Plus Size Personal Shopper

The Dress Challenge

I will never forget standing in Macy’s one day and discovering that Calvin Klein only sizes their clothing up to a large. As I was voicing my disgust to my favorite sales woman, the Calvin Klein Rep walked up. She was an absolutely beautiful woman who was clearly not dressed in the product she was representing. Why? Because like approximately 62% of the female population, she was a plus size therefore, invisible to the likes of Calvin Klein. Am I the only one who sees a problem with this picture? I sure hope not!

The plus size women and girls market is the fastest growing segment of the clothing market. Yet, the fashion industry seems intent on ignoring them and trying to pretend they don’t exist!

When starting my research for this site, I headed out to all the major book store chains. I hit all the magazine sections in search of plus size fashion magazines. What do you think I found? You got it – nothing! Not one! Did I mention that 62% of the female population is size 14 or over?! So why in the world are there no fashion magazines that speak to this market other that the very few found only online? To say that this is wrong seems like such an understatement!

There is such a body image problem in this nation and it is the fashion industry that is to blame. From the moment we are aware of our surroundings, we are bombarded with unrealistic images of women who much of the time aren’t even real! From air brushing to complete computer manipulation, they create women that no one could possibly look like! If you haven’t already seen it, look up the Dove commercial “You are so Beautiful” and see exactly what I’m talking about. It doesn’t matter if you are a size 6 or 26, it would be safe to say that you have an issue with at least one part of you’re your body. In fact, 4 out of 5 women are unhappy about their body! There is a fabulous show on Lifetime called “How to Look Good Naked” with Carson Kressly. If you haven’t already seen it, this is one of my homework assignments for you! This show takes women of all sizes that have issues with their bodies and addresses them. It is amazing to see the confidence level rise in these women as the show progresses. We could all learn a great deal from watching it. So, if you haven’t already… watch it!

I wear a lot of dresses. It started with just one dress that I fell in love with at Target of all places and cost all of $24.99! The first couple of times I wore it, I got compliment after compliment and it made me feel so good! I even had a sales woman at Nordstrom stop me to ask me where I got it! From then on, when I would be out shopping, I would look for dresses. Soon, I found that even though it looked as if I had put much time and effort into getting dressed, the reality was that it was what took the least amount of time! Think about it… What takes more time? Throwing on one item and the heals that go with it or looking around your closet to find two or three things that match and then looking for shoes to match? Dressing nicely doesn’t take any more time than throwing on your schleppy sweats and I guarantee you are going to feel better about yourself and carry yourself much better when you feel and look good!
So, your second homework assignment is this… For one week, I want you to “dress up”. I don’t care where you are going, even if you are just running errands. Put on a dress or another outfit that makes you feel good and do it every day for a week. During that week, pay attention to how you feel, how you carry yourself, and yes, even how you are treated by others. Chances are better than not that you will feel better about yourself, carry yourself with more confidence and find a new spring in your step!

Here are some great dresses that I have found to help you get started!