Dear City Chic,
I’ve just found out that you have decided to no longer stock size 24. I must say that this decision is incredibly disappointing and has caused me to rethink shopping in your store in the future.
Please allow me to explain why. I have shopped with you for a long time. I have clothes from your store ranging from sizes 14 to 22, so while I would still, most probably be ABLE to shop at City Chic, I’m not sure if I WANT to. City Chic used to be called Big City Chic and in fact I still have clothes from those days. Comparatively, the sizes from the Big City Chic days appear to be larger. I’ve noticed these subtle changes over the years. This, coupled with your subtraction of larger sizes, leads me to wonder whether City Chic has decided to move towards the mainstream clothing market and will continue to reduce their sizes/size range. The idea of this makes me uncomfortable shopping in your stores as you clearly have contempt for your clientele.
City Chic’s angle appears to be all about empowerment. Plus size women are encouraged to be bold, sexy, glam and chic and feel confident. You supposedly facilitate this by allowing us access FASHIONABLE clothing. Access to this type clothing has always been much more difficult for plus size women, sometimes almost impossible. City Chic was one of a very few stores that made the constant search for real fashion a little easier. However, now there are a huge group of women who will no longer be able to feel empowered and confident by wearing your clothes. You’ve taken this away from us by removing size 24 from your racks.
Of course, at the end of the day you’re a business and all this may mean very little to you, but you must understand that by running your stores a “The destination for plus size fashion” you also take on a certain responsibility to provide for your clientele. You promise a marginalised group of women that you will provide a service to them. Being an overweight woman in this society is difficult. It means that you are constantly made aware of your size, negativity is everywhere, from your friends, family, the media and even strangers. However, if you can put on clothes that make you feel good, that look good, and are fashionable, you are more able to feel confident and happy. A huge group of women have now been further isolated from this experience.
So, City Chic, I urge you to rethink your decision to take size 24 off your racks. I’d also like to take this opportunity to let you know that I was about to spend several hundreds of dollars in your store for a new winter work wardrobe. I’ll now be taking that money elsewhere. Perhaps to Autograph, or maybe even Crossroads. They stock up to size 22 as well, and their prices are much cheaper.
Kind Regards,
Gwyddfid
