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So apparently American Apparel, the popular hipster clothing brand, has finally decided to include size XL clothing in their line. Now, American Apparel has been in business since 1989 and is just now beginning to make clothing in a size XL which translates to a size 12/14. This line is called the Next BIG Thing. Keep in mind that this is happening a little more than a year after model April Flores asked if they'd ever consider doing a plus size line and they replied with "That's not our demographic."


Now I'll say that I'm fat because it's true. It's not really an insult so it doesn't really bother me to say it. That being said, I am not a size 12/14. Because since when is a size 12/14 considered plus size? In most any store you go to you will find clothes up to a size 12, 14, or 16. Stores like Target and Walmart (yes, I know they are a totally different kind of store than American Apparel, but that's not the point) even have most of their regular clothes in a size XXL. Even stores like Forever21 and Wet Seal which are more similar with the brand have semi-recently come out with a plus size line. Plus size lines that go up to 3X! Now that sounds more realistic to me. A size 12/14 is the size of the average American woman, not a 2 or a 4. Wouldn't it make sense to carry this in a normal clothing line?

Now this really isn't even the point of this post. It probably would have crossed my radar and I would've said "Oh well, it's not like it surprises me" because it doesn't. What surprises and disgusts me a little, is the way in which they announced the line. Not only is the name a little bit ridiculous (we know what the Next BIG Thing is without you making the word big, well, big) the way in which they announced a model-search was absolutely appalling to me. 

Think you are the Next BIG Thing?
Calling curvy ladies everywhere! Our best-selling Disco Pant (and around 10 other sexy styles) are now available in size XL, for those of us who need a little extra wiggle room where it counts. We're looking for fresh faces (and curvaceous bods) to fill these babies out. If you think you've got what it takes to be the next XLent model, send us photos of you and your junk to back it up.
Just send us two recent photographs of yourself, one that clearly shows your face and one of your body. We'll select a winner to be flown out to our Los Angeles headquarters to star in your own bootylicious photoshoot. Runners up will win an enviable assortment of our favorite new styles in XL!
Show us what you're workin' with!

I mean, seriously? A little extra wiggle room? XLent model? Photos of you and your junk to back it up? I think the only way they could have been more condescending would have been to write, "Hey fat people, we really don't want to make a line for you but send us a picture of your fat asses and jiggly arms and the least-fat one will win a modeling job." I don't know about you, but that's pretty much what I took from the message. Also, did I mention that the winner is chosen by online voters who rank the women from 'Not quite' up to 'XLent'. Umm, rude!


There was also another woman who took the ad the same general way that I did. Her name is Nancy Upton and she is a complete genius. Now Nancy is actually a size 12/14 whereas I am not. She decided to respond to the search and submitted photos. Photos of her bathing in ranch dressing, eating a chicken wing and pouring chocolate sauce into her mouth. She looks damn good and did a damn good job of portraying the message that American Apparel has sent with their model search contest. Here is an article with some of the pictures and some email conversations the writer had with Upton. You can also read about her decision and American Apparel's response here, in the blog she created on tumblr.

Now I realize this post has pretty much been a rant, but what I really want it to be is more of a nod to Upton because it took guts to do what she did and I definitely applaud her for it! I feel that what she did is quite inspiring and the slap in the face for American Apparel? She won the contest! Why? Because she voiced her opinion and voters agreed. And it also helped, I'm sure, that she looks pretty fucking awesome.

So, thanks Nancy, for being a superly bad-ass woman.