Maybe We Don't Hate Dress Barn
Nicole, you’re making me feel guilty about our “We hate Dress Barn” tagline.
I thought I’d take a moment to praise a store that does seem to value its fat customers: Dress Barn. Poor Dress Barn. It gets no respect that I’ve seen online, particularly not from me. I treat the place as so hopelessly uncool that if it came and sat at my table at lunch, I’d probably pick up my tray and move…. Honestly, it’s the name. I still have trouble getting past That Name. I hated lugging around the big pink bag labeled “DRESS BARN” when I was really fat, and I’d do what I could to be sure the store logo on the bag didn’t show. It made me feel too much like a setup looking for a punchline.
Dress Barn doesn’t have the hip, trendy image that Old Navy does, but you know what? It’s always been there for me. (Well, there was that time when I was so fat that I couldn’t even fit into their plus-size stuff, but really, that wasn’t their fault.) Dress Barn doesn’t keep the plus size department a secret, or relegate plus-size shoppers to the Internet where they don’t get to try things on before they buy. You go to the store entrance and there’s Dress Barn Woman to the left, Dress Barn Misses to the right. Perfectly straightforward. And having had plenty of experience with the clothes on both sides of the store, I can say that the plus sized clothes have been equal in quality to the regular line…. for better or for worse, the average girls and the fat girls are getting pretty much the same thing.
Okay, maybe we need a new tagline. “We take it back, Dress Barn”? “Actually, we hate Old Navy”? “Dress Barn, please change your name so we can shop there”? Any other ideas?
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Fashion
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It really is the worst name ever! That is the single factor that has kept me from going in and shopping. Because, UGH, Dress BARN.
Oh, now I’m looking at their website and they have some majorly cute things.
Maybe we can all start shopping there in an ironic, post-modern sort of way?
Me too! Ditto Fashion Bug. I had no idea either of those was even worth considering until I saw pics of people wearing their clothes on Fatshionista. They have cute stuff! And it’s cheap! But oh my god, they’re called DRESS BARN and FASHION BUG. Can their marketing departments truly believe the customer loyalty they’ve built to those particular names is such that changing them wouldn’t be the best idea they ever had?
There’s a Dress Barn Woman across from my house, and I walk past it each morning. The current dresses in the window are so cute! It throws me off, though, that the ads in the window all have small sized women showing off the dress.
Dress barn totally rocks. I guess the name doesn’t bother me b/c I grew up in the country and barns are a fact of life there.
You know, Heather, your comment makes me wonder about what demographic Dress Barn originally targeted. Like, did they seriously open up their first store and say, hey, just what women in an urban area want, to shop at a barn! Or did they say, hey, we’re going into suburban/rural locations and there are barns everywhere so it makes total sense!
The first time I had heard of “Dress Barn” was when watching the show “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper”. Anyone remember that show?
Anyway, there was an episode where Raven Simone’s character had to go back to school shopping at the “Dress Barn” and she DETESTED it. Since that episode, i’ve had a skewed opinion of “Dress Barn”. Perhaps the establishment will be like Kellogg Cornflakes…. i’ll try it again for the first time.
But seriously though, how rad was “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”?
I’ve always had associations of them with very dowdy-type clothes. But then I recently bought a pair of rocking fatigue patterned pants (with embroidered flowers on them). How cool is that.
I will never, ever be accused of being fashion-forward, but I got my very favorite dress ever at a Dress Barn, and I wore the hell out of that thing. I’d still be wearing it today, 7 years after initially buying it, except that I (ironically enough) became too fat to wear it.
I wish there were one near where I live now, because the proportions of their clothes suited me to a T — I’m a plus size in tops, non-plus in bottoms, and their dresses were very well proportioned to me.
Dress Barn’s been around my city for years. I always interpreted it as “a big store with a BARNFUL of dresses!” because it never, ever appeared to me to make issue one about size. The one near my office has women’s on the first floor, misses’ on the second, with petites towards the storefront of the second, which actually puts the misses’ dresses, um … on the second floor in the back. The least accessible area. Interesting. And the store further downtown has women’s to one side, misses’ to the other, and the same styles, pretty much, in each. I think a lot of folks may have been cutting themselves off from a really valuable resource, based solely on the name.
Kind of like ignoring women because of the single adjective, “fat.”
I haven’t been in a Dress Barn for years. I remember going into one when I lived in Tennessee and wasn’t terribly impressed. Same with Fashion Bug.
I think the name never bothered me because — being originally from Indiana — my connotation for “barn” was just “lots of dresses” — not “plus size only because you can’t shop anywhere else”.
I still have the last jacket I bought there, probably 10 years ago. (Can you tell I hate to shop?) It’s an olive green glen plaid with peplum (yes!), and I still get compliments on it. (Skirt’s too small, but separates are in. And I don’t like skirts.)
How about: “Dress Barn – if you forgive us our trespass, we’ll forgive you your last name”?
