Sweet, sweet, Maybelline. My first love, before Lancome lured me away, golden roses and all (though, MAC has become an unexpected suitor for my makeup loving heart). Oh, how I long to scoop you up again — I love having a backup makeup when I don’t feel like getting into the good stuffs (like a blind date you aren’t sure of — do you REALLY wanna use $70 eyeshadow on him?).
However, I am totally not feeling the new-ish (I think it’s new, anyway) Maybelline SuperStay lipstick. At first, I was thrilled — 2 in 1 applicator, lip stain on one end, and shiny clear balm on the other.
Application proved my joy to be a little premature. Five minutes later, that crap started beading up on my lips! It looked kinda like when the kids put glue on their fingers or hands, and then pull it off, how it leaves that thin little webbing? Yeah, that’s exactly how it looked.
Horrific.
Thankfully, Rimmel saved the day. Maybe I really do need to get the London look after all, huh?
Shame on you, Maybelline. Maybe I’ll try again someday, but I think you and I just need to have some distance.
Skirts. Dresses. Blouses. I’ve never really been a t-shirt and jeans type of person. One thing I’m really interested in are short skirts.
Yes, I said it: short skirts. It’s not a crime for a plus-sized gal to be able to slip into something slinky that sits a few inches above the knee, flirty and feminine. Or maybe a long skirt with a dangerously-high slit. I’m into sexy-looking clothes for evening wear, and unless I bump heads with the lingerie sites, I’m incapable of locating what I’m looking for.
So I’m turning to the greatest audience on earth — help! 
And an additional question — what’s your sexy?
And no, I actually did some checking online too
…then again, I’m never quite sure. You see, I don’t see Tyra Banks as fat in the slightest. By the same token, I’m not automatically looking at myself and going, “I’m still hot, I’m still hot”. My life doesn’t revolve around a woman who has made millions off her body. Part of that livelihood means that there will be critics that will note that you’ve gained weight. Some may not be as polite as that, but it is what it is.
“It is what it is” is the catchphrase of our industry — from mainstream fashion right back into us little plus sized ladies. We don’t like our options, but sigh, mentioning our little catchphrase into the conversation: it is what it is. For most, it’s either the mainstream fare, the online boutiques (I’m still not in a clothes buying place, let alone with enough cash to put down for a Monif C. dress), or the sewing machine. Hey, it was good enough for Grandma.
I don’t have anything against Tyra Banks, except that what she’s going through the rest of us go through every. single. day. Maybe that little walk around in a fat suit has finally made her realize that “golly, other people feel like this all the time — *giggle*”. I still don’t think a 5′10″, 161lb. woman can call herself “plus-sized”, but that doesn’t mean I can’t say I don’t understand what she’s going through. It’s quite simple.
The. spotlight. blows. Add in the ex-model part, blend it with the “I tell young women on my hit reality tv show whether or not they make good professional clothes hangers” part, and you’ve got a whole mess of issues just waiting to come out. Sorry to be crass, but let’s not forget one thing: Ms. Banks is a celebrity — and there’s no such thing as bad PR, to be perfectly honest.
Parallel? I’m an internet marketer — and I’ve watched some of the best marketers in the field get torn apart in forums — everything from “this product blows” to more personal attacks. Does it hurt? Of course. However, every single person I know faces criticism in some area. Should Ms. Banks garner more sympathy because she’s a celebrity, even though several of you lovely readers go through similar, if not the exact same struggle every day of the week?
I’ll believe that Ms. Banks has made a change when her ventures change. It’s all well and good to ask for sympathy, but I can’t stay quiet when she runs a reality tv show that’s severely based on weight / appearance. Ms. Banks, does this mean that you’re going to make a way for America’s Next (Plus Sized) Top Model?
I wanna be on top.
…is the gift of self-control. Seriously.
My involvement in the field notwithstanding, we’re bombarded with a whole lot of “buy it now” orders from every direction. I’m not saying to stay in your homes 365 days a year and never purchase anything (yeah, I’m talking to the online shoppers too — I keep my credit cards far, far away from my laptop). I am saying not to feel bad if you aren’t walking around busting your piggy bank.
