REVIEW: Rebdolls Garner Style Collection

Sooo.  Dare I say that last week’s review of the Melissa McCartney Collection was a HIT?  It inspired me to do another one this week (hey, on a similar note, ALWAYS looking for ideas for posts…so…if you have something you want my subversive and honest opinion on, let me know in the comments). We have a commitment to giving you REAL CUTTING JOURNALISM, guys.

Okay, that’s enough of that.  So, I have been wanting to spew unstoppably about the Rebdolls Garner Style collection pretty much since it came out in the beginning of December.  So, in true Ample style, I’m going to write about it now, while we’re gearing up for spring.

#hardhitting

I’m not going to pull any punches here:  I think this collection is revolutionary.  I have never QUITE seen anything like it.  Here, let me give you an idea, look at this picture:

This was the picture that was heading all the articles about the release of this collection.  In my fatshion-conscious life, I have seen the cute baby fat girl.  I have seen the soft, coffee-drinking, freelancing fat girl.  We have all seen the fat girl running errands.

But never.  In my life.  Have I seen.  The fat girl PERPETUALLY HEADING TO HER OWN BIRTHDAY PARTY. 

No, but I kid.  I am ALL ABOUT everything having to do with this photo.  The styling is top-notch.  I love the soft colors.  They’re pleasing and pastel without being baby-ish.  I love the weird party-in-a-vacuum atmosphere.  I love the gifts tossed on the ground, I love Garner Style’s “Who, me?” pose, I love that she’s holding balloons twice her size.   I love that she is being unapologetically very fat on the Rebdolls site, which usually uses models around a size large.  Honestly, I have always lusted after Rebdolls clothes, but their sizing chart and their models always made me worry that the clothes weren’t actually meant for people my size.  This collection gives me a little bit of hope that maybe they are already on top of that and looking to represent a wider array of bodies.  (Going over this collection, I felt so enlivened that I even dared to purchase some cute 2-piece sets, so we all will get a look at a later date!)

I really do believe that this is a revolutionary collection.  Never have I seen a collection negotiate the notion of cutifying fat women without actually cutifying them; and providing a collection that is both joyful AND respectful.  Because fat women looking like babydolls is a way to achieve the respectability politics to be mostly accepted by mainstream culture, we see this a lot in the average plus collection.  Take a look at F21, Torrid, many of the accessible plus retailers.  There was a time when you’d be hard-pressed to find a dress without large hearts, donuts, or oversize floral splattered all over it (not that I don’t rock an oversize floral, but these shouldn’t be the only options, and I think it’s extremely telling when they are).  Often, fat women have had to sacrifice style for more subdued clothing.  But look, Garner Style’s collection casts a pretty large net, is SUPER wearable, cute, sexy, and understated.  Is this because it was actually designed by a fat woman?  Hrmmmmm.  Food for thought.  (JK we don’t need to think about it, this is obviously why.)

Okay, now to the collection.  I really tried to only take pictures of the clothes that TRULY grabbed me, that I REALLY believed were blog-worthy.  And guys, I couldn’t stop taking pictures.  I don’t know whether it’s the clothes themselves, or Garner Style being so deliciously amused, but I’m really buying the whole deal, hook line & sinker.

Let’s start with how this collection is amazingly sexy:

Like, dang.  Also, very sexy and amazingly not vulgar?  Like how did they make a mesh shirt not vulgar?  Also, I love a good vulgar piece of clothing, don’t get me wrong.  But that’s easy to make.  This is not easy. This took a nuanced eye.

Also, YES, of COURSE I think all bodies are good bodies and everyone is beautiful and perfect exactly the way they are etc etc etc buuuuuuuut can I just say that the fatpremicist in me REALLY loves how drab the other model looks in comparison to Garner Style’s radiant beauty.

Like, same top and pants.

ANYYWAYYYYYY.

Next, we’re gonna talk about how hip and rad this collection is: The “Wild Life” Leopard Print Skater Skirt!

Dear god, that dress looks great on her, does it not?  Great cut.  I love how the top shows off her arms.  Also, I appreciate the midi-length; it adds some interest to the skater style.  And I’m going to venture and say that that’s one of the best leopard prints I have ever come across. The color mixing is top-notch.  Burgundy in a leopard print?! Le wow.

Let’s transition with a similarly-cut piece, but totally different style of garment.  Also, can we have a second of gratitude for the names of these pieces?  This one is called “Sweet Whisper.”

I am SO VERY INTO this dress.  It’s a lightweight cotton blend, 95% cotton, 5% stretch. WITH THAT TURTLENECK.  And the color, dear god.  I’m all aflutter.

 

More in dresses: “The Fashionista”

Don’t miss that feather trim at the bottom, okay?

Let’s do separates now: “On the Prowl” midi and the “Charisma” crop.

Well.  I would personally wear the shit out of that.

And last, but not least: the “Catch Me if You Can” pants (same ones we saw with the mesh top), and “The Girlfriend” top.

Simple, but great.  Also, Garner Style needs to be everyone’s model.  Like was she dancing during this photo?  What?  It’s so good.

Okay, so are you all ready to see how it holds up to The Ample rating system?  Let’s find out….

REBDOLLS GARNER STYLE GRADES (out of 10):

• Quality: 9 (true, I gave this grade without actually touching any of the pieces)
• Creativity: 9
• Wearability: 10
• Fashion-forwardness: 10

For a TOTAL of 38 points!  Nearly perfect.

Now, Rebdolls, send me some of your pieces already.

What do you all think of this collection?  How do you feel about cutesy/babydoll style as it related to plus-size fashion?  Which is your favorite piece and why?

Let me know in the comments!