Torrid's responce

Well my dear sweet monster thingies,
 Torrid has written me back.
More to the point a customer service representative not Torrid corporate . And i am going to post that response to my letter to Torrid , and then speak further on it.

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Hello Raven,

Thank you for shopping at Torrid.com! Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Raven,
Torrid is not going to abandon what it has begun.  Rather, it is adding
choices that the young plus size customers have asked us for that they
cannot find from other retailers.

We are definitely holding onto the looks that have always been part of our
assortments, as well as adding choices for the young plus size person who
has said her lifestyle requires more choices than we originally offered
her.

It is important to share with you that many customers have voiced repeated
requests for us to provide more alternatives to them.  They want the
younger plus size person to have a place that offers hip, young, current
fashion choices whether it is casual clothes for a student, a dressy
occasion, a sexy club outfit, or someone just beginning their career. We
heard over and over that our customers had many wardrobe needs to fill
their lifestyle alternatives and we were leaving some of them out.

We also learned from many customers that our logo had "stiff, skinny"
letters instead of being representative of something curvy and beautiful.
We also learned that the younger plus size customer did not know we were
plus size.  We are proud of being plus size. That's why our logo has
changed from stiff, skinny letters to beautiful, curvy letters with the
words "plus sizes" added.

We hope you will continue to give us a chance, so we may live up to your
expectations and to satisfy your wishes. We are going to work hard at
continuing to create products that are different than the other plus size
retailers offer, with our own unique Torrid detailing and style.



If you need any further assistance please contact us!


Cheers,
Mariela
Customer Service Representative
1.866.867.7431
International: +1.626.709.1188

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Now while I am thrilled That I got a response at all; I am fairly disappointed that It was such a general e-mail. 
I don't feel that torrid addressed any of my (our) concerns when it comes to quality of product.
It really feels like a canned response. 
Additionally the whole diatribe on them changing the logo.. I never said anything about said logo, nor do I have an issue with them changing it.


When I posted the letter to various groups i got quite a few comment on the lack of quality, so clearly this issue is very prevalent.


Again, to you my dear readers, I want more proof/opinions for future letters to Torrid.
I am going to write them back again, and voice again the concerns about quality. If there is more you would like me to address let me know.


Kisses, 
Raven

 

My letter to Torrid

So I finally decided to write torrid after years of being their faithful customer,and watching their slow decline. Our relationship has soured. I wrote them in hopes like any relationship we could communicate and work through our issues. With a little luck we can come out of this in a better place, and once again have a dirty love affair.

Dear torrid,
As a long time customer (since store #3 in san diego opened; till you opened stores near me. yeah I used to fly down to just shop at your store) I am really disappointed in what has been happening to your clothes over the last 6 years. Specifically the quality of the garments has really dropped significantly, as have your range of styles.


I get that you have revamped your overall look and feel. Back when this change initially took place I was hopeful that you would still do right by your original customer base, that there would be a nice cross section of styles. Sadly this has been less and less the case over the years.
You have all but fazed out the goth, punk, club, and alternative wear you once carried as staples in your stores.
I know I loved having the option of buying the different styles, and still covet my vintage black label torrid clothing.
So do many girls who shopped with you before (you can see this by after market purchase price on ebay).
Admittedly, I was also happy as I've grown older to have more business appropriate clothing as well. However I miss the other things you once had.
The fact that the clothing back then was well made and had decent prices was also a great benefit; and made me a dedicated shopper at your store.


I'm going to take this opportunity to expand further on your clothing and its current quality, or lack of. I have mentioned that I still own black label torrid clothing, as well as clothing from brands you don't carry anymore. All of these pieces have stood up well to the tests of normal wear. I sadly can not say the same for clothing that has been coming out of your store in recent years. Both bad material choices mixed with bad craftsmanship have taken its toll on my confidence in your clothing.
When I pay $40 for a simple top and it can't survive a trip though the washing machine (taking the care label instructions in to the equation) we have a serious problem. Same goes for $10 underpants, and $50+ pants.
Please ask whoever you have doing our purchasing you consider the quality of the clothes they are buying. I like many other of the people who shop with you can't afford to buy clothes that don't last, and that we can't replace. 


I wont even go into the lack of basic structure in your clothing.. I will say however it is disappointing. I don't like looking like a shapeless cloth blob. Nor do I like having to tailor clothing that I spend a lot of money on.


I am pleased as punch you have started to carry the more retro looks in clothing! And thank you for working with lucky 13 apparel as well as lip service again!


