Gabi from Young, Fat, and Fabulous, was recently featured on Glamour's Best Dressed site, but their shopping suggestions truly peeved me. After they featured her plus ensemble of mostly thrift finds, they had shopping suggestions that were nowhere near plus-size, and we're not talking XXL, either. I mean, there was an Alexander Wang, a cropped top from Topshop to size 12, a sequin shirt in S-M-L-XL... come on!
While I know that Glamour has gotten some plus-friendly press lately, I don't want to let them off the hook. If you're going to feature a plus reader who's dressing well, at least do her the courtesy of offering suggestions in her size. While Gamour was quick to say that "[...]Since Gabi's pieces were vintage, I had a hard time sourcing similar items in any size. Also I wanted the look to be accessible to all readers," I feel like they are presenting an idealized version of her ensemble. Boo!
And as for the whole "sourcing" argument, that's definitely a poor excuse. Case in point:
Cropped Sequin Top:
Sequin Vest
Sequin Classic Tee
Black Glitter T-Shirt
Sequin Jersey Tank
And/or a Sequin Vest
Zip-Up Dress or Skirt
Tequila Dress
Zippy Bengaline (Available to size "XL," which is a size 22 AUS/US)
Bamboo Skirt
Tights or Stockings
We Love Colors (1-3X) or Hips and Curves (5/6X)
There. Was that SO hard?
Comments
Thank you so much! I’m always looking for new places to buy stylish plus size clothes!
I am very happy that more and more plus size sites are cropping up on the net. I’d say a few years ago, it was almost impossible to find good, quality, *real* plus size clothes online. Not anymore.
I agree with you about Glamour’s feature of Gabi. I do think that any article featuring a plus size model (and writer), should include shopping suggestions for real plus size fashions, so that a full figured reader can easily find and purchase said items. Featuring fashions in sizes going only up to 12 or only up to XL, are limiting and lazy, in my opinion.
“Wanted the look to be accessible to all readers” is what Glamour said. The majority of adult American women at this time in the United States are plus size so wouldn’t the majority of adult American women readers of Glamour be plus sized as well. Looks like they showed clothes that were only accessible to a minority of their readers. I agree that featuring a plus sized person with clothes that wouldn’t fit her makes logic itself stare in confusion.
cute sequin vest! I just bought one and I love it: http://glammed.blogspot.com/2009/11/outfit-post.html
If only I had a penny for each time I came to plussize.about.com.. Superb article!