Monthly Archives: January 2013

The Camera Skirt and the Domino Dollhouse Jean Jacket

Posted on by

IMG_2668IMG_2667I fell in love with this custom designed Camera skirt on one of the Facebook plus size thrift stores. The designer has a store on Etsy, Lilipops Designs.  She designs childrens clothes but will take custom orders for skirts that reflect her children’s dresses. I was interested in the camera skirt because I take a lot of photos for this blog and the Burning Man Blog and I was the blogger for the Black Rock Arts Foundation blog until April 2012, so I just had to have it.  The cropped size 4x Jacket is from Domino Dollhouse.

I wore it for the first time last weekend when we went to a lecture by Sean Orlando, a friend of ours who is on an Artist’s Fellowship at the De Young Museum.

The Project he is working on with other artists is the Urbanauts, described as:

Urbanauts is a speculative exploration of urban infrastructure and its relationship to the everyday experience of the contemporary city. Through a series of interwoven conversations, urban expeditions, design charettes, and conjectural artworks based at the de Young, Orlando will collaborate with Rebar to examine and explore the ways in which urban inhabitants relate (or don’t relate) to the largely unseen mechanical systems, societal constructs, and cultural imperatives that mediate and structure life in the built environment.

Then I was browsing Sex + Design Magazine, which I love and there was an article title “The Instagram Becomes a Reality” and there was my camera from my skirt (kinda).

It makes me really happy when I can wear something a little artier or homemade rather than thrifted or bought from a retail plus size store, so wearing this skirt amuses me, as I hope it does you.

Peace…affinity

The Bay Lights Coming in March 2013

Posted on by
Leo Villareal testing the Bay Lights last week

Leo Villareal testing the Bay Lights last week

Sometimes I just really have to share something from my world with you. I have been a loyal fan in the grand scheme of bringing The Bay Lights to San Francisco. The Grand Lighting Ceremony is March 5, 2013.

To read more about the installation:

The Bay Lights: The Most Inspiring Thing To See in 2013

The artist, Leo Villareal, has been here doing some testing and the fabulous video below gives you a taste of how the Bay Bridge will look over the next couple of years.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRbpjQmvHlk?rel=0]

Of course I have a new dress for the Grand Lighting Ceremony in March.  It is waiting in my closet and I am excited to show it to you, it is a little mod.  One of my very first posts on Affatshionista was the outfit I wore to a fundraiser for the Bay Lights last winter at around this time.

If you are interested in an opportunity to “personalize” one or more lights in The Bay Lights, you can do that here.  It is a beautiful way to memorialize a loved one, give a present, celebrate a holiday, community or group.

Thanks for letting me share my interest in art as well as fatshion.

Peace…affinity

photo: Lucas@SaugenPhotography.com  |  612.208.9869
video: Adrian Graham

Beth Ditto’s Domino Dress and Leggings

Posted on by

aff 1st beth dominoAs you know, if you have been following along, Beth Ditto is my Fatshion Hero.  I have been lusting after the domino dress and tights that she designed for Evans in 2009.  I have been lurking on ebay and the “thrift store” plus size sites on Facebook for quite some time, and here they are.

My bodycon dress is a U.K. Size 32, which is equal to about a size 28 in the US.

The tights are a much smaller size, although they are no longer tagged.

Shoes: Torrid Size 10, very comfortable.

The Hunt:  I went on the Facebook sites and ebay every day and searched for Beth Ditto.  On ebay I had to narrow that to clothing because she shows up under books, magazines, make-up and music, before you even get to clothing.

So, I am still on the hunt for the Beth Ditto Heart Dress in a larger size and there is a Face sweater that I would love to try too.

I wore it on Saturday to Fatty Affair and got lots of compliments on it and had lots of fun wearing it.  I am sure I will be taking it out for a stroll again soon.

Peace…affinity

Plus Size Calvin Klein Dress

Posted on by

allison calvin kleinI went to Fatty Affair 2013 on Saturday and had a fabulous time, there was entertainment, information, vendors, community and a clothing swap.  I will have other photos to share with you, but I had to share this one today because it is the most fun Calvin Klein size 24 precious dress.   I did not know Calvin Klein even made fun plus size dresses. She did buy it on sale so it is probably not around anymore, I did search for it.  Sorry.

Allison looks fabulous in it.  She is also wearing a Size 3X “Active” Sweater and a vintage petticoat.  I am calling her Fashion Princess.

Peace…affinity

Plus Size Team Shirts from the NFL Shop

Posted on by

tealer NFL Team ShirtHere comes the Super Bowl and my friend Lisa Tealer is just in time to show you her fully customizable San Francisco 49ers Team Shirt from the NFL Shop, size 4X. You can also order this one in a size 4X but I am not clear you could receive it for the game this weekend.

Lisa Tealer is a former aerobics instructor and health club owner. If she looks familiar, you may have seen her posing as a plus size clothing model and she is a board member and director of programs for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.  An amazing woman to know.

Thanks for the tip from our friend Cinder Ernst.

Peace…affinity

Fractured Friday V. 01/25/13

Posted on by

Love this video of British plus sized actor Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor jiving to ‘Hanky Panky’ on Strictly Come Dancing, and yes I love the dress.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce9HoAmL11I?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

__________________________________________________________

Did you know there is a term for the distance between your socks and your skirt in Japanese fashion?

Zettai Ryouiki 01

‘Zettai ryouiki’ is a term for a japanese fashion that translates roughly into ‘Absolute Territory’ or ‘Absolute Region’, which are catchall terms for any exposed legflesh between the tops of your socks and a skirt. Zettai ryouiki are excellent for cosplay, lolita, and just about everything. Even keeping (most) of your legs warm.

