Plus size $2 more?! : My Quest for the “Other” Side of the Store

By: Shana Adams (@bbgtonline) Pus size, $2 more. You’ve seen signs like this at your local retail store. How about bathing suit shopping and all you can find in your size is that black one piece with the roses, gardenias, and tulip prints all over it? These were two of my primary issues with shopping on the plus size side of the store. High prices and hideous designs. As a marketing communications professional, it amazes me how retailers don’t “get” the plus size woman. First of all, you can’t tell me that fabric to make a 2X size versus a medium size costs so much more that it yields a charge of $2 extra. C’mon man. And don’t get me started on the styles. God almighty. Who in their right mind would make animal print or floral anything in plus size? Why would I want to look like a giraffe meandering in the Serengeti?  I attribute it to not knowing what young, plus size women want or just plain laziness. Historically, heavier women were older so they didn’t care too much about fashion. That trend has changed in recent years but even so, it hasn’t caused a dramatic shift for better style and better prices. The retail industry hasn’t made an attempt to serve the plus size woman, even though research suggests the average American woman is a size 12. This is yet another contributing factor to my quest for fitness. I refuse to pay more for no valid reason. I refuse to look like a Lion King extra. I can and will do better. You might call me shallow for not wanting to be a big girl anymore because of fashion but I see something else. Health is the first priority of course but along with that, I believe all women deserve to feel good about themselves.  Self-esteem is a component of overall health isn’t it? I’m leading the charge for my sisters to join me in the quest for better sales and better styles…on the other side. I mean, if nothing else motivates you to get fit, do it for fashion sakes (and save money too). But if you’re currently a plus size girl and love yourself at your size, I ain’t mad at cha. I’ll just meet you at the register. Shana is a 25 year old communications professional who took her health into her own hands and started her weight loss journey mid 2010, but really took charge when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2012. She is the creator of the health and fitness blog Big Boned Gets Toned! You can also view her Big Boned Gets Toned! weight loss vlog on YouTube.

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