Hey everyone! This weekend I had the privilege of going to a fat clothes swap, organised by
Claire in London, and I thought I'd post one of the things I got, which is this grey tailored jacket. I love dressing up my jeans with a smarter blouse, and this jacket makes the look even smarter.
Jacket, free via Fat Swap Shop
Blouse, M&S, £15
Jeans, Beth Ditto for Evans, £8
Loafers, Primark, £8
The event was fantastic, and it was a really affirming space for me (I'm hoping to get something similar happening in Leeds later this year) and a positive experience. I love clothes swaps, but normally don't find much in my size - it was great for this not to be an option! I love the ethos of clothes swapping, and particularly the difference between these environments and traditional high street environments. I feel that particularly in plus size spaces, we're marketed to in particular ways, which stress the importance of "flattering" shapes and disguising our fat (
this dress your shape guide from Evans being a perfect example).
High street shopping isn't a particularly fun experience as a fatty - in shops which have a larger size ranges, the larger sizes often aren't in stores (HELLO DOROTHY PERKINS), or the plus size ranges are hidden in the darkest corner of the store, or even only available online. I find that most of the time I now shop online, and that's disappointing and expensive when you factor in postage costs. This is often why, when I go shopping in stores, I hit vintage shops and charity shops - I probably stand the same chance of finding something, but I'm not made to feel inferior by my size being hidden in a corner/not in store/only available online. Everything's together, and I find I have more fun rummaging.
Coming to events like this is both amazing for my wardrobe(!) and for my experience as a fat woman. Instead of constantly having to compromise, the experience is fun and empowering. It's great to see people laughing about clothes, and also being able to see something that doesn't fit one person suiting someone else so well. I consider myself very lucky to know so many awesome people, and to be able to partake in events like this! So thank you very much to Claire for organising, and I'll be posting with more bits and pieces I scored as the week goes on!
Here's an obnoxiously bright outfit best suited for the start of Spring (someone should tell Leeds that it is Spring soon though, it's been miserably dark of late). I bought these green tights off a friend who was selling them on because, well, who doesn't need green tights in their life?! They're we love colours, size E, and whilst they fit well there's lots of room to spare, so next time I buy a pair I'll probably size down. They're probably the tallest fitting tights I've ever owned, however, I can actually pull them over my bra! So definitely a good option for other tall fats!
Hey all! Thought I'd show off another swap find, which was this lovely burnt orange 70s-esque tunic. It's originally from Primark, size 16 (and er, VERY GENEROUS). I think I'd looked at these when they were in store, but I'm not normally a massive fan of tunics because I don't like having to wear leggings or trousers beneath them, so didn't get it. However, I'm really glad I found it again - thank you to the person who brought it along! The sheer wide sleeves are really comfortable and good British Spring attire, and I like that it's another smart but comfortable piece that's easily remixed.
It's been a good while since I first bought this dress, but it still remains one of my favourite daywear items. I wore this on Saturday to go to Bradford with a friend, buy some zines from a fair and eat curry (a pretty good combination in my opinion!). I dug this necklace out of my jewellery box the other day when I was having a sort out - it was pretty much my favourite accessory all through my final year of university and I'm not sure how or why it got buried. It's a nice tough to add to an otherwise quite simply outfit.
This was an errand runing outfit from earlier in the week. I love this skirt, but the length is definitely odd for me - I always feel a little frumpy in it, because I normally wear mid thigh skirts. I'm wearing it more now though, as the bright yellow is such a Spring colour.
An everyday sort of outfit today - these pieces are pretty much my staple wardrobe items. I think you've all seen them countless times before, but maybe not together in this way.
Dress, Dorothy Perkins, £20
I do sometimes find myself wondering if I'll ever grow out of dresses, docs and cardigans. I feel like I've been dressing in this outfit (and variations) since I was a teenager, and it's just so comforting. This cardigan is my new favourite thing ever, unsuprisingly given how much I've posted it, and I'm enjoying living in this interchangable outfit in the cold days and dark mornings, when more elaborate ensembles are too much to deal with.
Here's another remixed outfit for work this week. I'm finding circle skirts a nice compromise between smart and repetitive - though still finding not being able to be a bit wackier a bit stifling. Thankfully I'm not stuck in tailoring all day, which is something at least! I'll try and be a bit more imaginative this week perhaps.
Zines and books:
Dress, $20, vintage store
Hey everyone! This weekend I had the privilege of going to a fat clothes swap, organised by Claire in London, and I thought I'd post one of the things I got, which is this grey tailored jacket. I love dressing up my jeans with a smarter blouse, and this jacket makes the look even smarter. 
Well, last night I allowed myself a whole evening away from my iPhone! Suffice to say we've been glued together these past few days, but a rest and a curry from my local has definitely worked a treat!
Here's a slightly more every day outfit for you all today. I picked up these tweed cropped trousers from a goodwill in Portland over the summer. They're a modern brand, but the pattern, high waist and pleats make them feel very 60s to me! In an attempt to channel some Audrey I wore them simply with a blouse and loafers.
Here's another work outfit for you, featuring a new tank top I found at a clothes swap recently. I bagged some new linen peep toes from Primark recently, though I'm sure the foul weather we've had began as soon as I began to attempt to wear them out. For them time being, it looks like they're getting relegated to the holiday packing pile! Curse the British summer!