Don't buy her stuff.

If Beth Ditto is the plus size role model to emulate in the 21 century...fat chicks don't deserve a role model...or better yet...should not be looking to Beth Ditto in the first place.

She can't sing and she doesn't make anything she wears look good...even as a biggin'..just sayin'

I have suffered with weight issues all my life and having Beth Ditto as a model of modern girth is a fat joke...every pun intended!!! Just because she is annoying and obnoxious doesn't mean she deserves to have a camera in her face and and to be quoted...moreover, to design a fashion line, oh bother!

Makes me glad I was able to lose the weight.

Whenever plus-sized women who watch procedurals get together, the talk will eventually turn to the character of Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds played by Kirsten Vangsness.

Now there have been some outfits that aren't great, but in general, Garcia is allowed to have funky clothes that fit her well. She is also, unlike many plus-sized characters, allowed to be flirtatious, sexually active, and hella smart.

I too dread the idea of the leggings and tunic look becoming the uniform for those of us larger than a size six, but I figure if Garcia can find great skirts, dresses, tops, and accessories, maybe I can too.

Your clothing choices are limited. Who'da thought?

But also very much in line with Ms. Ditto's personal style.

Fashion trends tend to by cyclical so while appalled (rhinestone kitty Eyes!!!)

I am not surprised the trends of the 80's have reared their ugly heads (complete with flock of seagulls hair do).

This too shall pass.

On another note.

Unsolicited advise (take it as you will) from a formerly unnaturally heavy woman:

Eat more dark greens, lay the processed foods and read meat to the side, make conscious choices every day to do right by your body and mind.

Set realistic goals for yourself in regards to your "ideal" weight and how long it will take you, and get healthy.

I've been fat, I've been thin, and in-between over the years. Years ago, stores didn't carry plus sizes, but today some do. Admittedly, I dress very conservatively, but Eddie Bauer, LL Bean and others have added plus sizes. What I like about these stores is that it's the same clothes, just larger sizes. Eddie Bauer has the biggest selection. And, yeah, I live in NE, and maybe it's a regional thing, and maybe most people would find my style boring.

But my point is why can't more stores simply offer the same line in larger sizes?

(BTW, if my mom liked cats, she'd have snapped up the cat t-shirt. To her, if it doesn't sparkle, she's not wearing it. Go figure. She hates my clothes. I hate hers.)

Not that it's especially relevant to this essay, Shewolf68, but have you HEARD The Gossip?

As revealed by shows like Project Runway and the Fashion Show, fashion designers don't know HOW to make clothes for regular people. Given such assignments, the designers complained that they were never taught this in fashion school. And apparently, it doesn't help if you are regular sized (I can't stand the term plus size to desicribe anyone over a 12, ridiculous.)

I am petite and curvey. You would be surprise how difficult it is for me to find clothes as well. Designers don't know anything but designing for hangers. Period.

I had to lose 4 inches from my gut to be able to buy decent pants.

DUH!

Lose the weight, you will live longer and hurt a lot less.

Why do those clothes suck?

Because in order to "fit" all the DIFFERENT varieties and shapes of fat women, they either have to make a hundred different fat lady cuts and fits for their customers, or they can just opt for a one size fits all deal.

With fat men, it is the gut and then the ass, which is the fitting solution. With fat women, the fat and the curves make this a nightmare for a mass production business.

Lose the weight, make your own, hire a tailor, or just take what you can. Try Ann Taylor.

I have to lose another 2 inches before I can buy a pair of day glow stripped bell bottoms and a Seinfield puffy shirt. Then I will be styling!

Two weeks walking around S.F. will take care of that. I might be able to get some of those rock star leather pants too. If you live in S.F. you have no excuse for being fat unless you cannot walk. You can also eat like both a pig and king while you are at it and still lose weight.

BTW - happy pills MAKE YOU FAT! So do HFC sweetners.

Kate, are you in S.F.?

Just pick a hill and walk up it. Walking down is even worse. You DO NOT have to use MUNI, walk instead.

What an angry article! Beth Ditto puts out a line of clothes that match her funky, ironic, hipster sensibility and somehow she becomes a stand in for the entire fashion industry and it's failure to please overweight women?

How would you like a loving, pleasant slap to your backside?;)

How come women never understand what is really important?

If you don't like the fashion, then don't buy it, and try walking around nude in the privacy of your own home more often. I assume you do most of your work from home anyway.

I was surprised when my women friends told me that women are often squeamish about walking around nude in women's locker rooms and public showers.

Once you learn to really love yourself, then you can tell the fashion industry to go fuck itself.

That's what men do.

If the market is as big as you seem to imply, then why are you just sitting on the sidelines whining about it?

Maybe you hate capitalism too much, is that the problem?

If not then WTF is?