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

My Favorite Emmy Dress Tonight

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January Jones wore my favorite dress of the evening but it was on the Worst Dressed List. That makes me a little concerned about my taste. Does that mean they would throw me off Project Runway for not having any taste? You know I like a little verve. I would love to hear what y’all think about this? Yea or Nay?

And my friend Sharon from In Full Swing mentioned all the yellow on the Red Carpet. Who can wear all that yellow? OMG, wake me up from this fashion nightmare. Ciao Bellas…affinity

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.

Facebook: the New Plus Size Online Thrift Store!

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IMG_2637  There are many plus size used or new clothing sites on Facebook, but be careful because I have found them to be addicting. I just bought this coat from Jessica Kane yesterday for $40 shipped. Great deal, I am sure she did not wear it much and I know Lane Bryant sizing so I knew it would probably fit, but I could just as easily have missed it if I had not been online.

The FatToo groups have the most complete rules and the sellers are individuals. Some of the other sites allow small business owners.  One other tip, if you later want to find something, if you can remember what group it was in, there is search capacity for the groups, on the upper right hand of the page under the cover photo.  It would really help if you kept track of what you bought and from whom, so you can go back and let them know you received the item.

Most of these groups are closed.  Go to the far right side of your screen and click the * and click to ask to join the group.  Women only!

I am going to list a few and you can see what might work for you:

FatToo: Sizes 20+  over 3,300 members

FatToo Grand: Size 28+  269 members

FatToo Accessora: Shoes, purses, belts, etc. 954 members

FatToo Incognito: Costumes  657 members

FatToo Night: Nightwear, intimates 788 members

FatToo Fancy and Bridal: (new in 2013)

FatToo Anonymous: All the fashion, chat, spillover from the group FatToo. Post pictures of yourself wearing your FatToo Purchases  532 members

Dress for Less:    Clothing Sizes 3X+   285 Members

Thick Thrift: Clothing and Miscellaneous Sizes 16 -28  57 Members – mainly one person listing, but since she lists some things in my size I am going to follow her – not on Facebook, but has a Facebook page

for Fats sake: Clothing size 14+   949 members – I do not subscribe to this group since the clothes run smaller

AccessorSIZE:  Everything (Some adult items)  527 Members

Fatshion: This group provides a spot for people to show what they are wearing and where thy got it.  Kind of like a “superblog”.  I read it everyday!

Cautionary Tales: Beware, get to know the site a little before you send anyone any money.  Almost all transactions are done thru Paypal, so you are trusting someone to send you something.  If there is an ongoing problem with someone they will probably get banned from the group, but you could lose your money in the interim.  There is also the sizing issue.  There are no returns for the most part so check the sizing and be sure you ask for the measurements where you might be unusual.  I have smallish arms but a big waist, since I am an apple shape. In addition there are quality issues, I bought some summer clothes recently and they were in pretty bad shape and had been cheap to begin with, but some other things have been great. On the other hand, I have NEVER bought a piece of clothing at a thrift store unless it was a plus size store and those are few and far between.  So I am loving these online thrift stores and am willing to take an occasional loss to get something fun at a discount.

There are many other groups but I cannot really tell you about them since I do not belong to them, but you can search at the top of your Facebook page for plus size clothing and mostly you can tell who the vendors are and what groups might be more individual sales groups.  If you know of any other on-line sites that you love, feel free to share them.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

Our Guest – Jenny Strauss

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I fell in love with these photos of Jenny on Facebook and ask if I could blog them.  She is a fashionista in her own right and blogs and writes.  I have never met Jenny, she is a friend of a very beloved friend of mine and I appreciate her sharing her amazing style with us.  I love her poses (I could learn a lot from her) and her willingness to be strong and vulnerable at the same time.  On this particular night she was out at the Malcolm X Elementary School Dance Benefit and Auction Party – photos by Eugene Chan.

Jenny said her dress is from a second hand plus size store in Seattle, that she got in 2005 and that she had to quit wearing the shoes, because she fell down several times on this night alone. Ciao Bellas…affinity

Do It Yourself (DIY) at Burning Man

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It was Friday at Burning Man and I was volunteering for the Burning Man Project.  My job was to chat with people and find out how they were bringing the Burning Man ethos to their home town, or to just give them some time out of the sun. While I was there I ran into my friend Molly Vikart. She was with some friends waiting for an art tour. Molly told me that Jessica (see photo) created a mini that morning for their outing, so I wanted to share it with you.

Jessica cut the skirt to the length she wanted and then took the leftovers and tied them around her calf to bring the whole look together. I thought it was very clever and gutsy, and she looked FAB. (And I LOVED the hat) How about you? Ciao Bellas…affinity

Affinity Goes to Burning Man

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In the spirit of shopping my closet before Burning Man this year I pulled out a skirt that I had silk-screened 10 years ago but never really found a way to wear it.  So I designed a t-shirt on Custom Plus to match the skirt.  I purchased a 4X but I think when I have a shirt made next time I will buy a 3X in this tank top.  Custom Plus is the only place on the web that I have been able to find that will make a woman’s t-shirt in a 4X and I love them for it.  The art in the background is EGO envisioned by my friend Laura Kimpton and it burned on Saturday night.

