#Plus Sized Clothing

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Lane Bryant was founded in New York in 1904 as a shop for standard-sized women. When a pregnant customer asked the proprietor, Lena Bryant (the bank officer who opened her account had misspelled her name), to make a "presentable but comfortable" dress for her, it was the first commercially available maternity dress.

When measuring her customers, Bryant realized the need for clothing for those who needed larger sizes than those usually available. So she began to stock them, and the first "plus size" clothing was available. Business boomed. It became a chain, which now has 448 stores in 46 states.

The ad on the left appeared in the NY Times in 1923 and the one on the right in 1925. I like the line, "If you are not slender." Better than "stout" or "plus sized."

Source: NY Times

[fly-chicken]

@mayakern I’m so in love with this skirt. The pockets, the twirl, the pattern. It’s bee-utiful and i spun all over the museum in it 💜

(I’m wearing size 3x and can fit my whole wallet, iPhone X and keys in one of the pockets, for anyone wondering)

[walkawaytall]

I’m hardly the first person to make this observation, but I’ve been pretty solidly plus-sized for like three years or so due to a crazy amount of mystery weight gain that a lot of my doctors want to chalk up to the “COVID 20” or whatever, which is insanely annoying since for me it’s closer to the COVID 50 even though my habits didn’t change that drastically and also it happened in weird spurts of very rapid weight gain with a few plateaus but whatever. The point is I’ve been plus-sized but I haven’t always been plus-sized so I have perspective from both sides of the size spectrum or whatever and…

Why…why can’t I just find basics easily? Why is it every time someone says, “Oh, this store has plus sizes!” nearly every item is a loud-ass print that’s seems like it’s meant to distract and confuse people so they won’t have to focus on my size or the items are cut so poorly I will not want to wear them? Why are things cut so short-waisted and boxy??? I have a large chest and a long torso, which didn’t magically change just because I gained weight, and I feel like everything is cut boxy so I either have to size up for length, which makes everything feel even more shapeless, or if the store has Tall options (incredibly rare), I’ll order the Tall sizes despite the fact that I’m 5’6”.

None of my jeans fit. None of them. If they fit in the waist, they will be baggy everywhere else because I do tend to gain in my waist. But…like…a lot of women gain in their waists. Why will no jeans fit? I have on jeans right now that are supposed to be skinny cut and not a single person on this planet would think they were anything other than slightly baggy straight-legged jeans. And these aren’t cheap jeans. I often buy Madewell and, more recently, I bought a pair from Talbots.

And there is just so much animal print??? I remember a few years ago when I was first starting to look for plus-sized clothing, like every color option was black or leopard print. Once time, I grabbed some garment thinking it was going to be a solid color, and there was a leopard print racing stripe down the side. Why…why can’t I just get like a pretty green or burgundy or blue shirt with no crazy pattern that isn’t cut as if I’m trying to suffocate myself in cloth? Like, I’m not even looking for revealing clothing or overly tight clothing; I just don’t want to look like I’m trying to dress entirely shapelessly? I historically like swing dresses or A-line dresses and boatneck tshirts and skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans and I feel like my options without dipping into loud prints or just dressing in black every day are extremely limited.

(I know I keep railing against loud prints. Here’s the thing: I occasionally go for a loud print. And if that’s all you love, I think you should wear them every day. But it is insane that I can find like ten color options in straight sizes and then if I hop over to plus sizes, my options are black, leopard print, and some very large floral prints. It very much comes across as, “We need to distract from their bodies with these giant flowers!” when maybe I just want to wear a plain purple shirt occasionally. Or tiny floral print. Or checks. Or stripes. Or anything that doesn’t lean into some “big and brassy” stereotype.)

Anyway, I have a couple of stores where I can usually find some things, but flattering basics have been incredibly difficult. Like, it has already been hard given my past body image issues, past eating disorder, and just getting used to what my body currently feels like, but I’m then routinely presented with this issue of wanting to look and feel like I care about my clothing a little, but mainly having options that make me look entirely frumpy or so loud that I don’t feel like myself.

[pridefullyplush]

Hi everyone! We’re Pridefully Plush, an upcoming small business dedicated to plus sized clothing, accessories, and discreet LGBTQ wear! We’re going to be sizeUS 14 & up exclusively.

We aim to make cute, comfortable, stylish clothing that doesn’t leave you pulling at the waist, or emptying your wallet!

We believe plus sized, chubby, fat, and super fat people deserve to feel loved and appreciated in their bodies. This starts with comfortable clothing!

Our clothing is for all genders, we don’t discriminate!

Be honest: Have you ever walked into a Target or Walmart & made a sound of disgust at their plus sized department? Where’s the sundresses? The punk clothing? The tank tops? If so, we’re here for you! Keep an eye open for us within the next few months. We’ll provide updates ASAP!

We aim to support all creatives, on all socials!

[mys-oleander]

Okay plus sized babes, I have a question. Where are you buying your cow print bikinis I am asking for a friend who is me.

[little-cereal-draws]

So I’m trying to find a cute, casual, and cheap, full torso corset bc they’re pretty, they’re in style rn, and the pressure sounds like a sensory dream.

BUT! Everything I’m finding is supposed to highlight/push up breasts I don’t have. And I don’t want to buy one that does that bc it’ll look weird. I found a few that don’t really do that but bc my belly is so big, they’re expecting me to have a bust that’s ten inches bigger than it is! It’s going to be a weird awkward gap!

I know there are mens vest corsets but those are freaking expensive and are obviously for special/fancy occasions. I just want smth I can wear to class

Pls if anyone knows where I can get a unisex (or at least not obviously for ppl w breasts) plus sized corset I will love you forever!

