Welcome to the World of FATshion

I believe that Plus Size women don’t have to feel left out of the world of fashion. Fashion is just a matter of finding ways to make it work for you. We don’t have to be fashion “outlaws,” and I strongly believe that fashion is for everyBODY.

Fortunately it seems that I’m not the only one!

There’s an ongoing movement reclaiming the right to fashion for the fat people all over the internet. The name of this incredible change of paradigms is FATshion. That’s right: an expression created with the fusion of the words fat and fashion.

Isn’t that great news?

A FATshion Revolution

Two years ago I decided to create a blog,Curlvely me, to discuss matters of self love and Size Acceptance and to try to redefine concepts of beauty as well as to defy common beliefs about size and health. I’m very positive that you can be beautiful, healthy and happy at any size.

I also happen to love fashion, and for a long time I thought that fashion wasn’t for me because I didn’t have the kind of body that strict fashion standards believe is acceptable for a woman. At some point, though, I decided that I was entitled to fashion and that I would make it work for me - not hide in a tunic because I was told it didn’t. As I grew in my desire to discuss fashion, I created a second blog, Curlvely Fashion, which is meant to be a place to express my long-neglected passion for fashion.

Back then, there weren’t a lot of blogs addressing the theme of plus-size fashion. There were already wonderful blogs on the so-called fatosphere that sometimes mentioned fashion, but it wasn’t the main subject. Recently, however, there has been a boom of plus-size fashion blogs that are redefining fashion and creating a wonderful network of people that want to show the world their unique styles and to share all kinds of fashion related ideas.

The FATshion representatives are from all over : Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and more. It’s a worldwide movement that gathers different people, each with a unique style but all with a common goal: to feel good about their bodies and to express that self-love through fashion.

Fashion Blogs 101: “Straight” and “Plus Size”

The internet has made possible the democratization of fashion through blogs that portray “real people,” not merely models or fashion designers. Now anyone can speak her mind and show others her wonderful outfits, inspiring them to embrace this idea and love the look and feel of their bodies, too! In the fashion world growing around the web, fashion is indeed for everyBODY. There are all kinds of people, bodies and styles. It’s truly an amazing diversity to choose from.

On fashion blogs people usually post pictures of their daily outfits or their OOTD (outfit of the day). They also talk about clothing preferences, ideas for outfits, places to shop and price comparisons. They make reviews of clothes and beauty products. They create video tutorials, offer problem solving on fashion matters, discuss their favorite brands and designers, body care, manicures, hair styles and makeup. They also post pictures of other fashion bloggers, creating a friendly enviromment among fellow bloggers.

What is interesting is that the FATshionistas, as they’ve come to be known, are making a distinction between “general” or “straight” fashion and “plus-size fashion,” and this distinction helps when it comes to deciding which blogs readers want to follow.

I don’t see this distinction as prejudicial; it’s not that the FATshionistas don’t read “straight” blogs, but as some people are more interersted in fashion for specific body types, this categorization can be a useful way of helping people find what they’re looking for.

But for both “straight” and “plus-size” blogs the spirit is the same: sharing experiences, making connections and having fun with fashion.

Why are FATshion Blogs So Interesting?

In general, I consider fashion blogs a great way to make fashion something more palpable and democratic, especially when it comes to FATshion blogs. In these online spaces, plus size women can show their beauty and unique styles, inspiring others. For me, these blogs are proof that you can have fun with fashion at any size.

Fatshion blogs defy stereotypes and rules. They manifest the ideal that we are all entitled to dress in a way that makes us feel good, that we have the right to wear nice clothes, perfume, jewelry and make up. They send the clear message that we are worthy of being groomed and that we should adorn our beautiful bodies in any way we deem fit.

We will explore more about the world of FATshion here at More of Me to Love in future posts by interviewing some of the FATshion bloggers and icons around the net. If you want to know more about some of these wonderful blogs just check the link for Plus Size Fashion blogs on the side bar of Curlvely Fashion. And please feel free to share your opinion and maybe new FATshion links in the comments!

Patricia Morgado is a Brazilian teacher, jewelry designer and a self acceptance and fashion blogger. She has a degree in Pedagogy and a Master's degree in Human Rights Education. She believes that the key to a happy life is learning to love ourselves. She also believes that fashion is for everyBODY. You can find her jewlery work at Madame Papu's.