Love for the fatshionistas!
I’m not a fatshionista. I’m more indie or kitschy than fashionable when it comes to my clothing choices. But I have a special love in my heart for fatshion bloggers. Why?
I have NEVER seen a model on a corporate plus size clothing website (like Lane Bryant) that looks even remotely like me. They don’t have my hips or my thighs or my belly. I’m not a curvy 12/14, I’m a really fat 28/30. So, perusing fashion retailers online to see what a piece of clothes might look like on me is a complete waste of time.
Now, there are some lingerie websites that have models that almost reach my range of fatness. But even then those sites are few and far between. And I wouldn’t call those companies corporate giants.
While I don’t spend a lot of time reading fatshionista blogs (because I can’t get excited about what’s “in this season”), I’m still immensely grateful that our fatshionista friends are doing what they do. If I ever wanted to see how a piece of clothing MIGHT look on me, fatshionistas are the only ones that will give me a chance to see that.
So, I say, much love for the fatshionistas! They fill a void and deserve some love.
And be sure to give them your love by joining the Fatshionista FFFFeed.
Here here!
Fatshionistas aren’t given the respect they deserve. They are defining (not redefining, since for too long, fat fashion has been defined in relation to standard fashion norms) what it means to be fat and fashionable. People dismiss fatshion as unrelated to Fat Acceptance, but I think it is an integral part. Helping fat women express themselves with style is going to do more for Fat Acceptance than most of our efforts will. It will do more to normalize fatness and help fat women accept their bodies than any academic theorizing will.
Peace,
Shannon
Oh my gosh! For me, fatshionista was a huge game changer. Just finding the LJ com was like being born again (is fat my religion? Ha!). Without seeing fat bodies in gorgeous clothes I never would have branched out in my own shopping/stylings. While I’m not one for mainstream trends, at a 28/30ish I have a hard time finding anything that fits. I do like to see how others my size work with what’s on offer at various web sites. And finding out about more and more sites that do make cute clothing for my fat body! Since, as mentioned above, you rarely if ever see a true size representation of said clothing, even if it comes in my size. Fatshionista gave me the courage to be and do things I never dreamed of before. I started going to goth clubs again after telling my friends I was “too old” for such things. I was just unable to find an outfit to be proud of! Certainly opening my own cafe was the most radical thing ever! Had you told me a year previously, I would have laughed and probably would have freaked out on ya. But here I am! Small business owner, fat blogger, fatshionista and publicly fat! Woot!
Go NotBlue!
Yeah, I’d say that Fatshionista’s fill in the gap between the mainstream giants like Lane Bryant (whose clothing, from what I understand, is not all that impressive) who use the smallest models they can get away with and the radically confident fat women who have been doing it for themselves long before fashion blogging was even conceived.
And as you mentioned, sharing alternative sources for plus-sized clothing has been immensely valuable.
Peace,
Shannon
I sense that some drama has occurred without my knowledge.
Well, to hell with drama. FATSHIONISTA LOVE!!!! <3
Simone Lovelace -
No drama. I’m just a randomly loving person. When I think something is cool, I try to make sure I put that into words.
Awesome! Atchka’s comment that fatshionista’s aren’t getting enough respect have me worried for a minute.
I think many of the fatshionista crew is really more interested in style than in arbitrary dictates of *fashion.*
I loved this blog, Elizabeth. I feel similar to you, I like fashion but kind of make my own rules as I don’t have body either, according to how most plus size clothes that are fashion forward are cut, for them to be flattering. I love the blog, Young,Fat and Fabulous and I just found Fatshion Chic. If you have another blog somewhere else I would love to follow it. I dress for someone who is 40, more young at heart, loving clothes from Torrid and Forever 21. Forever 21 though, their plus size line, Faith21 even their plus size clothes are cut small, its like just they add fabric from patterns cut from thin junior size models. Faith21 now has some of their clothes in a 3x, I can wear a 1x or 2x , but their 3x is the equivalent of a small 18/20 lots of times equivalent to normal plus size clothes stores like Lane Bryant or Avenue. It would be nice if designers could do more research and use fit models from plus size women that are more generous and flexible in their patterns. A lot of them seem to just make plus size clothes like I said before with more fabric. While there is work to be done in how they design, and how far they go up in sizes there still is a lot more choices then there was 10 years ago. I like Skorch magazine they are online and they seem to use a variety in range of plus size models in their fashion editorials. Great Blog
Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I’m not responding to each of you but I’ve got a cold and my head is squishy.
Great post Elizabeth. Lisa also makes a great point about dressing over 40. Everyone I know has a hell of a time finding great work clothes for the office and one of my oldest friends just recommended IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel.
I became uper excited when I came across FATSHIONISTAS’ blogs. I am so happy for these women and young girls; they are doing the damn thing. Seriously, the doors are being blown down and myths are being debunked. Go ladies! Yeah!
I made a post at my blog about fatshion blogs not getting enough respect. I find too many bloggers and supporters are way too militant about what they think belongs in FA, which is only reporting on fat oppression and socio-political related topics, deriding fatshion as fluff. But fatshion blogs are political if you think about it. These ladies are showing off clothes that most of society finds offensive to see us in, and they’re also showing what it looks like on actual fat bodies. Since most mainstream retailers refuse to show their clothes on a model who is size 22 and up, it’s helpful to get a sense how something will look on someone with similar proportions. I also from time to time will post pictures of my 26/28 self wearing clothes. These blogs are doing a great service and they shouldn’t be excluded from the FA movement.
lifeonfats -
Long as someone self-identifies as part of the movement, I think we should include. This whole, ‘You don’t do FA right’ just seems kinda silly to me.
But fatshion blogs are political if you think about it.
I TOTALLY agree with you. We all have our own ways of being rebellious or defying convention. I think there’s something innately body positive about fat women showing that they are proud of their appearance.
I love this post and, Elizabeth, I love your random loving! (when you have something nice to say, why keep it to yourself??) FATSHIONISTAS are awesome. I also have a special place in my heart for fashion blogs and the point you make here about fat visibility and inspiration is really, really important!! Thanks for sharing!
Undercover Punk -
Thanks! I definitely think the world could use a little more sweetness and appreciation.
Fatshionistas have been the best thing for my self esteem ever. Plus they inspire me to just take the leap and wear what I want to wear, how I want to wear it.
As a side comment, my current favorite place to buy clothes is in the plus size section at Target. They dont’ always have a great selection…but it’s relatively cheap AND they have my size AND I like some of the pieces from the Mossimo or the Merona collections.
I like the Target selections, too. And though I can’t fit into the Junior 18s and 20s, I appreciate that those sizes are on the racks so larger teens can be in the latest fashions.