You are at the forefront of the plus size fashion industry, yet you are pidgin holing the people who want to be fashionable, with such limited choices.
I truly hope that you have a plan to remedy some of the things that have been effecting your stores for a while now.
And I really hope we (as in me your customer, and you the people behind the clothing I cover my self in) can have a chat about what is going on. I really was and still am passionate about your store and its clothing. Again I have been shopping with you for almost 10 years now, I remember what made your store great.
I want you to continue being one of the places I shop for all sorts of clothing.


Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. And I look forward to hearing back from you.


sincerely,
Raven Eagan

Let's hope I hear something good. I'll keep you all informed!
And if there is something I forgot to say, or something you want to point out, please let me or them know!

Kisses,
Raven

The male mind and the circles it creates.

**WARNING: I will be using the word chick, women, girl, ladies ect. to rant, I know the issue is not limited to women alone. As I wind down my rant, I change my gender type to include both men and women.**

I am beyond annoyed, I was going to do a nice mellow post on a dress I made... Then sadly, this morning on my facebook feed I see this comment:

Can I just say the amount of fail on this is EPIC (and I hate to use that word)!

I couldn't help but respond to the stupidity. Because really... wow. 

The thought (or lack of) that went in to publicly making a comment like that is beyond fucking stupid.

This is the normative male mind at work.. and it makes me cringe.

Yeah I get fat chicks aren't everyone's cup of tea; but really to basically shame any man or woman who does indeed like the the bigger girls, is just as fucked up as basically implying fat chicks don't deserve a persons: respect, admiration, love and consideration.

To the men and women who like the: curvy, fluffy, chunky, chubby, voluptuous, buxom, zaftig, and fat ladies (whether you admit it vocally or not) hell even if you just like women in general; You have more integrity, sincerity and balls Than any person who makes comments like this. Not just because you like women who might be bigger that what society deems acceptable; but because you don't need to chastise the other people around you for what they like.

EVERYONE deserves BASIC human respect. Why? you might be asking. It's very simple... because we are all stuck here together. We all at one point or another need the people around us for support; And if we want this little experience called life to be somewhat pleasant, it helps if we all have a small  bit of respect for one another.

The comment/quote above makes me question why F. (more over his companion who made the comment) has such a reaction to fat chicks and probably people in general.

What is it that makes us SOO unappealing?

What has a fat chick ever done to him to have him feel this way?

OR is it our general existence that is some how a bane to him?

Could it be a simple need to lash out at women in general? Perhaps, he has been turned down by women big and small, thus making him feel inferior?

Whatever the reason, he felt the need to quote the person in a public space, thus I am allowed to take away from it what I want.  

In the end I take away the knowledge that I have a complete fucktard on my facebook. 

And that while he didn't say it to me or about me specifically, I still identified with it. I am a 'fat chick' after all. I am also a great many things beyond that simple obvious label. 

The sad fact is, it takes a person to look past that immediate label of  'fat chick" to find out how great I really am. Maybe that is why the comment makes me so mad/sad, it reinforces my awareness of people who wont give me and all the other fat people, the time of day to find out who we are as simple people. This applies to everything from dating and friendship, to jobs and health care.

I don't hate you because you're thin. Don't hate me because I am fat.  (change the word 'hate' to: judge, criticize, comment, blame, harass, embarrass, remark, vilify, harm.. and the statement still works.)     
 
My rant started about the normative male mind, and brought me full circle to bring it to a place more about fat liberation and acceptance. I hope when you read this, you see how it applies to all people. Simple stupid comments, can create a shit storm of thoughts and powerful emotions. Take that power and do something with it. Don't let a persons close minded hate bring you down. Never let anyone take away who you are despite the labels you bare. And as corny as it sounds: remember you are loved, wanted, needed and accepted by me and more importantly you.

Kisses,
Raven

Multi- review

Okay so normally I don't review things I buy weather it is clothes or fabric but today I feel the need to gush. bear with me.


I've been running around for the past two weeks trying to finish getting ready for burning man. I've been sewing pants and a fur hooded vest (sans pattern) for my dude and trying to make a jacket for me.. And that brings me to my first review!


a Burda style pattern:   burda style magazine 02-2010 cropped wide lapel jacket
I really do like this jacket.  After an hour or so of cutting and taping the patter pieces (it's a print at home deal) I went on my merry way to make a up sized mock up...

sadly the pattern instructions blow goats.

Maybe I am just spoiled with american patterns having detailed instructions with drawings to show what the company means (much less showing and marking things like darts).. 

I also have a problem with their limited sizing on most of their patterns. I had to up size this one about 8 inches over all to fit me properly. I still haven't started the jacket due to not wanting to waste the cool hot pink fabric I bought for the coat (but I do have a somewhat complete muslin mock up..) I do not like being scared of a pattern! But this one gives me a splitting head ache. I even had to write to both Burda and the amazing Psycho Sue for help (Sue was the more helpful of the two; she rocks (literally), so not such a surprise that she would give better advise).

