Sunday is Easter. I am a pastor's kid. Therefore I am required to not only show up to church but look to impress. So after I left work yesterday, I decided I would go to my favorite store in town to just see what they have. You can never have too many skirts or shirts. I can mix and match the old with the new and people can think they have never seen it before. Trust me. I get asked constantly if something is new when I have worn it a thousand times. But I digress...
I live in a small town. So my choice of plus size clothing stores in town are TJMaxx or Cato. Cato wins always. Sorry TJMaxx but you only have old lady plus size clothes and that is major annoying. There are girls with curves who want to look like they are not 68 years old. In case you haven't heard of Cato's, they are a clothing store that offers ladies and plus sizes. I like them cause they "normally" offer plus size versions of their regular sizes. They are inexpensive and great quality. I never have a problem in that store. Normally.
I walked in and start looking through to see what they have. Lots of spring colors and patterns. But the elephant in the room was the lack of seams in almost every plus size piece for sale. You name it shirts, pants, skirts, dresses and even jackets. Baggy McBaggerson. My heart was literally breaking right there in the store.
Even the model is uncomfortable
We are living in an age where for the first time a plus size model was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Stores like Lane Bryant are having commercials being banned on major television networks on it's body-positive message. A male plus size model has been signed with a modeling agency. So
why is it that I should feel confident as a plus size woman with all that being
said but instead I walk around a store and feel like there are no clothes on
the market for my size?
I walk around in Target and see there are only 4 racks for plus sizes in the far back corner of the store and then the rest of the ladies clothing section is for sizes 0-12. Is it fair?
My body is mine and mine alone. I was made to be exactly as I am. You don't have to approve of my body. As long as I am comfortable in my own skin, that is what matters. But I shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable to shop for myself.
Clothes should be figure flattering to everyone. Not every single woman with curves wants to wear a mumu. If I see another shirt with flowy chiffon fabric that is longer than my butt, I will be in jail. I am sick and tired of shark bite shirts. I want princess seams and fabric that can give me shape. I can't even find a basic t-shirt without an extra yard of fabric. Is impossible for us to have skinny jeans or does every pant on the market have to be a palazzo pant?
I want to believe that there is hope in sight and things will change. But I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Every plus size website that I go on is all the same. I am willing to pay full retail for something that fits and looks good. I fully believe in the power of good fitting clothing. If it fits my body well, you can bet your bottom dollar I am walking out of the store with it. However, at what price am I willing to pay to wear yards and yards of fabric? When is it time to say enough is enough?
I walked out frustrated, mad as hops, and my confidence visibly shaken. I am done with retailers thinking that all plus size women want to wear potato sacks. No one wants to go shopping and feel like a whale when leaving the store. Shopping for new clothes should make you feel happy. But instead, I felt like a bloated whale.
And that is not a good feeling.
You're absolutely right! It's so frustrating.
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