Too much stretch in a structured world! - Garnerstyle

Too much stretch in a structured world!

I was browsing through the new collection from Jessica Biffi (contestant from Project Runway Canada) and I just got irritated. Not so much because of this collection, but because I am tired of about 90% of plus size clothes being in some type of jersey stretch fabric. Although Jessica Biffi’s design aesthetic was not in line with my tastes, what I can say is all of her garments, good or bad, were structured on Project Runway. Then I flip over to her collection for Addition Elle and pretty much the entire collection is stretch. I’m just like somebody please take a chance. Are the only clothes that the plus size woman’s closet harbor is jersey knit or even worse rayon or poly blend? I know mine doesn’t, but apparently this must be somewhat true. As these new lines come out I get my hopes all up in hopes of getting a more structured line. Then as the new line is revealed my hopes have been crushed. And then to top it all off there is no innovation...nothing new.  I have seen these very designs in a Rainbow and Dots for a fraction of the price and the same fabric.    Although, I do advise women to buy quality clothes, I do not advocate paying $60 for something that you can buy elsewhere for $10.   Especially when these clothes will probably end up the "too raggedy to wear" pile wihin 6 months time. Sadly this collection was the straw that broke the camel's back for me today.  Am I expecting too much?  Let me know what you think.


12 comments

  1. I get what your saying, because it's been quite a while since I have had a new item of clothing in my closet that is "stretchy" so to speak. I personally thought the designs were cute, but u r right-I could find them at Dots and Rainbow for less. I like the idea of a dress made of sateen/Satin/Chiffon and lined well(structured pieces) I, myself own many tops and bottoms that are structured. Can I add, that I absolutely love that violet dress you are wearing int the pic in the sidebar. I just hate paying so much for clothes, why so high? is it the designer label or the extra fabric, someone please explain.

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  2. Oh my word! I was on the phone with my boyfriend, and I said the same thing! I said, wow, why would I pay $60 for this stretchy poly/spandex shirt? I completely agree! They don't drape that nicely and I feel like they show every bulge imaginable. Not to mention, during warmer months, those materials don't breathe. Yeah, I wasn't too impressed with her line either. It's the same soup just reheated.

    @Jayla, it cost more to manufacture good quality clothing. Pieces like Jibri, Chocolate Sushi Couture or other lines that people think are very expensive are not mass produced. && Because they require more fabric, larger sizes are more expensive to manufacture.

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  3. Those shirts look like they are straight from Torrid - and NOT in a good way! I would never consider paying that much for something that look so low quality...and even low fashion.

    I have difficulty finding shirts that I like in plus size - which is why I mostly just stick to dresses!



    http://www.tabayag.com

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  4. @Jayla yeah pretty much what NikStar said about the purple dress.

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  5. (>.<) I agree. All the plus size clothing lately has the same look and the same feel, whether you pay $30 or $10 ... And personally, I'd rather but the shirt in 3 colors for less lol.

    http://style-geek.blogspot.com

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  6. I couldn't agree more. I go to department stores (or really any store for that matter) and all I see is stretch, stretch, STRETCH! Stretch is good in certain situations, but I crave structure to balance out my jersey pieces. If I wanted to wear stretch all the time, I'd be walking around in sweatpants! Give me a nice tailored blazer, a pair of jeans that aren't falling down my ass at the end of the day, and some shirts made out of a material that doesn't show every last imperfection on my stomach.

    So frustrated with the way designers are "catering" to the plus size market.

    @Jayla, I hear you on the price tag factor! Completely don't understand why the price is so high for something that isn't that high in quality. I sure don't mind paying more money if the product is worth it, but most of the time it just isn't worth shelling out all my hard earned money!

    @NikStar, I totally understand the fact that it costs more to manufacture plus sized clothes and all of the brands you listed are worth paying the price for. Some things just aren't anymore, though.

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  7. I personally love jersey fabrics just because they're so comfortable but it is disappointing to see designer brands doing pretty much the same styles with the same fabrics as lower end retailers. We come to the designer labels expecting pieces that we can't find anywhere else with quality and style. If you're just going to sell me the same thing I can get at Torrid or Faith21 I might as well go there.

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  8. Oh, yes, yes, yes! I can't stand it. It makes me so mad. I am also getting sick of all the oversized slouchy shirts too. II know they can be cute if worn right, but, sometimes, I 'm like can we get a little structure going on? Can we actually get some real true designing going in plus size clothing. Don't even get me started on how that polyester or jersey material starts to peel if it's not of good quality.

    Just like Sarah said, sometimes, I just have to buy dresses and luckily I can still fit some of the straight size stores tops so that helps.

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  9. I pretty much agree with everyone. Even torrid is getting out of hand with the non-originality. I can't even tell you the last time I bought something from Ashley Stewart. smh! I've been buying offline from different places. Plus sized fashions as a whole in america sucks. I pretty much like Asos or evans. Which aren't expensive or boring.

    goldnglitters.blogspot.com

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  10. Great article and great comments. I agree with everyone and have one more point - STRUCTURED CLOTHING LOOKS BETTER ON CURVY GIRLS. What people may see as flaws, I see as assets (my CURVES!). And, personally, I want to show them off, not tent them.

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  11. I hate addition elle! I think it's an insult to plus size girls. Whever I go in there I feel they are telling me that because I'm plus-size I need cheap fealing clothes with ugly patterns! Blah!

    http://mtlfashionplussize.blogspot.com/ (english version)
    http://reinedelamodeplussizemontreal.blogspot.com/(version française)

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  12. I completely agree! You are voicing what I have been thinking for the last ten years! Why is everything stretch? Some of those fabrics are not the most forgiving. Furthermore, I have never for the life of me wanted to wear a shirt that looked like a mini-mumu. Also, why are all of the "new spring dresses" in Macy's in the darkest shade of black? I love the LBD but why can't the "B" stand for "Blue" or "Bright"? I definitely understand your dissapointment and frustration.

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