I'd also like to add that the whole burda website isn't super user friendly. So take what you want from that statement.

Due to pattern fail I've been scrambling for cool clothes to take with me. That brings us to Review #2:

 I found some very nice thing at wet seal in the juniors plus section online. I was happy that their prices weren't bad overall. 

I bought 2 obnoxious skirts and a soft bra type thingy. 

The very nifty teal, yellow and black zebra skirt fits me loosely at a 3x bit is comfortable at the same time so no complaint on sizing what so ever. It has good stretch and length to it despite looking uber short. Personally i'll be wearing cropped leggings under it so doesn't matter how short it is, but just saying. I also Dig the big waistband on it, as you can fold it if you want it to be smaller and it wont look weird.

Second skirt has all the charm of the zebra skirt, this pink leopard with its loose but comfortable fit, and again the large waistband is good for folding to sit lower. This has the added bonus of also being a longer skirt overall. It hits me right at my knee bend,but I am only 5 foot six inches.. However I don't see the length being an issue for those lucky enough to be taller than I am. The pink is a tad brighter in person, and in my case that was a plus!  

Lastly I bought a soft bra type thing.. I was unsure what top size to buy so I got a 2x, originally when I took it from the box I didn't think it would fit. It looked very small indeed. I was amazed by how much it stretched, and it ended up fitting me perfectly!  It has the extra bonus of having small molded cups inside so when I wear it you can't tell if i'm cold or not. woohoo! 

Normally I am weary of buying clothes from places I haven't shopped online before, and I haven't had a lot of luck with the slew of new places that say they carry a 3x, for it really only to be a size 18.. I was thrilled with wet seal and their sizing. The quality of the clothes for the price is darn good! I'm going to see how well they survive burning man, but that isn't normal everyday wear and tear.

And that my dears is my opinion!

till next time, i'll be chained to my sewing machine then off playing on the playa!

Kisses,

Raven

Angry and not going to be quiet about it.

So last night I had this interesting situation come up. It goes like this:

My guy's ex-girlfriend Jill* (they are still on good terms friendship wise) asked if I would mend some clothing for her, I said no problem. She is chronically late for everything. So when she called two days ago to say she was stopping by, it took her till last night to show up. 

I had made dinner for my guy and I per usual. Jill shows up later than expected (she called to say she would be here in 20 minutes) 2 hours later she shows up. Then asks to have some of our dinner since she is hungry, and me being the good host says 'yeah help your self'. 

We the proceed to my sewing room to fix her stuff. we chat while I sew about all manner of idle nothing. I finish her stuff in less than 15 minutes. 

She stays around for a while talking. Some how in the conversation we started talking about my sister, and how different her and I are. Jill then proceeds to ask if my sister and I look alike and I say "No; my sister looks like our mother. I look like our dad. It's scary how much I look like him" And no shit, she responds with 'guess you have to make the tranny look work for you.' she then laughs. I was floored by her crass comment, to the point I didn't even know what to say to her. Not more than a minute after that she left. (I'm going to say right now I have lots of love and respect for the trans population. there are some very attractive transgender folk out there. However she didn't mean the comment in a positive way)

The rest of the evening I was in a foul mood trying to deal with her comment. I didn't sleep well and was beyond angry at her. In my head I keep doing the math: come in to my home + ask for a favor of me + eat the meal I prepared + then say something that fucked up to me?!? = What the fuck!!

I broke it down further; I don't like the shred of femininity I have and hold near and dear to be stripped away from me. Much less by someone like Jill. 

Long ago I came to terms with that I am not a very attractive girl. I'm not butt fucking ugly but i'm not exactly a looker either. I'm perfectly happy to be not so pretty, 'cause I have an awesome personality. 

But to have someone, another woman to boot, say something like that to me.. pissed me off beyond all reason. My guy doesn't get why I am so angry, this too annoys the crap out of me. I did try to explain it but he still doesn't get it, oh well he is male I don't expect him to feel my pain.

Maybe I'm over reacting. Maybe I am holding on to too many rude comments from the past. I don't know if this feeling of rage is justified. I know last night I would have done all manner of mean and nasty thing to express my anger and hurt. Today I still would like too still, but I don't know if I am just being overly sensitive. 

I  suppose the end of this is, I really don't like other women. I hate the shitty comments, the catty attitude, the whole girls are evil bitches. all of them are bat shit crazy. Personally I want no part of it. there is no sisterly bond with other women, no camaraderie, no understanding or tact. Women are rude fucking hypocrites. And that is a combination I have a hard time dealing with. 