Shopping is one of those areas that hit all the high notes — functionality, entertainment, community. We shop alone and in packs, we shop for what we need and what we could live without. Keeping perspective during this marketing overloaded holiday season is key to getting what you want, when you want it.
Why do I constantly get on this theme for the last six months? Because I believe that just because we’re plus size people, it doesn’t mean that we should kow-tow to any retailer. If Big Fashion Co. said to me, “Isabella, we’re giving you a full wardrobe in exchange for something-that-irks-my-moral-compass”, I’m going to have to pass up on that opportunity.
I’ve often heard the refrain, “Well, we should be thankful…”
Pardon my irreverence, but “thankful”? The only thing I’m thankful for is that God continues to pump oxygen through my wonderful curvy body. I can live without kimono-inspired blouses, I can’t live without oxygen.
I’m never thankful when someone snatches dollars out of my wallet. You shouldn’t be either. Instead, we should continue to be picky, and discern what’s best for us. No business can stay alive without customers.
What customer are you going to be today?
I’m an American citizen. So when I write for Deluxegrrl, that’s the perspective that you’re getting. I’ve lived all over the States, and spent a few years in Europe as well. However, my experiences are strongly American — when I was staying in Germany, I wasn’t worried about plus size fashion — my mother made my clothes.
Swing forward to 2006 — I’m in southwest Missouri, where I have a few boutiques, the Charming Shoppes trifecta, and that’s about it. Is it peachy? No, it’s not. However, after reading some responses from those of you outside the US (and probably Canada as well), I guess I have a lot to be thankful for.
I owe my international readers a big apology — the grass always looks greener on the other side, but for all of you living outside of the States, our grass has got to be a mighty bright green.
I’m a picky shopper, and this blog doesn’t hide that — my darling fiancee-cum-accountant sees all of my receipts. I have to truly like not just the clothes, but the experience. That’s what I focus on — the experience of the purchase, not just the purchase itself.
If Igigi treated its customer base the way, say, Walmart, Target, Kohls & Co. do, would you honestly fanworship them? Would you buzz your designer on your blog, wear their clothing? When it comes to an exclusive shop like Igigi, it’s harder to play the income / circumstance card than it is for the other stores mentioned. In a nutshell, Igigi is more of a luxury, whilst if you’re clipping coupons, you might buy one or two pieces from Igigi, but they’re going to be few and far between.
However, all that aside — I’m blessed to be able to complain about experience. That doesn’t mean I’ll stop pointing out glaring customer service errors, nor will I stop discussing the dearth of other components of the shopping experience (more promotional pieces that make us center-stage, not just a leftover — see ‘The Five Finer Points of Plus Size Magazines’)
It simply means that I hear what you’re saying, international readers. Your problem is lack of product, period. My problem is decent product, substandard service.
I’m not going to drop $500+ for a new wardrobe, only to find the store ringing up my things (remember that employees are still agents of the company, and therefore contribute to the image of the store) doesn’t really give a flying notebook about my needs.
So I’m American-centric. My apologies. But I don’t know how bad the problem is unless you international folks give me a shout.
This started bubbling in my brain thanks to Tanis, one of our commentors without a webpage. Thank you, Tanis, for giving me food for thought.
I recently went to Lane Bryant, and it was a decent shopping experience. I dropped roughly $240 dollars to get a few signature pieces for school. I strive to dress “college professional” — not quite business style, but I like to avoid the whole jeans-and-a-tshirt thing. It’s just not my thing.
I get to the counter, and I get 4 little plastic coupons attached to my receipt. It’s the Real Woman Dollar promotion. On the surface, it’s pretty straightforward: for every $50 you spend, you get $25 in “real woman dollars” to use for another purchase. Caveat: that next purchase must be $50 or more.
Now, I’m rather critical of advertising as it is, but the overall concept speaks to me: Real Woman Dollars? Plus size fashion is emotional as it is, and you’re giving us little fashionistas dollars that are targeted just for us? Cool!
