Dear Slim N’ Lift,

You don’t even know me, nor will we ever really get to know each other. Yet I saw you last night, didn’t I? You were trying to talk to me. I know how you and other advertisers think about me — I must be some insecure woman lusting hungrily after those airbrushed beauties you think so highly of. Unfortunately, it’s time for me — and my good friend “reality” to step in and correct some things.

Oh, silly, silly, infomercial. Don’t you realize that whole “good copy” concept? Let me break it down for you: some of us are just happy with the size we are. Moreover, us happily-sized people may actually even want your product, except for the way you talk to us.

Yes, that’s right: we do pay attention to how you talk to us. Saying that your product will give us a curvy figure “in an instant” is a slap in the face of every woman that wakes up daily to her own natural set of curves. What gives you the right to tell us which curves are good, and which ones aren’t?

I’m not even going to harp on the name — we all know what you’re trying to imply. Of course us big ol’ curvy girls need you and your product to make us feel good, right? We need your product when we go to work, when we come home, when we meet our loved ones, when we chase after the children? Do we honestly need your product?

It’s not even about the product itself — I’ve had one or two corset-type numbers hanging in my closet. But you can believe me when I say they were purchased in good faith, without some advertiser implying my body was “sloppy” or “bulky” or even “bulging”. What ever happened to loving yourself? There are women who do like your style of products; you would not be marketing to us otherwise? It’s your wording in your script that bothers me more than anything else. It’s the way that you and others like you speak to us that continues to keep the cycle going. Words give power to what we see, taste, touch, and smell — think wisely before you proceed on.

I forget that you and your ilk are more than happy to sell us products we don’t need, while trying to insult and further berate us. We’re only sexy when you say we are; we are only of worth when you deem it so.

Incorrect.

Perhaps you will say to this, “If you don’t like it, change the channel!” That attitude can only last so long. We can ignore one channel, two, five, or even ten. What happens when that number continues to increase? What happens when it’s not just infomercials, but the clothes we wear, the foods we love, the celebrities we flock to see in theaters? Will it just be “change the channel” then?

I’ve had it up to here with people like you telling women like me how to look, how to feel, and trying to shame us into modifying our bodies — not to make ourselves feel better or even look better, but to continously line your pockets.

Enhancing ourselves in whatever way we choose should be our option — think long and hard before you write that copy, dear Slim N’ Lift. My suggestion to you is simply to collect information from the people you’re trying to sell to — us! Ask us what we’re looking for — you want our shopping dollars without our voices, and it’s about time you know that we’re getting tired of being ignored. Why do you think so many women shop at Lane Bryant — the pretty pictures ain’t the only thing selling those clothes, let me tell you. Take a look at the successful retailers selling to our niche, and then look at your offering.

It’s not like you’ll even read this, nor will you take the time to reevaluate the things you’re doing. Instead, you will most likely toss this out with the rest of reality, like usual. However, writing this makes me feel good — I’m tired of your crap, and I’m ready to tell you so.

Sincerely,
Isabella Murphy, curvy, happy, and luxuriously deluxe

Tags: rants, perspectives, infomercials, size acceptance, plus size