My necklaces are pieces I have collected over the years, given to me by artists and other Burners.  The EGO necklace did not fit since it is designed to fit tightly around my neck and it was given to me at Burning Man this year, but I have since added a necklace extender and now it fits perfectly.

I thought you might like to see my scooter.  Burning Man is a bike culture but I am allowed a scooter because I have a Disablilty Sticker for my car.  You can also see my little dusty shoes.  Most people wear boots but I find them way too warm on the desert so I wear regular lace leather shoes from our local plus size consignment store, Seams to Fit.

And last but not least  I thought you might like to see my hat with a rhinestone hatband made from wedding rhinestone ribbon and the Imagine Peace button is from a Yoko Ono art exhibit several years ago and one of my favorite belongings. Yoko had gifted hundreds of them to the attendees of the exhibit. You can see the new tattoo is doing very well and just as a reminder it means means “affinity” or “kindred” in Sanskrit. Great year at Burning Man 2012! Ciao Bellas…affinity

Yep, it’s Burning Man Season

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I leave in two days for Burning Man.  My husband has been there for a month helping to build the infrastructure for the event.  There will be about 60,000 people this year.  If you want to follow my blogging about Burning Man now and then, check here.  My friend Jennifer Raiser and I have a new tradition of doing something together to get ready to go.  Jennifer is also a blogger but in the big time, The Huffington Post, and SF Wire.  But mostly we are simpatico, we just “get” each other.  This year we decided to do sparkly mani/pedis at Wild Orchid Salon, a luxe downtown salon in San Francisco.  You cannot really tell but Jennifer has a “skull” on her big toe, and I have some purple flames under that glitter on a couple of nails.  I promise to bring a better camera next time.  We had a great time and you get to see the results.

Two years ago we did henna.  Fun but I just did not quite get in the swing of it, but thought you might enjoy seeing our photos.  

I don’t know what kind of connectivity I will have from Burning Man but I wil try to show you some fun clothes and a taste of the event from my point of view.  I will catch up with you upon my return if I can’t blog from – out there in the desert.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

Lane Bryant Socks aka Anklets – A Review

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Well I don’t know about you but I am always looking for something sockish to wear with flats and a skirt or jeans, that are not trouser socks or knee highs, which I can barely find in my size and do not stay up anyway.  You know, kind of the new take on bobby socks and sneakers.  Today my “anklets” arrived from Lane Bryant, on sale for $3.99 for 2 pair and fun and quirky, and guess what, they are a great fit.  I wear a 10WW so finding fun socks is difficult and I am thrilled with these.  Lane Bryant also carries standard but fun printed socks that I expect may fit similarly, but I cannot guarantee that.  I love the pink houndstooth, a couple of leopard choices and some polka dots.  But I am in love with my new anklets and I bet you will be seeing them around. So if you are feeling sockish check them out.  Ciao Bellas…affinity

Update: 9/12/2012  Did you see this video with Beyonce wearing high heels and  socks, all the cool girls are doing it?

Update November 13, 2012:  Love this photo, it made my day.

 

Annalogy – Gorgeous Clothes to a Size 5X

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 I stopped by the the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance Convention in San Mateo a couple of weeks ago to see my friends and to checkout the trunk show from the plus size clothing stores, who often carry clothes 4X and larger.  And there I found my long time friend Marilyn Wann, a force for good in the fat acceptance world.  She is even in Wikipedia, gotta love that.  I asked her what she was wearing this year and she could not say enough good things about Annalogy, They carry sizes to a 5X, which is a size 30-32.  I love their styling I can see a sophisticated business woman wearing some of the looks and yet some of the other pieces are very versatile and could fit in any wardrobe.

Here is what my friend Marilyn had to say:

Yes! I was squeaking with delight! I *LOVE* *LOVE* *LOVE* Annalogy’s Anna Roberson’s fashion sense! She uses fabrics that are modal (a kind of super-soft rayon) with a bit of spandex. My total favorite fabric! And she styles them into exactly the kinds of garments that are going to let me live the fantasy of wearing modal every day and feeling like I’m in a cozy bed all the time! Squeak of delight!!!

My friends met me at the trunk show and we then ended up dancing in the hall with two of my prior aerobics teachers, Deb Burgard from the 1980s and the Cinder Ernst from the 90s and the 2000s (is that how you think I should express the period of 2000-2010?) and my good friend Carol Squires.  It was old home week, a combination of two teachers that have been very important to me and a friend I do not see very often, but danced with for years, and the delight of dancing to songs that I know so well my body was just thrilled.  Just SO much fun!    Ciao Bellas…affinity