What Do You Think About This?

I am a big girl - trying to lose weight - but currently too big to shop in 'regular' stores.

This weekend I was in Lane Bryant. I was browsing and the girls were helping a customer try on pants in the back.

One girl would come out and say "the 4 doesn't fit - can you get me the 6" I was puzzled becuase this is supposed to be a store for bigger women. 4 and 6 are not big sizes. This went on for a good 10 minutes before the customer was fitted with an 8. She came out and I was really curious to see this size 8 who was shopping in Lane Bryant. She was NOT a size 8. She was a substantial woman.

So I was curious and after she left and I was paying for my purchases, I told the cashier that I heard them shouting small sized out. Her response was that it is to avoid embarrassing the customer. They take the first digit off and use only the last number to reference size.

I fail to see how this avoids embarrassment to be honest. I am not a size 2 or 4 or 6 - and for anyone to reference me as such would not make me feel or look smaller. I think it calls MORE attention to you when you come out. I think they should have gotten the proper sizes without shouting it across the floor - and if they needed to reference the size out loud they should reference the correct size. The only reason I noticed the girl that was in the dressing room was BECAUSE they were shouting out sizes that don't exist in the store.

I said as much to the cashier and she said that most customers really appreciate it.

I wonder what you think - would you appreciate your size being broadcast to a whole store... even if it was 'in code'?

Another reason to add to my list of why I will I NEVER try on clothes in stores.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Nooooo, personally, I wouldn't want anyone to know my size except for me. But then again, like you, I buy, bring home, try on ,then return unless I'm with a friend and we do the different size pieces for each other.

Message edited 2/21/2008 8:38:50 AM.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Me, I would just hand the pants or shirt over the top of the fitting room and ask for the next size up. Usually I take two sizes in with me because I am between sizes, so I don't usually run into that problem.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

This is why if something doesn't fit, I have DH go get a bigger size, or i'll get it myself. I dont' want the people at te store knowing my size, no less shouting it.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Honestly, I don't really care if people know what size I am. What does giving my azz or weight a number change?

Having shopped in stores like Avenue and Lane Bryant before though I will say this - I get why they are playing the number game. When I was a size 28 and approaching the biggest size in those stores it was definitely a wake up call for me. Playing down sizes by making them 4s or 6s is a mental game they play with customers for them to help accept what size they are.

On one hand I do like the idea because it makes the customers less self-conscious about what size they are and wearing. On the other hand if an individual is unhealthy and not making changes in their lifestyle to become more healthy, I see it as perpetuating the problem.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

i don't know, i've never shopped in stores like avenue or lane bryant, but i learned long ago that the size is just a # and doesn't really reflect how big you are, because different stores use different measurements to size their clothes.

if you are shopping in a store geared towards larger women, i would think of it the same way.

if you are going to be "embarassed" i would think it would be because you are shopping in that kind of a store in the first place - not because they are yelling what size you are around the store. (not saying there's anything to be embarassed about, just trying to make a point)

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I have to say something - I am a size 6, and I really don't want my size being yelled across a store... I just think its bad customer service... ESPECIALLY in a store where, as Jeanine said, people may be a little sensitive to begin with...

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Disgusting. It perpetuates the thought that you shoudl be ashamed to be a large size.
I'm disappointed in Lane Bryant- you would think of all places, they should embrace being proud to be a big woman.

Also I think they need more big girl stores- with better clothes.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I used to shop in Avenue and I would have been mortified if they went around shouting out my sizes, regardless of the fact that I was surrounded by other people similar to my size, BUT I also would have been uncomfortable with them downplaying the size I actually was. I don't think they should be shouting sizes at all. They can't just say "she needs the next size up"? It's very easy to look at a tag.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

this is why if I need sizes I get them myself, I will either bring in my size and the next size up or down in with me...Or bring in what I need to try on and go back out and get what I need I get back on line for the dressing room. No one needs to know my size

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I don't mind my numbers being heard, whether it's weight, size, age, you name it. Numbers can be deceiving.

I don't care what numbers they're yelling to me or others, as long as I come out of that dressing room looking damn good.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I think LB should be ashamed of themselves.
They are perpetuating the idea that smaller sizes make us "prettier, better, more attractive".
It's store for plus size women, and they are just making them more self concious.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I just get my own clothes!

Re: What Do You Think About This?

It sounds a little like a fantasy type thing....don't flame....

Why would you want to "think" you wear a 6 or 8 when, if you are sensitive about you size, you clearly are not?

sounds more like mind games than discretion....

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by Superkat

Posted by Preguntas

Also I think they need more big girl stores- with better clothes.

A FREAKING MEN.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by glinda-goodwitch

Posted by Superkat

Posted by Preguntas

Also I think they need more big girl stores- with better clothes.

A FREAKING MEN.

I don't know, I went in Lane Bryant and helped my MIL shop for some clothes she needed last minute, and everything I saw looked so cute.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

I wouldn't really care, but I think that practice is silly.

I'm usually very self sufficient and bring multiple sizes with me.

Never have I heard in any store the calling out of sizes to another employee. I've never ever seen it.

Who does that? You say to your sales person, I need the next size up and she/he goes and gets it.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by Superkat

Posted by glinda-goodwitch

Posted by Superkat

Posted by Preguntas

Also I think they need more big girl stores- with better clothes.

A FREAKING MEN.

I don't know, I went in Lane Bryant and helped my MIL shop for some clothes she needed last minute, and everything I saw looked so cute.

It is hard to buy clothes in plus sizes. Everything is tailored for either old women or looks slutty. It is VERY hard to buy formal clothes, very hard to buy business clothes, very hard to buy sexy clothes without exposing every inch of cleavage. It is just factual that there are so many more options for non-plus sized women.

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by rojerono

Posted by chikita315

I think LB should be ashamed of themselves.
They are perpetuating the idea that smaller sizes make us "prettier, better, more attractive".
It's store for plus size women, and they are just making them more self concious.

THIS IS IT! This is what I was thinking and I couldn't figure it out. THANK YOU!

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by rojerono

Posted by chikita315

I think LB should be ashamed of themselves.
They are perpetuating the idea that smaller sizes make us "prettier, better, more attractive".
It's store for plus size women, and they are just making them more self concious.

THIS IS IT! This is what I was thinking and I couldn't figure it out. THANK YOU!

Re: What Do You Think About This?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by Superkat

Posted by glinda-goodwitch

Posted by Superkat

Posted by Preguntas

Also I think they need more big girl stores- with better clothes.

A FREAKING MEN.

I don't know, I went in Lane Bryant and helped my MIL shop for some clothes she needed last minute, and everything I saw looked so cute.

It is hard to buy clothes in plus sizes. Everything is tailored for either old women or looks slutty. It is VERY hard to buy formal clothes, very hard to buy business clothes, very hard to buy sexy clothes without exposing every inch of cleavage. It is just factual that there are so many more options for non-plus sized women.

Exactly- LB isn't bad or anything, it's just that the options are so limited.
And as far as being really fashionable? That it is not. I htink there's an untapped market out there for designer plus sized clothes. Someone should get in on that.