Brandy Melville and one size fits all

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Sydney in her glory

I first started hearing about Brandy Melville last summer, when Sydney, my 12 year old daughter, informed me that she needed to get some stuff there for camp. I told her that she needed her sleeping bag and toothbrush, and that Brandy Melville wasn’t on the list.

There was the classic teen argument, of course, about how all of her friends would have Brandy Melville t-shirts, and that she would be the only one without one. I invoked the classic parent counter-argument about children in the world without shoes and that put it to rest.

Until she got home from camp. When we surprised our kids with the news that we were taking them on a trip to New York City, the first thing Sydney did was Google map “Brandy Melville SOHO”.  I had to give the kid some credit for her persistence, and just hours after we arrived in NYC, we made a Brandy Melville pit stop. At least I thought it was going to be a pit stop. We’d run in, grab a couple of t-shirts, and I’d go on to drool in the Isabel Marant store.

I didn’t expect a cash line that would snake entirely around the store. I also didn’t expect an entire line of clothing that’s one size fits all.IMG_2404

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Brandy Melville, it’s a clothing store that originated in Italy. While it claims to have clothing for women of all ages, there’s an abundance of tiny skirts and tight belly shirts. In other words, it really isn’t for grown-ups and it really is just for the tween and teenage set. Also, all of the clothing sold is one size fits all.

There really isn’t any such thing as one size fits all, ever.

On one hand, I like vintage, fashion-forward Brandy Melville esthetic. The stores themselves are adorable and the clothing is, for the most part, reasonably priced.

But I think there’s a very dangerous message in a clothing store, geared to teenage girls, that only offers one, very small, size.

In case you’re wondering, I did wait in that 45 minute cash line to pay for a couple of t-shirts. I remember wanting a Beaver Canoe sweatshirt when I was 12 because everyone else had them.

But as far as I can recall, you didn’t have to be a particular size to wear them.

I’d love to hear what you think…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments
  • Wendy
    Posted at 08:52h, 10 October Reply

    It really does give cause for concern – We as a society are trying to encourage girls in particular not to diet (see new series of commercial on tv) and that we should love who we are and not for the size we are, but, when you see stores like this how can a young girl who is perhaps not a size 2 or 0 love herself? When “all” the girls at school are wearing this and if you don’t have it you don’t fit in – it’s one thing perhaps not to be able to afford something from this store, it’s entirely a whole other issue when your daughter can’t find something to fit and she is a healthy weight…just my two cents.

    • Wise Women Montreal
      Posted at 08:53h, 10 October Reply

      Wendy – I totally agree. I think it’s a very disturbing message for our daughters. Thanks for sharing.

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