To see more photos

__________________________________________________________

beth ditto 2013-01-20 at 7.32.10 PM

Beth Ditto’s Craziest Outfits

__________________________________________________________

Last week I told you about the Edwardian Ball. I thought you might like to see my favorite photo so far.  45505_475594882478463_422759669_n

__________________________________________________________

Happy is a good vibe for peace_o

Peace…affinity

Fatty Affair 2013 or, Should I Wear my Beth Ditto Domino Dress?

Posted on by

Screen Shot 2013-01-23 at 5.39.52 AMI am going to a fat positive event called Fatty Affair in San Jose this weekend. There are lots of reasons to go.  Some of my oldest friends, Cinder Ernst and Deb Burgard, are going to speak and there is going to be a clothing swap.

I have never been to a clothing swap. I really cannot believe that. I have been involved in the fat community since 1982, and I have never been to a clothing swap.  So my husband and I cleaned out my closets of all the Dana Buchman etc. that I wore to years for work, plus dozens of turtleneck shirts that were part of my work uniform and you know, the pieces I have purchased from Fattoo Grand or ebay, or even retailer clothing that I never returned and that do not fit.  I have so much I cannot take it all.  I am going to pick out the fun, best pieces to take to the swap and give the rest to the Goodwill, because there is no way I could manage all of this.

beth in domino dressSo what to wear?  I have a new “vintage” Beth Ditto dress, but it is a pretty snug bodycon dress and not very comfortable, and I have a Burning Man staff meeting in the morning, so it is going to be a long day. The dress has matching leggings, but that seems like a little much. Then I have some “go-to” outfits that are easy and comfy, and are always complimented.  But you can’t wear a Beth Ditto, too tight, dress just anywhere, this is a fashion opportunity.  I will surely let you know what I decide, and you should feel free to express an opinion in the comments. ;D

A special shout-out to Elaine Lee for driving.  I really am not driving very far at night these days and I probably would not go if I had to drive myself.  Thanks Elaine.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBo6wUuIeo?rel=0]

Peace…affinity

Online Auction for Plus Size Clothing

Posted on by

74896_403257693091835_1785167079_nNext Monday, at 6:30 pm EST I am going to tune into my first online plus size clothing auction through Urban Thick.  I have not tried this before but you can take a look on their site to see if you might be interested. Urban Thick is a plus size consignment store. They are calling it a $1 auction. . I do not know if that is the starting bid or exactly what it means, but I love an adventure I can try from my living room.  I am not crazy about sites of any kind that play music, but I am curious enough to overlook that for now.  This is what they had to say.

We want to you to have fun and save money! Join us this Monday, January 28th at 6:30 pm to bid on fabulous items (shipping cost not included). To see the item up for auction as well as to register for you bid number our website. http://www.urbanthick.com/

I would of course love to hear what you think if you check it out.  We may find it to be a little sparse since the auction is new.  It will be fun to find out.

1/25/13 Update:  I looked at the clothes they are going to be auctioning and found most of them to be size 3X or smaller.  That is too small for me, but if you decide to check them out I would love to hear about your experience.

Peace…affinity

Plus Size 4X Edwardian or Steampunk Costumes

Posted on by

Edwardian Ball 2011My friend Amber Clisura is back this week with How to Dress for the Edwardian Ball.  I think she provides great costume advice even if you do not happen to be going to the Edwardian Ball. I have a couple of cheap tips and plus size suggestions.

dare to wear corset topThe obvious is a corset top. Dare to Wear has this style and other styles in a 5X, and I hear they run a little small. You can read my review and readers comments HERE.

Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 8.40.22 AMYou can find small headbands and “fascinators” everywhere now, but I love the breadth at Amazon, for figuring out how to make your own or buying one inexpensively.  The one above as only $10 plus shipping and would dress up any outfit (second page of the Amazon link). As you may know I live in a costume sort of world so I am always looking for tricks to make it easy.  In the photos in her post some women are wearing bustiers over their clothing, or over a bra, rather than alone.  You get the effect without being so exposed.

Screen Shot 2013-01-18 at 8.09.32 AMI also find that most stretch or fishnet fingerless gloves fit me just fine, even inexpensive ones (at 275 lbs).  I have not tried these velvet stretch fingerless gloves and they are a little more expensive, but I would be surprised if they did not fit.  In very worst case, if they did not fit you could sew a little piece of black eleastic into one of the seams, easy and effective.

red gloveThese little fishnet gloves I own in many colors, they are very inexpensive and have never found a pair that does not fit.

tie on bustle MIn addition, a Tie-On Bustle, which will make any skirt you own a costume. It says it is one size, but I have worn these before by just replacing the ribbon. If you want to spend more I would check out Etsy.  Steampunk is kind of “Around the World in 80 Daysish” and not unlike Edwardian in the costume world.

So with a pair of gloves, a fascinator, a ribbon around your neck and a tie-on bustle, you could make almost anything in your closet into a Steampunk or Edwardian Costume.  If you want to stretch a little and try a bustier it would make the costume even more authentic.

And a video with lots of ideas that are not size related, make-up, masks, big fun: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO4eIRpIZ1k?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Hips and Curves has a Steampunk Section on their site. A lot of the collection only runs to a waist measurement of 50″ so that may not be helpful, but they have some cute accessories.

Bustiers: Here is a great bog post, Plus Size and Proud, about Corset Boulevard Global and how they fit and how they look. Great information, and there are a couple of great photos.

In addition, Clockwork Couture has a variety of accessories.

Or you could do a little DIY steampunk, it is all over the web, last year I did a vacuum tube hat and necklace made out of computer and old doll parts.

Peace…affinity