Tag Archives: plus size 5X

The Fat Girl’s Guide to Living: a life hacker for the full-figured set

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How could I not love a blog that is named The Fat Girl’s Guide to Living: a life hacker for the full-figured set. This was an epiphany for me.  There is a group of women out there checking things out for women my size.  YAY!

After I discovered this blog at 2am, I woke up with this post in my head/heart, so here we go.  I was skinny until puberty and then I started to gain weight and diet, I had boyfriends, I married right out of high school, always trying to lose weight.  I did Weight Watchers, Thin Within, and then I went to college and law school.  After that I started swimming at the Richmond plunge at a women’s “fat” swim (we rented a pool and only women over 200 lbs. were invited – you remember that era of divisiveness, 1982.)  I was mid size by their standards, at 275 lbs.  Yes. I have weighed 275 since at least 1990, per my Dr.’s records. And during that period I became radicalized.  I could love myself just the way I am.  Perhaps eat healthier and by then I was exercizing often with either Dr. Deb Burgard or Cinder Ernst, but it did not have to be about my weight.  I had a couple of periods of weight loss, when I fell in love with MonkeyBoy and one winter when I had the flu, but the weight returned.

So that is how Affatshionista evolved into a pragmatic guide to making clothes work at just a little larger than standard plus sizes.  The standard for “Plus Size” is a Size 24 or a 3X.  I am a Size 26 – 28 and a 4x, as I have been for over 20 years. So the blog’s question has become, how do I find clothes that work for me and you?

But size and mobility touch every part of my life.  When I was 45 years old and exactly this size and weight, it was just a social inconvenience but that is no longer true.  It is now a mobility issue and although it has not manifested, perhaps a health issue.  I chose a funny time to give up exercising which I have done for the last two years.  But there is a segue in here, that is where the The Fat Girl’s Guide to Living: a life hacker for the full-figured set come in. I love their ABOUT page, asking questions about all the things I might choose not attempt because I am fat.  I bet you have seen me do that, but you also see me living large.  Which is really interesting since MonkeyBoy and I just had a LONG talk about the viability of going on a cruise next fall for my 65th birthday, longer and harder than the one we just came home from.  I had thought I was going to have my knees done this winter, but that has not worked out.

But somehow I feel some relief that there are these young women out there to speak the things I am up against but not verbalizing to the world.  What is the workaround for? What do I need to know about before?  Thanks for being there for ME!  Yep, that is why my AFFINITY photo is the lead, this resource feels like it helps me and my peeps.  Check it out. Ciao Bellas!…affinity

Plus Size Sheer Stripes

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I posted recently about the Cult of California purchases I made and that my favorite was the stripe tank, that even has a little pocket, how cute is that?  When I went to volunteer at the Burning Man office this week I decided to try something a little different.  I am still looking for a racerback t-shirt to wear under the shadow stripe tank that will complement it and make the outfit look a little more put together.

I am usually a match-matchy girl, or I just use black as my basic if the other colors are not all the same, but I am trying to break out of my box.  So what do you think of the colors in the tank, the skirt and the tights all being a little different?                   Ciao Bellas…affinity

Black Shadow Tank: Cult of California, Temple Tank – Size 5
Brown  Cami: Avenue Size 26-28
Black and Tan Tights: We Love Color – They are quite snug, I do not think they would fit anyone larger than I am at 280 lbs. and 5’5″
EGO Necklace: A gift from the artist, Laura Kimpton
Ballet Flats: FatToo Accessora, thrift site on Facebook- Size 10

Cult of California – A Review – Size 5x

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Since the first moment I heard about Cult of California I knew I had to have some of their clothes, the question was, would it fit?  I bought tights, 2 jackets, 2 styles of sports bras and my very favorite, a sheer and opaque striped tank with a racer back.  I weigh 280 lbs., I wear a size 26-28 sometimes a 30 and carry a lot of weight in my torso. I have had very mixed results with the Cult of California sizing, but I am really glad I bought some because I love the pieces that have worked.

Black & Turquoise Sports Bra: 4X – Precious, fits well, not as much support as the Black racerback..

Black Racer-Back Sports Bra: Let me tell you how cute this bra is, although it will never be seen. It has beading on the cross straps in both the front and the back.  It fits well and I have been wearing it a lot.

Tights – Sheer/Opaque:  I love these but the 5X is too big and I have sold them, but I am going to buy them in a 4X.

Moto Jacket: 5X but the jacket will not zip because I have a large waist/hips.

Hooded Jacket: 5X fits, but of all the pieces this feels the least like me.  I have not actually worn it yet, so I don’t know whether I am going to keep it or sell it.

Sheer/Opaque Tank Top (Black Shadow Stripe): My very favorite item and it fits, I always get compliments when I wear it, and I am going to buy another one.  I am looking for a racer-back t-shirt to wear under it.

