Fashion runs by its own rules. And those rules have never been fair to plus-size women.
Those who are larger than the arbitrary size 12 have fewer choices. Even celebrities whose hips are beyond the range of sample sizes are begrudged all the freebies and fawning that greet thinner colleagues. Seventh Avenue might not be denying anyone their civil rights, but snubs still sting.
And it’s a sting that is especially sharp for plus-size women who love to bargain-hunt. The pickings are slim at consignment shops, vintage boutiques and sample sales. While there are Facebook groups, pop-up shops and eBay sellers dealing in plus-size vintage clothing, there are few online companies that specialize in it.
Carolyn Thompson has stepped into the void with ResellXL, an online consignment shop specializing in professional and upscale attire in size 14 and larger.
The idea was born when Thompson tried to offload some of her own plus-size attire and couldn’t find a consignment shop willing to take it. The experience was aggravating, though Thompson, who worked for an executive recruitment firm in Vienna, Va., shrugged it off and moved on.
But the void in the fashion marketplace stayed in Thompson’s mind, and early this spring, she decided to act. She incorporated as ResellXL, and the site has been live for about one month. Already, the clothes and accessories have been flowing in, and the shoppers are logging on. Thompson has four part-time employees who help authenticate the merchandise, and she has a sense of the brands and styles that make customers swoon. They want denim sportswear, large-scale handbags, fancy shoes in size 10 or higher, designer evening gowns, prom dresses and St. John Knits.
“They’re looking for things people only use once or twice,” she said.
And they’re not necessarily looking for this season’s buzzy handbag or formal gown.
“Just because trends come and go in our part of the country, a lot of people don’t care about that — people from rural areas.”
Besides, who wants to pay retail for a one-use dress? Plus-size customers shouldn’t be forced to.
Celebrities
At the other end of the spectrum, plus-size celebrities, or even those who simply don’t fit into typical runway samples, are often faced with not being able to borrow a dress for a red carpet event.
Actresses have talked about how being larger than a sample size limits the borrowing possibilities from designers.
One could argue that borrowing a dress is a perk and not a right.
Designer Christian Siriano argues that all famous ladies should get the same perks, not just those that are sample sizes. There should be equal opportunity brand synergy on the red carpet.
Signs of greater fashion equality — of a sort — are rippling through popular culture. Anyone and everyone can traffic in used clothes. And celebrities of all sizes can reap the benefits of fame.
