This one is for all the fat girls that have ever walked into a store on a mission to get at least ONE thing before they leave, knowing that the search is probably futile. For all the girls that spent four hours in a dressing room shucking shirt after dress after pair of jeans off, knowing before they even plucked the item off the rack that it probably wasn’t going to fit. For all those girls that have left a store trying their hardest to swallow the sobs rolling up their throats because the self confidence that they tried to build up before leaving the house to go shopping has been ripped apart, yet again. This post is because I am sick of feeling like my body is unworthy of clothes that reflect how I really feel about my appearance.
If you’ve been having a hard time finding clothes in stores that aren’t either completely horrible, watered down options of clothes that are available for anyone size 12 and under, I am here to help you. The following is a list of online options accompanied by mini reviews, and photos of a few outfits available that are modeled by women of all sizes.
ASOS: This online giant has been gaining notice on a global scale, and for good reason. Their section for women sizes 14+ includes runway videos of their selections, so you can see how the clothes will move with your body. Let’s face it, just because something is cute in a photo doesn’t mean it looks ANYTHING like that in real life. ASOS also has a student discount, free shipping both ways on orders of any amount, and I get about two emails every day for a massive sale of some kind, with discount codes for up to 75% off. The clothes are well made, too, making the brand similar to Forever 21, minus the cheap material and construction.
You can probably hear my screams of joy in the Balkans.
Forever 21: I used to run away from F21 at all costs. By the time I was 16, my chest didn’t fit in anything they made, and I was reduced to layering shirts with cinched bottoms and too tight necklines, essentially wearing a drawstring sack that was baggy enough to hide my stomach. But fear not, in the years since the company introduced a plus size line, it’s expanded to include adorable dresses and some bangin’ skirts and leggings that don’t go completely see through when stretched. F21s options are decently cheaper than ASOS, but as always, the quality and uniformity of the stitching on each piece is a little questionable. I recently bought a skirt that had a zipper/hook closure, and the hook started to come loose from the seam after one wash. It’s fixable, but it’s something to keep in mind if you aren’t the type to bother to get something mended when it needs a little extra love.
(do not even try to tell me that everyone doesn’t need a little more grunge in their life)
Give me cutouts or give me death.
I have a pair of their boots, most of which come in wide calf, and I never take them off.
Custom-Plus: This website carries clothing in sizes 0-32, which might make it my favorite out of all these options because I HATE clothing segregation. I hate the term Plus Size. I hate the attempt to take back the word fat by smooshing it with ‘fashion’ for the newest fat acceptance buzzword, “Fatshion.” Can we not just call clothing, clothing, and stop adding the plus to it? Like I’m supposed to feel lucky that there’s an entire section just for me, stuffed to the gills with varying shades of brown, gray and khaki green bags? I’m getting distracted. The point is, this site carries crop tops, which for some reason, the rest of the world has decided are NOT for fat ladies, and to them, I say, fuck off. Crop tops, high waisted jeans, bad-ass silkscreen printed sweatshirts and more await you. I haven’t purchased anything from this store yet, but are you really going to say to no to a Fresh Prince of Bel Air crop top and a sick pair of thigh huggin high waisted pants? I didn’t think so.
(SIDEBAR: if you’re really looking to flip everyone the bird, check out these printed tops from Flaws Of Couture from their Pretty.Period. collection. My heart just fell out my butt.)
FUCK YEAH!
eShakti: This company allows you to customize any item of clothing on their website from an original prototype. Love that blouse but could live without the confining square neckline? Considering buying that skirt if the hemline was a little longer or shorter? The easy to use customization aspect of the site allows you to manipulate virtually any aspect of any piece, which means you won’t have to pray to the gods that you’re as good at estimation as you think you are. This site is best for weddings, business outfits, and anything that’s relatively formal, considering the prices are somewhat up-there.
I’m going to be shopping around the interwebs looking for more websites to bring to your attention, and if there’s a go-to for you that you’d like to share or have me check out for a future post, feel free to leave it in the comments below. In the meantime, Happy Almost Spring!
Images via ASOS, Forever21, Custom-Plus, FOC, and eShakti.
