There’s only so many ways to rephrase the concept of “eat less crap and get some exercise.” That doesn’t mean that media outlets and the diet and fitness industry are ever going to stop trying, even if that means bombarding the public with contradictory advice. [Jezebel] [More]
jezebel
Why The Fashion Industry Can't Make Clothes That Fit Actual People
By 6.19.09
Another week, another article about brick-and-mortar stores phasing out their plus-sized clothing lines. (Edit: And here’s another!) For those who missed it, Tatiana the Anonymous Model over at Jezebel posted an interesting essay on the economics of women’s fashion, comparing pattern development issues designers face when developing both petite and plus sizes.
A Big, Red, Shiny Kiss Goodbye To Max Factor
By 6.5.09
Max Factor, the venerable cosmetics brand marketed to American women using the faces of familiar film actresses, will disappear from U.S. store shelves forever next year. It will still be available abroad, including in the UK, where it’s a top seller for some reason.
Internal Gamestop Video Teaches How To Sell To Women
By 2.25.09
The conceit in this internal Gamestop training video is that you’re watching a sort of nature video with a British anthropologist investigating a strange and mysterious species: woman— and how to sell to them. Offensive – or just a low-budget industrial video team trying to get its audience to pay attention? Take our poll inside and you be the judge, but either way, you can be pretty sure Gamestop never intended any customer to see this video.
False Booties, Discount Prices
By 1.22.09
The less fortunate among us are forced to resort to prosthetic posteriors to function in everyday society. Fortunately such devices are covered under Medicare. Please, don’t go around with too little junk in your trunk. Enroll for booty benefits today. What are these things called, anyway? (Photo: La Mariposa)
9 Tips For A Designer Wardrobe At Secondhand Prices
By 1.21.09
ShopSmart, a shopping magazine published by the same folks who publish Consumer Reports, and now, of course, Consumerist, have collected a bunch of tips for outfitting yourself in fabulous designer clothes — from secondhand stores. Don’t scoff, it’s possible. ShopSmart says they found a trendy Prada skirt and a classic Ralph Lauren jacket and pants at Immortal Uncommon Resale in Philly, and a cute necklace at Beacon’s Closet in Brooklyn.
Go To The Black Macy's If You Want Plus-Sized Formal Dresses
By 12.17.08
Amanda couldn’t find a fitting formal dress at Macy’s. Macy’s said they don’t cater to her plus-sized demographic, she should go to another Macy’s, which caters to more black women, who tend to be larger.
No Tween Girl Clothes Are "Sexy"
By 12.3.08
I don’t think it’s ever appropriate to market clothes to tween girls using the term “sexy.” Manufacturer “PrettySinful” has a different opinion, as seen in these “sexy” tights sold on Amazon, accompanied by a picture of a prepubescent girl. Perhaps the picture is in error because the rest of the clothier’s offerings are along the lines of crotchless bodystockings and various “do-me” adult party costumes. In any event, it’s gross and should be fixed.
Saks To Close Tween Makeover Paradise "Club Libby Lu"
By 11.5.08
Saks has announced that they will be closing Club Libby Lu, an unprofitable tween-girls “makeover” chain that apparently exists. For $25-$40 girls could paint themselves with temporary tattoos, make bracelets and get a “Club Libby Du.” (We think that last thing is a hairstyle. At least, we’re hoping that it is.)
Dress Your Daughter As Pirate Wench For Halloween
By 10.29.08
“Gather any group of parents and you’ll quickly hear about how the choices of costumes have gone from witch and princess to sexy witch and pouty porn princess,” writes The Examiner in their roundup of sexually charged Halloween costumes marketed at tween and adolescent girls. Prudishness aside, I think I draw the line at a costume for young girls with the word “wench” in the title.
