I in no way shape or form think that this letter will fall into the hands of anyone with power. Even if it did I don't expect most people at Ascena to understand the problems faced by women like me.
I am a plus-sized woman who is very unhappy that you are pulling the extended sizes at Loft.
And before you go reminding me that you also own Lane Bryant, I would like to tell you that you need to try harder when it comes to the choices there too. Charging me twice the price for a shirt that makes me look boxy isn't inclusive, it's lazy.
Here's a news flash for the whole fashion world.
FAT PEOPLE WANT TO LOOK GOOD!!
I know that thought has never occurred to you before. I know in your minds all fat people are sitting on their couches, stuffing their faces, and wearing the same sweats they had on the day before.
The average woman in the US is between a size 16 and 18. Meanwhile, you have models that aren't even close to that all over your websites, ads, and campaigns.
If you haven't heard, Millennials are killing businesses left and right, and I guarantee that if you continue to limit your demographic they won't be in a rush to buy your overpriced ready-to-wear.
I was so excited when I heard that Loft was going to be offering extended sizes. I have spent a good amount of money on some clothes that I really love, but now that is being taken away from me and it feels like a slap in the face.
I know that once again you don't care, it's about the money for you, and apparently plus size people's money isn't green enough. Did you put plus sizes in stores? Did you advertise more about your size range? Or did you expect the little that you did do to be enough?
Fat women need to try things on just like regular women. We want to see how amazing we look in the clothes in the store, that's where we're the most excited about them. Making plus sizes an online-only deal was a nail in the coffin when you started as a brick-and-mortar store.
This message is probably just screaming into the void, but if I stop screaming then how will anyone who looks different get to feel like they are beautiful or valued.
That's what your dropping of the extended sizes really says to the customers who spent their money on those clothes. They don't matter to you.
I hope you know what happens the second you tell one customer they don't matter.
With bitter disappointment,
Samantha Allen