It seems every week a prominent name in the fashion industry succumbs to diarrhea of the mouth while speaking to the media. Iris Apfel, the 90 year-old fashion designer who is considered by many to be a fashion icon, is the latest figure to offend the buying public in an interview.
Apfel told The Telegraph: “Now when I walk down Fifth Avenue in the summertime I just want to throw up. It seems that the fatter and uglier people are, the fewer clothes they wear. The shorts and flip-flops and tight jeans on butts that go from here to Poughkeepsie … I always say they should put people in jail for wearing clothes like that. Especially stretch jeans over size 10 [a UK size 14] – they should be outlawed. Ten years ago people were starting to look like slobs in New York, now it’s an epidemic.”
While many would agree that clothes that are too tight are unsightly on anyone, Iris Apfel should know better than to put a size limit on a piece of clothing. There are plenty of size 10 women in perfect shape who look phenomenal in stretch jeans; in fact, several plus-size denim brands make a point to include lycra in their jeans because it compliments women with curves so well. Furthermore, Apfel’s choice of words, “fat,” “ugly,” and “slob,” aren’t sitting well with readers, no matter their size.
I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is hers. She should be allowed it. We can disagree if we want to but our society is getting evermore knee-jerking about opposing opinions. Intelligent debate is a joy to listen to. We should remember the art of debate. It is allowing intelligent people to understand each others reasoning without necessarily agreeing.
On a matter of clothes, certain colours suits certain skin colours better, certain clothes look better on shorter, taller, skinnier, curvier people. Perhaps this is what can be taken from her point. One thing is certain. She has great style.
It is all about what looks flattering… Big Big girls in leggings is not a good look. Leggings can even look bad on skinny women. It isn’t just about size, it is about shape too.
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Um I rarely even buy a jean without some stretch in it. She is delusional. Stretch jeans don’t always = nasty on over size 10.
Sorry, but I tend to agree. I am a size 4-6 and don’t wear skinnies (and would never dream of jeggings) often because in my opinion they only look really good on really slender legs that are proportionate. When you are getting into the larger dress sizes, there is invariably a concentration of weight in the thighs hips and bum which makes the lower leg/calves look small and the effect is just…a bit lumpy.
BTW, I subscribe to several blogs run by self-professed curvy girls who awe me with their fashion sense so this has nothing to do with size-ism, just a wish that more women would be realistic about what looks good on them and Iris Apfel is on to something re: stretch jeans.
What is deemed “looking good” is subjective to each person. Perhaps instead of saying your statement is not a reflection on “size-ism” you should say instead that your statement is a reflection on “perfect-ism” which in its self is unrealistic. Not even slender women have perfectly proportionate anatomy.
In regards to the Article itself-
Fashion, amongst other things in life, shouldn’t have restrictions as its a form of expression. If a woman, no matter what her size, can walk out the door feeling confident in her appearance, love who she is and love what she is presenting to the world. Who are we to say “Hey fatty! you are completely wrong, delusional, ugly and should go to jail for it!” …But then perhaps maybe this is ME being unrealistic. Of course we can SAY it, by why the hell would you want to, what does one get out of it?!? What gratification? Is it going to stop women who are heavier in weight from wearing the clothes? Not likely…If anything all it will do is help bring another person down.
Making these types of statements shows just how ignorant, hurtful and spiteful society can be if a person doesn’t fit into what is deemed the “norm”. That to me is laughable considering the norm more often then not is a person who wears a size 10 or bigger. Not only that the norm changes from day to day, a woman with a size 10 body would have been considered a thing of beauty 80 years ago and now all of a sudden being heavier is synonymous with being ugly.
Instead of trying to fit everyone into these unrealistic boxes that never stay the same, we should instead champion those who aren’t afraid to put up with ridicule to be whoever the hell they want to be, even if that is a person who feels confident enough with themselves to wear “Stretch Jeans”.
Just Another Two Cents.
It’s one thing to express your opinion. And quite another to have a debate on opposing beliefs. In MY view I see nothing intelligent about using derogatory language which I feel was used in her article. It seems that we are judged solely on our appearance. Sometimes our dress style & choices, maybe a reflection of ones inner world.
Let it Be, just LET everyone BE. ENOUGH already ! TOO much Judgement ! TOO much focus on the superfluous, I feel people’s spirit is becoming paralyzed with the unimportant ! More focus on the essence of who we truly are; would be such a beautiful message & gift to society..Thank you.
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Well, people should wear whatever clothes they want regardless of what I or anyone else thinks. That’s her opinion, so whatever. I don’t think it is just about size. I think it’s also about proportion, what is worn with it, etc. I am a size 8-10 (depending on the brand), and I wear them, and I look good. And I have small-ish hips and thighs, so…
Ahem…She is one to talk about ugliness…
Sorry- but I found it funny. I just imagine a 90 year old woman ranting on the days of yore. She’s seen a lot of fashion changes in her 90 years, so I’m sure her opinion is just as diverse. No big deal. I’ve said some pretty foul things about women who are fashion disasters, it just sucks for her that her words are printed to be dissected by the world.
I agree with A Rose. Keep in mind, she is 90. After that many years of life, really after any amount of time, you are entitled to your opinion. To those of us who look good in our stretch jeans in sizes larger than 10, smile and move on. She is considered a fashionista but that doesn’t mean everything she says is gospel.