Readers reflect on curvy women's struggles in clothing stores
This reminded me vividly of my own experience back in 1990. I had met Mr. Right, a widower with a 15-year-old daughter. While planning our wedding, my stepdaughter-to-be asked if I could pick up some pantyhose for her, something nice to go with the dress we'd bought her for the occasion. At the store I found an extensive rack of pantyhose and went right to the plus section. I found not one item that was in any way fancy or pretty, just a very small number of the plainest stockings imaginable. I was incensed: Who decided that just because a girl is queen-size means she doesn't get to put on the ritz if she wants to? This article suggests that things might have improved a very little since then, but not nearly enough.
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Louise Quigley
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Braintree
I am short and I always have to alter my clothes, or look like I borrowed my big sister's outfit. It's disrespectful to expect me to spend time and money fixing clothes that I just paid for. It is also hurtful to think it's OK for women to wear ill-fitting clothes. What we need is PLUS-SIZE PETITE clothing and more industry size standardization. And fewer size 12 models online when the shopper at home is a 22.
Advertisement
Kobi Alka
Salem
I am not quite in the larger sizes, in most styles, but most definitely not in the smaller sizes, either. Over the years, I have bought Kohl's (Croft and Barrow brand) elastic-waist pull-on jeans. I need more — they do get worn out — BUT they no longer have them, at all (I asked). It was hard to find them at Wal-Mart, as well. And, I don't think Target has what I want. I don't need much, clothing-wise. Retired, no need for anything dressy. But blue jeans are my usual attire.
Evelyn Carver
Middleborough
As a lifelong curvy girl, I too have spent more time sifting through what isn't really sized for those of us with extra floof, feeling ridiculously lucky when I would happen upon something correctly proportioned, comfortable, and of quality. That is, until I discovered one of New England's hidden gems: Botticelli, in Smithfield, Rhode Island. This packed-to-the-edges shop is full of clothing that is flattering, fun, and affordable for women from mid to plus sizes. You can find everything from outerwear to special occasion showstoppers to everyday jeans. Regardless of what some New Englanders say, Rhode Island is not 'that far' and if you are a curvaceous woman, you will never regret a trip to Botticelli!
Brenda Crawshaw
Kingston
Across the Aisles
The message in this Connections by Wafa Unus,
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M. Teresa Mascarenhas
Abington
I too see grocery shopping as an adventure. I enjoy checking our shopping list before I leave on my mission. First I go to the local warehouse-style grocery store, then to the larger chain grocery store for the items the first one doesn't have. I always bargain hunt and enjoy the calculus of shopping for needs vs. wants. I prefer going through the lines with cashiers because it's nice to see familiar faces. However, even before my weekend shopping, I shop for fish, fruits, and vegetables at Haymarket, something I have done for decades. I have the chance to be outside and see more familiar faces. Sitting behind a computer can't measure up to human interactions and the thrill of the chase of food shopping in person.
Edwin Andrews
Malden
What a wonderful piece about the value of even the smallest human connection. It reminds me of a trip to my local grocery store. It was 7:55 a.m. One cashier stood, arms crossed. I said, 'Would you please check me through?' She answered, 'Use the self check-out.' I said I was unfamiliar with that. Her answer, 'My shift starts in five minutes.' I left my cart and did not go back. Another store became my go-to. Why? Because they bend over backward to anticipate customers needs, including this one: For many elderly, that early a.m. errand may be the only chance they have for a friendly smile and brief conversation, all day. Managers would do well to not only teach cashiers how to ring up groceries, but how to be pleasant and welcoming.
Advertisement
Barbara Harting
Framingham
This piece expresses a quintessential key to world peace, in my opinion. I know that sounds grand, but human connection as described here is, or needs to be, our bedrock of being.
Jeanette Ruyle
Medfield
I took my 85-year-old husband to Market Basket to do our shopping. He remarked, 'Oh, this place is so big, I've never been here before!' For him, it's always new: He has Alzheimer's so many routine things often seem wondrous. Together we happily picked up a few items (he loves to push the cart and put things in) and headed to the 20 items or less check-out. As we unloaded, I realized that we might have more, so I apologized to the cashier. That's when the young man bagging our things lunged for me. A bit startled, I pulled back. Then I realized he was trying to give me a hug. 'It's OK,' he said kindly, 'we won't arrest you.' 'Well thank goodness for that,' I responded with a laugh. He gave me a hug and we laughed together. Yes, I too need more trips to the grocery store.
Susan Winthrop
Ipswich
Full English
A spectacular account of a spectacular adventure (
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LuckHelpsAlot
posted on bostonglobe.com
Cornwall, England, was also the home of novelist Daphne Du Maurier, and she set many of her famous novels there.
ForeverInCollege
posted on bostonglobe.com
My husband and I were married in Bamberg, Germany, in 1968, and returned as often as we could. The custom in a German Gasthaus is often to share tables. On one of our trips we were sitting at a table when a couple asked if they could join us. Soon we discovered that they were English, and conversation began. A few minutes later, my husband said to the man, 'Are you John LeCarré?' to which the gentleman replied, 'Yes, I am, but my real name is David Cornwell.' My husband had read all of his books and recognized him. We had a very enjoyable conversation and it ended with David saying he'd send us his latest book. Later, my husband said how great the evening had been, but that he really didn't expect to get a book. Imagine our surprise a few weeks later when a package arrived from England with a book signed by David 'in memory of a pleasant evening in Bamberg.' It remains a prized possession, with a memory of a very nice English gentleman.
