There's nothing I love more than a size inclusive fashion collection, which is why I practically jumped for joy when I found out that actress Melissa McCarthy was releasing a clothing line called Melissa McCarthy Seven7. The news broke in late 2014, and I know I'm not the only one who's been anxiously awaiting its arrival ever since. Now you can purchase the collection from a variety of retailers both online and in store, which include Nordstrom, Lane Bryant, and MelissaMcCarthy.com.
McCarthy decided to make the line available to quite an array of women, with the range including sizes 4 to 28. She told Women's Wear Daily that being size inclusive was not only important to her, but also seemed like a good sales decision. “It’s a strange thing to stop at a certain size. Women don’t, so why should clothes?” she asked the publication. She also acknowledged how her fluctuating size has caused her to see the disparities plus size women face in the clothing department. “I have experience dressing me as a 6, a 12, and more. And when you go above a size 12, you don’t lose your love of fashion," she said.
The 44-year-old actress is not just another celebrity slapping her name on a clothing line, though. She had a love of design long before she discovered Hollywood, in fact, with her dream of becoming a fashion designer spanning all the way back to her elementary school days. “I’d lay on the floor, look through Vogue, and cut out patterns,” she told WWD. “It was everything I ever wanted to do.”
Melissa McCarthy Seven7 really shows what hard work and determination McCarthy has put into the design process, so here are seven more reasons the collection should be hanging in your closet.
1. The Clothing Is Cute As Hell
Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Fringe Cardigen Sweater, $118, hsn.com
Here is a sample piece from the collection to show you just how great the clothes truly are. This cardigan is amazing because it's very functional and versatile, but also reflects popular 2015 trends (what with the fringe detailing and high-low cut). Considering on-trend fashions never seem to hit plus sizes until one or two seasons later, this is no small accomplishment.
2. The Size Inclusivity (Duh)
The vast size range available in this collection is just amazing and deserves 100 more listicles dedicated to it. So many retailers only make clothing for straight sizes and don't bat an eyelash at leaving millions of women in the dark. Kudos for your body positivity, M!
3. McCarthy Loves The Clothes Enough To Wear Every Single Piece Herself
Another unfortunate cliché I've heard when it comes to celebrity fashion design is that the stars are just doing it for the paycheck, but wouldn't be caught dead wearing the actual clothing. Well, McCarthy breaks that mold. She has said that not only does she wear clothing from the line, but that she's rocked every single piece in the Melissa McCarthy Seven7 collection. "This really is a selfish venture. I wanted to build a better closet for myself [...] I’ve worn every single piece," she told People Magazine.
4. It's Affordable
Items range from $54 to $169 in price, which gives them a solid place in the mid-range of spending. I'm really glad McCarthy understands what most of her fans can afford, since sometimes it seems that no one in Hollywood has a grasp on what us mortals earn in a paycheck.
5. She Wants To Help You Embrace Your Personal Style
McCarthy said she created Melissa McCarthy Seven7 to "give women a whole new closet," as well as "to help women lose 'the uniform' and discover their own personal style. To make women feel great about themselves!" So much of fashion can arguably seem to be geared towards fitting in and becoming a plate on which to always wear the latest trend, with not enough focus put onto the individual's sense of self. Rock on, McCarthy, for changing this norm.
6. She's "Shaking Up" Plus Size Fashion
I've touched on how this clothing line is size inclusive (and why that's so crucial to body positivity), but McCarthy's entire mission with the creation of Melissa McCarthy Seven7 is to create a brand that gives plus size women a "more modern" look. In fact, she searched for years to find the right manufacturer to partner with before she signed with Sunrise, which she chose because of its fearlessness. “Sunrise isn’t afraid to shake it up and bring plus size up to fashion,” she told Women's Wear Daily.
7. This Is Just The Beginning
If you're excited about Melissa McCarthy Seven7 now, you'll be even more thrilled to hear that what's available today is just the beginning. According to Women's Wear Daily, upscale designs as well as a Melissa McCarthy Seven7 line of beauty products and accessories will become available in the next two years.
Personally, I can't wait until Melissa McCarthy Seven7 becomes a full blown fashion empire so I can rock Melissa McCarthy threads from head to toe all the time.
Images: Courtesy HSN (1)