I’m a heathen, I know.
I just bought two great blazers on super sale at Dress Barn in New York City. I was with my Mom and we were hacking around about being “cows” shopping in the “barn.”
It’s a heinous name, and the clothes are mostly total sweatshop nightmare dowdy crap, but occasionally you can nab something decent.
Well…. Im glad you don’t HATE Dress Barn, because guess what?! They pay my bills. LOL! Yes, the name is not the best. It is supposed to give you the idea that DB has more competitive prices (i.e Carpet Barn, Boot Barn, etc)
Actually, the fashion has come along way, believe me, Ive worked for the company for over 9 years. Definatly much more trendy, fashion forward merchandise! Not to mention the qualitly is usually pretty decent.
Dont be a Dress Barn hater! Help me keep that car payment made. LOL!
I’ve been employed at Dress Barn for a few years. When I started, the clothes were horrible, but over the last year or so, the higher ups have decided to (finally) make over the company’s image. All the tacky signs we had are being replaced with stuff that doesn’t offend your eyes — and the clothes are following suit. We still have some ugly stuff, but we’re getting a lot of really stylish clothing that actually flatters someone who isn’t a size 0. How ’bout that?
I asked a manager about the origin of the name “Dress Barn”, because I thought it was mildly inappropriate. She told me that the word “barn” used to be associated with discount prices, and that a couple of companies had the word “barn” in their names.
I love Dress Barn and shop almost exclusively there. They sales associates at the location near me are wonderful. They’re carrying wide-width shoes now (and comfortable ones at that). They styles wax and wane I’m afraid. Sometimes I really want to bend the ear of the buyers, but I just wait for the selection to circulate (which it does on a regular basis). I WISH they would carry undergarments. I could shop elsewhere when I don’t like the current stock and every so often I do, but the sales associates are so wonderful that I feel guilty when I do! LOL!
Sorry, typo-itis hit me with that reply. >.
Yep, The Barn pays my bills as well. It is a great company to work for and as retailers go they don’t work you until there is nothing left but a thin shell! The clothes have improved a great deal over the years and our customers seem to love us. What’s not to love!
RE: THE NAME DRESS BARN
I have worked there over ten years. The true story behind the name is this. Mrs. Jaffe began the company in a barn (think stable, maybe) behind her house, years ago, when she had children at home. Eventually, Mr. Jaffe joined in, they moved the store to another location, began opening more stores and it grew from there. There are currently around 800 stores and the family still operates the company.
I like Dress Barn, too, though in the last few years their cloths have been going downhill, at least for me–more and more following the “fashionable” styles and moving away from the kind of classic businesswear that one can use as the core of an outfit and wear, literally, for years and years. Generally, the more “fashionable” the clothing, the uglier it seems to be, but then to a fashionista I am hopeless–I *like* Land’s End and L.L. Bean. Dress Barn has been good about resizing clothes for the plus-size figure, and the quality is the same on both sides of the store. With the advent of more “fashionable” stuff, though, I have noticed that the misses’ side (at least where I used to live) got more variety than the women’s side.
They used to be marketed to the the middle-aged middle – level suburbanite office worker, though, which I am sure turned many hipper folks off. But you could reliably get basics there, where you couldn’t in other stores. Alas, that marketing still holds where I am … there’s no Dress Barn in the city–they are all thirty miles out, on the perimeter (I’m in the Atlanta area, where the “intown” covers a couple of counties).
The name is unfortunate today, but I am old enough to remember when it had the connotation of “offmarket”–good quality massmarket at warehouse pricing–so the name never bothered me and I never applied it to my size.
You know, I just saw “The Devil Wears PRada,” and I found myself watching in utter incomprehension at the emphasis on labels and names. I thought Anne Hathaway looked far better at the beginning and end of the movie, when she wore what suited her body and self and didn’t worry about whether it was off the rack or fashionable than when she was wearing some of those hideously expensive designer things. Have you looked at Manolo Blanhik shoes? LEaving aside the prices of them, most of them are the ugliest things I have ever seen in my life. Seriously. Why bother?
I have always walked by Dress Barn, assuming by their image that they would not carry anything designed for me. I am a “misses” and I like fun new fashions. But I went in the other day and found an incredibly cute rayon wrap dress that is the most flattering thing I have ever put on. It is the kind of quality I would expect from a nice department store, and I paid $16.00.
It was kind of hit or miss in there, but I was pleasantly surprised. I just wish they had online shopping.
I love Dress Barn! I buy all my clothes there and the customer service is wonderful. whenever I have had to take something back the salespeople are always helpful and curteous. I don’t even go to Fashion Bug anymore because the styles at Dress Barn seem more up to date and the prices are lower.
I love Dress Barn…. I have bought a couple pairs of jeans there, plus size, and they are so cute that even all the skinny young girls ask where I got them. I got three nice shirts there that every one comments on also.
The name does throw you off , I would always chuckle a bit when I first walked by it.
