Tag Archives: fatshion

Beth Ditto’s Domino Dress and Leggings

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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

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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

Torrid CrossBack Dress Review

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18083_10151330547716280_1498661911_nI went to my fabulous tailor this week, Barbra Hume, who is also a designer. She was altering a dress for me to wear to the Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fashion and Fire, fashion show I was going to and we discussed why I feel like I need to wear one dress or another for a particular occasion!  That turned out to be very interesting because that afternoon this Torrid dress arrived in the mail and I knew I had to wear it rather than the fabulous Simply Be dress that I am going to save for The Bay Lights Opening Ceremony on March 5th.  Why, because I could not wear this strappy, too revealing, form fitting and short for an old fat lady, to an event the Mayor of San Francisco and the Lt. Governor of California are going to attend. But I love it, so I wore it to an evening of boundary stretching fashion.

The photos of me in this dress are not very good.  I promise to reshoot and post them soon.  It is the best fitting strappy dress I have ever tried on. The straps fit perfectly, the waist is long enough and it is just fun. I was sure it would be too small but just that little bit of spandex made it work in the waist and yet not tug anywhere. But, I cannot seem to get a great photo of me in it to share with you. I am so happy I took a chance on it after looking at it for a couple of weeks before I took the risk, rarely does anything this fun last that long on Fattoo Grand, the Facebook online resale page.  I love it.

Here are the deets:

Dress: Torrid – Size 5X – purchased thru Fattoo Grand

Coat: Lane Bryant – Size 24 – Double Breasted and pulls a little if I try to button all the buttons  Here is a similar version  I cannot tell you how many compliments I got on this coat!   Purchased from Jessica Kane on Fattoo. How fun is that?  Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time.

Tights with studs (glued on): Lane Bryant – Size 26-28 – Way too large – purchased through Fattoo

Regarding Leggings: I tried on some Avenue Size E leggings that I had but I could not even get them up my skinny legs.  Since I am 5’5″ and weigh 275 lbs. I was very disappointed when they did not fit. I guess I will buy some Size EE while they are on sale.

Avenue Size Chart

Avenue Size Chart

Shoes: Lane Bryant – Size 10W – my most comfortable flat

photo: Gary J. Wilson

photo: Gary J. Wilson

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I thought you might like to see some photos of the show:

This was my favorite dress of the evening with the windowpane design

This was my favorite dress of the evening with the windowpane design

photo: Brittany Schell

photo: Brittany Schell

photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography

photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography

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photo: Ed Jay

photo: Ed Jay

photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography

photo: Will Bucquoy WB Photography

A stained glass gown and a dress bejeweled with images displayed in LED lights are just a few of the pieces of evening wear made from steel, wire, leather and other industrial materials that will be paraded down the runway this weekend at The Crucible in West Oakland for the Hot Couture fashion show.  Brittany Schell

And Rose Nisker Aerialist did a beautiful performance with a live violin accompaniment

740999_10151337756677591_1596841012_oAll in all a very exciting evening.

01/18/2013 Update: An Oakland Local Blog review of the event.

Peace…affinity

Joe Zee’s 2013 Fashion Trends – Where Can I Find Them in Plus Sizes?

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Joe-Zee-Elle-Magazine I am a big fan of Joe Zee. He is the the Creative Director of Elle Magazine and hosts “All on the Line”, a fashion series on the Sundance Channel. I feel like he has his finger on the pulse of what works and what is next so when I saw that ABC did an interview with him I wanted to share the highlights.  I thought you might like to see the suggestions in some plus sizes.

TREND #1: LACE

Torrid Nude And Black Lace Splice Tank Dress – On sale now $39

Torrid Red And Black Lace Tube Top – On sale now $32.98

Lace was huge on the runways for spring.  Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Bottega Veneta and Burberry were some of the best examples. It is definitely a return to delicate, feminine dressing.  I love the idea of lace detailing on skirts, pants and coats. Lace tops are great to pair with a structured blazer to offset the sweetness. A super easy way to integrate the lace trend into spring is a lace tight!  Joe Zee

TREND #2:  JAILHOUSE STRIPES

IMG_1803Graphic prints like stripes and checkerboard were huge on the spring runways. Most notable were the Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton shows, both designed by Marc Jacobs. Strong prints were sent down the runway in all silhouettes, from gowns to minis to suit sets.  The best way to integrate this into your spring wardrobe is piece by piece. A strong jacket or blazer pairs well with a dark jean or cropped pant where as a skirt or pant goes well with a classic button down or a super soft t-shirt in black or white.  You can keep your whole outfit graphic and on trend without turning into an optical illusion!  Joe Zee

Old Stripes are New Again

TREND #3:  90′s GRUNGE

IMG_2539“90’s grunge is rough and girly with a great mix of patterns and proportions. It’s about a balance of texture and toughness.”

