Lillian T. White: Concerned Consumer

Hello, MGF Fans! For those of you expecting the installment of the "MGF Mix Tape," I apologize. After a week of hasseling and reminding...SOME people (*cough cough* Regular contributors *cough cough*) forgot to send in their picks. Also, I received a couple e-mails from some friends wanting me to extend the deadline. Okay, everyone...you get an extension. Need to catch up? Read the original here. Once your done that, send in your choices to moderngirlfriday@yahoo.com. And now...for something a little different. - Lily

Dear “Big Box” Retailer,

My name is Lily White and I have been a faithful customer of your stores for as long as I can remember loving shopping. Please allow me to say that I have nothing but good experiences with your company in the last decade or so that I have been frequenting your stores. Your clean and friendly environment is the reason why my husband and I often choose your establishment over other retailers, despite the difference in price. And I can never find reason to complain with the items your offer for sale. Every time I go in, I always find things I like and I need.

And by the way – red is definitely your color.

I supported your decision to go more upscale in terms of products being offered in the store. Business is business and I applauded your gusto in reaching out to the East Coast market like that. Even the consumer won in this decision as we gained easier access to more “upscale” products (i.e. my salon style shampoo) and better clothing design.

However, a recent personal incident has me concerned that you may be unconsciously alienating a section of your buyers.

I went to one of your locations this past weekend in search of a pair of Capri-length jeans. The much beloved pair of dark denim ones I had purchased at the very same store a year and a half ago had finally given in to the ravages of time and laundry. While I was sad to let the pair go, I was eager to get a new pair since you revamped your styles for us Rubenesque gals. Since price was not a concern for me, I grabbed the best looking pair in my size and headed for the dressing room.

In the little haven of your changing area, I pulled on the jeans, excited to see the outcome. As I got them up my thighs, I felt a little snugness, but figured that it wasn’t all that bad. But as I got them to my waist and proceeded to button and zipper up, I realized that I couldn’t. Frowning, I tugged again at the pants. But they just would not close! Quickly removing them, I reasoned that I probably picked up the wrong size. I’d been wearing this same size for years. Why wouldn’t it fit now?

Imagine the look on my face as I realized as IT WAS my size.

Upon further examination, I also noted that the pants were labeled as “low rise and snug through the thigh.” This explained my initial issues. A little distraught, but trying to keep it together, I hung up the jeans and brought it to the lady running the dressing rooms.

Unsuspecting Yet Helpful Employee: Not happy with those, hon?

Somewhat Despondent Lily: Well – I like them. They just don’t fit. But they’re the right size.

Unsuspecting Yet Helpful Employee: Oh, we get that a lot lately. It seems like they cut these a bit smaller this year.

YOU CUT THEM SMALLER?! What on earth would possess you to cut PLUS-SIZE clothes SMALLER?!?! It’s hard enough as it is to find clothes I LIKE (Why do people insist fat girls should dress like grandmothers?) – let alone clothes that FIT!

Furthermore – low rise pants? There’s no way anyone in that size range should be wearing low rise pants. Just because you make it in my size doesn’t mean it will be flattering. You can hire up and coming young designers to make fancy, stylish clothes for smaller women, but you assume all plus-sized girls will wear just anything modern looking! I THINK NOT.

I thought we had something here, Retailer! When you revamped your plus-sized line, I flocked every season to pick up pieces to augment my wardrobe. I still get compliments on the lovely sleeveless, multi-colored faux wrap blouse I bought two summers ago! You saved me last December when I forgot the top to my Christmas Eve outfit with a delicate baby blue (and subtly sequined) v-neck sweater. Why this sartorial betrayal? Especially since I’ve been working so hard at the gym!

Do you think it’s nice to know – after five months of diligent exercise – THAT MY ASS IS STILL TOO BIG?

I am a woman scorned, dear Retailer. Alas, I am not angry enough to trade you in for the other Big Box. You’d have to REALLY tick me off and they would have to up their game tremendously. But I feel like I don’t know who you are anymore. Are we adrift? Can we repair this Consumer-Store relationship? Is it me, not you?

Whatever it is…stop shrinking my clothes! I spend a lot of money every year to fill my wardrobe. And I’m probably not the only one. So I beg you, please…save this beautiful relationship we share.

I don’t want to shop anywhere else.

Suitably miffed,

Lily