By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy Fashionista
Notification Show More
Aa
  • News
    News
    Looking the the latest plus size fashion and industry news around designers, influencers, and community happenings? We’ve got you covered with the latest happenings in…
    Show More
    Top News
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    9 years ago
    Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Hips and Curves
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Hips and Curves!
    9 years ago
    nordstrom size inclusive
    What’s Missing as Nordstrom (and others) Takes Note of Us, the Plus Size Consumer
    6 years ago
    Latest News
    GLAMOROUS Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe || Interview with Suzanne Vinnik, Founder of byVINNIK
    2 weeks ago
    Thank Us Later! We’ve Found the 100 BEST Plus Size Swimsuits Under $100!
    2 weeks ago
    Hittin’ the Beach? Check Out These Fun and Sexy 23 Plus Size Swim Cover Ups!
    3 weeks ago
    26 Super Sexy Plus Size Two-Piece Swimwear That Your Curves Need Now!
    3 weeks ago
  • Style
    Style
    Yes, plus size style options exist and we are here to share the latest style finds, news, updates, and plus size style tips & tricks…
    Show More
    Top News
    Plus size woman Walking
    LETS TALK: Design Elements in Plus Size Clothes that KILL ME.
    10 years ago
    Duo Boots Giveaway on The Curvy Fashionista
    #TCFTurns5 Giveaway: Step into Style With the Duo Boots Giveaway!
    9 years ago
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Simply Be!
    9 years ago
    Latest News
    How to Wear (and OWN) Plus Size Floral Prints in 2023
    2 days ago
    All About The Plus Bus || An Interview with Fabulous Founders, Marcy & Jen
    2 weeks ago
    Hittin’ the Beach? Check Out These Fun and Sexy 23 Plus Size Swim Cover Ups!
    3 weeks ago
    26 Super Sexy Plus Size Two-Piece Swimwear That Your Curves Need Now!
    3 weeks ago
  • Beauty
    Beauty
    Looking for the latest beauty trends, products, and makeup tips and beauty advice for plus size people?! Check out the latest beauty articles on The…
    Show More
    Top News
    Wearing Make-Up To Work, A Bad Thing?
    10 years ago
    10 Products to Fight Chub Rub
    It’s Chub Rub Season—10 Products To Battle It
    6 years ago
    PrescriptivesCustom Blend Foundation
    Celebrating 200k FB Fans- It is a Spring #TCFStyle Giveaway with Prescriptives!
    9 years ago
    Latest News
    I Survived Going to a (fully nude) Korean Spa as a Plus Size Babe!
    1 week ago
    The Best 2023 Planners to Keep You Organized and Help You Reach Your Goals!
    5 months ago
    13 Last Minute Beauty Gifts Everyone is Sure to Love
    5 months ago
    TCF Gift Guide: 15 Beauty Stocking Stuffers to Wow and Amaze Your Loved Ones!
    6 months ago
  • Wellness
    Wellness
    Let’s talk about self-care, self-love, body image, and related topics to wellness and life as a plus size person!
    Show More
    Top News
    Torrid's Feature of Tiffany from On The Fatwalk
    The Enabling of Self Loathers and Shame – A Facebook Observation of Torrid
    11 years ago
    Rescue Stress relief
    Finding My Own Rescue Remedy & Taking Better Care of Myself…
    7 years ago
    Plus Size Lingerie: Hips and Curves
    Confidence, Sex, and the Plus Size Woman pt.1
    11 years ago
    Latest News
    Leave Some For Me! Why Viral Trends are Harming the Plus Size Community
    2 days ago
    Changing Focus to Celebrate Joyful Movement
    1 week ago
    The Plus Strut 5K is Back!
    1 month ago
    6 Tips for Finding a Fat Positive Doctor
    1 month ago
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle
    There is so much more to a plus size fashion lover and we are highlighting the various topics from home, to dating and beyond in…
    Show More
    Top News
    Open Letter Tim Gunn
    An Open Letter: Dear Tim Gunn, Let’s Make It Work
    10 years ago
    2017 MTV Move & TV Awards, chrissy metz, plus size celebrity
    ‘I Wear What I Want, When I Want’: Chrissy Metz Slays In Red at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards
    6 years ago
    Metallic Curves by Photographer Silvana Denker
    Plus Size Art: Metallic Curves by Photographer Silvana Denker
    6 years ago
    Latest News
    Changing Focus to Celebrate Joyful Movement
    1 week ago
    I Survived Going to a (fully nude) Korean Spa as a Plus Size Babe!
    1 week ago
    Plus Size and Pregnant? Yay!! Here’s Where to Shop for the BEST Plus Size Maternity Swimsuits
    1 month ago
    6 Tips for Finding a Fat Positive Doctor
    1 month ago
  • Culture
    Culture
    Yes there is a plus size culture and we are here to share and celebrate it from entertainment to movies, we are talking about it!…
    Show More
    Top News
    25 women of color e1615188552216
    25 Women Of Color Who Paved The Way for Body Positivity & Plus Size Fashion
    2 years ago
    Dear Terri, Ven Budhu, and Project Runway….
    11 years ago
    Plus+ Coffee table book
    Because We Love a Great Book, Here are 30+ Plus Size Centered Must-Reads! 
    5 years ago
    Latest News
    Hollywood Needs to Follow Suit: The Harmful Use of Fatsuits in Media
    1 month ago
    Get To Know The Big Grrrls Cast! The Plus Size Dancers Competing For A Spot On Stage.
    1 year ago
    6 Easy Date Ideas For Every Budget
    1 year ago
    The Unfiltered Brilliance of Ryan Ken Acts
    1 year ago
  • Shop TCF
  • Events
    • TCFStyle Brunch Series
Search TCF
More
  • Events
    • TCFStyle Brunch Series
  • Curvy & Plus Size Fashion Resources
  • About The Curvy Fashionista
  • Advertising
  • Contact
© 2008- 2023 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
Reading: Are Brands Dating Us in the Dark? How Some Brands Treat Plus Size Fashion
Aa
The Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy Fashionista
  • News
  • Style
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
  • Shop TCF
  • Events
Search TCF
  • About
  • News
  • Style
  • Shopping
  • Wellness
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Write for TCF
  • Contact
Sign In Sign In
Follow US
  • Login
  • Community Guidelines
  • Style Star Ambassadors
  • TCFStyle Influencer Network
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact
© 2008- 2021 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
Fashion and Industry

