So I walked into a Marshalls. It has been a year since I went there in search of bathing suits for me and my 12 year old niece. For me bathing suits looked like ugly floral evening gowns, (like they would have one in my size) for her they offered two pieces of string. So I was a matron and she was slut. This year I wasn't looking for a bathing suit, instead I needed Capri pants, and some summer shirts. Then a miracle happened, I went through the racks and FOUND EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED in my size with colors I liked. Not only that, but I thought, just for giggles, I'd look though the bathing suits and I found a freakin' Tankini in my size. I can't believe it, I thought as I held the purple and silver bathing suit in my hand. This couldn't be. How could they make a bathing suit so a fat girl can show her belly (and use the bathroom without taking off the entire suit) and have it in an affordable store? Aren't we supposed to wear an ugly flower so no one will know we are fat? Aren't we supposed to wear a skirt over our hideous fat thighs?
I walked out of Marshalls thinking wow, shopping for clothing had not been a bad experience for a change.
The problem is that for it to become habit-forming this needs to be an everyday occurrence, not the one time Marshalls actually got a decent shipment in.
My good mood carried over for my visit to Brooklyn clothing boutique LeeLee's Valise. A rare store in New York City where most boutiques carry size negative 5. While LeeLee's isn't meant for everyday clothes as most of what they carry are from designers (i.e. they can get pricy), it was nice to feel like a human being when I walked in the store. I told the sales associate that I had no waist, and she picked out the most amazing dress for me. I rarely get this any other plus size store.
I understand that even women of smaller sizes won't get that level at service at regular department stores, but at least they aren't ushered to the basement where they have the only best of matron wear to choose from (and where even maternity has a better selection.) Plus size stores aren't much better. I shouldn't have to feel the need to wear a bag on my head when I'm going in and out. (I'm trying to imagine the reaction of someone at Lane Bryant if I told them I had no waist and could they find me something?)
While LeeLee's is expensive, when I need a cocktail dress, upscale business wear, or formal wear, I'd rather patronize them then a less pricy store, because they cater to me for a change. I'm not the only one who feels like this. I went there on a Sunday afternoon, just about 15 minutes after they opened and there was already a packed house.
I'm thinking that if the stores treated us like human beings we would probably buy more clothes.
And my dress? I love it so much I have to go out more so I can wear it!
-Lara Frater
Eric