I am about to add rhinestones going the other direction on this DIY Size 4X top, and you cannot really tell that the shoulders have lace on them. This is a top I found in my drawer and decided to use for studding…affinity

For spring, layer a great knit over a delicate dress and add a great boot. Mixing prints like floral and plaid with a solid in between is also a great way to step into this trend!  Joe Zee

In Joe Zee’s Own Words: Four Wardrobe Must-Haves

1) A black leather moto jacket.  This is an Elle wardrobe staple for all seasons.  Leather adds great texture and toughness to almost all pieces of a woman’s wardrobe. Cool with jeans, pencil skirts or over dresses. We saw spring-weight leather at many shows this past season – always a great investment piece. Joe Zee

Simply Be Leather Look Biker Jacket – $105 

Michael Kors Biker Jacket – $399 – only in 1X

Inc. Non-leather Jacket – $99.50 (plus 15% off code) size to 3X – I find this brand runs large. If I needed a jacket, this is what I would try and I am a 4X…affinity

IZOD Leather Moto Jacket – $129

Very difficult to find this late in the season most of the plus size biker jackets I looked at were sold out…affinity

2) Skinny dark jeans (slim cut).  Denim finds its way onto every runway season and it’s why it’s on our trend list each season. Dark denim is seasonless and a necessary addition for spring. Pair it with a blazer or leather and add accessories to go from day to night. Joe Zee

Torrid currently has 67 versions of skinny jeans

3) A blouse or skirt with ruffle detail.  Ruffles and romantic details were huge this spring! Tone it down with a ruffle detail on a blouse for a bit of romance without being overwhelming.  Joe Zee

Torrid has a wide selection of items with ruffles

I had a more difficult time finding just ruffle detail on the edge of a collar or just down one side of the skirt.  Maybe those are not yet in plus sizes…affinity

4) A structured blazer.  Another major trend this past spring was suiting. We love the idea of breaking up a suit to still keep it cool! Pair it with jeans and a t-shirt to keep the ease. Joe Zee

ASOS Curve Blazers – Size 22 = about a size 26 US

Blazers are everywhere this year, Avenue, Lane Bryant, Jessica London, etc. I have tons from my many years of working in the corporate world so I will not be buying any…affinity

PEACE…affinity

Affatshionista in 2012

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for Affatshionista, for her first year.  In the spirit of transparency I thought you might like to see it.   The blog received over 12,000 views in a little over 10 months, there were 104 new posts, and the busiest day of the year was October 25th with 351 views and of course the most popular post that day was Beth Ditto – My Fatshion Hero.

Thanks to each of you for reading and contributing to my blog.  I love including people I meet along the way, my friends and my funny Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) projects. I am thrilled when you find something useful or amusing, I am having a great time.  A special shout-out to my friend to Ali Baba, my most avid reader and commenter, but know that I can feel the presence of each and every one of you helping to stretch the parameters of what is fun and appropriate clothing for a 64 year old supersize fat woman.   I continue to be most delighted by receiving hits from around the world, I cannot imagine what they think.

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Click here to see the complete report.

Our journey together continues, but for the last time in 2012, Ciao Bellas…affinity

D.I.Y. Plus Size 26 Santa – Mrs. Claus Costume

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PhotoNicolo_aff santa copy with hatFor the past 6 or 7 years my husband has been Santa at a Volunteer Appreciation Party, so we have more than our share of photos together dressed in Santa costumes, but this is the first year I have had a fatshion blog to share my D.I.Y. costume on.

It is VERY simple:

Hat: Fedora from e4Hats, a lot of their hats run large so I start with them when I am looking for a hat.  It is just a $20 red fedora and I added white marabou around the brim.  I lost it at the party so I will be replacing it.

Cami: Plain red cami from Avenue, Size 26 – 28, I added white marabou around the bodice.

Skirt:  Plain red skirt I purchased on Ebay years ago with a large black waist band, handmade.  But if I were looking for one today I would try Jessica London, Avenue and One Stop Shop.  They all carry Sizes 24+ and are not too expensive.

Leggings:  Leg Avenue Size 3-4X, but the last time I tried that size they were too small.  If I were going to buy them today I would buy them from We Love Color, in this striped tight I am right at top of their size range, but their plain colors go to 375 lbs. (We Love Color no longer makes this striped tight)

Gloves: I buy almost any brand for as little as $5 of fingerless, fishnet gloves.  They have always fit.

Boots:  Last year’s Avenue lace up boot, Size 9.5 W, I wear them often, and the bows were in with my wrapping paper box and I tied them to my laces.

I am thinking of adding white marabou to the bottom of the skirt, what do you think?

My hat disappeared at the party (I rarely lose anything but it is gone, so it is time for a new one).  I purchased this one, which is a little pricey but I loved how fancy and light it was since my head gets too warm inside buildings sometimes.  But it is too big, and I have a big head, so I will be returning it this week.