I would love to know if you have tried any Cult of California pieces and how they worked for you.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

Glynda’s Birthday

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Recently (stretching that word a little) my friend Glynda had a birthday.  I love this photo.  You know how it is just easy to be friends with some people, well Glynda is like that, she wants to like you.  You met Glynda previously HERE, and I love her style and how she puts outfits together so I thought I would share her birthday with you.

Glynda is wearing a dress that was a hand-me-down (and don’t we love those), with a little attached petticoat, with last season’s shimmer fishnets from Torrid.   I am wearing ASOS Curve, a size US 22, which is their largest size.  I love it with tights, it is comfy and easy to wear.  They have this look now and then in a stretchy sheath, right now their version is sold out in the larger sizes, I am wearing a 22 (I usually wear a Size 26-28), but it is a look they often carry.   If you like it you can watch for it.

This is my favorite shot of Glynda. She loves stars, and in this shot I feel like she is channeling Wonder Woman, one of my heroes. Ciao Bellas…affinity

Domino Dollhouse – After a Swim

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I have been waiting for a chance to wear my sheer shirt from Domino Dollhouse as a cover up.  I am sure there are other uses for it but that has been my vision since it is cut very generously.  Sometimes I cannot wear their 4x because I have such a large waist and many of their clothes have more of an hourglass shape (which I love).

Well last weekend we went to a fabulous party in Healdsburg and it was 100°, so I waited for the shade to come over the pool (I hate the sun) and spent several hours in the water. It was fabulous.  And then I was able to make my exit in my coverup.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

Coverup: Domino Dollhouse – Size 4
Bathing Suit: Size 24 – 10 years old, my first ever Bedazzler project

Getting Ready for an Urban Art Festival

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As most of you know I volunteer for the Burning Man Project, so yesterday my husband and I went to Oakland to help prep the ArtIsMobilUs, a school bus turned mobile art gallery. They removed the previous mural and put up new wood so a collaborative mural can be created on the first night of the Central Market Arts Festival, located at 6th Street and Market on Friday September 28. I took photos and as usual, he did the hard work.

This t-shirt is so me. I love the theme of peace and change and I did not even realize it had little studs and rhinestones when I bought it on line.

T-shirt: Lane Bryant size 26-28 purchased on FatToo
Jeans: Torrid Tripp NYC size 28
Bracelets: Torrid
Shoes: Lane Bryant, worn with ruffled anklets

Close up of the t-shirt pattern

Where can you find 4X Plus-Size Costumes? – 2012

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I wear costumes.  In my community it is most appropriate to make your own, or there might even be a box of different fitting sizes and scarves and accoutrements at whatever party or event you are at, just in case you forgot, or did not know there was a theme. The photo above is a halloween party.  The ears & tail were some standard set I probably bought off Amazon for us, and I custom made the temporary tattoos on our faces.  The dress is something that I had had in my closet for 10 years that is a Lane Bryant/Venezia size 26, and bring out now and then to wear, it is short and I wore it with stockings.

Torrid is not really selling costumes this year.  More parts to costumes, which I actually like, but many people do not.

BigGals Lingerie will custom make your costume up to a size 12X.  They are also VERY expensive, but it is good to know what your options are.  I do not know how late you can order a costume to guarantee delivery before Halloween, I could not actually get them to give me a date on the phone, but I would say beyond October 10th you might be pushing.  They told me today that if I ordered a costume today it would arrive on October 20th.  They generally have a six week delivery time, but that seems to be compressed for Halloween.

Sanctuarie has costumes that run to a 9X that are very cute, and some of them are less than half-price, so if I were interested in one of their looks I would purchase it right away, I cannot imagine they will last very long.  They also have some Halloween t-shirts.

BIGcostumes also has a variety of custom made costumes at varying prices.  They even have a few bargains that are previously made.  Please read their BIGcostume Return Policies carefully.

Plus-Size Costume Shop carries handmade costumes up to a 7X.  They are having a sale through Friday the 22nd of September and they suggest that you place orders by October 10th.

Haloween Costumes carries a few 5X costumes.  It is worth the effort to check out what they are offering.

Etsy has lots of options.  A spiderweb shrug for $37 or a flirty hostess apron for around the same price.  At the upper price range there is a full Harlequin made-to-measure costume for over $200, that requires lead time to order.  Each seller will have a different policy so be sure check that out.

eBay of course has a variety of choices in both quality and fit.  This is what I came up with when I searched for Costume 5X.

If you are looking for costumes through a 1/2X 3/4X or 1X – 3X, there are many options.  Almost all of the plus size stores carry some costumes, i.e. LaneBryant, Sonsi and most Halloween Costume vendors, like Halloween Express often carry up to a 3X, the list is quite long and you only have to Google “plus size costumes” to see the list of choices.  I have Malefiecent and it runs VERY large for a 3X.

