I stumbled upon an insulting Q&A article from Brides magazine via Big Fat Blog.
Here is the question that the reader sent in:
"I’m a size 22 and want to wear a white pantsuit for my second wedding. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find one that fits. Any suggestions?"
And here is what Rachel Leonard, "Fashion Director" had to say in her response:
"Shopping for a white pantsuit in that size is going to be a challenge—and, to be honest, it may not be the most flattering style for your figure. Why not consider another informal option that’s more suited to your shape, like a simple A-line or bias-cut dress without a train? Opt for a design made from a stiff fabric, such as satin, silk-mikado, or silk-shantung, which offers slimming structure and a clean silhouette.
You may also want to choose a dress with sleeves for extra coverage. Go to a salon that carries designers with plus-size lines, like Alfred Angelo, Mon Cheri, Allure Bridals, and Paloma Blanca, or to a mass retailer (like David’s Bridal, for example) for the best selections. Before you head out, call to make sure they stock samples in your size."
I'm going to take this apart bit by bit.
"Shopping for a white pantsuit in that size is going to be a challenge—and, to be honest, it may not be the most flattering style for your figure. Why not consider another informal option that’s more suited to your shape, like a simple A-line or bias-cut dress without a train?"
This may be a surprise for Rachel, her being a stranger of the fat woman's world and all, but while it is a bit of a challenge to find certain styles of clothing in larger sizes that does not mean that those styles are necessarily unflattering. Take for example me. I look by far superior in a pantsuit than I do in a dress or even a skirt suit. It's not that I don't have nice legs (I do!) and it's not because I don't have a sexy body shape (again, I do!) but it's because I like to show off my hour glass shape, my butt and my chest and I find the best way for me to that is by wearing a nice blouse and pants.
Also, how can Rachel possibly suggest dresses as an alternative and be so certain that dresses would be more suited to the writer's shape without knowing what the writer looks like? Surely Rachel doesn't think that all fat people look the same, does she? I mean, it's not like all skinny/thin/average sized people look the same right? The writer gave no inclination as to what her height is and if she would be considered more apple, pear, hour glass, etc... shaped. So how could Rachel dismiss a pantsuit without at least having seen a picture of the writer?
"Opt for a design made from a stiff fabric, such as satin, silk-mikado, or silk-shantung, which offers slimming structure and a clean silhouette."
Cause everyone knows that fat women are always looking for ways to feel slimmer. I mean, I know when I go to a store and buy my outfits, I'm always looking for the clothes that will slim my size 20 ass to a svelte size 18. Cause that will make all the difference in the world.
"You may also want to choose a dress with sleeves for extra coverage."
This bit of dribble was probably the most insulting part of the whole two paragraph answer.
What is it with people assuming that all fat women want to cover themselves up? Is it because us fat women should feel so ashamed, so disgusted, so revolted by our own bodies that we should feel inclined, no, feel that it is our duties to not only cover up to hide our fat from ourselves, but also save other people from having the burden to gaze upon our fat arms or legs or chests? Or is it that the people who are so unaccepting of the fact that not all fat women feel like covering up their bodies but instead decide to show them off (god forbid!) are the ones that feel they have the right to tell a fat woman to cover up because they themselves are the ones with body issues, not the fat women?
Rachel apparently is not very good at answering questions for fat women. The only part of her answer that was remotely helpful was the list of stores she gave, unfortunately none of them really offered pantsuit sets which was the part of the question Rachel decided to ignore. Though I will admit that Mon Cheri did offer one pair of pants on page 3 of their evening section (not a pantsuit, just pants).
Now, I'm no professional "Fasion Director" or answer columnist, but might I suggest Jessica London? Or maybe Catherines? Or maybe one could piece together a suit using seperates offered by Lane Bryant?
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