The Sisterhood of Patterned Pants

You probably know by now that I’m a LuLaRoe consultant – in all her patterned mixing glory. I make no bones about the fact that I love leggings and layering all the different prints like a #bossbabe. But inevitably, when something has the rising popularity of LuLaRoe, the haters abound. After seeing a blog post shared (Google if you wish, but I won’t give it anymore clicks than I already have), I felt compelled to share a bit about why LuLaRoe is more than just a pair of leggings to me.

When you spend most of your life trying to find clothes that fit you or going into a store and seeing that the majority of the styles are not for you or the super cute stuff is all designed to be worn on a size 2, finding clothes that work for you is like finding manna from Heaven. LuLaRoe has changed my life – it has reminded me to be confident AND that I can rock a beautiful print like the rest of them. When everything I try on makes me feel like a million bucks, who cares where I got them? Or whether I had to fight 85 other people to snag them? When you’ve spent years looking for just the right dress for an occasion and then pack for vacation in two seconds flat AND look fabulous while doing so? I call that a win.

Not to mention all of the beautiful women and friendships that have been born out of building a community of people that love and support one another – why are we finding yet another excuse to tear women down? (And then wonder why they cling to a group that gives them that confidence, love, and support). And let’s not forget the women who start their own businesses and seeing dramatic changes in their confidence, self-esteem, and more.

Apparently, I’m not alone. After sharing the thoughts above, people chimed in with their own thoughts about what this blogger had to say:

“Everything is going to have haters. Ev.ry.thing. It is so annoying that we have to have a negative commentary on everything. You don’t like patterned pants, I do. Let’s move on please. Don’t get me wrong, I have my fair share of complaints about stuff, but it’s like…. Do we have to dump on everything all the time when I don’t know… life is bigger and there’s like a lot of crappy stuff happening right now? I’m just over constant negativity.” – Erin S.

“What I want to know is why when people get passionate about things do people feel the need to knock it down and try to point out all the reasons they think it’s crazy.” – Ash S.

“Someone needs to get that girl some cozy leggings and a nap.” – Jen J.

“The fact that when I took my trip to Jamcon I wasn’t in tears packing, I didn’t have the ringing in my ears at the thought of photos I knew I was going to hate of myself but wanted to take anyway… I have church clothes! Clothes I am proud to wear and don’t feel like the frumpy stay at home mom who should just buy a bag big enough to hide behind so no one looks at me.” – Kari M.

“Like…we all vent about our our frustrations on things, it’s healthy…but why is she so angry about clothes she doesn’t even wear? I’ve read blog posts about fringe politics with less venom. Which makes it super awkward when she’s telling her LLR friends to CTFD…..😂#imjustoverherelovinglifeinmyleggings” – Mandy S.

“Piping in as a smaller woman here who loves that LLR is flattering on slender/skiny figures too, because trust me ladies, some clothes look like crap no matter what size you are! I’m glad LLR isn’t one of them.” – Kerri J. 

And finally, poignant thoughts from my own sister on this and summed it up better than I think I ever really could:

“Firstly, yes, some MLMs are annoying. I get added all the time. So I leave the group or message the repeat offender….and then I move on with my life instead of writing a blog post meant to berate other women. Sisterhood!

Honestly, Erin S., you hit it on the head with everything having haters. My problem isn’t that she hates LLR or knocks on certain prints but that she repeatedly tries to be “funny” by making derogatory comments about “mom bods.” She references tired mom hips, cottage cheese thighs, and mom abs….I’m chubby AND have cellulite AND still have a belly from having two babies in two years. Guess who feels awesome about her flaws most of the time and has cute leggings to wear during a time where my old jeans don’t button? Guess who can find/afford (honestly, who is ripping her off at $40 a pop) bright, bold prints or solid leggings that pair nicely with nursing tops so I don’t feel like a schlub all day? I feel beautiful and fashionable and comfortable…and LLR has quite a bit to do with that.

But good luck going viral, boo, since that’s clearly what your real angle is here! You can kiss my watermelon patterned grits…and they’ll be buttery soft on your bitter lips.” ~Sarah OG

As women, we are expected to do it all, have it all, be all the things – the mother, the businesswoman, the cook, baker, the wife, and the candlestick maker. And let’s not forget – we also need to look fantabulous while doing it. We live in a culture where we are encouraged to be Wonder Woman, but when we do, we are criticized for being too bossy, too loud, too out there, too obnoxious, too forceful, too aggressive – all while being told, “You can do ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO!” Talk about mixed messages.

Yes, it was one blog post. Sure, it was one person’s thoughts. And yes, she has painted a picture of the ‘crazy’ ones because that’s what any good clickbait artist does. But at the end of the day, the root of our attacks on other people – regardless of the reason – are rooted in our own insecurities and should not be used as an excuse to denigrate other people and their livelihood. You do you and we’ll do us – in our buttah-ry soft printed pants.

And for my consultant friends – as a courtesy and good business practice:

“{side note: (and this isn’t a LLR thing either for me, it’s any group – sales or not) I HATE being added to groups without being asked. Just don’t do it. Please. Invite me or ask me if I want to join, I’ll let you know, and if I want to pass, let me do that too.}” – Brandie L.

If you happen to ever read this blogger friend, I would LOVE to send you a pair of leggings so you don’t have to spend your own $40* to be comfortable AND watch Grey’s Anatomy all at once. Shoot me a message and I’ll hook you up (I promise to leave the pizza out of it).

We aren’t all out to get you, steal your money, and break your heart when you don’t snag the pair you love. Sometimes, we’re just genuine kind-hearted moms trying to do what we do best – spread love, kindness, and increase the good our kids see in the world. Perhaps this current political season can teach us a bit about how desperately we need positivity out in the universe.

You don’t have to like it, you don’t have to love it, and heck, as a consultant, I get annoyed too when I’m added to 85 LLR groups, but you know what? I find the groups I love, leave the rest, and I invest time and money there because I get it. LuLaRoe is all the rage now – just like every other direct selling company has had its time and it is no surprise that it has its share of haters.

But don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here looking and feeling fabulous.

And I have LuLaRoe to thank for that.

*I assume she means with tax and shipping because leggings are generally sold for $25 before those things. If you are paying $40 retail for leggings, please message me. We have GOT to fix that for you.