“It seems silly and I know some people are going to say it’s only clothes. But it is NEVER only clothes when you don’t have choices. It is never just about clothes when there is nothing else on the market that speaks to you in quite the same way and you feel like your capability to express your identity the way other people do is actively hindered by retailers. A friend of mine, in an amazingly generous act, gave me her domino dress – the big hit from the last collection. I wore it last night (I SWEAR I just tried it on for sizing purposes) for a while as I previewed stuff from the new collection. I was not, as Lesley claimed, cosplaying Beth Ditto. *laugh* But as I sat there, I thought about just how freaking ridiculous it is that our selection is so limited – that this one collection of just over 20 items is enough to get fatties all over the world setting their alarms to wake up and shop at ridiculous hours. The stuff isn’t cheap. I limited myself not because I am not in love with other dresses but because, damn, I have to pay my bills. So it isn’t like this is even a universally accessible collection (and Evans stops at a UK 32). But it gave us all a chance to dream about something frivolous. We window shopped, cheered each other on, and lamented when someone couldn’t make their cart work. That’s a testament both to the power of social media and to fatties as a demographic who are damn well underserved when it comes to stylish, kick ass clothes.”
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The Birth of a Hashtag; Beth Ditto, Evans, #dittowatch, and International Fatshion Frenzy
We fatties are an amazingly meta bunch.
But really… I’m sad that I didn’t get to participate in this, because I’m a college student and I can’t pay $35 USD for an amazing pair of floral leggings even if I REALLY REALLY WANT THEM.
I mean, I actually probably could, since I’ve been not very spendy yet this semester, but $35 for a pair of leggings seems kind of obscene to me considering my current fave pair of jeans cost me $10 at Faith21 (they’re black, skinny, fit me adequately and are made of substantial denim as opposed to my Old Navy skinnies, which were marketed as “jeggings,” made of a much thinner denim, and fall down a lot). Which really leads into a discussion about “disposable” fashion, sweatshop production, and the lessons on spendthriftiness my mother taught me… But I mean, leggings? I cannot justify that kind of cash. EVEN IF THEY ARE GORGEOUS.
But Marianne’s post is great. I’m still kind of high on being reblogged by Natalie.
(via pastthestorm)
a) I WAS THERE! #DITTOWATCH 2010
b) pastthestorm, I actually gasped at the end bit. You have the kind of smarts and writing style I wish I had! FOR SERIOUS.