Posted on by PeaceBang

Dear Designers of Plus-Sized Clothing For Women

I really should thank you.

Your designs this season — and lately — are so unbelievably ugly that I haven’t been tempted to spend my money on them.

I’m making happily do with what’s in my closet and use retail shopping only for entertainment — for a laugh now and then while I’m on my way through the mall to do a necessary errand, say.

Your metallics and cheap shiny stuff and dropped waists and horrible necklines and unspeakably atrocious sleeves are amusing. Most of the garments I see now I hated way back in 1983 when you first showed them. Epaulettes were ugly then and they’re still ugly. Cheap, clingy disco fabric is consistently not something I want to go near. Polyester still makes me sweat. Your ugly color combinations depressed me in my college years and still lead me to want to cry today.

I hear that tangerine lipstick is IN for the fall.

I think you’ve all gone nuts. How much of a suckah do you think we big girls are?

Love, PeaceBang

34 Replies to “Dear Designers of Plus-Sized Clothing For Women”

  1. Can I get an AAAAAAA-MEN for PeaceBang!

    I, too, am a big girl and wonder why no one seems to make clothes that aren’t just skinny-girl clothes in bigger sizes, but clothes actually DESIGNED to address our specific needs! No shiny! No cap sleeves! No vests! No crop ANYTHING!

    You fashion-design students out there — I know it’s not glamorous, but if you would just work with us, we would make you RICH!

  2. Ladies, I think that this year, it has nothing to do with plus-size.

    The 80s were a sad, sad decade in fashion. Last year, in one flyer, I saw the exact outfit I wore for my school pictures in 7th grade (leggings with a plaid babydoll dress. I knew we were in for it.

    Nobody looks good in 80s stuff. Don’t believe me? Re-watch The Terminator and see even Linda Hamilton can’t pull off highwaisted skinny jeans.

    I’m saving lots of money this year, too!

  3. Wow, me, too–I HATE these styles, and I’m a slightly-shorter-than-average size 12.

    And, while we’re in rant mode, whatever happened to low or mid-heeled shoes? I’m totally not buying the “stilettos or flats” dichotomy.

    Like everyone else here, I’m not just not going to be buying, period. Lots of leggings and babydoll tops heading for landfills everywhere in a short time, I’m thinking.

  5. But the good news is that purple is in which means there are ALL kinds of purples and I, a former purple hater, have actually found some gorgeous shades that I like.

    And the sheaths are VERY flattering on a curvy body.

  6. Thankfully, I don’t really need clothes right now, but I will emphatically second the stilletos-or-flats frustration! How hard is it to make a shoe with a 2″ heel so I don’t have to choose between hemming every pair of pants I own or wanting to chop off my aching feet by 10 am?! And, as much as I adore gray and revel in its ubiquity, I would like to see shoes in other colors too. Like navy, which apparently is way out this season.

  7. I’m not liking what I see, and I’m also (with a job ‘at risk’) not in a position to shop till I drop. I bought 2 cotton l/s tees, because they are in colours that will work with things I have (and Marks & Spencer are good quality, fairtrade, and reasonably priced).

    I have also been looking for months to find a replacement for my trusty sage green Old Navy ‘biker blazer’ that I got in 2004 (so 7 summers), and have worn through the hems on the sleeves. I found one I liked, at a reasonable price:

    http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-sales/15011/12477/EMBROIDERED%2BCOTTON%2BJACKET

    Believe it or not, I’m about a US 8/10. And I need a LARGE to get over my frontal amplitude.

    It’s not just the plus size who have a problem–if you’re small-framed with large breastitude, your choices are limited.

  8. Oh, for sure. Has no one ever heard of a wool skirt? I always swear that if I ever win the Lottery (which might happen if I ever buy a ticket!) I’m going to start a clothing company called “Perfect Pears” which will design suits and skirts for those of us who do not come with hips and chests in the same size — sometimes not even in the same category of sizes (I used to be a petite Misses top and a petite Women’s bottom — trying finding THOSE separates to make a suit!)

  9. And while I’m ranting, whatever happened to winter dresses with SLEEVES? Everything is sleeveless or cap sleeved. I think that’s just designer laziness…

  11. Just to add to the ranting, how about us girls who are very amply endowed up top, but aren’t quite plus sized? Seems like designers are cutting their tops smaller and smaller. /grump.

  13. Wendy–love the jacket! I buy a lot of British clothing because it fits me better.

    I too am disappointed in fashion this fall. More disappointed that it’s going up to 99 F. today in north Alabama where it should be in the 70s.

    Here’s an irony–I think the plus sizes I’ve seen are more interesting than misses’ sizes. But maybe that’s because I live in the second fattest state in the country–or maybe third fattest. At any rate, there is a big market.

  14. Yes, Wendy, I know about Bravissimo-and love their stuff, but I don’t live near any of the States-side locations, and I’m leery of ordering online because what if it doesn’t fit? Shipping it both ways would be painful. Their stuff is too expensive to make a mistake on.

  15. @ Sarah G–I almost never go into Zara (we have a shop here), their windows just never entice me. I don’t know what possessed me. On me, the sleeves hit at the wrist (but I have flippers rather than arms). I look at it as more a spring/summer piece, but they’re marketing it as autumn. I tend to be a bit of a rule-breaker when it comes to fashion. 🙂

    @ Loris–I didn’t know Bravissimo had opened any US locations. I know two-way shipping would be tough, but you might be able to get really good fit advice online or by phone.

