Anonymous asked: Can you please buy your clothes a size bigger? The majority of the ones you've shown don't fit at all.
Oh Anon,
Thanks for offering me the opportunity to keep the spirit of Fatshion February alive in April.
Because this is a collaborative blog, I’m not sure exactly who this is aimed at, but as I moderate this space (and don’t take anonymous asks on my personal blog) I’m going to go ahead and answer it like its personal. Because it feels a little personal.
Many fat people cannot simply buy their clothes a size bigger. I’m tempted to just leave it at that, but if you’d ask this question in the first place, I’m pretty sure you need me to shed a little more light on the situation.
See Anon, along with the rest of the world, most of the fashion industry is really fucked. I believe firmly that people living in ALL BODIES should have access to fashion that makes them feel good. I believe fashion is political, and is often an act of resistance.
The fatter you are, the harder it is to buy clothes that make you feel good. Unless what makes you feel good is a sack dress from the Roamans catalogue, that is. And no disrespect to people who like dresses from Roamans, but no, I cannot simply buy my clothes (the clothes that I wear and like to wear) a size bigger. Also, I like tight clothes, and I am not ashamed of my body or showing its silhouette, so I will wear form fitting clothes as I please.
I typically wear a size 26. This means that in addition to being sized out of ALL straight size/”regular” clothes stores, I am technically sized out of almost all on trend plus size items. Trendy plus size stores tend to use a Juniors Plus fit model, and it usually stops at a size 20, or maybe a 22. Forever 21+, ASOS, Most good things at Ashley Stewart or Torrid, all of these items size out below my size. Sometimes, those items are made of stretch jersey, and I buy them. Even though they are not my size. I buy them because they fit and make me feel happy and good. I wear them where and when I want to.
This is why I love retailers like ReDress and Domino Dollhouse for finding or making items up to a size 28 or 4x. It is HARD to find good fashions in your size if your size is above a 20. This is just a fact. Not everyone likes to wear their clothes tight, and I may never know if I like to wear my clothes tight because it was once a necessity, or because that’s just what this fat babe enjoys.
Fit is a tricky concept, Anon, and if someone is comfortable in a garment, there is no need to shame them for the fact that a body conscious silhouette may make YOU uncomfortable. Fat bodies exist. Fat people love fashion too. Sometimes fat people even identify as sluts or love a tight skirt or a vagina length dress or some sparkly booty shorts or a crop top or leggings as pants.
Sometimes fit is a choice, and sometimes there aren’t enough choices to get the fit that you really want.
Whatever the story, it really isn’t any of your damn business.
- Jessie Dress
