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Fluffy Friday
Author: wickedpam
Date: 11/14/2014 14:54:01
In which today's "fluffy" is a nice euphemism for fat. Most of you have met me in person, as you can tell I'm not a petite or even "normal" sized woman. for those of you that haven't - surprise! I have been a plus sized woman for all of my adult life and some of my teen years.
Anyway, this week it made the news that a woman launched a petition to get Old Navy to stop charging plus sized women exponentially more then any other shopper of Old Navy. Also they would like the product in the stores instead of just being website only.
Old Navy Blasted for Higher Cost of Plus Sized Jeans
As a large woman I applaud her trying to tackle an issue that can make you a target for ridicule. Its not only sexism but also sizeism. Being fat still seems to be the last okay thing to be hateful about. Reading the story comments on Facebook where WTOP, local "news" station here, posted the story just makes me want to crawl in a hole and not come out till I've somehow made it down to a size 0.
Old Navy claims, as do a lot of other retailers, that making plus size women's clothing costs so much more because we need special materials and more of it. Now I will grant you that yes, making a larger garment does require more material but we're talking inches not yards. Looking at their website, at just a black or navy crew neck pocket tee for women, plus size women, men and big men, I'm calling shenanigans on that.
Women's Slub-Knit Crew Pocket Tees - Reg 10.94, sale 6.00 here
Men's Pocket Tees - Reg 9.94, sale 7.50 here
Big Men's Pocket Tees - Reg 9.94, sale 7.50 here
Women's Plus Pocket Tees - Reg 26.94, sale 12.97 here
Why is it nearly double the cost?! And why can't I buy it in a store? Why am I being forced to take extra steps to get things that are so simple? I have money, why don't you want it? Does it have the "fat" taint too it? It's still green and spendy, right?
Large size women have money to spend and designers have be slow to figure this out. Its been nice to have other store choices lately. I remember a time when the only place I could shop was Lane Bryant for the younger kids and Catherine's for the older ladies. Now there's also The Avenue, Torrid (I've just discovered them and love there fun clothes), Talbot's Woman (super expensive but that's Talbot's by nature), J.Jill is picking up the mantle of the now defunct Cold Water Creek, and a few other stores have tried to expand their selections. That's all great, and while they do charge more for their clothing I've never seen it where they were charging their customer almost double for a product.
I like Old Navy, the clothes are cute. Too bad they don't think I"m an equal consumer.
Mala
Anyway, this week it made the news that a woman launched a petition to get Old Navy to stop charging plus sized women exponentially more then any other shopper of Old Navy. Also they would like the product in the stores instead of just being website only.
Old Navy Blasted for Higher Cost of Plus Sized Jeans
The petition charges Old Navy with sexism, noting that a pair of women’s plus-size jeans can cost about $15 more than regular jeans, while a pair of men’s jeans costs the same no matter the size. Customers are also calling for Old Navy to put the larger apparel into stores, instead of just selling it online.
As a large woman I applaud her trying to tackle an issue that can make you a target for ridicule. Its not only sexism but also sizeism. Being fat still seems to be the last okay thing to be hateful about. Reading the story comments on Facebook where WTOP, local "news" station here, posted the story just makes me want to crawl in a hole and not come out till I've somehow made it down to a size 0.
Old Navy claims, as do a lot of other retailers, that making plus size women's clothing costs so much more because we need special materials and more of it. Now I will grant you that yes, making a larger garment does require more material but we're talking inches not yards. Looking at their website, at just a black or navy crew neck pocket tee for women, plus size women, men and big men, I'm calling shenanigans on that.
Women's Slub-Knit Crew Pocket Tees - Reg 10.94, sale 6.00 here
Men's Pocket Tees - Reg 9.94, sale 7.50 here
Big Men's Pocket Tees - Reg 9.94, sale 7.50 here
Women's Plus Pocket Tees - Reg 26.94, sale 12.97 here
Why is it nearly double the cost?! And why can't I buy it in a store? Why am I being forced to take extra steps to get things that are so simple? I have money, why don't you want it? Does it have the "fat" taint too it? It's still green and spendy, right?
