Photo credit: Flickr/Pearls Lace & Ruffles
By now everyone not living under a rock has at least heard about the Abercrombie & Fitch “Fat people are uncool” story. While it’s a disheartening event, I refuse to get my size 8 panties in a twist.
Let me tell you why:
- The manager mentioned in the story for the Fat = Fired move is a douchebag, but at least he’s an honest douchebag. It’s like asking conspiracy theorists to wear their tinfoil caps in public so we know who they are. At least we can thank this prick for not pretending to be an understanding, open-minded, and worthy of a Christmas card.
See? He just saved us all a stamp. Those things are pricey.
I realize fat chicks wearing zebra stripes or giraffe spots may make us much easier to spot while crossing the street, but we weren’t that invisible in the first place. (Unless, you know, we’re in an A&F store.) One of the best-fitting light jackets I had for years was patterned with huge fronds and vines. If I ever had a secret mission in the Amazon, I would have blended right in. As it was, I became part of the décor in waiting rooms for years. I hated the way that jacket looked, but loved the way it fit.
On the other side of the coin is the “Look at me NOW, DAMMIT” outerwear. Sparkles, beads, sequins, giant cat faces, boat anchors embroidered in gold: I’ve seen enough cringe-inducing clothing in the plus-size section to give drag queens nightmares for weeks. There’s a reason why nerdy t-shirts and jeans are my main uniform these days. Well, yes, I’m a nerd, so that’s actually two reasons, but who’s counting?If someone’s going to stare quizzically at my chest, I’d rather have a TARDIS there than a giant sequined parrot, and it’s comfy without making me feel like I need a machete before going into my closet.
It’s true that some clothing manufacturers are trying out nicer fabrics and styles for bigger gals, but it would be lovely if more did it. Here’s a tip for mass-market label designers: ask yourself, would you wear this? Go outside and find a real, live plus-size person (which, I might add, included anyone wearing a size 10 and up because the fashion industry obviously doesn’t believe in carbs.) . Ask a real woman on the street if she would wear your clothing. Ask if she likes your designs. If she can afford to buy them. And maybe even if the fit made to accentuate her body makes her feel fabulous because the plus-size, regular, every day people deserve to have clothing options that fit under categories other than Shut Up, It Fits You, Doesn’t It?
Do that often enough, and you’ll make us all happy.
As for the manager at Ambercombie & Fitch? Since we’re being honest, can we talk about handing out complimentary gas masks to customers as they enter into your stores to avoid the contact high from the nauseating level of cologne being pumped through the air vents?
See? Honesty.
I think we all feel better now.
Beth Bartlett is a freelance writer and award-winning humor columnist. When she’s not shopping online for Doctor Who t-shirts, she can be found at her sites, Pure Geek and Wisecrack Zodiac. Connect with her on Twitter where she is fond of impersonating earthworms wearing plaid.
