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’.
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July 20th, 2006 at 11:24 am
I agree with your points and have a few of my own that I’m going to blog about
July 20th, 2006 at 11:32 am
[…] In reading an article on DeluxeGrrl on Plus size magazines I got me thinking about the different plus size magazines and what they are accomplishing. For the most part I have seen magazine rise and fall over the years. One of the best known magazines BBW is available online only and Belle magazine debuted and was gone in less than five years. […]
July 31st, 2006 at 5:52 am
I don’t have any ideas for plus size magazines, but it would just be nice to have one that lasts longer than a few years. I was an avid reader of Mode and Grace magazines which are both gone. I know Figure is around but even though it’s gotten better, it’s still just a glorified advert for Charming Shoppes. In any case, I would tell you guys to be glad that people have even made the attempt - there isn’t anything like that here in the UK. A few of the mainstream magazines try to include plus sizes in the fashion features but that’s about as good as it gets. Since I moved to England last year it’s been painfully obvious how much better the selection and options are in the US (I REALLY, REALLY miss Lane Bryant!).
On a completely unrelated note, DeluxeGrrl where do you live in North County (if you don’t mind me asking)? I used to live in Beverly Hills (right off Natural Bridge/Lucas & Hunt).
tanis
December 6th, 2006 at 1:03 am
I agree with you wholeheartedly about plus-size magazines. I hope someday
we’ll finally have a successful plus-size publication besides Figure (which is a Lane Bryant magazine). My daughter and I are a fashion design team and we’re tired of the limited avenues out there for designers to gain exposure. A lot of our customers had a hard time finding out about us. So, I hope things will change for the better soon. Big women want youthful stylish clothing. That’s what we offer. So, I hope we’ll see more plus-size magazines in the near future… and I hope they’ll listen to your suggestions. If they did, they’d have a better chance of success.
Thanks!
- Dorez
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:59 pm
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We follow the 5 rules, because it’s common sense! My partner Carrie and I (jessica) have been saying the same thing
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March 6th, 2007 at 1:31 am
I have a hard time finding quality 14+ and 16+ clothing. Not always does everyone get to the
size the same way. Many have medical problems that can not be addressed. This has been my problem
off and on during the pre and now post menopausal stage. I am a very young 50+ years; though many
people have always thought me 5 to 10 years younger. I still want the quality clothing I wore at
7-14 Misses. Most styles and materials that are in the sizes look great and make a person look
as good in Size 7 as Size 14 or Size 20. I know about styles,and fabrics. This is “abuse” in many
ways. When I shop for my husband who is larger I do not have a problem with his waist being too small
in regular sizes. Why are they treating women different. I lead a active life and need clothing that
satisfies a professional women. Meaning not cheap fabric with stupid designs that make anyone look
like a cow. I need cute tennis outfits, pretty swimsuits like Esther Williams with some spirit of
todays world. I need slacks that are like Due per Due, Linda Allard, Ellen Tracy, many mid-costs slacks
that costs $100.00 to $175.00 not 30 or 40 that have elastic all around. This cost range is lacking
like I have never seen. For middle class folks there just isn’t much out there and if there is there is
not enough and it is gone the first hour on shelves. That is what the department stores are saying.
Yes, Nordstrom is working on our problem and Dillards is getting better, Penneys don’t have enough with
good quality materials, Saks have some, Neimans took that line a long time back in Houston. Among many others. If that
not a kick in the you know what.
This just makes this world not so pretty. You want to know why the divorce rate is up. This is
one reason I presume.
Some of the women can not wear their regular sizes any more over the age of 40. It would be better
if you would get the market to make clothing in “half” sizes like at one time one could buy and
patterns still can be found once in awhile.
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October 9th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Plus Size Calender Contest 08
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December 11th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Los Angeles based photographer Inez Lewis specializes in photographing plus models. Please visit her website http://www.inezlewis.com.
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May 20th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Check out this new plus size magazine named venom. www.venommagazine.net