However, there are things about this promotion that irritate me:
The promotion runs from September 5th - 26th. That’s very, very, limited to me — why can’t we have the Real Woman Dollars all year, or at least through the fall season? Perhaps the time crunch is to create more demand, but in my case, it has the opposite effect — if you don’t fit into my schedule, you don’t get bought.
Your next purchase has to be $50 or more — which is fine, I suppose, if you’re honestly going to be returning within the tiny time frame they offer.
And let’s not get into the other big limitation — no online. That’s a shot to the knee and then some: why cut out the massive throngs of people online that are absolutely in love with your store, your product, your brand?
When I’ve got people in the UK and other places abroad telling me to thank my lucky stars there IS a Lane Bryant, I know that this company is here to stay. However, the more I’m watching Lane Bryant and the other two Charming Shoppes storees, the more I’m wondering how dedicated CS really is to plus size fashion, or are they just cashing in?
It really is the little details that cross my mind. My dollars are very important to me — when I spend them, I want to feel satisfaction in my purchases. Perhaps this is just a sale that this deluxe fashionista won’t be indulging in.
Perhaps this would be an excellent value-add to the creditcard holders? Right now, other than being able to use it at Lane Bryant, I don’t see much point in having a Lane Bryant credit card. I haven’t caught any “secret sales” because of the credit card, nor have I gotten any real incentives.
The Charming Shoppes trifecta really needs to kick it up a notch — I’m starting to see some other players in the game coming directly into the spotlight. Has Lane Bryant gotten soft? I’m saving Fashion Bug & Catherine’s for another day — one at a time. However, I keep mentioning them in threes because they -are- run by the same company, and the niche is so related that we really should be seeing better service across the board.
It saddens me that this promotion isn’t stronger — it’s a great idea linked to a very emotional section of shopperhood that would honestly get a kick out of this idea. Why not make it year round? Why not make it online as well as in stores?
Sure, you might lose sales in the stores, but you can always catch the online shoppers -and- most likely upsell them on items they would have never bought if they slipped into the store.
What do all of you think? It’s your shopping dollars, people — if Lane Bryant is going to offer you a sale, what has to be in the sale to make you go? Is the realwomandollar important to you, or did the sale fall flat for you too?
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
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’.
It’s not a secret that Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant, and Catherine’s are owned by the same company, Charming Shoppes, Inc. I’m going to pick on them a little bit on this article, but I’m sure we can all come up with sites that have similar problems.
I’m sure there’s a brillant marketing reason behind it, but if Charming Shoppes owns all three stores, it would be nice to have one of their store cards work for the other two. For example, if I stroll into Fashion Bug, I should be able to use my Lane Bryant store card. I think this would be a big hit to shoppers that mix-and-match clothes from all three people.
I mean, I can use a Lane Bryant gift card at Fashion Bug - is there a leap of faith between gift card and store credit card? Sheesh.
Don’t make me google for your products. Do I like Google? Of course I do! However, when I go to your site, I expect to be able to search for products directly on the page. Looking up item IDs isn’t always the best approach. When I was hunting down the Bra6, it took me forever to do because I had to go through the entire bra section and search with my eyes. If I wasn’t such a grizzled old net.person, I most likely wouldn’t have bothered. That equals lost revenue.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but as of this post, I don’t see a traditional search feature. C’mon, Charming Shoppes - women everywhere love your site. We can’t get complacent here.
This isn’t really a gripe, more like something that I want to see. I really wish that all 3 sites carried some sort of RSS-fu. That way, I could load up my favorite newsreader (I’m a BlogLines girl) and get the latest scoops. Again, if this feature exists, feel free to comment and clobber me.
I know that no site is perfect, but if I’m going to drop good money to improve my wardrobe, I (and all of you other customers out there!) should pinpoint problems and talk it up.
Update: I wrote a short letter to Charming Shoppes, Inc. I hope to hear back from them within “five business days”. I’ll post the letter when I get home.
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