Club Monaco rant - YouLookFab Forum

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Club Monaco rant

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

So I saw a cute cotton romper on the Club Monaco website. Thought it would be cute for the summer. I called my local store (Seattle) to see if they had my size in stock. They didn't, but they would call other stores to check. They called me back to tell me the largest size made was an 8. I'm a 10 or 12. I can't believe they only made it in smaller sizes. I'm seriously considering a writing a letter to corporate.

Anna

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

Maya

Veteran

That is really bizarre and unfortunate. An 8??? Really? Isn't that the equivalent of a medium?

I'm sorry about that, it's pretty obnoxious.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rotten luck, Anna. It’s really frustrating when you find something that you love and they don’t have your size. Sorry about that.

I hope to come off as a voice of reason here: Unfortunately, retailers cannot satisfy everyone. I have been a fashion buyer for many years in all sorts of markets buying all sorts of products across all sorts of size curves. Brands choose a target market and that’s it. I wholeheartedly believe it’s the right thing to do even when it’s not always in your favour. I can give you countless examples of varying size curves and here are a few:

o INC does not offer an XS
o Nine West and Jones start at a size 4
o Very few petite and tall options are covered period

Club Monaco has decided to add in 00 instead of larger sizes in an effort to capture and satisfy that side of the market instead. In some cases you’ll fall outside a certain size curve whether it’s because you need a smaller size, or a larger one. That’s retail and in the big scheme of things it makes sense. That way there is at least something (not everything), for everyone.

I don’t mean to sound un-empathetic. I wish everyone could always find their size! I’m just trying to offer a complete retail picture. I hope it makes sense.

Maya

Veteran

i think the odd thing about this situation is that Club Monaco normally does have sizes above an 8 but they don't in this particular piece.

I also find it strange that so many stores are cutting back on their size 16's but keeping their size 00's, when there are far more women who are a size 16 than there are 00's.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perhaps the style was short delivered? That can happen from time to time (I’ve been on the retail side of that scenario). You’re right though, CM does stock sizes 10 and 12 in most of their items.

Actually Maya, I’ve found that very, very few retailers make size 00 to begin with. There are therefore few options in that size "to keep". Size 16 is far more readily available if not in stores then online. That’s a good decision as there are to your point, many more size 16’s in America than size 00’s.

Maya

Veteran

I guess I'm only thinking of one example (AT and ATL) who have moved their size 16's to online only, which is odd because the XXS's are still available in store. I just thought 16's would be more popular than XXS's or 00's.

April

Veteran

Actually, my AT told me it's the XXS and 00 that are only available online -- maybe it varies by market?

My theory is that everyone believes it's their size that sells out first, but the view from this end of the spectrum supports the view that the smaller sizes go most quickly.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

It always frustrated me when I would find things I like that didn't come in my size. Now that I'm a 6-8 though, it's happening less and less.
I have a sister who's very petite, and one who's very tall. I have a friend who's really petite and really tiny. Each of them struggle to find clothes that fit more often than I do, and each tell me that "I'm the hardest shape/size to fit". I think we all have issues regardless of who we are...not that I'm excusing CM necessarily, but it is what it is and we all have to deal with it once in awhile.

Anonymous

Can we have a look at the dress anna?

Maya

Veteran

Oh, interesting April. I always find XXS and 00's in the stores I have been to (both in NYC and in NJ). In fact, it's often ALL I find on the sale rack when looking for my size. I guess it does vary. I don't mean to say 16's "deserve" to be in stores in a way that 00's do not...I was just curious about the business sense of it, since there are a lot more 16's than 00's. I can't even imagine that an AT 00 is really THAT small. I often take a 0 there and you can tell from my pictures that I am far from a 0.

Being tiny is indeed a plight but I find it hard to be sympathetic while being envious at the same time :p

taylor

Veteran

You are quite right April.
I have to order all my clothes from AT online in 00 and xxs, and I work for them. No biggie. Size 16 , as I have stated before are very seldom asked for and inventory in stores is always low. There just isn't a big demand for 16's.

