Fat Chicks Rule

I'm a human being, go figure.

Ranting about clothing is one of my favorite thing, although I don't think our lack of choices and styles is that big compared being denied health care and jobs.

But today I rant about clothes.  We are treated like dirt in most stores, even in freaking knitting stores!

But the rant isn't bad, because today I am not talking about lame stores who don't care about us.  I'm talking about the Fat Girl's Flea Market which was on Saturday.  An annual event run by the NOLOSE.   

I was sick this week, had a cold and during this particular weekend, I originally had a lot of things planned.  Due to being sick, I had to narrow down that I was doing.  Would I miss a book reading of a new hot book or the annual sci-fi con or not sell my book at flea? (I focus more on this blog than the book, but I still have a number of copies at home to sell) or the Friday night sorting/pre-shopping? 

But the Flea won.  Because I knew missing the flea meant I would miss an event that profoundly influenced my self esteem.  Every time I came back from the flea joyous and happy unlike my visit to the mall in December.  

So for $45, I got two shirts (one with tags), 1 pair or pants, an Igigi dress, Pj pants, a nightie, jeans, and a silk skirt and most importantly got to feel like a human being for a little while. 

So I plead with people again.  Don't patronize a store that doesn't have your size or puts plus sizes into a ghetto. 

For those in the New York Area, get thee to Re/Dress

So Saturday I finally went to Re/Dress, a vintage (i.e. gently used) clothing store.  I was determined to beat traffic and the snow to get there as I been putting it off for weeks.

The store is lovely, not just for its selection but its coziness and nearness to shops on Court Street that offers books and coffee.

But on to the store.  First off, I always enjoy a store that caters to me for a change.  As seen in previous posts, too often stores don't have plus sizes, or if they do, they are microscopic or shoved as far from the public as possible. 

When I came in, after saying hellos to owner Deb Malkin, I was given a tour.  The place has coats, lovely dresses, workwear, lingerie, handbags, and shoes.  I was a little overwhelmed to be in a store where everything looked cool.  I wasn't really there to get anything in particular, just to see the store, but I walked out with 3 shirts all $8-10 and a fluffy jacket that cost $30 (she's having a 30% coats sale).

I had a time limit of about an hour (due to my car being at a meter a few blocks away), so I couldn't stay and really search the place but I knew that I would be back because I felt comfortable shopping there.

After leaving I lost my car. I eventually found it, but only after walking about 20 minutes in the snow (in sneakers!)  I was cold and miserable when I finally got into the car but I didn't regret going.  Shopping was fun for a change.

In these rough economic times, It's very important to support Re/Dress or any store that caters to you.  Let the Old Navys, Macys, and Gaps die. 

Notes on the new year

Happy New Year!!

Quick apology to Marshalls.  Never send your husband shopping for anything.  Marshalls does in fact have a Big and Tall section for men with sizes up to 5x.  I knew this, because this week I tried Marshalls for that mythical pair of sweats.  (Successful but not a good selection to choose from).  I saw Big and Tall and realized my husband, being a guy, missed the section entirely.  I had to explained to him when looking for fat clothes it will always been segregated. (As you know stores have clothes separated for Men, women, kids, juniors and fat).  While I like Marshalls solely because I've actually been successful buying clothes there, because they are a buy-out place, selection depends on the shipment. 

Next week I'm hoping to finally get to Re/Dress a plus size vintage clothing store, which if you are in the NYC metro area should be visiting.  

It's a new year and I hope that means we are not joining Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or a gym.   All programs that promote consuming calories less than your body needs is a diet, no ad campaign can tell me otherwise.  If you want to join a gym because you like to exercise, go right ahead, but never do it for weight loss.  I doubt you'll less longer than 6 months if you do.  I, however, will save my money by continuing to walk and ride my bike on the generator when it is too cold out.  I just find it incredibly wasteful to drive to a place to use a stairmaster.

Speaking of diets, here's the worst of 2008

X-mas!

So Saturday I went X-mas shopping at the Queens Center Mall.  One of the stops (not one of mine) was Yellow Rat Bastard (A NYC store that's expanding). YRB sells gothy and punk clothes but not if you are big unless you're a guy.  In YRB the women's sizes go up to L.  And the men's?  Well you can get up to  2xl.

I was with my niece and I explained to her why I wouldn't buy anything in YRB because they don't carry my size.   (They do carry very cool accessories). I am sending them an e-mail when I finish this post.  marketing@yrb.us 

Oddly enough I got a tinkerbell shirt in my size at the Disney Store.

Ended my shopping trip at Hot Topic which does carry some plus size clothes.  However they are expensive.  I wish a Torrid would open nearby.  I love their sales rack.   

I'm a 2x so I am usually in the token plus sizes in regular retail if they have it.    I wish they had bigger sizes.  People who are 3x are higher might want to look cool also.