Dear Retail Stores,

A year ago I went dress shopping with my friend Susie at Lord & Taylor. Susie is gorgeous, tall and slender, she wears between a size 2 and 4, possibly a 6 but that may be pushing it and I am…. well, let’s just say I am not that size. We looked for her dress first and after trying on a few dresses in the fitting room, we found Susie a beautiful classic black and white floor length gown. Once she was ready she turned to me and said: “It’s your turn!” I smiled nervously as I answered “Susie… there aren’t any dresses here that fit me.” She replied,” But what do you mean?” as she looked around at the vast amount of clothing. I realized I was about to crush my sweet Susie’s size 4 heart. I mentioned that my size was nowhere to be found in that section and we would have to “search for my section,” and Heavens to Betsy, we searched alright! We couldn’t find it so we asked an associate where my “section” would be and I received the good ol’  “UPSTAIRS” response. Susie was confused. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I knew this part of the store all too well. The “upstairs” is where they place moo-moo’s and Christmas pajamas next to deep fryers and all the “As Seen On TV” products. Nonetheless, we ventured onto the escalator and made our way there. When we arrived we were surrounded by furniture in a gorgeous showroom which totally confused us. After turning a corner we saw “my section,” behind the sofas, past the fancily dressed associates looking for customers, it was in a spot where every woman feels great about herself. Susie was upset and couldn’t believe this is where I would have to look for clothing. I wasn’t shocked, I was used to it and felt like it was my duty to educate Susie on the realities of shopping as a plus size woman. 

This scenario has happened more than I’d like to admit. I have had to train my closest thin friends on what it’s like to shop for or with me.  Why is this still a problem? Why in 2018 can I not shop at a store with my best friends and get a dress from the same racks they are shopping from? Why do I have to go to the BACK of the store or UPSTAIRS? HOW DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE? We carry around computers as phones, we can speak to people live via video chat in our hands and yet I have to shop behind couches? WHY? Retailers, I implore you to get a grip on the reality of this craziness. Yes, there are stores such as Lane Bryant and Torrid that are reaching out to the curvy woman but when I go in there I STILL can’t shop from the same racks as my best friends. Yes, these stores provide clothing that I am grateful for but it still separates the plus-sized woman from everyone else. Why must there be a separation at all? When will it be ok to place ALL sized clothing together? When will it be acceptable to not have to go to a different part of the store to find my dress? Why am I still having to explain to women that we are not treated equally when it comes to retail stores? 

I would honestly LOVE an explanation as to why this is so difficult. I would love to know why racks cannot carry all sizes. Also, I don’t see plus size sections for men, let’s learn from them! I haven’t seen a plus size section in any men stores. My husband is a big guy…6’3 and 2_ _  lbs. and I have NEVER had to look for a “MENS WORLD,”  or a “MENS PLUS” section to buy his clothes.

While I believe there have been some amazing strides made within the Plus Size Community, I also believe there is a lot of work to be done. There has to be a way to make this happen. If there were ever a department store that can make plus size ladies feel included that store would become the most beloved store of many women around this country. Unfortunately, you have not made this easy for us which is why we have in turn started shopping with online clothing retailers and boutiques who know what we need and can provide it for women of all sizes. It’s nice to know someone out there is getting it, I just wish the stores would!  Sometimes I would rather shop with my girlfriends online… it beats shopping behind a couch! 

Thank you for your time!