Large size women have money to spend and designers have be slow to figure this out. Its been nice to have other store choices lately. I remember a time when the only place I could shop was Lane Bryant for the younger kids and Catherine's for the older ladies. Now there's also The Avenue, Torrid (I've just discovered them and love there fun clothes), Talbot's Woman (super expensive but that's Talbot's by nature), J.Jill is picking up the mantle of the now defunct Cold Water Creek, and a few other stores have tried to expand their selections. That's all great, and while they do charge more for their clothing I've never seen it where they were charging their customer almost double for a product.
I like Old Navy, the clothes are cute. Too bad they don't think I"m an equal consumer.
Mala
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 14:44:05
Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 14:44:05
Good morning!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:54:47
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:54:47
thanks for the stub - blog is up now
Comment by 
Raine on 11/14/2014 14:56:49
Great blog!
And it is all too damn true.
Raine on 11/14/2014 14:56:49
Quote by wickedpam:
thanks for the stub - blog is up now
Great blog! And it is all too damn true.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:57:33
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:57:33
Sorry for the delay - people actually expected me to work in my office 
Morning
Wrote it a little fast, if some thing doesn't make sense let me know.
Morning
Wrote it a little fast, if some thing doesn't make sense let me know.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:59:51
Thanks
I've always know that large women get charged more, but I assumed large men did too - guess not. At least in this cause. And its so freaking blatant that I'm just kind of stunned by it.
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 14:59:51
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
thanks for the stub - blog is up now
And it is all too damn true.
Thanks
I've always know that large women get charged more, but I assumed large men did too - guess not. At least in this cause. And its so freaking blatant that I'm just kind of stunned by it.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 15:17:25
I assumed the same. IT's ridiculous.
Raine on 11/14/2014 15:17:25
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
thanks for the stub - blog is up now
And it is all too damn true.
Thanks
I've always know that large women get charged more, but I assumed large men did too - guess not. At least in this cause. And its so freaking blatant that I'm just kind of stunned by it.
Comment by 
BobR on 11/14/2014 15:20:42
BobR on 11/14/2014 15:20:42
It's almost like Old Navy is saying "we don't want consumers to see our clothes on fat people - it will make them think negatively about us".
Who do they think they are? Abercrombie & Fitch?
Who do they think they are? Abercrombie & Fitch?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 15:38:14
oh no - Target has said that out loud and in print when asked why they didn't carry very many plus size clothes like Walmart. They said they catered to a different consumer, they wanted younger shoppers.
Old Navy's just saying sure we'll sell to you but you can only by online and we'll charge you more and think you're too dumb to figure it out.
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 15:38:14
Quote by BobR:
It's almost like Old Navy is saying "we don't want consumers to see our clothes on fat people - it will make them think negatively about us".
Who do they think they are? Abercrombie & Fitch?
oh no - Target has said that out loud and in print when asked why they didn't carry very many plus size clothes like Walmart. They said they catered to a different consumer, they wanted younger shoppers.
Old Navy's just saying sure we'll sell to you but you can only by online and we'll charge you more and think you're too dumb to figure it out.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:38:40
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:38:40
Mornin' all.. 
I know the debate here is about plus-size clothing for women is priced higher than it is for men, but it's also the case that plus-size clothing is more expensive regardless of gender. Their excuse for the increased cost is that the clothing uses more fabric. Of course, that doesn't make any sense because these companies are paying pennies on the dollar for southeast Asian children to harvest the raw materials and run the looms.
I've also found that plus size mens clothing (and that's both big AND tall) is noticeably more difficult to find anywhere outside of Walmart, B&T shops or online retailers.
I know the debate here is about plus-size clothing for women is priced higher than it is for men, but it's also the case that plus-size clothing is more expensive regardless of gender. Their excuse for the increased cost is that the clothing uses more fabric. Of course, that doesn't make any sense because these companies are paying pennies on the dollar for southeast Asian children to harvest the raw materials and run the looms.
