An Open Letter to Target: Plus Size Customers

April 10, 2013

 

Dear Target,

I want to start out by saying how much I love you. I visit you multiple times a week, I could stay for hours just browsing, I buy the majority of my ‘things’ from you, but… Yes, there is a ‘but’… What about us curvy girls? You know that most of this country is made up of women over the size of 14? Then how come you leave us wanting more?!

You have almost a city block worth of women’s clothes between your walls, yet only about 1/8th of it is catered to the ‘Plus Size’ woman. You continually place this section next to ‘Maternity,’ so we don’t know where one section ends and the other begins. You also make more stylish items for the pregnant ‘regular’ sized woman than you do for a plus size woman. You’re only pregnant for 9 months, but a lot of people are plus sized FOR LIFE.

You offer a few, sort of, cute ‘fashionable’ items–but there is a whole floor dedicated to fashionable ‘regular sized’ clothing. You do not offer any plus sized items (or offer a very limited selection) in sleep wear, under wear, bras, intimate apparel, outerwear, and hosiery. Yes, you do offer more of a variety online–but we like to walk into a store and try things on too! We don’t always want to order online and wait for it, only to find that it doesn’t fit or isn’t flattering.

Yes, you do have some of your ‘regular sized’ items go up to XXL or size 16/18, but they run VERY SMALL most of the time. Smaller than most other stores.  Granted I (personally) can scoot by and fit in some of your ‘regular sized’ XL or XXL items, but I am only on the cusp of the regular/plus size range. I only represent the beginning of women in the plus size range. What about others who aren’t in this category? Don’t you want to sell to them? They are the majority of your customers in other departments, why not cater to their fashion needs as well? Why not make us feel special and look beautiful?

I lost a little bit of love for your, when press got out for the scandal of the ‘Mantee Gray’ dress in plus size, that was simply a ‘Dark Heather Grey’ in regular sizes. Why would you insult your own customer’s like this?! Yes, you apologized, but still–YOU DID IT. That is where the plus size lady stands with you. We are a joke, of sorts.

(Picture Source)

Target, I love you–even after the ‘Mantee Grey’ scandal. I have to say you are one of my most favorite stores in the whole world. BUT, what about us big girls? This is a plea from the size 14+ fashion world. Give us some love in return, and I promise you, you will not regret it!

Sincerely,

Laurel Teixeira
A Loyal (Plus Size) Target Customer

4 comments

  • Ms. LMC

    thank you for this post! I always hold on to the hope that when I walk into Target that I can walk out overjoyed with their plus size clothing selection – it hasn’t happened yet.

  • Debra

    I’ve completely given up on Target’s plus size department, I don’t even look at their clothes anymore. Even if there’s something in my size, and even if it’s cute, it’s bound to be so cheaply made that the seams are tearing after one wear or the fit will be so poor and unflattering I might as well be wearing a tarp.

    I will still shop Target for everything else, but I haven’t bought clothing there for anyone in my family for years.

Leave a Comment

You must log in to post a comment.

All rights reserved © 2012-2017 The Curvy Elle & Laurel Teixeira · Theme by Blogmilk + Coded by Brandi Bernoskie