We like to convince ourselves that our world is equal. Sure we’re not slaves anymore, and I am not running around fixin’ to fetch Master some tea, but our worlds are very separate. Especially in the fashion industry.

If you don’t believe me head over to the magazine section at your favorite bookstore. Have a peek inside of any magazine — OR just look at the cover. I’m usually not there. I am your average brown girl, cute — but not fair-skinned and tall with hair-weaved-all-down-my-back. I’ve got curves. The kind of curves that make a man take a double look. The kind that make a casting director say, “You’re a bit larger than what we’re looking for.”

Point blank — I am not white, slim, and pretty. Although the last adjective might be debatable.

So I wasn’t surprised to read IFB’s latest entry “Bloggers & Body: Are We Helping or Hurting Ourselves?“. I read the post about 5 times just to make sure that I was clear on the author’s intent, which gets a little lost after reading a few paragraphs. One of the points the author makes is that the majority of our popular blog culture is thin and beautiful. And that these top-tier white, slim, and pretty bloggers…

“have high-quality images, consistent posting schedules, spot-on design and unique style. There are many brilliant and well-done blogs whose authors and content provide a fresh and unique voice that’s also inclusive of more well-rounded audience.”

and that…

“In order for a more holistic image of fashionable women to permeate the top tier of blogging as well as traditional fashion media, there needs to be a serious commitment to higher-quality content, as well as a more committed approach to fostering their growth from brands and larger publications. At the moment, there aren’t enough blogs run by these types of women that get the notoriety they deserve.”

That’s laughable and gave a huge le sigh to the above quotes. While I do agree with some of the post I felt compelled (after a push from LoveBrownSugar) to write my own response to this topic rather than leave a comment on the IFB site.

It’s just silly and rather closed-minded to think, or assume, that the reason why blogs run by women of color or size don’t get the notoriety we deserve is because our blog’s content sucks or it’s poorly designed. Simply put, it’s because I am not white, slim, and pretty.

The blogging industry is no different from corporate America. Women of color or size get passed over for countless opportunities on a daily maybe even hourly basis. And until the powers that be understand and begin to realize the power of my influence, I believe this won’t change.

For this reason the number models of color and size used during fashion week is significantly low. And let’s not even mention how white celebrities dominate the covers of fashion and lifestyle publications. I wrote a post last summer summarizing my thoughts on who’s really represented in the fashion industry–affectionately titled, Is Fashion Racist, Ageist, and Fattist?.

I ask that same question today and I say YES, it is! In order to get the notoriety we deserve we have to create our own networks, and publications. It would be nice if IFB highlighted more bloggers of color and size. And technically they are a part of the problem too. But kudos for having Iman as a keynote. Maybe change is near?

IFB has received a lot of backlash for this article. So much so that the founder decided to pen an open letter. In my opinion the letter does more harm than good.

One sentence stands out, mainly because it’s in bold — Being featured by another publication is a privilege, not a right. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. And I am elated when I am featured on a site or in magazines because of my blogging efforts.

But as a community of bloggers, as IFB claims to be, it’s OUR responsibility to emulate the diversity that exists in our world. Again these are JUST my opinions. Check out a few other posts around the blogosphere on this topic.

If you like your onesie as much as we love ours, then you’ll want to take proper care of it. Just follow our instructions, and you won’t have to worry!

So, your onesie just arrived, and all you want is to put it on and flounce your new loungewear. Well, if you want to have it for a long time, maybe you should read our maintenance advice, and know the facts about extending onesie’s life.

Recommended care

If you like how your new onesie fits straight out of the box, and you don’t want it to stretch or shrink, you need to wash it only in cold water. Also, never place it in a hot dryer. You can either hang your onesie to dry or set the dryer on the fluff setting. We have detailed shrinking levels for each onesie material and size right here. It might help you choose the right size of onesie when buying. Taking care of onesies is not that hard. As a matter of fact, it’s the same care you need in caring for your waist trainers for workout.

*Cotton Flannel Onesie

Our flannel onesies are made of 100% double brushed cotton. Essentially, that means that these should be washed like colors do, in cold water. These onesies aren’t pre-shrunk, so you can expect that they will shrink a bit after washing. In normal washer/dryer cycles, you can expect about 7% of overall shrinking.

When you calculate it, that means that your onesie will lose:

– Approx. 1 ½ – 2 inches in length and width if it is XS or S size

– Approx. 2 ¼ – 2 ½ inches in length and width if it is M size

– Approx. 2 ¾ inches in length and width if it is L size

– Approx. 3-3 ¼ inches in length and width if it is XL size

Your onesie will not shrink this much at once, but after two or three washer/dryer cycles. To minimize shrinking, wash your onesie in cold water, and hang it to dry.

*Cotton Jersey Knit Onesie

Our jersey onesies are made of 100% sateen cotton. That means that you should wash them in cold water, like colored clothing. Again, these models aren’t pre-shrunk, so you can expect them to shrink up to 7% in normal washer/dryer cycles.

When you calculate it, that means that your onesie will lose:

– Approx. 1 ½ – 2 inches in length and width if it is XS or S size

– Approx. 2 ¼ – 2 ½ inches in length and width if it is M size

– Approx. 2 ¾ inches in length and width if it is L size

– Approx. 3-3 ¼ inches in length and width if it is XL size

Your onesie will not shrink this much at once, but after two or three washer/dryer cycles. To minimize shrinking, wash your onesie in cold water, and hang it to dry.

*Polar Fleece Onesies

All our fleece onesies are made of 100% polyester, and they won’t pill if provided normal care. So, we recommend that you wash them like other colored clothing, in cold water, and tumble dry. A great thing about polar fleece onesies is that they don’t shrink. So, if you don’t want to have to worry about that aspect, fleece is the safest onesie material you can choose.

In the end, whichever of our onesies you choose, you will love it, and wear it for a long time.