Editor's Corner
Can We DEAD this “Plus Size” Label Discussion? It’s Tired
It seems like the hottest industry trend is to ditch, drop, or to rename the term “Plus Size.” It is time to drop this conversation and focus on the plus size fashion options.
Just Make Dope Plus Size Clothes. PERIOD.
I have been sitting on my hands for this, venting to the homies, fellow bloggers, industry folk, and the readers here and on Facebook about this.
It seems like the hottest industry trend is to ditch, drop, or to rename the term “Plus Size.”
WHY?
Like, for reals… why are you doing this?
All of these folks trying to detract, derail, and co-opt the conversation with their thoughts about the term “plus size” is only bringing you negative attention, just so you now. As we read your latest post, we are sighing and rolling our eyes at you as we scroll down the screen. Then as one online outlet publishes their feature or interview, it gets shared and then like wildfire brands, models (really? Why!), and other sites are pivoting to change their message.
It really makes you look silly, out of touch, dismissive, oh! and also ignorant.
HOW?
If y’all would just listen to your shoppers, readers, and customers, you would know that we are irritated as [email protected]*, tired, and frustrated about the high jacking of the plus size conversation.
We (collectively) are fine with shopping in the plus size departments and with designers who carry our sizes as long as YOU CARRY it, merchandise it, and make it a destination, rather than treating us as a castaway and/or outcast.
Just GIVE US DOPE CLOTHES.
Period.
Now, we have headlines about plus size fashion ONLY being centered on how we identify; only causing more harm, confusion, and frustrations within the community and industry. A new collection? New breakout model? Bloggers to watch? Curve for a Cure? Nope. None of that… these magazines, brands, and retailers are trying to change the conversation, trying to push back against the confidence yielding, fashion forward loving, and rightfully frustrated narratives being put out there.
It is wasted energy, ink, and time.
Do not change it to another name, start a hashtag campaign, or instagram contest… JUST MAKE DOPE CLOTHES. PERIOD. And stop making it all about a term that HELPS US SHOP. K? Thanks.
And for the magazines who want to cover, convert to, or randomly feature plus size as a traffic generator, we see you. To those who wouldn’t dare feature plus, rejected pitches are only NOW discovering the plethora fashionable plus size women, bloggers, and influencers who are leading the conversations, we see you boo!
Why are you prematurely having a conversation about names when we cannot even get all of the clothes we want, need, and desire?
Cart before the horse here.
You want to be inclusive and forward thinking yet we are still fighting for more options (which are happening) IN STORE and online.
I mean, if you want an excuse to use size 8, 10, and 12 models in the plus size arena, then say that. Say that you want to be inclusive, but give us diversity and ranges of sizes- DO NOT try to distract, cover, and change the narrative.
It is seriously tired.
I could go on and on here… but I am tired.
Charlene
October 22, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Oh I hear you babe!!
I’m over it too!
I’m fine with plus size afterall plus + (the symbol) is the universal mathematical symbol for positive so it should be seen as a good thing!
More (+) = Positive!!
Plus ++ its not about the title so much, we just want Dope clothes! Period! <- words from a great woman!! 😉
Great post!!
Keep up the awesome stuff!
Marie Denee
March 18, 2016 at 6:27 am
Thank you babe!!!!
Vita Reed
December 1, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Or say “inbetweenie.” I take no offense to the term. Plus, women’s sizes, whatever. I just want, as I always do, more cottons, silks, linens and wools in clothes with tailoring and shape. Eileen Fisher is fine but doesn’t work for my body type.
Liz Black
December 1, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Pisses me off, so tired of it. I really thought, when I wrote about it two years ago, that we wouldn’t still be having this debate by now. http://www.refinery29.com/2015/05/87754/drop-the-plus-hashtag-campaign
Toya Bray
December 1, 2017 at 9:33 pm
I really don’t like the phrase. I would prefer if it goes away. I am against labels in general so it’s hard to address it, especially in my line of business. I just want people to shop and find their size, period.
Marie Leggette
December 1, 2017 at 10:15 pm
But honestly, its just a classification, like juniors, women, petites, etc when shopping…
Toya Bray
December 1, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Marie Leggette didn’t think of it that way. That helps. My issues is that something about it never sat well because of the negative connotations behind it. Those experiences led to my original statement. I get it now. I guess I needed to talk through it with someone.
Marie Leggette
December 1, 2017 at 10:47 pm
Toya Bray happy to help…
Toya Bray
December 1, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Thank you.
Deborah Ayceekay
December 1, 2017 at 9:37 pm
So, I am *fine* with MODELS who aren’t really plus size not wanting to be called plus size. I agree. I find that insulting. Let them model straight sized clothes, and just give me real plus size models.
Now, what you call my CLOTHES, though, I don’t care if they’re called “plus size.” For now, anyway, I’d *prefer* they not be blended with other clothing and have their own “plus size” category until such a time as all clothing lines are truly size inclusive. Then I’m fine with them taking the label away.
Danyelle 'Nippy' Thomas
December 1, 2017 at 9:47 pm
I don’t care about the label. I really don’t. I just want better clothes and models who more accurately reflect what I’d look like in them.
Marie Leggette
December 1, 2017 at 10:16 pm
But its frustrating when the converaation is detracting from the option to just make dope clothes
M. Nannette St
December 1, 2017 at 9:55 pm
I don’t care about labels, just give nice clothes!
Marie Leggette
December 1, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Thats what i say
Deb
December 2, 2017 at 11:10 pm
There are women out there who do NOT want to shop in plus size sections, however. In my experience these are generally women who have not really accepted themselves and their bodies, and are still yearning for the feeling of shopping in the “regular” clothes. I just had this conversation not long ago with a friend. It’s kind of a bummer.
Personally, I don’t give a damn. While we still have most brands not producing plus sizes, I prefer having a plus size section so I don’t have to go fishing through every size tag to find my size.