Are Brands Dating Us in the Dark? How Some Brands Treat Plus Size Fashion

Dominique
Last updated: 07/09/2018
By Dominique 8 Min Read
Share
plus size art model nikki g is showing us all that fat bodies can do
Photo from the campaign by Plus Size Model Nikki G, Showing Us All That Fat Bodies Can Do

Hey fashionistas. Have you ever been curious on why some brands are reluctant to promote their plus size lines? Like, when companies expand from being strictly straight size, they want to keep it under wraps. It’s almost like they don’t want the world to know about us, like we’re the side chick, or the secret lover… but we happen to be spending 21.4 billion dollars to support their industry.

Oooh the tea is hot.

- Advertisement -

Let’s do a quick fact check fashionistas.

We make up 67% of women in the United States. Our spending power is literally 21.4 billion dollars, which is about a tenth of the total sales of the apparel industry. And our sales have only continued to grow. Between 2013 and 2017 the plus size market grew 23%.

FACTS.

- Advertisement -

shutterstock 495700324There is a lot of money to be made here, no doubt about it! 

But even with that said, and even counting the demographic of the 67% of women in the United States wearing above a size 14, only 10% of online apparel is available in plus size. TEN PERCENT. 

Sure, we love that we have some representation from mainstream media’s faves like Ashley Graham, Danielle Brooks, and Tess Holliday, but for those of us who do not have the celeb status to have clothes custom made or have a personal stylist, it’s still hard out here for a fellow Curvy Fashionista who loves and needs her fancy clothes… 

How Brands are Dating Us in the Dark

Retailers are still reluctant to offer us the full range of options, even though we offer them our coin. Or what’s worse, they take our business, but keep us a secret. As if having plus size customers will tarnish their brand image. TUH. 

- Advertisement -

Marie Denee shops her local Target to find a new plus size departmentThese are the designers who carry plus sizes in department stores, but show no trace of plus sizes on their own website. The designers who are throwing samples left and right but refuse to make plus size samples available. The designers who refuse to dress plus size celebrities, but clamour for our straight sized sisters… You KNOW them.

Or even more confusing? The designers who do design for plus size celebrities, but will not put their looks into production… those designers and brands.

It’s a tale as old (and as frustrating) as time.

Lindy West talked about it in her book Shrill, Nicole Byer repeatedly asks the question on her podcast “Why Won’t You Date Me?,” and now here we are asking these retailers: are you embarrassed of us?

How Some Brands Treat Plus Size Fashion

The New York Post looked at some of the retailers who were hesitant about and all out refusing to discuss their plus size expansion, as well as some insiders who provided insight into the phenomenon.

