For vintage indie lovers, I just had to point this out!

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Plus Model raises the question of whether size 18s will ever be allowed to step up to the runway.

South Bronx tops an obesity and a hunger survey. It was figured out years ago you CAN be both overweight AND malnourished. Empty calories isn’t just a euphemistic term.

More stores in the UK are offering K-Cup bras.

Yours Clothing has launched the AllisonK plus size line.

A great post on Jezebel about playing a plus sized love interest.

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This vest hunt is in addition to my hunt for the perfect photographer’s vest. When I travel, I carry recording equipment. It’s just what I do. So I would love to find a reasonably stylish, well-pocketed and woman-friendly vest that fits me.

…still in progress.

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I won’t find brands there, but I will find shapes. Silhouettes. Exactly what I need to go with what I’m wearing for that event, that night. And oddly, I will often find myself shopping with women who are very serious about their shoes. They know that no one else has to know it’s Payless – and in a way, Payless is giving its female shoppers a metaphorical step up since shoes are one of the things we are assessed by first.

Thank you Payless, for being a Prince Charming with a full pair to me, every time I’ve needed you.

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Right now that craving is for a plaid skirt. Long, short, I don’t care. I just want plaid. It’s irrational, and my plaid school days were not fantastic. Yet here I am in my 30s, wanting plaid. I think it has to do with my newly complete boot wardrobe.

Also, I don’t think that a long plaid skirt need look school marmish. It’s all about the shoes and a nice button down top.

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For me I’m on the fence. In junior high cuffed jeans weren’t a matter of style and aesthetic. They were a requirement. Of course, I always missed the memo on those unspoken dress codes being fat and utterly uncool, so I was the kid who got mocked when I couldn’t figure out how to get my jeans to roll properly. Still don’t know how they did it and I certainly can’t and won’t make my jeans do that now.

As it was I consider it a permanent mark on the character of my peers. If they cared whether another person’s jeans rolled properly, they were people of poor character. If they did not, most of the time they were only friends with me because they could be around someone not as nerdy, fat and outcast as them.

I really hate where I’m from, obviously, and I fear it’s in me like a time bomb waiting to turn me into some  self-righteous SUV driver.

Fortunately the trend passed away to much less complicated peg legs, freeing me from the strategy of wearing oversize T-shirts and slouching a lot. But the childhood memories are distinctly unpleasant. These were the only pair I could look at without cringing!

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Typically, I do take a look at Etsy handbags first.  Sometimes what’s on Etsy is so much more affordable, and since I’m an Etsy seller myself, it just seems like the neighborly thing to do.  A nd in the time I do this, I find such interesting, interesting things:

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From Fat Chic flickr group. I just love how this all lines up, and red is a great color here!

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Fox Entertainment decides to delve into why Gabby Sidibe only gets “off the rack” clothing. Given that Sidibe’s goal profession is in psychology, NOT in entertainment, perhaps it’s simply that she’s just fine with “off the rack.” That’s where most of us live, after all.

OneStopPlus/RedCats has premiered its own plus size fashion week. I consider this an Epic Fail of the Possibly Well Intended variety  – a fashion week features designers, not necessarily brands. This looks to be one of many such brand platforms I’ve seen companies attempt since I started this blog. And it doesn’t work, because I know it’ s nothing more than an in-house advertising event. Now if multiple designers, brands, and independent houses got their stuff together underneath a few tents, then I might even find the wherewithal to scrounge up tickets. But mostly I’d root for you guys to have it in Minneapolis. I’m also going to be kind and not mention the videos that feature a distinctly not plus sized model kicking up her legs in hose I’d never wear in a manner that makes me want to smack her.

Mo’nique got the Oscar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s a great international women’s day present, US version.

Debra Bass delves, but not particularly innovatively, into the plus models “trend.” I’ve been blogging on this topic long enough that I’m getting really picky about what merits thought on the plus size end; I hold this up as an example of the seriously overdone. I know there are a few people with rattled realities over this whole “fat ≠ bad” thing but I along with many others who have been fat forever are past it. Catch up!

It’s International Women’s Day. The Huffington Post steps up the attention, actually pretty well on this one.

Gawker has a semi-satirical post on the obesity fear.

Jezebel handles the new “plus size heroine” book trend.

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If there is an “it” item to choose for spring, it’s the boyfriend blazer. I get it, sort of – I do like to wear trouser style/menswear looks all mixed up with lace and satin and fem details. I’d love to get a boyfriend blazer except for two things:

1. Most of the ones I’ve seen have shoulder pads, and I refuse to revisit that atrocious part of 80s fashion. Most are sewn in such a way that I also can’t easily remove them, so apparently someone went into stores and did a mercy snipping spree.
2. The ones I’ve been able to find only come in neutral and dark colors. If I’m going to wear something that’s deliberately too big for my frame, I’m not too worried about blending in now, am I? I want some color, and I want it in a size 28!

I’m really looking for a blue boyfriend blazer. Or a blue blazer. I attempted to order one such animal from OneStopPlus on clearance, and it magically disappeared from my order.¹ This version you see does come in a solid navy, but the shape and cut just wouldn’t pair well with the very feminine sundress I plan to wear underneath said blazer.

Ralph Lauren is already on my shitlist, but even if the company weren’t,  this wouldn’t quite make it. I might overlook the faux pockets – and I hate faux pockets for their very pointlessness – but the “lookatmeI’mwearingabrand!” crest on the left breast is a real turnoff. I will buy brands, but I will not wear brand labels. You want that, pay for ad space.

This Ann Klein number I think is OK – still not liking the pockets, though at least these appear functional. But it’s only available up to size 24. And while I do believe in saving up for really good clothes, I’d have to choose between the blazer or comfortable walking sandals. I know I’ll be using the sandals much more so they merit the extra cost more.

Here’s one that almost breaks my heart. I love – love – this style, but it is not available in 28 and only comes in black.

Ah, Michael Kors. I curse you as much as I adore you. Please get together with Marc Jacobs and make awesome shoe and outfit babies.

Avenue has my size, but…

I find myself distracted/interested by this:

I’m planning on hand-painting my wedding dress a bright blue, and I could totally see myself wearing it with this. Yay, my brain.

So at this point the boyfriend blazer or just plain blazer I like quest continues. I know what I want, and I have zero ability to sew it, so off I go!

You can hunt for your own plus size boyfriend blazer on Fat Chic clothing search.

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1. It’s an automatic thing to do when you order something before their inventory system has updated to the website. It’s weaselly and ticks me off, but right now they get a pass for selling me knee high boots that fit properly.