Seems if bigger sizes aren't available people get all bent out of shape....I have always just looked for place to buy my size... without blaming anyone. If you see a 00 in a store in is an *on line return* to the store. They never send them to the store.

I had one women yell at me because we don't carry size 22...well jeez they have special stores just for you...no special stores for me.

taylor

Veteran

Also Maya ,we have a large Asian clientele and yes, if you weight between 90 and 105 lbs. you could well be a 00. If you are slight built and with a narrow frame and taller than 5'3 in the 100 lb. range,you may well be a 00.

Maya

Veteran

I have been in the 95-105 pound/too small to wear a 0 range before, so I understand Taylor. I was just wondering how small an AT 00 really is, since they seem to run so big, but maybe the fit of the 00 is actually a lot smaller than a 0. I did once try an XXSP woven shirt out of total desperation once because I loved it so much, but as expected, I could not even get both sides to meet over my chest! I imagine it would be the same in an XXS. I had expected it woudn't fit, but I expected it to ALMOST fit since it was just one size down from what I normally wear, but it wasn't even close.

Back before BR introduced a 00, I would buy jeans in a 0 and have to get them altered. Being out of the standard size range is frustrating at either end of the spectrum. I think at least in big cities there are more options for tiny people than large people though, since we have lots of Euro stores and more selection, but I can imagine it's very frustrating once you get out into the suburbs or rural areas. I have a friend who is a size 22/24 and I am regularly shocked at how poor the selection is--not that it's small or big, but more so at the quality and style. On the other hand, I also have a friend who is probably a 00 or even a 000 if it existed, and she is always impeccably dressed in the highest quality clothes (a huge DVF fan). When I compare the two of them, it becomes easy for me to see who has the easier time shopping.

taylor

Veteran

Well yes, I do agree larger sizes may be lacking in quality, but I have several very large clients who are always dressed beautifully and current..so I am not sure where they shop.

Also there is a true Full size difference in 0 and 00, also remember that although AT is generouse in size, they are womens clothes, not Jr. clothing, and may well explaine why 00's exsist at all. I am probably like a size 1 in Jr's because they are cut smaller and more narrow..for a younger body...only I don't wear Jr. clothing and alot of women in the 100 range aren't Jr.'s either.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I got a nice letter from Corporate. Basically it seems to boil down to marketing.
Here's the letter (I x'ed out her phone number):

Anna -

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sarah Casalan. I am the Senior Director of Operations with Club Monaco.

I am very happy to hear that you have had a positive experience in our Seattle location. Our teams consistently strive to provide the highest level of customer service. I would like to thank you for your feedback, as customer input is the most valuable tool we have to develop beautiful product and a compelling customer experience.

Club Monaco vigorously analyzes our demand across various fits, silhouettes and sizes. We have, for particular styles and markets, tested various size offerings to determine what is most appropriate for our customer. In these efforts, we regret that the Francine Jumper was not available in your desired size. As a result of these tests, the Fall collection includes an expanded assortment, which contains a variety of fits, shapes and sizes. You will find a collection which offers many options, that can go from day-to-night, casual-to-dressy, through a size 12.

As a size 12 myself, I am extremely excited about all of the options in the stunning collection Club Monaco will be offering in August! Just in time to refresh the fall wardrobe. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to schedule you for a private appointment with one of our top stylists, who can preview the line for you and customize looks for your personal style and lifestyle.

I would be happy to arrange for you if you would like.

I can be reached via email or directly at 212-xxx-xxxx if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely
Sarah Casalan
Sr. Director of Operations
212-xxx-xxxx

taylor

Veteran

WOW, Now that is service....just wish we had CM near me:(

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Wow. I am really impressed with that nice letter from CM! I'll be eager to see what they have to offer in August.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's GREAT. Another reason to love CM, even though this thread started out as a gripe against the store. I hope you feel better, Annagybe!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Is size 12 really the largest size they carry?

shiny

Veteran

That's cool. Makes you wonder if CM's marketing department is monitoring communities like this...

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think they used to carry 14's years ago, but the largest I've ever seen currently is a 12.