I've also found that plus size mens clothing (and that's both big AND tall) is noticeably more difficult to find anywhere outside of Walmart, B&T shops or online retailers.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:46:12
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:46:12
This conversation has reminded me that I need to buy a few sets of thermal undies. It's flippin' cold out there!
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:52:58
Actually they're owned by Gap. Which is probably just as annoying as A&F.
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 15:52:58
Quote by BobR:
It's almost like Old Navy is saying "we don't want consumers to see our clothes on fat people - it will make them think negatively about us".
Who do they think they are? Abercrombie & Fitch?
Actually they're owned by Gap. Which is probably just as annoying as A&F.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 15:58:03
I think its more the degree in this case that its priced higher. And yes, I know they pay crap wages and piece work to people in the garment industry.
Trust me I hear ya on the men's large size clothes too - 3 men in my fam are either very broad & paunchy or very tall - they have problems too.
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 15:58:03
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
I know the debate here is about plus-size clothing for women is priced higher than it is for men, but it's also the case that plus-size clothing is more expensive regardless of gender. Their excuse for the increased cost is that the clothing uses more fabric. Of course, that doesn't make any sense because these companies are paying pennies on the dollar for southeast Asian children to harvest the raw materials and run the looms.
I've also found that plus size mens clothing (and that's both big AND tall) is noticeably more difficult to find anywhere outside of Walmart, B&T shops or online retailers.
I think its more the degree in this case that its priced higher. And yes, I know they pay crap wages and piece work to people in the garment industry.
Trust me I hear ya on the men's large size clothes too - 3 men in my fam are either very broad & paunchy or very tall - they have problems too.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 16:04:30
Raine on 11/14/2014 16:04:30
FSTV is back up in time to see Frangela!!! 
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:05:48
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:05:48
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/14/2014 16:12:53
TriSec on 11/14/2014 16:12:53
Interesting...as the retail/apparel guy here, let me state that my store has a premium of $10. For non-'regular' sizing. Across the board; tall and 3xxx+ men pay it, too. For the tall sizes, that amounts to a couple extra inches of fabric.
About internet-only, my store doesn't carry the entire product line, but the mothership in Freeport does, so it's a floorspace issue. That said, the few tall sizes we get (and wide shoes) always sell out instantly. If I had more, I could sell it without any trouble.
About internet-only, my store doesn't carry the entire product line, but the mothership in Freeport does, so it's a floorspace issue. That said, the few tall sizes we get (and wide shoes) always sell out instantly. If I had more, I could sell it without any trouble.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 16:27:05
Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 16:27:05
Wow, that was worth the wait, Mala. Damn good blog!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:30:35
babies in the wild? cheerio trees?
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:30:35
babies in the wild? cheerio trees?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:30:52
Thanks
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:30:52
Quote by Mondobubba:
Wow, that was worth the wait, Mala. Damn good blog!
Thanks
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 16:31:06
They just go off like no one else!
Raine on 11/14/2014 16:31:06
Quote by wickedpam:
babies in the wild? cheerio trees?
They just go off like no one else!
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:37:55
that was a fun train of thought XD
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 16:37:55
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
babies in the wild? cheerio trees?
that was a fun train of thought XD
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 17:01:08
Of course retailers these day can offer more product with online shopping but it would be nice to at least have some representation in at least a few stores. Then if it sells well, expand - seems like a normal thing to me.
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 17:01:08
Quote by TriSec:
Interesting...as the retail/apparel guy here, let me state that my store has a premium of $10. For non-'regular' sizing. Across the board; tall and 3xxx+ men pay it, too. For the tall sizes, that amounts to a couple extra inches of fabric.
About internet-only, my store doesn't carry the entire product line, but the mothership in Freeport does, so it's a floorspace issue. That said, the few tall sizes we get (and wide shoes) always sell out instantly. If I had more, I could sell it without any trouble.
Of course retailers these day can offer more product with online shopping but it would be nice to at least have some representation in at least a few stores. Then if it sells well, expand - seems like a normal thing to me.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 17:09:44
Truth!
I would like to be able to try things on .