City Chic in the US with 6 Stores
Inside a City Chic Boutique

Did you know that Lululemon extended their sizes? IKR?! Exactly… The retailer has finally decided to offer expanded sizes in their leggings, after the debacle a few years ago regarding them intentionally not stocking their size 12 leggings in store, which was the largest size they had at the time. However, the athletic company has been real strategic about how they talk about the expansion.

In the article for the New York Post, the SVP of merchandising gave the statement “We are always looking at new ways to serve our guests, and our recent introduction of sizes 0 and 14 in a select number of styles is an example of this approach.” 

Their website also includes a few—note FEW—size 16, 18, XL and XXL pieces. The Post noted that Lululemon “declined to discuss its sizing strategy — but quickly noted that it also expanded into size 0.”

Jason Wu, a designer whose dresses sell for a cool $1,700 at places like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus recently started designing in a size 14. But when asked about this cool news, the company stated “We wouldn’t discuss sizes.”

J. Crew is another company that quietly added plus sizes to their lineup, but when asked for comment, they declined.

What’s the issue here? Don’t these brands want to tap into the business that could triple their bottom line like Christian Siriano did?

Aren’t they in business to make money?

Mannequins Nordstrom 1024x683
At Nordstrom in downtown Seattle, the mannequins on the left and middle are size 2 while the mannequin on the right is size 12. All are wearing Halogen, a Nordstrom-exclusive brand. (PRNewsfoto/Nordstrom, Inc.)

This action, sentiment, or feeling is not a new phenomenon.

Our sizes have been subjected to the back of department stores and tucked away in the farthest corner of the internet for some time now. While retail consultant Gabriella Santaniello states that “Instagram stars and celebrities like Cardi B and the Kardashians have helped to drive the body-positivity movement to new levels.” 

Ohhhhh Gabriella, it’s wayyyyyy more than that.

Biases. Old marketing tropes. Classism. Ignorance. 

There needs to be an all around cultural and economic shift around how plus size fashion is perceived and received. I mean, there is just a cool 21 BILLION dollars on the table here. 

Torrid plus size denim campaign
The Torrid plus size denim campaign

We need to remember that while the celebs we are seeing are diversifying body image, they’re shifting a cultural image of who can be beautiful.  However, there is still the underlying issue of how plus size fashion is cool enough to sell to, through restricted channels or access, but never with the full brand experience. 

I am tired of this.

I’m tired of this secret, limited, and frustrating fashion relationship.

If retailers don’t want people who look like me, sprawled out in their campaigns (because you know we rock it every single time) then they clearly don’t want this money. 

Join me THIS SATURDAY at the Galleria at Tyler City Chic Grand OpeningThankfully there are more brands and plus size retailers who are putting our faces forward and truly taking the terms ‘inclusion’ and ‘diversity’ seriously. I mean, if only Christian Siriano custom designed every outfit for me to go out in, I would be quite alright… but that’s not my world, yet…

What do you think about this secret love affair that fashion has with the plus size consumer?

What are some brands that you feel are actually representing you?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

TAGGED: Ashley Graham, Cardi B, Christian Siriano, danielle brooks, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tess Holliday
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
7 Comments 7 Comments
  • Minx says:
    July 9, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    Interesting article however the average American woman is size 16-18 (2016) https://kadevos.com/blogs/dr-christel-press/the-average-american-woman-is-a-size-16-according-to-a-new-study. I’m not giving business to a company that moves into a size 14 laurels. If they don’t want the funds from half the female population they don’t give them our money.. There are a lot of great brands who do and who do it right. I don’t think every brand needs to be or have plus sizes.

    Reply
    • Dominique says:
      July 9, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      I’m glad you included that research article. Dr. Christel is a former professor and friend of mine. Her research is fantastic, I’ve referenced it in my work with TCF before! I’m thankful her work is part of the movement that is pushing for plus size inclusivity in education and fashion.

      Reply
  • Bethany Snyder says:
    July 10, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    Brands/companies that treat my size like an embarrassment they have to tolerate no longer get my money. Why aren’t company stockholders demanding that brands cater to such a huge portion of the population? It’s astonishing that fat hatred trumps their desire to make more money.

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      July 24, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      amennnnn!

      Reply
  • Jim Lee says:
    July 13, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Hold on tight ladies.

    My partner and I have been working on some really special pieces only for plus sizes.
    Regular retail buyers said no to us saying our clothes were too risky for plus sizes. Too much fashion.

    They don’t want to represent y’all in their stores, so we’re gonna bring it to y’all directly.

    Keep your eyes and ears open for Buxom Couture and Buxom Curvy

    Reply
  • Roxanne Kelly says:
    July 24, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Here’s what I think.
    Designers who refuse to design for plus-sized women are afraid that their clothes will look bad on us. Which is the lamest possible excuse in the world coming from people who consider themselves to be “artists”.

