Savage x Fenty is selling different styles to plus-size women, and people are not happy
When Rihanna announced her lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, many were ecstatic that it would carry sizes up to 3X. In addition to its inclusive sizing, the brand has been praised for featuring models of all shapes and ethnicities, and for designs that merge both sultry and sweet. But now, the lingerie line has come under fire for noticeable differences in its products’ plus-size and straight-size designs. According to Teen Vogue, fashion blogger Alysse Dalessandro pointed out the disparity between Savage x Fenty sizes in a January 9th tweet. She took screenshots of the straight-size version of a bra in the brand’s Valentine’s Day collection and compared it to the 1X-3X version of the same style.
The differences were noticeable. While the straight-size bra featured a strappy, half-cup design, the plus-size version featured full, sheer cups.
"I understand that construction cannot always be the same plus size (especially in lingerie)," Dalessandro wrote, "but I know you can do strappy bralettes in plus, so why do companies do this?"
S-XL vs 1X-3X.
I understand construction cannot always be the same for plus size (especially in lingerie) but I know you can do strappy bralettes in plus so why do brands do this? pic.twitter.com/vXvLDaB8Sk
— Alysse Dalessandro 🌈 (@readytostare) January 10, 2019
To prove her point, she shared pictures of strappy bras from Cacique and Torrid.
For example, this is just a few that are currently available from Cacique pic.twitter.com/3VJD2XFmD4
— Alysse Dalessandro 🌈 (@readytostare) January 10, 2019
And from Torrid pic.twitter.com/SzsZzFpTCw
— Alysse Dalessandro 🌈 (@readytostare) January 10, 2019
Others responded to Dalessandro with similar observations.
And here is the underwear, S-XL on the top and 1X-3X on the bottom pic.twitter.com/SaBznO6Ed9
— Punky the Sexy Nerd (@Punky100) January 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1083352231070654464
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Instagram user Ashleigh Nicole Tribble posted that she had been commenting on these disparities since the brand’s inception.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsgQhs7BE1q
However, some defended the brand, arguing that the difference comes down to a matter of support.
I agree that plus sizes should be the same as straight sizes but for this isn't it bc big titties need more support so something like the left would never work if you're bigger than like a C cup
— aladdin sane (@vvarh0l) January 10, 2019
Hm for me it looks better pic.twitter.com/xFTAC5kUcM
— . motomami (@badgalxrosi) January 10, 2019
Can we *pleaseeeee* try to stop feeling so slighted‼️ this collection is 🔥 AND (in my opinion) has something for every kind of curvy bitch to feel sexy & confident in🙌🏻 thanks @rihanna @SavageXFenty pic.twitter.com/6qfcYpZOUI
— Paige Brunet (@paigebrunet) January 10, 2019
This isn’t the first time Savage x Fenty has been criticized for the way it handles plus-size designs. In May, Twitter user LaKeisha Shurn shared a Twitter thread about her experiences buying a bralette from the brand. She ordered the largest size available, but it still didn’t fit.
So what can I say about what’s in my box other than what I sadly expected? This 3X is for a smaller-frame plus body (range of 18-22) and in our society, that’s barely scratching the surface of marginalized sizes. #SavageXFatty pic.twitter.com/iIcIbiju0t
— VIRGO’S *rising* GROOVE (@TheyBeLaKeisha) May 21, 2018
Also in May, USA Today reported that many customers were upset that the brand didn’t carry cup sizes larger than DDD. At the time, Andria Arizmendi, senior publicist for the company, told USA Today that “there are plans to expand in the future.”
Savage X is a relatively new brand, and they’re likely still growing and adapting their approach to customer needs. Hopefully, they’re paying attention and these issues will be addressed in future lines. What are your thoughts?