Raine on 11/14/2014 17:09:44
Quote by wickedpam:
Of course retailers these day can offer more product with online shopping but it would be nice to at least have some representation in at least a few stores. Then if it sells well, expand - seems like a normal thing to me.
I would like to be able to try things on .
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 17:16:40
Mondobubba on 11/14/2014 17:16:40
Old Navy is also bad for plus sized guys. They have shit in the store for big dudes, what they have is limited to a few styles of shirts. The other big issue I have with them is almost every they have now is "slim fit" even the fat guy stuff, I don't know about you but I don't want to wear something that looks like I wearing an effing sausage casing.
Comment by TriSec on 11/14/2014 17:25:05
TriSec on 11/14/2014 17:25:05
Urgh, I hate the 'trim fit' stuff. Can I draw a full breath without shooting buttons across the room?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 17:25:46
that's the one thing I hate about online shopping!
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 17:25:46
Quote by Raine:Truth!Quote by wickedpam:
Of course retailers these day can offer more product with online shopping but it would be nice to at least have some representation in at least a few stores. Then if it sells well, expand - seems like a normal thing to me.
I would like to be able to try things on .
that's the one thing I hate about online shopping!
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 18:18:49
Raine on 11/14/2014 18:18:49
Question for the blog.If you know someone is in the hospital (This time, a wife of a friend, via FB) and you know the hospital, can you send flowers with the patients name and hope the hospital can find the room? I want it to be a surprise for the family.
Can I just order flowers for the XXXX family at the hospital address?
Can I just order flowers for the XXXX family at the hospital address?
Comment by 
livingonli on 11/14/2014 18:19:34
livingonli on 11/14/2014 18:19:34
Good day, folks. Another day in the insane asylum and another late shift since with the way our shifts are covered there is no way to avoid having to do two a week.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 18:22:05
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 18:22:05
So I think I have grounds to file a lawsuit against a collection agency.
Comment by TriSec on 11/14/2014 18:30:32
TriSec on 11/14/2014 18:30:32
Raine, call the hosp information desk and get the room number. They will give you that info.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 18:36:23
Ok, Thanks, Tri. I wasn't sure if they could give that info out.
Raine on 11/14/2014 18:36:23
Quote by TriSec:
Raine, call the hosp information desk and get the room number. They will give you that info.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 18:36:49
Oh? do tell….
Raine on 11/14/2014 18:36:49
Quote by Scoopster:
So I think I have grounds to file a lawsuit against a collection agency.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2014 18:49:59
last time I did something like that was about 18 years ago.
Give the hospital information desk a call and ask what they usually do. Those peeps are awesome
wickedpam on 11/14/2014 18:49:59
Quote by Raine:
Question for the blog.If you know someone is in the hospital (This time, a wife of a friend, via FB) and you know the hospital, can you send flowers with the patients name and hope the hospital can find the room? I want it to be a surprise for the family.
Can I just order flowers for the XXXX family at the hospital address?
last time I did something like that was about 18 years ago.
Give the hospital information desk a call and ask what they usually do. Those peeps are awesome
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:04:38
First off, it's about my student loan. Is it delinquent? Yeah...
So they call my office, gets routed to my boss first. I've never given out my work number to anyone involved with, and I know they have my cell so they should have just called it.
The 'rep' tells me that his company is the servicer for the loan (which is total BS because they're not on the list of FSA/FFEL loan servicers - they've obviously a collection agency hired by the DOEd) proceeds to throw all kinds of veiled threats at me - from have my wages and tax refunds garnished, to refusing to call back on my cell, to refusing to call back at another time when I wasn't at work, to refusing to send me mailed documentation and forms. And they continued to bully and threaten me whenever I tried to take action to end the call or get them to mail the stuff, even after I spent almost a half hour actually talking to him and trying to figure out a payment arrangement.
Eventually I did manage to get him off the phone by convincing him that I don't have the needed info at my work desk to discuss a payment arrangement. So I expect he'll be calling back Monday. In the meantime I've prepared a C&D letter and a dispute letter with a request for full documentation which will be notarized & sent by certified mail today.