Most costumes tend to run a little smaller than standard sizes so be careful when you are ordering.

Making Your Own Costume: And last but not least, there is making your own costume.  Go through your closet and see if there is anything that would work as the base of the outfit. Is there a black outfit that could be witch-like, or something gauzy for a princess or large sleeved for a pirate wench, the list is endless.  There are a ton of tutorials out there on how to make a headband or accessory to fill out the illusion.  Or you can purchase some accessories, like our leopard ears (above).  The tattoos were more expensive than needed but sometimes my urge to try something outweighs my good sense.  A little eye make-up and a couple of spots drawn with eyeliner would have done just as well. In my experience everyone wants to believe in your costume and it only takes a little sleight of hand to make it fun and festive for Halloween. I hope you find this useful and as always if you have additional suggestions please comment.  In addition, I would love to see some photos if you do decide to dress up for Halloween, or any time.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

September 28, 2012:  A new addition, Lady Strange Erotic Lingerie (toward the bottom of the page) costumes to an 8X.

September 27, 2013: The 2013 update for 4X Plus Size Costumes is HERE.

Twitter Togs

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Since I am helping with various communications for the Burning Man Project, they suggested I go to a presentation at the David All Group (DAG).  This was the first of a series of events that will take place synchronously between the DAG Washington, DC and San Francisco teams.  I was live in the San Francisco office, which I loved. The event focused on “The Essentials of Twitter”.  I have not tweeted much either for myself nor for any of the entities that I run social media for, so I had a lot to learn and as usual I most enjoyed learning about metrics or the suggested frequency and timing for the optimization of your tweets.

Sometime yesterday (perhaps posted by the David All Group) I ran across this Twitter Outfit (below) from Social Media Inspired Outfits.  So of course I had to put together my darker version of the Twitter Inspired Outfit, including the Twitter Bird logo (see the photo above with David All). My outfit is not exactly a match but I thought the Twitter Outfit was a little corporate for my taste.

Here are the deets:
Bird Pendant: Designed by my good friend Laura Kimpton as gifts for Burning Man 2009
Cami: Very Old 2X Emme
Skirt: Tripp Size 5x from Torrid
You can’t see them but I also have capri leggings and boots of course as well as the bracelets I have been wearing everyday for a month.  I like to think of this outfit as the funky Twitter look. LOL

I am going to download DAG’s “Essentials of Pinterest” because I feel like I would love Pinterest but just have not taken the time to check it out, so you may see my version of that outfit too.  So thanks to the David All Group for having me come to their offices.  Hope to see you at Burning Man.

Ciao Bellas…affinity

Torrid! Torrid! Torrid! and a little ASOS Curve

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I am not really a floral kind of girl, but I just had to try this sweater because it came out in spring and I thought it might be really light, and guess what, it is.  Is is half the weight of similar sweaters I own like this and this.  It was 68° here in San Francisco so I wanted a little something to cover up with and to brighten up my dress. I love the silver sparkle, floral leggings except that the size is weird.  They are a 2X and a 1X would actually fit better and the are from Torrid, where I wear a 5X dress.  And you may have noticed that these big bracelets are my staple this month.  Just liking the weight and fun on my wrist. Here are the deets…affinity

Sweater: Torrid Size 4X
Footless leggings: Torrid Size 2X
Bangle Bracelets: Torrid
Balloon Skater Dress: ASOS Curve Size 22
Elyse Boots: Avenue Size 9.5W

Tripp NYC Plus Sizes – Review

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A Tripp skirt might be the first piece of clothing I ever bought from Torrid, years ago. The skirt was a purple underskirt with tulle overlay and was a 4X, and always a bit small, but I loved it so I wore it anyway. At the time it seems to reflect Torrid’s edgy style. Then this fall I found this turquoise pleated skirt at Torrid in a 5X, and it is a perfect fit.   That drew me back to Tripp and I bought a couple of pairs of jeans (leopard which you will see later), which you can buy at  One Stop Plus or Torrid (as well as a bustier on sale) for about the same price. FYI, the short jeans are just a bit too short for me and I am 5′ 5″.  I look for Tripp pretty often on Ebay because I rarely find anything else that I like quite as much.

A few weeks ago, I found this 4X mini pleated skirt in a purple plaid and I just had to have it but as you can see below it is a little small and I will not be wearing it again.  So it seems to me that Tripp NYC runs just a tiny bit small but I love their fun style and I think it reflects who I am, so I will continue to buy it when I can find it in my size.

I purchased the belt on Ebay many years ago. If I were buying it today I would not buy rhinestones since I have lost a few over the years…affinity