    If high-fashion is an art form, then fashion designers are the most mediocre artists on the planet. Would we praise a guitarist who could only play three chords? Nope. So, why is it acceptable for fashion “artists” to run away from challenge, to opt out of creating because they worry that the canvas will make their art look bad? For that matter, if an actual painter blamed the canvas, wouldn’t we all be snickering and considering them to be a talentless hack? So, if an artist is incapable of designing clothes that look good on any body size or shape, then they are either talentless, or just lazy. Besides Christian Siriano, are there any other fashion designers with real talent?

    The problem isn’t us, it’s them. To go with your dating analogy…the problem isn’t that they can’t get it up for us, the problem is that they can’t get us off.

    The difference between now and 20 years ago is this: We used to believe that we were the problem, that they were right, nothing would look good on us, it was our fault the clothes look bad. Now we know better. We know that clothes absolutely can look fantastic on us, IF the designer is talented enough to design the right clothes for us. Their fears are not unfounded, maybe their clothes will look bad on us. But, WE aren’t making their clothes look bad, their clothes are making US look bad. Their clothes are poorly designed in the first place – for any number of reasons – proportion, cut, fabric, pattern.

    If designers can’t or won’t face an artistic challenge and figure out how to design well for anyone, then they suck at their jobs. If they incapable or unwilling to change, they need to be fired and replaced by new designers who are willing and able to rise to the challenge. There’s got to be more Sirianos out there. He can’t be the only one.

    Can we get rid of Lagerfield and the like? On that note, there’s nothing fresh and new about what these old designers are creating anyway. How tired and overdone is the fashion spread with tall thin models in drab grey and black, all long and lean, limbs jutting out at all sorts of angles to supposedly create an “editorial” vibe? We’ve seen this fashion spread over and over since 1992. Enough. Please for the love of God! It is so boring! Maybe that’s why these designers aren’t able to create anymore, they are bored, in a creative rut dating back decades. This silhouette has not been edgy since Kate Moss and Calvin Klein were the “it” team. Here’s the thing. WE are the new edgy. WE are the modern. We’re the most exciting thing going on in fashion right now! Can you think of a more exciting model than Ashley Graham? Me neither.

    What I’d like is a name of all the designers who refuse to design for us. Why does everyone tip toe around them? They need to be outed. I can guess, but, it would be better if people started calling them all out, so that we, the 67% majority, can fire their talentless, lazy asses. They don’t deserve any of our money if/when they decide to jump on the bandwagon to cash in. They don’t deserve us.

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      July 24, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      i love you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

leave some for me plus size thrifting - @theplusbus
Body Politics

Leave Some For Me! Why Viral Trends are Harming the Plus Size Community

- Advertisement -

You May Also Enjoy

“I Lombardi” Parisian Coat & Red Flower Belt - byVINNI
Fashion and Industry

GLAMOROUS Plus Size Capsule Wardrobe || Interview with Suzanne Vinnik, Founder of byVINNIK

Brianne By Brianne
PLUS SAND GOLD TRIM ASYMMETRIC SWIMSUIT - PRETTYLITTLETHING
Plus Size Designers

Thank Us Later! We’ve Found the 100 BEST Plus Size Swimsuits Under $100!

Brianne By Brianne
Plus Size Swim Cover Ups - ELOQUII
#TCFStyle

Hittin’ the Beach? Check Out These Fun and Sexy 23 Plus Size Swim Cover Ups!

By
ASOS LUXE Curve ruffle bikini set in lilac
Fashion and Industry

26 Super Sexy Plus Size Two-Piece Swimwear That Your Curves Need Now!

Brianne By Brianne
Arianna SwimTop Awilda MeshSwimBottom Tia2
Fashion and Industry

14 BEST Size Inclusive Swimwear Brands to Shop in 2023 || Above a 6X or Size 30

Brianne By Brianne
CC607757 DCE2 4A3C A8C7 9CAC3A211355 grande.jpegv1593805991
Fashion and Industry

15+ Super-Stylish Indie Plus Size Swimwear Brands & Collections To Know

Brianne By Brianne
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contribute
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Reading: Are Brands Dating Us in the Dark? How Some Brands Treat Plus Size Fashion
The Curvy FashionistaThe Curvy Fashionista
Follow US
© 2008- 2023 · by TCFStyle Media · All Rights Reserved ·
The Curvy Fashionista Logo
Welcome Back!

Please Sign in to Your Account

Lost your password?