This is going to be a shameless plug for a store I've never even visited or even shopped in. Yet! Lee Lee's Valise is located in Brooklyn and specializes in sizes 10 to 28 and not only that - offers stylish and trend-conscious items for women who appreciate having the same looks as their smaller sisters. With it's brick walls and polished wood floors, it has the funky look of an exclusive boutique that women of (ahem) smaller sizes would frequent and for that I am swooning. I'm going to NYC in August and Lee Lee's Valise is the first stop I'm making!
One of my biggest problems with retailers and plus size clothing is that they give us "specialized" clothing which usually means dowdy and boring. And it's better than it's ever been, but there is still so much more advancement that is needed. Now, I realize that an elderly woman who wears a size 24 probably doesn't want some boot cut jeans by Svoboda...or you know what? Maybe she does! I will want that option at the very least! I'll be in my Lark scooter wearing some sassy jeans and a cute top and lusting after all the young boys just like I do know (only now I'm without the scooter!)
When I am old, I shall wear purple, as long as it's something by Beth Dittos new line for Evans..which is not surprising coming from a woman who wants to be cremated and instead of an urn, have her ashes placed in a really incredible handbag. I'll probably break a hip eventually, so dammit I might as well be wearing something smashing and dancing when it happens!
On a side note, I remember going with my mother and my grandmother to the clothing store that was their only option at the time (1970's) and it was called the House of Large Sizes. Was this a nation-wide chain? Does anyone else remember these stores? First of all - can you believe that name?! Aside from the fact that it does make a really great band name, it's too over the top and of course, insulting. I remember round racks of polyester pants with elastic waist bands and ugly smock tops and sales clerks who chomped gum and wore what amounted to a nurses uniform. And in retrospect I want to say - where were the designers of that era? Where was Liz Claiborne, who had just invented separates for working women; where was Anne Klein and that damn lion's head logo? Where was Halston with his gorgeous jersey knits? How lovely and easy those designs would have been to translate to larger sizes. Bianca and Liza and Liz were not the only ones who wanted to look hot while they were out at the disco, and besides, Liz's weight was always fluctuating anyways, I'm sure Halston could've just whipped her up a dress or two. By the way, the Halston numbers pictured below are amazing..very Rachel Pally. Classic design lives on!
Lee Lee's Valise's website has a great comment about how they hope to avoid the condescending attitude that permeates most of the boutiques in the neighborhood who really sneer at anyone bigger than a size 8.
Imagine that if you will. After my rant today, I might have to just move into a fitting room.
My current fashion obsession is dresses. I am living in them and so, have pictured a few of my current faves from the Lee Lee's website (you can order on-line!) Enjoy - and I'll follow up after I've been there in August!
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