I don’t know why you have trouble with the name, “Dress Barn”. It used to be called the “Westport Woman”. OK. Chickens also live in barns. Somehow, me thinks you all are getting too sensative about a name. Sure there are “jerks” out there who might latch on to the name with a “fat chick” carrying the bag, but those guys have other issues. Anyway, for what is worth, the “regular” sized girls are carrying the same bag. I shop the store and find all kinds of goodies. CJ Banks is another one that is terrific. Just think about the guys who have to shop “Big and Tall”? Well, OK. I forgot. It’s OK for men, right? How about “Dress Chicken Coop” or “Dress Outhouse”? Just joking! I am plus sized and I don’t take myself that seriously.
I like Dress Barn, and I never considered the name to be a problem. But, I am not a girl and I am not overweight. I like shopping for and with my wife.
I enjoy shopping for women’s clothes but I don’t know anything about the styles or coordination issues. The people at the Barn are very helpfull and nice. I know what I like when I see it.
Sometimes, I wish I were a women as the clothes can be really cute! I hope that does not make me a perv or a homosexual — oh well!
Wow.. I’ve been shopping at the dress barn for years. It happens to be one of my favorite stores! I love the store and their buyer picks out the GREATEST colors and prints! My friend that is a plus size was unaware that they had plus size clothes. I only found out because I went to the “dress barn women’s” side because I was instantly attracted to a lovely shirt in GREAT colors… unfortunately, it was a Plus size and wouldn’t fit me…. So I took her shopping there and she LOVES the store! We both thought it was rather classy for them to call their plus size selection “dress barn woman”. .. It’s a heck of a lot classier than PLUS.. OR LARGE.. The staff is always helpful and kind… Gosh, I always thought of it as a classier store… I never associated the word “barn” in the name.
Hey, at least Dress Barn has attractive clothing for us fat people, unlike Lane Bryant which has nothing but fugly things. Lane Bryant is a crap store filled with horrible, ugly clothing that makes us fat women look worse then we would look naked. And that’s saying something.
I am Canadian and I have come by the dress barn a few times in the past couple years when visiting the states. I was not entirely impressed with the style of the clothing, though the quality and price seemed to be great. I recently visited a dress barn while on vacation and discovered that the style of clothing has definitely gotten better, even in the last year. I tried on about 15 dresses and loved them all. Being a size 14 and petite I find that I am right on the edge of not being able to fit in normal sizes, but at the dress barn, I found that the clothing actually flattered my body and since I can’t remember the last time I bought a dress, buying 3 that I loved on was a HUGE deal!! I just wish we had the “barn” here in Canada… I can’t wait to get back there and do some more shopping!!!
I love Dress Barn! Don’t be so narrow minded get past the name if that bothers you. They carry great clothes that fit my life, office and casual style. I am a bit conservative but that is what works in my business. Sparklies for evening, suits and dress pants for work. Great sales and end of season sales.
I just went to Dress Barn for the first time last night. I had always heard it was really expensive so I never looked around. Well being a plus size woman alreayd has it’s challenges and it was my husband who thought to take me there (we have a date coming up). I LOVE the store and right now they got a serious sale going on. I plan to be back in there VERY soon.
Thinking about working there?, What does anyone think about the work enviroment, I am going back to school and need flexability while in classes, but would like to stay away from the dreaded mall.
I love Dress Barn too! I never considered it until I was shopping for my boyfriend’s mom (who loves the store… and I didn’t understand why … yet!) Even though I’m half her age and consider myself hip, I find wonderful blouses and sweaters that are super cute! I can’t seem to fit their pants for some reason, but I get my pants at The Limited anyways. I find the cutest prints at Dress Barn, and my favorite Pucci-inspired dress that I’ve worn a dozen times with a belt, is so comfortable too. I get compliments on it all the time it’s crazy! Their accessory section is really cute too. I’m addicted to that place and I actually do consider myself very fashion forward (I still love designer bags!) I think the quality of Dress Barn is nice and easy. I think the store needs a face lift to match the cute clothes they carry. They are just as nice as Ann Taylor Loft now, but with a twist. I adore their punchy colors and prints! I like to mix my forever 21 items with dress barn things… it takes off the hint of frump (b/c the clothes sometimes hang a bit loose on me… I’m between a 4-6 and petite) and it conveys quirky and unique (or so I think). I really am addicted to Dress Barn!
I just bought a real nice pair of embroidered jeans. Everyone loves them, however when they asked where I purchased them; and I replied :DRESS BARN…they cracked up laughing.
They had lots of jokes about buying clothes from a barn. Just thought you would like to know how your stores name is reflected in the shopping world.
If you go to http://www.dressbarn.com you will read the companies bio. They didn’t start out as a plus sized store, just recently in their history did they expand to a dressbarn women’s in some of they locations. The product is great – getting better every season. The price point is excellent. We will be seing more and more of dressbarn for years to come.