I’ve been reading plus size fashion blogs and they range across the spectrum in terms of how relevant they are to plus size women and their clothing options.

If you’re writing about plus size fashion, here are a few guidelines:

1.If you think that plus size starts at size 4, you shouldn’t be writing about plus. If you think it starts at 14 (it doesn’t) you should go and actually look at some people who are size 14. Plus sizes start at 16, and a larger clothing size does not automatically equal “fat.”

2. Get familiar with multiple body types. I admit I often shop for myself here, but I do try to keep an eye out for what would work well on other body types.

3. Plus size fashion is still mostly consumer-based. So you actually need to spend some time hitting Google and mining online magazines and forums to get a good grasp of what’s out there, because you’re not going to see it on a runway (with the notable exception of Velvet d’Amour.)

4. Quit fishing for celebrities. One “plus” blog actually brought up Kim Kardashian as a “plus role model.” I was furious; it isn’t the first time I’ve thought that blogger was unqualified on the topic. I also see a lot of references to America Ferrerra as a plus size cover girl. Both these women are around size 6-8 - which is most definitely not plus sized. While Queen Latifah, Beth Ditto and Nikki Blonsky are true plus-sized fashion anchors, there just aren’t enough plus celebrities around for women to use a “celebrity role model” as is recommended by some fashionistas. Plus women are carving their own styles, template free.

5. If you find a private/indie designer targeting the plus market, make sure you give them some attention, somehow, even if it’s just a link on your blog.

6. Learn about clothing. I’m in the process of learning more about sewing and clothing construction so I have a better idea of what’s reasonable to expect from consumer clothing - and what’s not.

7. RESPECT YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE. Don’t regale people with diets and “motivation.” Just respect that you don’t know who is really reading or what their motivations are, and keep to the topic/overall ideology of your blog.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Plus size magazines don’t have a great record for staying in print - I still hear mournful comments directed towards the fashion staple Mode (hilariously now the name of the fictional pub on Ugly Betty) .

There are strides forward in on-line plus size fashion, but I get the sense that there is some struggle regarding content. As far as I can tell, most of the articles skim the surface of what every woman’s magazine covers, with special emphasis on oh-so-carefully worded articles about food and health. As to the fashion, that’s tricky: mainstream women’s magazines don’t shoot “consumer” fashion - they don’t seriously expect their readers to buy the clothing they display. If they do, perhaps editorial staff should cut back on visiting whoever gives them their prescriptions. But in plus size clothing, all there is is consumer fashion - there aren’t any plus size designers I know of that are exploring fashion as art. Consequently, the rest of the dialog in these plus magazines is entirely consumer oriented without stepping forward into any of the political or intellectual challenges that are what actually drive readers to pick up or read the next issue.

Which is strange to me, because the plus size market has the most potential for politics and controversy. Mainstream editors know well that women’s perception of themselves is by far one of the most controversial and copy-selling topics around. We are expected to conform our bodies to another ideal in complete defiance of how biology works every ten years - it’s a rich, infinitely mineable angle.

And there are so many aspects of women’s lives that are talked about in mainstream magazines that could use some real discussion.

For example, Marie Claire just ran an article about changes in birth control options. A plus focused magazine could run an article about exactly how/why there is weight gain from certain hormonal combinations related to birth control.

Given the number of powerfully-written fat acceptance blogs out there, there could be endless writing done on the views of the medical community and what they’re founded in. The long-term impact of products to “make you thin.” Whether it’s important to try to look thin when you’re just not. The same makeup and skincare tips would still apply.

But for this to happen credibly, fashion-as-art has to lead the way.

Right now there are some light, pleasant reads available online for those who want to explore. Once in awhile, I can catch a new designer through these:

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There are certain trends and details I’m not wild about. Just for the fun of it, I thought I’d make my list here. I encourage you to add your lists:

• Leggings. Big surprise, I know.
• Ruffles and ties that hang off the chest.
• Large, loud prints.
• Mumus, caftans and things “rebranded” that are still nothing more than caftans and mumus.
• BIG puff sleeves - i.e. the stuff you see on bridesmaid dresses.
• Midriff/muffin top looks.
• Capris. While I still wear them from time to time, I don’t think they look good - but they’re handy when I’m gardening in summer.
• T-shirts bearing a brand logo. It feels like I’m paying to advertise someone else; if they want that, give me the shirt for free.
• High heels with jeans. This just bugs me.
• Clogs
• Crocs
• Most platform shoes these days - it’s been done. Move on.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I have this strange, irrational resistance to tunics. I know they’re comfortable, and figure-flattering when paired properly (long over short, loose over tight is still the rule I go by.) But something about them just seems too…easy. This may be because I’ve seen some really bad tunics in my day, polyester mix-knits with drawstrings in all the wrong places and baggy shapes to rival the Flying Nun. I think my resistance comes from the idea that it’s too easy - to drop something on that’s all drapey is just avoiding shape. Except in this case, shape or at least some flashy details are added, making it look to me like a real style option.

In this particular one, it’s the slit sleeves that interest me. Imagine the fun you can have flashing tatoos in that. Nevermind the matching pants - I never see anyone wearing matched sets these days anyway.

This I like for the detailing at the bust - it is brought in to countour the chest, adding shape where it would normally be a bit of a lump. It is that slightly longer look that those of us with bellies and short waists go for, and it’s also lightweight and breezy with a low-impact print.

These tunics, I might actually wear!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I understand - quite well, in fact - that even getting a business off the ground takes monumental effort that isn’t fully appreciated by those who have yet to do it. So I acknowledge that this particular ramble of mine may sound theoretical, out-there, beyond belief: I’ve seen more than a few of my rambles come true, however, so I’m putting this one out there with hopes that eventually, it comes around.

My city, Minneapolis, has a lovely downtown with plenty of office workers who can pretty well support the skyway convenience shops. However, it’s difficult at best to attract suburban shoppers.

The city planner’s take has been to make both Downtown and Uptown as suburban as possible. This led to erecting Block E, a chainstore monolith with movie theater, Applebee’s and Hooter’s. This year they’ve already lost the Border’s store that was meant to be a cornerstone building. Next door at the City Center, city blocks worth of shops stand empty as various versions of mall stores fail miserably there.

For some reason, the city planner has not put together that a suburbanite is not going to go into the city for the exact same things already available at a suburban mall. How and why the city planner fails to see this is beyond me; if it weren’t illegal, however, I would recommend that the next person hired for the job be tested for any symptoms of agoraphobia.

That’s great, Di, but what does this have to do with plus fashion?

I answer you: boutiques.

Minneapolis has a fairly kickass subculture fashion scene, clothing consignment shops that surrender plus size treasures, and a frustrating void of indie boutiques that cater to sizes above 8. We also have literally city blocks of unused space, and tourists need more reason to go downtown these days than “Ooh, overpriced restaurant. Ooh, Prince peed in public here in the 80s.”

So my thought is this: we’re already subsidizing these buildings. Why not drop the rent to something indie-business friendly and bring in as many burgeoning design houses as possible? Why not have a bunch of them be these new plus size sellers?

It would give the suburbanties a reason to come to downtown: plus size clothing boutiques beyond the usual fare at Torrid, Lane Bryant or Avenue. It would expose them to fashions before they became mainstream, and re-familiarize some with the concepts of tailoring, service, and having open feedback with designers. Perhaps some of the better known designers - such as Kiyonna, B&Lu and Igigi could become even better known, right in the heartland of heavy people.

It would be cool. And the resulting offshoot businesses would also be full of awesome - additional pickings in consignment shops, thrift and vintage, and I really hope to find a shop called “Flyover THIS.”

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!