Trendy or Trashy

I'm sure like anyone else out there, there are a lot of things that 'bother' me. However, I think out of all the things that bother me, there is one that stands out above the rest. I don't know about you, but I fall in to the category of "plus-size" you know the range for the women size 14 +. Given the statistics on the 'state of weight' in the US these days, I'm sure that there are quite a few women out there who share this category with me. And the thing that bothers me is clothes for the plus-size woman. What is up with that?

Now I honestly think that no matter what 'size' category one falls into, it is just the way of the world that most women hate shopping for clothes. Whether you are a size 2 or 22, not everyone can find things that fit them perfectly or suit them properly. The problem is that I think the people who make and sell clothes for the plus size gal are either blind or playing some sort of sick joke most of the time.

Being overweight, we can all agree, is not something that most of us are proud of. Many people who are overweight are, like myself, trying to do something about their weight in order to live a healthier life and enhance their self-esteem. Everybody knows that it is important to be happy with the way you look, the image that you present to the rest of the world. With that being said, I want to know this....where do some of these 'plus-size' clothes come from?

I have been amazed over the years with some of the 'fashions' that retail stores specializing in 'plus-size' have come out with. I mean come on people, let's face it....there are just some things the big girls should not wear....ever.

For example, animal prints. I don't care, but unless you really truly have the body of Shania Twain...no one, and I repeat no one should ever be wearing anything in cheetah or leopard print! A sales lady actually tried to sell me some cheetah print lingerie once (don't get me started on the plus-size lingerie thing) telling me that it was the sexiest thing going. She had to be impaired in some way....it's the only way that I can justify that level of insanity. NO ANIMAL PRINTS!

Tapered shirts....they were all the 'thing' last year, and still are around now, you know the ones with the 3/4 length sleeves etc. Well, fine, they are cute and kind of sassy....but I know I can't wear anything tapered through the mid-section, and I have seen plenty of other heavy girls out there who are trying to wear these shirts and failing at it miserably. Fat Girls cannot wear tight shirts! How difficult a concept is that?

I was in a plus-size fashionable store recently and I have to say that I was quite appalled at the summer things that are currently out. Tube tops (may I never be in good enough shape to wear these) in hot pink and orange? Peasant shirts out of the 60's? Skirts and dresses with frills? Dresses with elastic bunched up in the chest...I guess to emphasize the breasts. While all of these things I'm sure would look good on a woman who was a regular size....what was someone thinking when it comes to the 'plus-size'?

I think the answer to my questions is this, very simply, that plus-size clothes are designed by skinny people who have absolutely no concept of being fat. Anyone who actually is on the chunky side would know that there are certain things that they cannot wear. No one overweight would have come out with that crazy slinky material that was in all the stores a couple of years ago, you know the still that clings to every bulge and bump on you? No one overweight would be making clothes in fluorescent colors. No one overweight would be making clothes in cheetah prints or any other outrageous patterns.

Now you may be thinking that I am missing the point of a lot of the plus-size fashions today. Clothes these days are expressions of a person's personality and freedom. Clothes tell a lot about the person who wears them. I believe that every woman, regardless of size, wants to feel attractive in the clothes that she wears, even sexy at times. I know that's how I want to feel. I want the clothes I choose to say that although I may be 'plus-size', I care about what I wear and that I want clothes that fit and flatter my shape. I don't want things that will draw unnecessary attention to my weight and make me look like a circus freak!