(yes, this is a sweeping generalization and I am sure there are plenty of perfectly nice people out there that happen to be female, but i'm talking about the female population from a jaded, cynical stand point. Why? because i'm angry and hurt by all the females i have interacted with, that have disappointed me on a basic human decency level. Yes, men piss me off just as much but for different reasons. men interact on a completely different system than women. and until i see men doing the petty back bitting catty shit, that i see most women do, i think i'll stick to being with the boys.)

Bottom line all people need to learn some damn manners, and think before they speak.

Angry & pissed off,

Raven 

sewing freak!

Aloha!
I've yet again been in a mental lock up, due to tons of moving drama the last 4 weekends in a row.
Now that all that bullshit is over I'm back to my normal plucky self.

I was dog sitting for my parents. I love my dogs so it was a nice visit with my furry siblings. nothing makes me feel better than getting to lay around the house with my two girls.
Kai our smaller mutt dog (although not a small dog by any stretch of the imagination), likes to cuddle up on the couch with me while I read, and she acutely watches TV if it's on. Annie our giant newfoundland is happy just being in the same room on the floor near by, she is a cuddle drool monster. I love her, and lucky for me she had a bath before I came over so she didn't smell like dirty pond water for once. all and all was a good break from my normal routine.

I stayed a day longer than planned so I could go with my other sister (non furry variety) to her tattoo appointment.  She chose to see my tattoo artist this time, and since I consider my tattoo artist a very good friend I'm always willing to go hang out and chat with him. Added bonus of seeing my older sister writhe around in pain for a few hours (i see it as karma for all the years she did mean things to me growing up).


Now that I'm back home I have a pile of sewing projects to work on. My friends cousin came over with a suit jacket that needed to be tailored. So I fit him yesterday and started the markings and taking out the seams. I got distracted by a pitcher of margaritas so i'll be finishing that up today.
My guys ex called me with some stuff she needs mended. So I will have a bag off stuff to do small fixes to as well.
To top off the sewing mess I remembered that I have a dress I never got around to finishing, so that is on the agenda as well. I need to find green seam binding. and a fun contrasting fabric to make it look all spiffy.
Lastly on a trip to the fabric store my guy and i found some super soft tiger fabric, he wants a hoodie with ears for burning man. I have a coupon so I guess i'll go get that asap.

I have a new vintage pattern I want to give a whirl as well. looks like my spiffy sewing machine (thanks mom!) is going to get a work out over the next few days.

A crafty bitches work is never done!

Raven

vintage dress jackpot!

Yesterday started off with a huge bang! I got a bunch of the vintage dresses I ordered in my fit on vintage weakness two weeks ago. Yes the arrived safe and sound on the door step much to my pleasure.
 I haven't had the chance to get photos of me in them yet so you will have to suffer through photos of them on hangers!

This is navy blue and awesome! Look at the red piping and adorable red buttons! Talk about your hem pattern love. I can't believe this still had tags on it. seriously! Super added bonus: it has pockets! I love any dress with pockets. Oh and the straps are adjustable, how special is that!

This is a hand made dress, in purple gingham. I spent two hours yesterday hand bleaching this vintage house dress back to its normal intended color. If your a vintage clothing person you may know how some people didn't care for their clothes as much as others. this one was dingy yellow on top due to wear. after a round of washing I then took Q-tips dipped in bleach to the damp fabric. The dress came back to life!

Did you catch the cream pleat lines on this baby?  what about the cute button accents on the shoulder? This is a black crape dream! Light weight but all classy. I really like the way the dress hangs on me too! stunning. has a 40's feel to it.

Ahh the classic wrap dress.
If you don't own one, you darn well should! Go get one now!

This lovely has a neat white pattern on it that reminds me of dandelions. Again a nice light summer weight dress.
I'm going to need to alter the collar and facing since they don't want to stay where they belong. Other than that this dress is mint.

Copper colored heaven!
I dig this dress on so many levels. Nice fabric, and the neck accent is so different.  My guy says the color is great on me that I don't look so pale (if that is even possible).
Comes to a nice tea length on me, but I'm short so not too difficult.

I call this the lil green house dress.
Hand made. Button front with pockets, what more could I ask for. Sadly this one needs some mending. and it doesn't fit my chest properly. So I'm going to fix it up and figure out what to do with it later.












Well thats just a few of the dresses I bought. More still haven't showed up yet, but once they do i'll be sure to show them off too. Of the batch of dresses I just got, I love the navy blue floral one best! I know I will be wearing that one a whole lot from now on.


Kisses!
Raven