constantly that he loves women at any size, so long as they’re happy. It’s that accepting, loving attitude that makes me glad I got to him first!
Unfortunately, Mr. Deluxe has a different view on the matter because he has a scrapbook of pregnant women, the way other men collect swimsuit models. I still have pregnant friends that confide to me that they don’t feel sexy anymore, and that their husbands have confirmed this as well, albeit silently. It’s unfortunate either way you slice it.
Do I care about Britney’s photo stunt? Not necessarily. Does it worry me that the popular symbol for pregnancy and womanhood is a girl that barely looks pregnant, let alone real? Of course it does.
So, magazines - won’t you please give me a real woman? Give me curves, give me smiles, give me stretch marks and cellulite. I hope one day that the tide will turn and we’ll get what we’ve been clamoring for all this time: reality.
[powered by WordPress.]
dee·lux·GRRL n.An intelligent, dynamic female who isn't afraid to take risks, take time for herself, or create her own unique style!
Stores I Like:
29 queries. 0.314 seconds