For some reason I hit delete instead of reply.

I don’t actually know what the issue with the letter is, except that I think when she wrapped it up Jess addressed it to the petitioners instead of the petitionees, which may get changed before it gets finished. If you would like to clarify - because right now I’m working on assumptions - it will get passed along, but I’m really confused.

There’s nothing juvenile about stating the facts: the economy sucks, prices are being increased to make up for that, fat people make up a huge percentage of the buying market, there are no plus sizes in stores, and there are very good reasons why they SHOULD be in stores for the store’s benefit as much as ours.

Petitions aren’t necessarily more successful when you placate the owners by assuring them that we know they’re great people and they don’t want to hurt our feelings and their products are such high quality, and we love them! or something - especially when there is no good reason to keep plus sizes out of stores altogether besides a target demographic.

Sometimes you need to be blunt and angry - sometimes you DESERVE to be blunt and angry. Worst that happens is that nothing changes. But I’m sorry, we don’t have to sit here boosting someone’s ego for BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES.

I’m sure many of us have bitched, ranted and cursed about the pure fatphobia that is the lack of plus size lines in the stores of people that have them. This kind of move says “while I’d really like your dollar, I’d hate to see you in here with all the socially acceptable people” and it’s simply not okay, especially in an economy like this.  While boycotting these labels might be cathartic, they already see us as so insignificant as to not waste rent on — and more to the point, some people cannot afford to shop at indie designers or women’s-size-only stores like Lane Bryant and are forced to look for more budget-friendly solutions.

Moreover, it affects the company’s bottom line as well! It’s not a smart decision to make trying things on impossible. It leads to people simply going elsewhere, or returning things again and again and eventually giving up after their terrible experience turns them off. (Especially since Old Navy’s return policies are convoluted and awful.)

Well, ohwhatatragiccost (who happens to be my lovely wife) started a petition, starting with Old Navy, since it’s the most widely known and one of the cheapest. If this one does well, we plan to move on to other retailers. 

Please sign and spread it around! I’ve seen what you can do, Tumblr, let your voices be heard!