Screen Shot 2012-12-29 at 9.11.20 AMHope you had a happy holiday,              Ciao Bellas…affinity

photo: Nicolo Sertorio

Update December 2013: I ended up keeping the hat and using it with my Mrs. Claus costume.  I think the new look makes the argument that almost anything will work, even a “go to church on Sunday, hat” it you add your personal touch. santa hat

Plus Size Yoek Review – Alphabet Top – Fashion Failure

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I have always loved to read and thus have always loved words, letters and fonts. Even my Affatshionista logo is made up of words.  So when I saw Skorch Magazine’s post by Bellas Styles that she had purchased an Alphabet Skirt from Yoek in the Netherlands, I had to have one.  I am not much of a pencil skirt girl, I like my skirts short and fluffy or pleated so I opted to an Alphabet “Tunic”.  And I cannot even tell you how much I loved that the letters in the print were in curvy lines, so fun.  I hope it is long enough to wear with tights.

I love that Yoek’s Plus Size is a size US 28-30, and the description of the item says This shirt has a flare fit.

So the top has arrived and it is just not very becoming.  In general I do not wear flowy clothing and it is 95% Polyester and 5% Elastic.  I am going to return it since it cost $113 Euros, which is about $150.  I do love the print but it is unlikely I will order from Yoek again.  Do you think it might have looked better if I had ordered a smaller size?

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Ciao Bellas…affinity

Torrid Plus Size Tights – Leggings

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IMG_2475These are some Size 2X 100% polyester tights I bought from Torrid this summer. The stretch comes from the fact that they are woven. They have a different sizing scheme since I wear a 4X in Tops and 5X in dresses and a 28 or 30 in pants at Torrid.

IMG_2467I love them.  I had been looking for something a little abstract in a plus size without much luck.  I find them difficult to wear unless I am wearing all black so that is a little limiting, and the lace skirt and top from Torrid were probably a little too “lacey” for the abstract cotton looking leggings. Still looking for the perfect outfit.

The bracelets came as a set from Torrid also.  I love bangles and they are often too small for me so this really makes me appreciate Torrid.

Ciao Bellas…affinity

Knoles & Carter Plus Size Leather

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I am sure you have noticed by now that I live in a colorful world.  Costumes, short skirts, fake fur…it is all part of both the fat positive and Burning Man cultures that I live in.  So I had to try Knoles & Carter plus size leather when I saw it.  About a year ago, I tried a fuchsia (what I thought was a fake fur but turned out to be rabbit fur) vest, Size 5X – Size 32 according to their charts.  It was made VERY similarly to the Knoles & Carter Jacket above, with an elastic waistband.  Well of course it did not fit, because this brand runs very small, but I could get it on, and wore it once or twice before I gave it away, but IT WAS SO CUTE.  So I thought you size 3X people should know about these jackets because they are precious and yes, in my opinion, the 5X will fit you perfectly.  You can buy one HERE for now, and a little different version in a Size 4x HERE.  In addition there are a few Jessica London leather jackets in a Size 3X which is their size 30-32. I have never tried one because they don’t seem to come in a style I am attracted to, but I thought you should know they are out there and in general Jessica London sizing is fairly true although as I said previously, I have not tried the leather.   Ciao Bellas…affinity

Hot & Heavy: A Book Review

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Do you want to read a book that says amazing things about fatshion?  Of course you do, and you can find it right here.

“I bought skintight exercise tanks that stretched across my belly with the gentle sensuality of kid gloves from a Victorian romance novel.”   Emily Anderson

“Fashion has much to do with freedom and visibility: the freedom to wear things that make us feel good and the visibility that comes with polka dots, sequins, and the occasional bow tie. Fashion is art, style and play. Fashion—or Fatshion—has inspired fat girls to take to the blogosphere and the runway.”   Virgie Tovar

“We love our shiny, bedazzled body-revealing costumes.  We don’t wear black for its slimming effect.  We work that shiny turquoise, pink leopard print, and gold lamé. We wear ruffle-butt panties for pants and bras with adornments for tops. This is nothing new for the average dancer, but for fat dancers, it is downright revolutionary.”   Jessica Judd

“Fashion is often held up as frivolous, conformist, unnecessary….To you, it might just be an outfit, but to me it’s performance, play, care, support, resistance, survival and fighting.”    Kirsty Fife

“The more radical I’ve gotten, the better I’ve dressed.  I doubt that it’s to do with any inherent styling ability emerging or even learning much more about what suits me.  It’s more to do with the introduction of a lick of fearlessness into my life. Clothes don’t pull me down anymore, and now I fear no waistband.”    Margaret Howie

“You’re still fat even if you wear all black.  Wearing all black doesn’t make you disappear.  It doesn’t make your hips smaller.  Wearing color is not going to somehow make you any more fat than you actually are.  I challenge people to wear stripes and color.”  Deb Malkin

And I feel like this quote from Virgie Tovar says it all for me:

“Oh, yes, this revolution will be accessorized, altered, and adorned with faux fur.”   Virgie Tovar

Ciao Bellas…affinity

There is a book reading this Thursday Night at the Booksmith in San Francisco, read more about it here.

Next stop on the Hot & Heavy blog tour:  Erin of Fierce, Free-thinking Fatties at http://fiercefatties.com.  Check out her review tomorrow and for more details on the blog tour visit Virgie Tovar’s site at http://www.virgietovar.com/hot–heavy-blog-tour.html.