New online plus-size store

9th October 2007

I have to send out a quick kudos to fellow Cincinnatian Beth Ann Herrin who has just launched an online plus-size clothing line company, Reality Plus Clothing.

Herrin, who has worked in the fashion industry for 25 years and has ties to Oscar de la Renta and Vanity Fair, said the venture arose out of desperation after she moved from New York back to Cincinnati and encountered a dearth of plus-size options.

“I was faced with the frustration of not finding great clothes in great styles in my size range,” she said. “Every time I went shopping I got more frustrated, and I said, ‘What the heck, I’ll do it myself.’”

Prices range from $58 to $210, and Herrin describes her offerings as “feminine” and “classic.” Read more about Herrin here or here.

Click to Bookmark

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at 2:24 pm and is filed under Body-Affirming, Fashion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On October 9th, 2007, Fillyjonk said:

Meh, I could really use less “real woman” rhetoric. In everything. I mean, I understand that if she’s been working in the fashion industry, she’s been seeing clothes that really aren’t made for real women — not necessarily because of size but because of general impracticality. But the “real woman” thing is backlash that doesn’t serve us.

That’s not to say anything about the quality of the clothes — they are not my style but they’re very sophisticated.

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

2 On October 9th, 2007, Yellowhammer said:

I agree with Fillyjonk.

I know its unrealistic to expect everyone to be tiny, but tiny women are real women too.

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pm

3 On October 9th, 2007, Rachel said:

Not my style either, actually, but I bet my mom would love them!

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 4:37 pm

4 On October 9th, 2007, Beth Anne Herrin said:

OK….heard you guys loud and clear on the less “real women” rhetoric…had not looked at it from another’s point of view. Point well taken! Thanks for the call out on your site. Interested in learning more about your project. Also LOVED the plus size model article!! You wouldn’t beleive just how hard it was to find a mannequin in a size larger than a 12!!!!

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

5 On October 9th, 2007, Rachel said:

No problem Beth. Always glad to lend a fellow Cincinnatian some exposure. Good luck with your venture.

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 6:08 pm

6 On October 9th, 2007, Fillyjonk said:

I bet my mom would love them!

I was thinking the same thing about my aunt.

It’s historically been hard for plus designers to manage “grown-up” without veering into “matronly,” and I think most of this line deals with that nicely.

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

7 On October 9th, 2007, Rachel said:

I read my comment a second time and I hope Beth didn’t take offense or think I was calling her collection “old.” My mom is a young 49 who mentally thinks she is 29 and she hates the matronly stuff, but at the same time, doesn’t want to dress like my 20-year-old sister, either.

posted on October 9th, 2007 at 7:12 pm

8 On October 10th, 2007, Misty said:

Nice site, but when I’m buying online, I really prefer to see clothes on models, not on mannequins. I always get a better sense of how clothing works on an actual body when it’s shown on a “live” person, someone whose figure has natural “give,” not on a plastic form. At least, as long as the model is an actual plus size, somewhere in the neighborhood of mine (size 16 and up).

Oh, and I agree — the “reality” tag doesn’t really do much for me.

posted on October 10th, 2007 at 1:49 am

9 On October 10th, 2007, Beth Anne Herrin said:

Rachel: No offense taken, but a chance to listen! You are all correct that the original “target” customer was career 35+ (with the young 49 yr old in mind) What I am now curious about is hearing from the 20-30 set and what they are looking for (to wear to work)? The first collection is limited in assortment to allow us to get up and running and work out biz issues. Was wondering if a group would be interested in participating in a focus group? Around end November to look at “ideas” for Sp 08? Just a thought…..would need around 10-15 women in size and age range.

posted on October 10th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

10 On October 13th, 2007, Mary said:

I would love to be part of a focus group. I’m forty and a size 30/32. Love the cut and style of the clothes. Would like to see more colors, especially in the more casual items. As a plus woman I’ve been constrained to wear black more than most goths would voluntarily submit to.

Slimming colors can never make me look slim, so why bother? But the black IS sophisticated and gorgeous.