Though the article /link is still not available for some reason, this is something that I have dealt with MANY times in my fashion classes with my students.
The problem is that many stores have a fit model and makes everything to fit that one person or dressform. The other problem is that there are economic considerations. Large sizes cost more to make and more time to sew. So, stores come up with an "image" that they work with in conjunction with their fit--- think of Abercrombie and Fitch. Where many stores or clothing lines start trying to service many sizes, but when it doesn't fit the image they drop the sizes. For instance, the Limited does not sell men's pants larger than size 36. It seems to me that there is an awfully large market for clothes for those of us who are not "perfect"... Monica Spence -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Susan Data-Samtak Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 8:57 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: Fwd: [h-cost] Clothes fitting - gotta start somewhere << > From: "Marie Stewart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: March 31, 2006 1:25:19 PM EST > To: "Susan Data-Samtak" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [h-cost] Clothes fitting - gotta start somewhere > > Great Idea! Thank you! Mari > > On 3/31/06, Susan Data-Samtak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> I only replied to you. Shall I forward your reply to me, back to the >> list? >> >> We can start with articulate people who know sewing and fit, to get >> the >> ball rolling. >> >> Susan >> >> "Slow down. The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel >> too fast and you miss all you are traveling for". - "Ride the Dark >> Trail" by Louis L'Amour >> >> On Mar 31, 2006, at 10:06 AM, Marie Stewart wrote: >> >>> That's an excellent question... Let me think about this a bit. >>> >>> Right off the top of my head I say Write to them. You know most of >>> the big chain department stores, Macy's, Hechts, Belk's, Ivy's, >>> Nordstrom's have websites. Let's write to them. Letters always >>> seem to carry more weight, but more people are willing to dash off a >>> 30 second email. >>> >>> Also, let's focus. If we scatter our efforts we dilute our impact. >>> Let's choose one or two chains that are densely packed regionally. >>> That will facilitate women getting to the stores, and the stores >>> swapping garments. Also, I would guess focus on the mid-range to >>> mid-upper range stores. Especially stores that cater to the >>> professional woman - Talbot's perhaps, or a similar chain. Stores >>> catering to the lower income people might not feel that their >>> clientel >>> want or value fit as much. >>> >>> Also, let's get more articles about this system - out there. >>> Magazines, web sites, newspaper articles. Letters to the editors. >>> The more people who know, the more women who value fit will be >>> interested in seeing this system implemented. >>> >>> Emphasize the time saving strategy of this way of shopping, not just >>> the better fit. Personal note... If I knew I could pick up 3 pairs >>> of >>> pants that I liked the look of and that they would fit, and not have >>> to try all three pairs on... you have just save me 10-15 minutes in >>> the dressing room. I have more time to shop. >>> >>> Stores follow the money, and the primary way the consumer makes an >>> impact is by withholding the money. >>> >>> Now that we know this system is out there... have people ask for it. >>> Word of mouth. Every time they walk into a store. "Where are the >>> FitLogic clothes?"... "Do you carry FitLogic clothes?" >>> >>> Educate the sales people, who will tell their managers, who will >>> tell >>> their supeervisors, who will talk to the director.... and up and >>> so >>> on. >>> >>> That's off the top of my head. Other ideas? >>> >>> On 3/31/06, Susan Data-Samtak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>>> So, Marie, how do we tell THEM how we feel? >>>> >>>> Susan >>>> >>>> "Slow down. The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel >>>> too fast and you miss all you are traveling for". - "Ride the Dark >>>> Trail" by Louis L'Amour >>>> >>>> On Mar 31, 2006, at 9:39 AM, Marie Stewart wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thank you for that article... very interesting. >>>>> >>>>> Now what the retailers are missing is the opportunity to expand, >>>>> and >>>>> raise their sales. >>>>> >>>>> Imagine... A large chain adopts the Fitlogic system. Inside >>>>> their >>>>> stores, they create separate boutiques, or even a small >>>>> independent >>>>> entity. One for each body type. Stock the items that flatter that >>>>> body type the most in their respective sections. In larger chains >>>>> you >>>>> could even have different stock for a particular body type in >>>>> different stores. If a customer finds something they like in one >>>>> section, but it is not their body type, allow them to order (or >>>>> request from another store) that item in the fit they want. This >>>>> wouldn't be anything revolutionary, major chains already swap >>>>> clothing around between stores. >>>>> >>>>> How many women would love to have a store that they knew the items >>>>> would be a better fit. You see it already, women have brand >>>>> loyalty, >>>>> if a line provides better fit. >>>>> >>>>> Oooooh, just think about it... stores might actually have to sell >>>>> more items on style and quality if they took out the fit roulette. >>>>> >>>>> Mari - still irked that Banana Republic stopped making "the >>>>> perfect >>>>> fitting jean" in 1992. >>>>> >>>>>> Clothes That Fit the Woman, Not the Store >>>>>> By MICHAEL BARBARO >>>>>> Published: March 31, 2006 >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> h-costume mailing list >>>>> h-costume@mail.indra.com >>>>> http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume >>>> >> _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
