Like everything in life, there are numerous opinions regarding what is wrong with the plus-size fashion industry. There are those who believe there aren’t enough clothing options available to us nor are we accurately represented in the media. Being the selective realist that I am – I do not foresee a resolution. Why? Because you cannot satisfy everyone.
I’ve come in contact with several plus-size women who complain about the lack of clothing selections that are available to them. A lot of full-figured shoppers believe there should be more designers, high-end included, who offer extended sizes. Along with the complaints of limited clothing options for the fuller-figure, there are also arguments or feelings of discontent about the cost of plus-size clothes.
I recently read an article by Kara Brown that suggests “plus-size women are not the problem with plus-size fashion.” It is actually a response to another article that asked the question, “Are plus-size women the problem with plus-size fashion?” In Ms. Brown’s article she mentions a statement that was made by a blogger, “Don’t ask Marc Jacobs to make you something if you can’t afford Marc by Marc Jacobs. You should have to put your credit card down before you can even have this conversation.”
Ms. Brown feels the thoughts of the anonymous blogger are difficult to understand. She asks, “How can plus-size consumers prove they will or won’t buy designer collections if no one is making them in the first place? Should they just drop tons of money on Marc Jacobs handbags so they can prove that they can afford a Marc Jacobs skirt?”
We all have our perception of what we see and hear and this subject is no different. I do not think the anonymous blogger Ms. Brown mentioned in her article expects consumers to buy things they don’t want to prove they can afford to buy high-end clothing brands. I think the point the blogger was trying to make is if we, as plus-size consumers, are not buying ELOQUII , Universal Standard or SLINK jeans because of their prices why should we expect high-end designers to invest in us? I am pretty sure designers are passionate about their craft and they want to share their talents with the world, but at the end of the day – they are in business to make money.
In the snapshots above there are comments captured from the newsfeed of @slink_jeans. There are a couple of consumers who considered the prices of their jeans to be astronomical. If we, in general, are unwilling to spend $98 on jeans, are we going to pay $350 on a blouse? Why would a high-end designer create a line for us when we’re reluctant to give $100 to a clothing company that is already catering to us? Furthermore, high-end designers are labeled this for a reason. If a straight size garment is $400, how much do you think the extended size will cost?
The truth of the matter is, most of us have “our thing” where cost is not an issue, and other items where the price matters. For me, I don’t think a television should cost more than $200, but I don’t even flinch when it comes to a pair of shoes, a bag, or a pack of Indian Remy.
So, where is the happy medium? Does it exist? What I consider reasonable another may view as too much and vice versa. When it comes to fashion, and everything else in life – it is utterly impossible to please everyone.
Until the next time, be you and most importantly – love you.
Being uniquely you is being uniquely beautiful.
-B.B.
Attribution:
Are Plus-size Women the Problem with Plus-size Fashion?
No, Plus-size Women are Not the Problem with Plus-size Fashion