I also have a couple friends who are lawyers that I'll be asking for advice and potential representation. The threats and fibbing about being a loan servicing company are plenty for a civil lawsuit.
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:04:38
Quote by Raine:Oh? do tell….Quote by Scoopster:
So I think I have grounds to file a lawsuit against a collection agency.
First off, it's about my student loan. Is it delinquent? Yeah...
So they call my office, gets routed to my boss first. I've never given out my work number to anyone involved with, and I know they have my cell so they should have just called it.
The 'rep' tells me that his company is the servicer for the loan (which is total BS because they're not on the list of FSA/FFEL loan servicers - they've obviously a collection agency hired by the DOEd) proceeds to throw all kinds of veiled threats at me - from have my wages and tax refunds garnished, to refusing to call back on my cell, to refusing to call back at another time when I wasn't at work, to refusing to send me mailed documentation and forms. And they continued to bully and threaten me whenever I tried to take action to end the call or get them to mail the stuff, even after I spent almost a half hour actually talking to him and trying to figure out a payment arrangement.
Eventually I did manage to get him off the phone by convincing him that I don't have the needed info at my work desk to discuss a payment arrangement. So I expect he'll be calling back Monday. In the meantime I've prepared a C&D letter and a dispute letter with a request for full documentation which will be notarized & sent by certified mail today.
I also have a couple friends who are lawyers that I'll be asking for advice and potential representation. The threats and fibbing about being a loan servicing company are plenty for a civil lawsuit.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:07:10
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:07:10
Oh yeah, the guy also said that his company (not the federal government) tacked on a 25% 'default penalty'. That's a big no-no too, not to mention that he stated more than once later in the call that the loan wasn't in default.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 19:37:08
That sounds very familiar. I refuse to deal with third parties -- For the longest time I was harassed for non payment on a PELL GRANT. and to this day, I have asked for documentation proving this to me.
I want to know how this goes.
Raine on 11/14/2014 19:37:08
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Oh? do tell….Quote by Scoopster:
So I think I have grounds to file a lawsuit against a collection agency.
First off, it's about my student loan. Is it delinquent? Yeah...
So they call my office, gets routed to my boss first. I've never given out my work number to anyone involved with, and I know they have my cell so they should have just called it.
The 'rep' tells me that his company is the servicer for the loan (which is total BS because they're not on the list of FSA/FFEL loan servicers - they've obviously a collection agency hired by the DOEd) proceeds to throw all kinds of veiled threats at me - from have my wages and tax refunds garnished, to refusing to call back on my cell, to refusing to call back at another time when I wasn't at work, to refusing to send me mailed documentation and forms. And they continued to bully and threaten me whenever I tried to take action to end the call or get them to mail the stuff, even after I spent almost a half hour actually talking to him and trying to figure out a payment arrangement.
Eventually I did manage to get him off the phone by convincing him that I don't have the needed info at my work desk to discuss a payment arrangement. So I expect he'll be calling back Monday. In the meantime I've prepared a C&D letter and a dispute letter with a request for full documentation which will be notarized & sent by certified mail today.
I also have a couple friends who are lawyers that I'll be asking for advice and potential representation. The threats and fibbing about being a loan servicing company are plenty for a civil lawsuit.
I want to know how this goes.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:39:47
Scoopster on 11/14/2014 19:39:47
The company that was harassing you.. it didn't happen to be this ECMC did it?
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 19:58:59
Goodness, I i am not sure. that does sound familiar.
Truth be told, I have never gotten anything front the USA DOE.
Raine on 11/14/2014 19:58:59
Quote by Scoopster:
The company that was harassing you.. it didn't happen to be this ECMC did it?
Truth be told, I have never gotten anything front the USA DOE.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/14/2014 21:49:08
Will in Chicago on 11/14/2014 21:49:08
Scoopster, what you told me reminds me of a story on Crooks and Liars. Some collection agencies are now ignoring bankruptcy discharges, essentially setting up the companies as superior to the law.
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2014 23:02:01
Raine on 11/14/2014 23:02:01