Torture. How can I make you understand? Sometimes, shopping for me is like preparing for battle. You have to be emotionally and physically ready to find a simple pair of jeans. Don't get me wrong. I love clothes. If there was a way to legally marry an Elie Saab gown, you guys would be receiving a Save the Date any minute now. But, alas... a plus size girl living in a city full of amazing, high end fashion that considers a size 8 to be an XXL is like being slapped in the face each time you step through retail doors. You haven't seen embarrassment until you see your face in the dressing room mirror when you are trying on something that you know is your size but you end up stuffed in a piece of fabric, your body part smushed in odd directions about to explode while "Fat Bottom Girls" booms over the store radio mocking your failure. Oye!
That's right Freddy... just keep rubbing salt in the wound.
When you do get lucky enough to find clothing for your body type, there is still the matter of quality and all out appearance. Most of the things I find come apart within a few days. I find myself mending things that I just purchased because they are made of thin, low quality, horribly cut materials and really... I don't have a choice. I'm aware that making clothing in the plus size range requires a lot more fabric and costs a lot more money. But I promise you fashion industry, you will make that money back and then some. I know a bucket load of women with the same problem that would be willing to pay a little extra for a shirt that won't self destruct. Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Avenue... I love you, but what is it with the patterns? Seriously, I need to know. I come in the store, looking for something simple. Jeans, a black dress.. ya know.. the things every woman should have in her closet. Instead, I get prints, prints and more prints. Patterns that rival the ugliest movie theater or casino carpet. Usually, they are accompanied by a few ruffles here and there. Maybe I'm being a little harsh. Some patterns aren't that bad. Some patterns. Others just seem like a cruel joke.
And, what about jeans? Why is finding a pair of plain blue jeans like searching for the holy grail? Sometime you think you found them then... BAM! Turn them around and find a bedazzled medley all over butt. I'm not 12. I don't need a glittery star on my behind pockets to make me feel like a BAMF. At least not everyday jeans.
So is this considered business casual or......
Wow, it's just such an exhausting mission sometimes. I'm a trendy person. I enjoy trying out new styles and looks I see in magazines or movies. It's fun to me. Variety isn't a word easily used to describe plus size clothing. It makes me long for the pre-teen days when I owned a tiny sewing kit and barbie sewing machine. Out of all the reasons I want to loose weight, I'd say that "making shopping a little easier" would be in the top 5. It would be nice to go into a store or shopping with my friends and not want to pull my hair out. Or at least not to receive speculative looks from the sales associates. Seriously, this happened. While perusing through an upscale Manhattan clothing store, I was constantly being badgered by a sales associate who asked me about 4 times if I was "buying a gift for someone else" and wouldn't stop given me the stink eye. The realist in me thought "Maybe she's thinks I can't afford anything in here" (which was most likely what she was thinking and might I add... completely accurate). The comedian in me thought "maybe it's because I'm black". (Highly unlikely. It's a joke people I'm not serious). But, the insecure me won over and thought "It's because I can't fit one thing in here". So, I mosied over to the scarf and sun glasses section to get blondie off my back. She still watched me though. I swear, with one eye brow raise, that broad became my 99th problem. I vow here today that when I get to my goal weight, I will go back to that store with shopping bags in hand and pull a "Pretty Woman" all over that place.
Way to shut that skank down Julia!
To be honest, I will probably have these problems when I get to my goal weight. I'll still have to get a shirt one size larger because my boobs won't fit. Jeans will still be a problem because my thigh size doesn't match my hip size. All women have these problems. I have a friend who's too tall. Another that feels she can't find anything because she's too skinny. It happens all across the board. But, I gotta say it's worth all that fuss to find things that help me bring my personality to the outside. Or just finding a simple shirt that doesn't unravel like an ill conceived plan. Yeah, it's kinda shallow. Hopefully this rant didn't set women back a few decades. What can I say, I have political, enlightening, forward, world changing thoughts. But sometimes my thoughts all revert back to the simple fact that I am a woman... and I just want a pair of jeans that trick me into believing that I have Beyonce's ass. Is that too much to ask? Until next time....
3 Clothing Stores That Make Shopping Easier For Plus Size Women
1). Torrid
Most of the clothes are great! Fashionable, well made and doesn't make me feel like I'm 20 years older than I am. Unfortunately, there isn't a location near me but that only means that I rack up a swarm of online points! Torrid.com - The Destination for Trendy Plus-Size Fashion
2). IGiGi
Great store if you are looking for dressy. A little on the expensive side but still wonderful to look at and get ideas and occasionally splurge on an amazing dress. IGiGi: Designer Plus-size Dresses
3). Forever 21
I have tried to hate this store, trust me. But, it's one of the only places in Manhattan I can shop and find things that work for me. Not always good quality but super affordable. Forever 21: Plus
Love Always,
The girl who has experienced that awkward moment when you spot something amazing hanging amongst your size in the store and ecstatically grab it only to see that someone of the size 2 persuasion hung it there because that rack was closest to the dressing room. :/
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