[dreamgirlvibes]

Shop here 💕

Only the most exclusive shoes! I am in love. I’ve purchased 2 pairs from here and I can honestly say they’re the most comfortable pair of boots I’ve had and they have a variety of sizes! (Especially for my plus size girls). I love sharing things that help with all body types and I pray that you’ll love it like me! 💕

[mildew-mop]

I looked up "plus size women's tops purple" on Amazon, and the first results are just... skinny women wearing oversized shirts :/

[shopwitchvamp]

"Omg, I love these! They go up to size 6X AND they have pockets?! Wow!! But do you have anything longer?"

Sure do, no problem!!

"YES these are great!!! But what about.. longer?"

I gotcha!! Comin' right up!

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about! But... how about if I'm feeling like it's the kinda day where I need my clothing to be bifurcated???"

Never fear, joggers are here!

*wild cheering*

/scene

🖤witchvamp.com🖤

[mayakern]

help!!! pib has to sell all of these jack o' lantern skirts before august 18th or they won't give her the deed to spirit halloween!!! 👻

[reasonsforhope]

"Shopping for clothes is already intimidating. There are so many options and styles to consider, as well as factors like sustainability and ethics.

But for people in fat, disabled, or queer and gender-nonconforming bodies, it’s even more arduous.

Nico Herzetty, Emma K. Clark, and Paul Herzetty wondered: What if there was a way people could shop — not necessarily by color or size — but by measurements, materials, and ethics?

So they set off to create their website: Phoria. 

Here, shoppers can set up a free profile, add their body measurements (and “typical fit challenges”) and peruse over 270 brands. Once these data points are entered, users can personalize their pages with “saved,” “recommended,” or “hidden” brands. 

Pages can be totally private, or shared with the community to connect over styles and brands.

Aside from fit, brands in the Phoria database (which claims to be “the largest database of plus-friendly brands”) can also be filtered as “gender-neutral,” “woman-run,” “small business,” or “natural fibers.” Users can also filter for price, preferred styles, and more.

Pictured: A screenshot of the "Fit Challenges" feature on a Phoria user's profile.

Some brands include popular names like Athleta, Levi’s, and Patagonia. Others are small businesses, like Beefcake Swimwear, or Hey Peach.

“For so many people, it feels too damn hard to find and keep clothing that fits in all the ways that really matter. So we’re doing something about it,” the Phoria website reads.

“Unlike most online shopping experiences, we center the needs of plus-size women, nonbinary, and trans people, and prioritize supporting clothing brands focused on sustainability, ethics, and inclusion.” ...

That team — made up of Clark, and Nico and Paul Herzetty — calls themselves “fat, disabled, and very, very queer.” 

“These are some of the main ways we identify, and they’re qualities that have directly impacted our ability to get dressed every day in a way that feels good,” the Phoria team introduces themselves on the website.

Pictured: A screenshot of Phoria's plus-size clothing brand database.

In addition to catering the user experience to women, non-binary, and trans people, Phoria is also a benefit corporation, or a B corp.

“We’ve legally required ourselves to consider the interests of all our stakeholders — customers, employees, the planet, and our shareholders,” the Phoria website explains.

“Our specific public benefit purpose is to reduce people’s dependence on buying mass-produced items made in unsustainable ways and to use human-centered business models to boldly challenge economic systems of inequity.” 

Right now, in the early stages of the company’s business, it doesn’t make any money.

“We’re focused on building something that genuinely solves plus-size people’s challenges around clothes shopping and supports smaller and more sustainable brands,” Phoria’s website states.

So, spreading the word seems to be of utmost importance...

Additionally, TikTok creators @couplagoofs (a queer couple named Morgan and Phoebe), recently shared a video in which they discovered Phoria. They met the website’s creators at a fat liberation event in their city and were introduced to the tool.

Quickly, commenters responded with gratitude and excitement.

“It is so disappointing to sort through pages of plus size clothes that aren’t even plus size,” a TikTok user commented. “This is gonna be such a good tool!” 

Some even shared emotional responses, speaking to the need at the heart of Phoria’s mission. 

“I’m… gonna cry,” another commenter wrote. “I’ve needed this my whole life.”"

-via Goodgoodgood, November 20, 2023

[lovertm]

t-shirts by StayingPressedStudio

[crowlines]

(Shares super appreciated)!!

March update is now LIVE!

Featuring the brand new LOVE SHOT collection, a big sweatshirt restock, and new stationery!

[fatphobiabusters]

-Mod Worthy

[paunchbunny]

idk about you guys but people being so viscerally fatphobic on social media is making me actively want to show off more of my fat body publicly. ive known for a while now that people who are outwardly fatphobic want you to hide your body because "it disgusts them" but why should I have to accomodate that? literally just don't look at me then idiot that's entirely a skill issue

why should I have to cover up when youre the one looking at a fat person just Existing in a space and your immediate response is outright anger? Like? Ur weird. You are a weird person for that you're a weirdo please go outside and interact with the world and understand that you cannot control what you can and can't see whether you like it or not.

Social media has literally melted the brains of what once were rational people and has people convinced that they should be allowed to filter everything they see outside like they can online. That's delusional and I don't want to accomodate those people in any degree especially bc there's NO SHOT those same people react that way to anyone outside their norm.

grabbing your skull and shaking it a little there is beauty in things you do not understand there is beauty in things that you are taught to hate

[bromantically]

my plus size clothing store doc!

hi! ive compiled all of my plus size clothing links!

60+ stores listed

size range listed for most (eventually all)

Coming Soon: price info, store descriptions

please feel free to add your suggestions to this post if its not already on the doc!!