I received a comment on my “Real Woman Dollar Conundrum” piece from a few months back. The commenter’s name is Exxie.

Comment:

I was a manager for LB when they were owned by The Limited Inc. and things have not changed much since they were purchased by Charming Shoppes Inc. They offer the nicest clothes in Plus sizes unless you want to go somewhere like Saks Fifth Avenue. Yeah, the prices can be high, but they have great sales and offers like the Real Woman Dollars. Sizing can differ from line to line as is the norm with any designer, you just have to find the ones that fit you properly. I don’t understand where you are going with the whole emotional shopping thing, body image affects people of all sizes, it’s like the big ladies think they deserve special allowances, better prices, etc.

There is always Wal-Mart if you think LB prices are too high….or Weight Watchers

Bold emphases belong to me, natch.

Now, I’m sorry if there are some of you that have a problem with the fact that I have something to say about the way we spend money, and the way companies treat us when we do it. I think if we’re to spend money, it’s important to look at all aspects of the place where we spend it. Coming into the plus size fashion game, I heard a lot about Lane Bryant. After finally experiencing the stores and purchasing items, I’m really not impressed.

But that’s me. If you’re a fan of LB, more power to you. Everyone’s got a brand they’re loyal to — I just haven’t found mine yet.

I don’t think that LB is the best out there for plus sizes — but it is popular. I think that is in part because some of our numbers believe that we should accept whatever’s out there. Again, if LB serves your needs, then I’m literally not talking to you. But if you’re left wondering what else is out there…oh, my friend, this journey is far from over.

To say, “the big ladies think they deserve…” smacks highly of someone who is sitting outside of plus size fashion. Perhaps the plethora of options you’re seeing in a normal size may make it difficult for you to see what plus size women are going through.

By the way, I’m not oblivious to what my slenderer sisters go through — I hear their complaints and they hear mine. We’re both trying to figure the road out — my apologies if you’re already reached enlightenment.

And the final insult of, “There is always Wal-Mart if you think LB prices are too high…or Weight Watchers” is cruel, inappropriate, and makes me wonder why you would step into a plus size woman’s site and spit such filth. If I’m alone in this, that doesn’t dull my anger — on the contrary. This is the fight for recognition coming to my door.

If plus size women don’t stand up to this type of attitude, then Ms. Exxie is right. There is always Wal-Mart. But I’m not going to walk into 2007 and have this attitude.

Last note, before I let this one go. My post was critiquing a sales method — my very first sentence said that my shopping experience was decent. What part of Ms. Exxie’s comment actually wants to try to discuss my actual post, instead of playing the LB cheerleader?