Eileen Kelley
South Dennis
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Readers reflect on curvy women's struggles in clothing stores
Waitsfield, Vermont This reminded me vividly of my own experience back in 1990. I had met Mr. Right, a widower with a 15-year-old daughter. While planning our wedding, my stepdaughter-to-be asked if I could pick up some pantyhose for her, something nice to go with the dress we'd bought her for the occasion. At the store I found an extensive rack of pantyhose and went right to the plus section. I found not one item that was in any way fancy or pretty, just a very small number of the plainest stockings imaginable. I was incensed: Who decided that just because a girl is queen-size means she doesn't get to put on the ritz if she wants to? This article suggests that things might have improved a very little since then, but not nearly enough. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Louise Quigley Advertisement Braintree I am short and I always have to alter my clothes, or look like I borrowed my big sister's outfit. It's disrespectful to expect me to spend time and money fixing clothes that I just paid for. It is also hurtful to think it's OK for women to wear ill-fitting clothes. What we need is PLUS-SIZE PETITE clothing and more industry size standardization. And fewer size 12 models online when the shopper at home is a 22. Advertisement Kobi Alka Salem I am not quite in the larger sizes, in most styles, but most definitely not in the smaller sizes, either. Over the years, I have bought Kohl's (Croft and Barrow brand) elastic-waist pull-on jeans. I need more — they do get worn out — BUT they no longer have them, at all (I asked). It was hard to find them at Wal-Mart, as well. And, I don't think Target has what I want. I don't need much, clothing-wise. Retired, no need for anything dressy. But blue jeans are my usual attire. Evelyn Carver Middleborough As a lifelong curvy girl, I too have spent more time sifting through what isn't really sized for those of us with extra floof, feeling ridiculously lucky when I would happen upon something correctly proportioned, comfortable, and of quality. That is, until I discovered one of New England's hidden gems: Botticelli, in Smithfield, Rhode Island. This packed-to-the-edges shop is full of clothing that is flattering, fun, and affordable for women from mid to plus sizes. You can find everything from outerwear to special occasion showstoppers to everyday jeans. Regardless of what some New Englanders say, Rhode Island is not 'that far' and if you are a curvaceous woman, you will never regret a trip to Botticelli! Brenda Crawshaw Kingston Across the Aisles The message in this Connections by Wafa Unus, Advertisement M. Teresa Mascarenhas Abington I too see grocery shopping as an adventure. I enjoy checking our shopping list before I leave on my mission. First I go to the local warehouse-style grocery store, then to the larger chain grocery store for the items the first one doesn't have. I always bargain hunt and enjoy the calculus of shopping for needs vs. wants. I prefer going through the lines with cashiers because it's nice to see familiar faces. However, even before my weekend shopping, I shop for fish, fruits, and vegetables at Haymarket, something I have done for decades. I have the chance to be outside and see more familiar faces. Sitting behind a computer can't measure up to human interactions and the thrill of the chase of food shopping in person. Edwin Andrews Malden What a wonderful piece about the value of even the smallest human connection. It reminds me of a trip to my local grocery store. It was 7:55 a.m. One cashier stood, arms crossed. I said, 'Would you please check me through?' She answered, 'Use the self check-out.' I said I was unfamiliar with that. Her answer, 'My shift starts in five minutes.' I left my cart and did not go back. Another store became my go-to. Why? Because they bend over backward to anticipate customers needs, including this one: For many elderly, that early a.m. errand may be the only chance they have for a friendly smile and brief conversation, all day. Managers would do well to not only teach cashiers how to ring up groceries, but how to be pleasant and welcoming. Advertisement Barbara Harting Framingham This piece expresses a quintessential key to world peace, in my opinion. I know that sounds grand, but human connection as described here is, or needs to be, our bedrock of being. Jeanette Ruyle Medfield I took my 85-year-old husband to Market Basket to do our shopping. He remarked, 'Oh, this place is so big, I've never been here before!' For him, it's always new: He has Alzheimer's so many routine things often seem wondrous. Together we happily picked up a few items (he loves to push the cart and put things in) and headed to the 20 items or less check-out. As we unloaded, I realized that we might have more, so I apologized to the cashier. That's when the young man bagging our things lunged for me. A bit startled, I pulled back. Then I realized he was trying to give me a hug. 'It's OK,' he said kindly, 'we won't arrest you.' 'Well thank goodness for that,' I responded with a laugh. He gave me a hug and we laughed together. Yes, I too need more trips to the grocery store. Susan Winthrop Ipswich Full English A spectacular account of a spectacular adventure ( Advertisement LuckHelpsAlot posted on Cornwall, England, was also the home of novelist Daphne Du Maurier, and she set many of her famous novels there. ForeverInCollege posted on My husband and I were married in Bamberg, Germany, in 1968, and returned as often as we could. The custom in a German Gasthaus is often to share tables. On one of our trips we were sitting at a table when a couple asked if they could join us. Soon we discovered that they were English, and conversation began. A few minutes later, my husband said to the man, 'Are you John LeCarré?' to which the gentleman replied, 'Yes, I am, but my real name is David Cornwell.' My husband had read all of his books and recognized him. We had a very enjoyable conversation and it ended with David saying he'd send us his latest book. Later, my husband said how great the evening had been, but that he really didn't expect to get a book. Imagine our surprise a few weeks later when a package arrived from England with a book signed by David 'in memory of a pleasant evening in Bamberg.' It remains a prized possession, with a memory of a very nice English gentleman. Eileen Kelley South Dennis CONTACT US: W rite to magazine@ or The Boston Globe Magazine/Comments, 1 Exchange Place, Suite 201, Boston, MA 02109-2132. Comments are subject to editing. Advertisement
