Excerpt from February 2020 Newsletter
The Power of Fatshion...
Written by Kate Kennedy Spindler, for Mindful Food & Motion
Feb 4, 2020
A tried and true way to relieve some of the baggage of diet culture is to discover the rich world of Fat Fashion, or “Fatshion.” You’ll find these models, designers, bloggers, and tastemakers on YouTube and personal blogs but the best source, in my experience, is Instagram.
Let’s talk Instagram for a minute...who do you follow? Following straight-size models can give us a skewed idea of fashion and how clothing is “supposed” to look. Why have that in your feed to consume? Do you have a lot of “fitspo” accounts you follow? “Health” gurus who say they aren’t diets but are still about weight loss? (We can talk about THAT another time!) Here’s an assignment for this month; it’s optional but I’d love to hear your experience! Unfollow anyone who encourages you to lose weight or makes you feel bad about your body on social media. Good? Good.
So who COULD you follow? Who can bring inspiration and a sense of agency to your clothing choices? I’ve compiled a list of my favorites. This list is in no way exhaustive; it’s only a starting place, and these folks will lead you more folks! There is a wide range of price points included, and I have included sizes where appropriate.
(For your reference, I myself am a “small fat” and wear a size 18/XXL. My size is a privilege and I am working to be mindful of the sizes included!)
“FATSPO” for your social media pleasure…
I want to for sure highlight a local favorite, Cake Plus Size Resale, owned by fatshion guru Cat Polivoda. Cat works hard to find the widest range of sizes possible and her store is beautifully curated. You can also book a personal style session with her!
Ready To Stare, Alysse Dalessandro, Queer, femme fashion and travel blogger
Glitter&Lazors, Anna O’Brien
Glitter and Lazers, Anna, fashion and makeup
Ashley Nell Tipton, winner of Project Runway season 14, shop her website, up to size 28 in bottoms and 4X in tops!
The Plus Bus, new and vintage, Poshmark shop! Sizes vary based on availability
Proud Mary Fashion, based in LA, tees up to 4X, vintage sizes vary
Ellos USA, Swedish brand sizes 10-40
See Rose Go, size 14-28
Belle and Broome, clothing sizes 12-24
Jibri Online, designer
@hilarygetsdressed, fatshion page of fat-affirming and small fat dietitian Hilary Kinavey. Her wonderful slow fatshion finds!
@girlwithcurves and @girlwithcurves collection: Originally the style blog of Tanesha Awasthi, now a fatshion line sizes 10-28
@gabifresh, fashion blogger who now has a swimsuit line (up to size 26) and lingerie line (up to size 24)
@nicolettemason, fashion writer/blogger
@kittehinfurs, Ragini R., long-time fashion blogger (one of my OG faves!!)
@itsmekellieb, Kellie Brown, fashion blogger.
There’s a good start on Instagram! Any favorites you would add? Let us know! Send great fatshion IG posts to @mindfulfoodandmotion or tag us.
Here are a few of my favorite plus size places to shop. I am by no means a fashionista...I’m a mostly-at-home-parent of two young kids, but I'm an amateur fashion historian and really love the art of fashion. This list has a range of price points, just like my own shopping list!
Eloquii, sizes 14-28
ModCloth, up to 4x
Torrid, up to 5x
Forever 21 Plus, up to 3x, pants 26
Eshakti, made to your measurements!
Universal Standard, up to size 40
Fatshion/fashion doesn’t equal “femme”... here are some brands with a more masculine aesthetic for you handsome folx…
Beefcake Swimwear 1920’s style swimsuits up to 5x (I’m in love!)
Dapper Boi
Steer Queer Up to size 26
Haute Butch: custom fit
Green Box Shop: up to 3x
TomboyX: up to 4x
Again, this is just a start. When I discovered fatshion bloggers and brands where my body was celebrated, I was able to move into a space of body neutrality (where I mostly reside today) and acceptance. There’s such a long way to go in fashion when it comes to marginalized bodies, but there are places and people who are out there doing it and not pandering to us, but offering us real fashion. It’s really amazing to see these folks out there killing it!
Gabi Fresh
**A note on size privilege... Above Kate mentions her relative size privilege as a small fat person. As a thin person I (Nicole) know that I can walk into almost any retail store assuming they have my size in store to try on. Thin privilege extends waaaaaaay beyond fashion. Is thin privilege a new concept to you? Check HERE to access a thin privilege checklist and HERE to read a little more about it. Start SEEING #fatphobia, #weightstigma, and #thinprivilege.