People Think Coupon Users Are Cheapskates, Unless You're Hot
By 10.10.08
If you use coupons in a store, your fellow shoppers are probably negatively judging you as being cheap, according to a new study. The stigma extends to those around the coupon redeemer as well. However, if you’re hot, you get a reprieve. The study had people watch consumers cash coupons, and then interviewed the participants afterward for their reaction. The stigma is lessened if you don’t know the person using the coupon, the coupon is of high value, if they’re in a different line, and if the coupon-user is a hottie. Researchers proposed that the reason for the coupon-hating is “the modern consumer tends to prize status and luxury over thrift.”
98,930 Affected In Forever 21 Data Breach
By 9.15.08
Forever21 announced Friday that the Secret Service told it criminals had jacked 98,930 credit and debit card numbers from its computers. Based on their forensic analysis, your digits could be in the hands of unsavory individuals if you shopped there on…
Backlash: Etsy.com's "Sexy" Mass Murderers?
By 8.11.08
There’s some backlash brewing against Etsy.com for a fashion article about recreating “Bonnie Parker’s look” in which they describe Bonnie & Clyde as, “rather infamous characters in U.S. history, and for good reason: honestly, what’s sexier than a nefarious duo driving cross country on a crime spree of such massive and public proportion?” The author of the article is being taken to task in the comments and the Etsy Bitch blog has picked up the story as well.
The $26,000 "My Dior" Cellphone
By 6.16.08
For the idiot who has everything comes the latest in unbridled extravagance: fashion house Christian Dior is set this month to launch of line of luxury cellphones costing a ridiculous amount of money. The phone will come in two versions, a “basic” one for $5,000, and a “Lady Dior” one for $26,000. The latter’s pricetag is justified by 640 stones and 3,251 carats of Swarovski crystals embedded in a crocodile skin sheath. Both models will feature touchscreens, integrated media player, bluetooth, blah blah blah, but they do have one actual innovation. The phone comes with a “My Dior,” a USB key-sized version of the main cellphone that communicates with the mothership cellphone via Bluetooth and clips to the outside of a bag. Christian Dior says this way you don’t have to go digging through your purse to find your phone. We think it would also come in handy if you don’t have time to set up a full security perimeter every time you want to make a call.
America's Most Unhealthy Drinks Exposed
By 6.3.08
Whether you are on a hardcore diet trying to lose major pounds or just someone trying to stay in good shape, you should be aware that there are a lot of so-called “healthy” drinks out there that will do you more harm than good. To help you steer clear of these devilish drinks, Men’s Health has compiled a small list of 5 of some of the most unhealthy drinks. The drinks, inside…
Bloomingdale's Sends You To A "Collection Agency" Over $5.00
By 5.28.08
Reader Haven accidentally underpaid a Bloomingdale’s credit card bill by $5, and so it was off to the collection agency…
Fake, Funny Poncho Ad Causes Outrage, Laughter
By 5.13.08
One person’s joke is someone else’s insult it seems. Reader Nate sent in a photo of a fake poncho ad that ran in the LOLCats themed issue of the Boston-area free magazine Weekly Dig. He thinks the ad is hilarious, but we found at least one complaint from a Weekly Dig reader who thought the fake ad was “misogynist” and that the “potential hilarity was ruined by bad taste and poor judgment.” See the (fake) ad inside if NSFW language doesn’t bother you…
Peeping Tom Sears Manager Sued For $2.7 Million
By 4.24.08
It seems the floors aren’t the only thing that’s dirty inside Sears. According to Style Weekly, former Sears assistant manager, Robert E. Lee of Virginia, is being sued for $2.7 million for allegedly spying on a young girl and her mother through the ceiling tiles of a dressing room, while hiding inside of a “peeping hutch.” The alleged crime occurred in March, 2006 when Lee was discovered spying from the masturbation station, strategically located above the ladies’ dressing room. The young girl, whose age is described as “prepubescent,” is said to have been traumatized when she suddenly noticed Lee leering from the ceiling while she and her mother were trying on bathing suits. Lee admitted his culpability. The lawsuit states, “During the search of the room, police officials recovered sexually explicit magazines and seminal fluids.” Oh Sears. Before we were only ashamed of you, but now that shame has grown into disgust, with loathing not too far off in the distance.