  17. The thing is that plus sized women don’t all have the same style. Designers need to get a clue. Some plus sized women want to wear metallics, body conscious skirts, and flowy sleeves (picture Chaka Khan), and other plus sized women want modest necklines, classic colors, and buttoned shirts. Variety, please!

  18. I may be writing a fashion faux pas for those more fashion forward, but I am plus size and like Steinmart’s womens section for classic, affordable clothes. You have to pick thru the sportswear and the suburban shopper wear, but they have periodic sales and coupons on top of sales and classic lines, similar to Elizabeth that I bought for many years, that serve me quite well for a business environment (jackets, shirts, slacks). The basics (black or colored shell or white or other color classic shirt, jacket, solid color slacks) can be fixed up with silk scarves, pins, necklaces, earrings, belts, etc. Jackets can be interchanged. Maybe not “high fashion” but they mostly avoid the worst new trends, or interpret them in a more classic way. I think it is mainly a US store.

    I also like some consignment/thrift stores (if you have time to pick thru the garbage); you can find some good quality classic pieces that stand the test of time, at great prices.

    For shoes, some versions of Dansko, Beautifeet, Sanita brands all have the 2-3 inch heels and are comfortable and attractive. These are not cheap, but I have had 2 Danskos and a Beautifeet at least 10 years (after some feet problems), and have another set bought last year that will last another 10-15 years, so the investment is worthwhile. Local stores have sales periodically (buy 1, get 1 50% off), so I just keep my eyes open for them.

  20. I really don’t think it’s a mistake that the hideous 80’s are buck during a recession, when few people can update their wardrobes. The last time we had a serious recession, it was actually the 80’s! I think the designers are jumping at the chance to try out every ridiculous idea that occurs to them, knowing only the rich will be able to actually buy that stuff… these are all “theoretical fashions” in colors and cuts suited only the the realm of “what if?”

  21. I know Michelle Obama wears sleeveless winter dresses but they probably have better heat at the White House than there is at my job. At least to me it isn’t very rational to make sleeveless winter dresses.

    I’m going to keep going with my leggings tucked into boots with shortish skirts & sweaters I guess.

  22. Thank God for catalogues. Between Woman Within, Jessica London, Silhouettes and Roaman’s, I can find just about everything that I need.

    What I can’t find in the catalogues I normally can find at Catherine’s and (if I’m lucky) the plus size section at Dillard’s.

  23. Over the past year due to serious illness I’ve gone from about size 22 down to concentration camp skeletal – I just have to say how I MISS being able to get my clothes from places like Woman Within, Roamans, Silhouettes, etc. I mostly shop online, and the clothes from places that fit me now like Victorias Secret or J.Crew are ghastly ugly, IMO. The trends may be ugly everywhere, but I think plus sizes are still better able to find reasonable, non-psycho looking classic pieces.

  24. I may be developing a clergy-crush on Wendy in England- “large breastitude”. That ranks right up with with me explaining to a male colleague new to cycling that he needed a saddle which allows for “sqush-age”.

    I love the world.

  26. Hmmph. At least there is plus-sized clothes for sale at the mall–entire sections of stores, entire stores devoted to them. And and oceans of clothing in petite sizes. But where is the tall-sized department? Or store? Come with me to the mall while I try to find a pair of slacks with a 34″ inseam, or even harder, a jacket or blouse the sleeve of which actually reaches my wrist. A dress or skirt that reaches my knees. And then complain to me about the paucity of good clothes in plus sizes.
    Clothing may be displayed on tall models, but (at least at middle-class price points) it isn’t made for tall women. (end whine.)

  27. WORD.

    And seriously, dresses with sleeves. It’s like we’re living inside a Project Runway episode, where no one has the skills to make a sleeve. Sigh.

  30. @Bridget – if you’re in the US NY&Company does Nice pants in Tall. Don’t know about jackets. And seems to me that most dresses are cut taller rather than shorter, at least in length, if not in sleeves.

    Yeah, don’t designers have any model figures that approximate the dimensions of real women?

  31. @Bridget: Land’s End carries a 34′ inseam. It’s worth wading through their frumptastic old lady corduroys for the classic cuts. I like the fit of their pants,except for a small gripe that their pants seem to be cut for women with saddlebags, or who are at least hippier than I. But still, it’s a very small gripe since I got a nice pair of khaki chinos on sale for $20.

  32. Preach it, Peacebang!
    Enough already with the no sleeves on dresses for the winter, and low, low cut sweaters and tops. How about corded cotton or brushed cotton trousers in heavier weight for winter that actually keep you warm?
    I am still wearing dresses, jumpers, etc. from years earlier. They are wearing well, keep me warm or cool (linen, cotton).
    Have you tried CJ Banks in the Mall? They have some normal plus-sized stuff.

  33. Thank you stinuksuk for mentioning CJ Banks! Due to the ever-decreasing clergy salary scale, I have been forced to take a second job, and have been working at a CJ Banks for almost a year. Their clothes are not terribly either trendy or cutsie, and are well made. The buyers really listen to the customer…the vice president of the company came to my store snd spent half an hour talking to the customers.
    Give them a try..some of the fall stuff is pretty good. Their dress pants are especially nice..and come in petite, average and tall lengths!

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