Just as we thought the fashion world had woken up and accepted plus size women, it seems we’ve gone a step back.
Last week Selfridges announced it was dropping it’s plus size Marina Rinaldi range, which has sizes from 14 to 26, as according to The News of The World, it “doesn’t fit their image.”
The clothing range, founded in 1980 for ‘curvy women’, was taken out of stores two weeks ago to make space for slimmer lines meaning the largest size available on many fashion lines is now a 16 or 18 at a push.
Anita Barr, Director of Womenswear and Childrenswear at Selfridges said: ‘It’s true we no longer stock Marina Rinaldi, however Selfridges is constantly updating its brand mix.
‘This is also reflected in the sizing we offer. At present customers can find sizes up to a UK 18 in store.’
We think this is a disgraceful move by the well known retailer especially since half the women in the country are size 16 and above. We just hope other stores don’t take on the same approach. Tell us what you think about this by leaving your comments below.
tired of retailers discriminating against plus size women!! not everyone is, or even wants to be a smaller size! so for the women who are comfortable with who they are, regardless of the size they wear, now these ppl want to try and make women feel like they’re not good enough if they don’t fit into a 16… and while to a lot of skinny women out there are probably thinking, 16 is so huge already why would u need any bigger? well, someone who is a size 16, may need to take an 18 because of curves! thighs and butt.. and would not want to give up either just for the sake of being able to wear ONE brand of clothing… so thanks for nothing selfridges!!! hope u go broke!
Did all their plus-size customers suddenly become anorexic supermodels?
As it has been for ages, the “regular” sizes seem to win out. It is a disgrace that they are discriminating against others who do not fit into the 00-14 range that most stores carry. I mean, the fact that they are making a size like 00 and distributing it regularly is sad enough, but that they can’t extend to the other end of the spectrum is just pathetic. “It doesn’t fit the image” is not a good enough excuse. What image is this anyways? That big is not beautiful? That all sizes and shapes of people shouldn’t be catered to? If that is the sort of image they wish to portray then they have it. Shouldn’t women want to be able to find their favourite designers and favourite clothing in an accessible fashion? The sad thing about this is that they are missing out on such a huge market (no pun intended). There are so many times I would walk into a departent store and just wish that I could find something, a glitzy gown, a pair of jeans, that fits and actually looks good, but the reality is that I walk in and know, regardless, that it will not be there, or that the designers they carry do not understand the body of a plus sized woman. It is as though they are ashamed, which then makes us feel bad about ourselves when really? We shouldn’t. Yah. Some image.
Find online women plus size dresses of several types.