Full Figured Fashion Week was recently held over a three day period in New York. Judging by the posts over at Musings of a Fatshionista, this year’s built and improved on last year’s event and we’ve got some exciting new plus size labels heading our way.
The event sparked some impressive press. The New York Times used FFFWeek as the context to report that retailers are beginning to recognise the market in plus size clothes. In reply, Jezebel questioned whether this was having an impact on production. The Jezebel article concludes with the idea that “It’s not just about making things available; it’s about making things fashionable.”
As heartening as all this discussion is, what of the clothes that have a purpose beyond fashion? The practical clothes that are afforded to straight size people that do not extend to plus sizes? Where can I buy them?
For example, the Boyfriend and I have been throwing around the idea of going to a country in western Europe for New Year’s Eve. Berlin, perhaps, if we have the money and can get enough time off work. Berlin in late December/early January is damn cold. As I live in Sydney – where winter is not much cooler than Berlin’s summers – it will be a cold like I’ve never experienced. My cotton tops and my thin, wool-blend coat will not be able to cope.
I don’t need a fashionable jacket – likes the ones I could buy at La Dan’s Closet or Dorothy Perkins – I need one that will keep me seriously warm. The thing is, I have no idea where I can get good quality outerwear or thermals in my size.
The more I think about it, the more examples keep popping up. I go to a samba class and we’ll be putting on a performance at the end of the year. Considering all the samba dancers I see are teeny tiny, where am I going to get a plus size samba outfit from?
If I learn to scuba dive, where will I buy my wetsuit?
If I ride a motorcycle, where will I buy my leathers?
I’m on the small end of fat, so I know that there will be many of you that have it infinitely worse than me. What clothing do you need but cannot find?
