Lucy & Yak - what has happened?

[Marsis]

I’ve followed the brand for a while but not actually purchased, trying to work out what has happened with their instagram and the ‘fan groups’ on FB?

It's something to do with lack of size inclusivity I think... I couldn't really follow it. Something like Lucy & Yak promoted themselves as being inclusive, they were called out on it, then they got defensive, and then they apologised for misunderstanding the issue and also for being defensive.

Yes was finding it hard to work it all out FB group seems to have blown up not sure where they fit in. Racism too seems to be an issue.

I left the groups a year ago because I saw this coming. Some of the superfans on the groups seemed very unwell, frankly.

I only follow the Instagram so I'm in the dark. The level of grovelling apology seems a bit OTT though, unless they've done something actually evil...

I'm a firm believer in "You can't please everybody."

The level of hoop-jumping they're having to do because they didn't carry large enough sizes is ridiculous.

Being fat is not a protected characteristic. Noone HAS to provide something for you to potentially buy. If they do, great, but if it's not for you then move along.

People seem to have their entire lives and personalities revolve around wearing dungarees. I think they need help.

Couldn't agree more. It can be really difficult and a massive loss maker for small companies to carry plus sized lines, and Lucy and Yak have only been going for about three years.

And yes, God, I like a pair of dungarees myself, but the superfans clearing out all their clothes then spending hundreds on L&Y stuff, crying and allegedly suicidal because they didn't get a limited print/L&Y changed the colour of their labels... Many,many fairly unbelievable stories of people "judging" the poster just for wearing dungarees... Totally crackers

They're a bit, dare I say it, snowflakey.

They're all so different and weird and misunderstood in overalls that people have literally been wearing for years.

I love that they seem to be doing so well, but I don't think that they should have an axe swung over their head by the unhinged element of their customer base.

I'd be looking to change my marketing to attract a new demographic that don't appear to think they're owed everything for existing.

It is all quite odd. Some on the group did seem quite over invested in the ‘lifestyle’ even prior to this.

Just watched the apology video and still not got a clue what they're apologising for. They're a bit woke aren't they?

I don't understand the sizing thing? I've had a quick look and they go up to size 24. How big do people want these toddler style dungarees?

I suspect L&Y were initially trying to draw in the quirky young art student demographic and ended up with the "mum of small children who has lost herself a bit, is lonely and touchy as a result" and "grown adult who still tries to be wacky" because I have noticed a crossover with some of the breastfeeding/scandi group extremists. Now I'm a breastfeeding mum who likes scandi and wears dungarees from time to time, but there's, well, a subtype isn't there.

I think the complaints were that size 24 "isn't even that big anymore" according to an insta comment I read, and they didn't make enough of them, despite requests from their larger fan base. I have no idea where the racism comes in though.

@ReallySpicyCurry

I suspect L&Y were initially trying to draw in the quirky young art student demographic and ended up with the "mum of small children who has lost herself a bit, is lonely and touchy as a result" and "grown adult who still tries to be wacky" because I have noticed a crossover with some of the breastfeeding/scandi group extremists. Now I'm a breastfeeding mum who likes scandi and wears dungarees from time to time, but there's, well, a subtype isn't there.

Yeah there does actually. A bit of a aren’t I so wacky and different while in fact just conforming to another trend or sub group themselves.

@ReallySpicyCurry

I suspect L&Y were initially trying to draw in the quirky young art student demographic and ended up with the "mum of small children who has lost herself a bit, is lonely and touchy as a result" and "grown adult who still tries to be wacky" because I have noticed a crossover with some of the breastfeeding/scandi group extremists. Now I'm a breastfeeding mum who likes scandi and wears dungarees from time to time, but there's, well, a subtype isn't there.

This is exactly what I was thinking

As I understand it - Someone got in touch with them to suggest how they could include plus-sized, I think they took up a lot of her time then refused to extend to plus size, despite always promising they would.

I don't understand. I was looking at these lucyandyak.com/collections/all-dungarees/products/organic-originals-navy-blue and they go up to a size 22. The 6 is only available in a 28 length though instead of a 30 and 32 like the other sizes, why is that? I'm 5ft 5, I'd get cold ankles in a 28!

I got an email from them about this very thing. I was quite surprised because I (5'7"; 144lb) wear an XS in their trousers and an S in their tops, even though I consider myself a bog-standard M in general.

I think it's part of the wider debate about sizing, which means that people who are actually pretty average sizes are being put into S and XS because they aren't fat. H&M are doing the same. It's bizarre.

I’m on a lot of the Facebook groups (lived in the Alexa trousers over lockdown but not v involved) and it’s all got a bit deliciously dramatic. The admin of the biggest ‘unofficial’ group was always awful to people, especially if they dared criticise L&Y. Now it transpires she’s been getting vouchers off them - no wonder she’s been selling so many ‘barely worn’ dungarees! And the statement says they’ve got rid of her and taken over the group - but she must’ve agreed to that. So was she paid off?

I’m not invested I just find it insane the level of apologies they’ve done considering most people have never heard of them!

Yes, when I was almost 13 stone at 5'5 I was still comfortably a medium. They size large and baggy as it is.

Tbh I've been glad to lose 2 stone and return to work and buying second hand Zara and Mango off ebay (skint or ethical? You decide!)

Tbh I've been glad to lose 2 stone and return to work and buying second hand Zara and Mango off ebay (skint or ethical? You decide!)

Why not both?

True

Second-hand is definitely ethical

@ReallySpicyCurry are you me

I still like the dungs - the front pocket is huge and so useful! - but the drama is so annoying!

Me too- they're perfect for days when I'm just wandering about the house and garden so want to be comfy, but also need to be dressed to take the toddler to the library/shops, and I do think they suit me- I am really top heavy, so bog standard comfy jeans and Tshirt looks genuinely awful on me, dungarees seem to balance me out a bit,and I quite like the land girl look.

But that group, Jesus Christ.

There's been some issues in one of the groups with the admin, one in particular and it's all come to a head over the last few days following on from what's been happening on the main L&Y pages. In my opinion they haven't handled it well. They've now taken over the "unofficial" page (despite paying the admin in vouchers and freebies) and booted out the creator. It's all very weird