Plus Size Vintage Finds

Figuring out how clothing sizes work nowadays can be a headache and the thought of trying to translate sizings into vintage clothing is enough to scare any plus size gal away. That, coupled with the smaller supply of plus size vintage clothing makes rooting through a vintage shop downright depressing. But now we have this handy thing called the internet and some very special people who have solved our problems!

Etsy has a whole section on their site for vintage finds. There are so many beautiful things on there that it wasn't long before I started looking for plus sized items. Now, here are a few things I have found in shopping for plus size vintage clothing:

1) Plus size means different things to different people. Know your measurements! And if the item doesn't have measurements listed, always ask the seller!

2) Remember most vintage clothes don't stretch! Really the only vintage fabric that has any stretch is polyester and it's not the same type of stretch that you are used to with current materials. So pay attention to how the garment goes on, if it has any closures or fasteners and again know your measurements!

3) Don't be discouraged by mumu's and tent dresses. Lots of and lots of these will come up in a search for plus sizes because they allow for a lot of room. But the good thing is that housedresses, or mumu's used to be very fashionable so you can find some great prints and details. All you need is a great belt and it can be turned into a fabulous dress.

One great store I have found with a large selection of plus size vintage clothing is Green Violet Vintage. She has some great finds and is always adding to her stock. Check out some of these beauties and don't be afraid to hunt for some vintage finds of your own!

Snow Bunny Style

The Winter Olympics started this past weekend and I'm sure you've been caught up in the drama and glamor of the competition as much as I have. Even though I have never stepped foot on a snowy mountain, watching these athletes has me interested in trying my hand at some of these sports. So, I got to wondering what I would need and if I would even be able to find it. Now, for the more experienced skier I'm sure there are better places to find your gear, but for a true beginner with no access to snow gear whatsoever I found a site that I would be comfortable buying from. It's called Beautiful Skier and it offers a pretty large collection of plus sized snow gear. They offer everything from jackets, parkas, and snow pants in cute colors and girly styles. You can order online and pay with PayPal (always a bonus in my book) or you can search for a location near you. With locations in Canada as well as many states in the US, you are sure to find what you need!

Unisex Doesn't Have to Mean Manly

Screen printed t shirts are highly popular right now. If you're like me you have scoured the internet, scanned pages of Etsy, and shopped racks at clothing stores trying to find something cute that fits correctly. Many plus size stores have screen printed casual t shirts but the designs can be limiting. Some of the indie stores than can be found on Etsy only carry woman's sizes that tend to run on the small size and only go up to an XL. But I have found a breakthrough solution to this dilemma. Pay attention for the word Unisex. Unisex means for men and women. Now before you get an image of a Hanes Beefy T in your head, take a look at these beauties.


This is a Unisex V Neck shirt from American Apparel. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes. The biggest size in an XL with measurements of 48 inches at the chest. But I own this shirt and I would bet it measures even larger than that, plus it stretches.

Here is an example of an Etsy store who is using Unisex sizes in her designs. Even though it doesn't directly say American Apparel, it is pretty clear that this is the style she is using. Still looks pretty girly to me! This shirt is available at EveryLittleCounts store on Etsy.

A Very Special Etsy Seller

It's always great to find an Etsy seller who makes plus sizes. It's even more special to find one who loves their shop and their customers. I have been sort of stalking TheGarbologistsWife for quite some time. All of her items are so beautiful looking and she often has plus size ready to wear items. But when on the search for a dress to wear to the theater, this gem came up I knew I was in love.

This seller was extremely friendly and welcomed any and all of my questions. She offers to custom size any dress even though she has a wide range on her sizing chart. This dress comes in 4 colors, but she also offered to find any color I wanted, and can be made in sizes Small - 3X!

Check out her blog, too, she has some great plus sized finds.

I was thrilled when she informed me my dress was completed and that she herself was so pleased with it that she put it on her own blog! My dress is famous! Yes, that's MY custom dress right there in that post. So hurry over to her store before I buy up all of her cute plus sized stuff!

Forever 21 Plus Size Line - Faith 21 Extended Sizes

I appreciate plus size designers. They understand the different proportions that a plus size gal has. She isn't just "bigger" but her body is distributed differently than an "average" girl. But sometimes I shop around and whimper at the cute stuff available at awesome prices for those "average" girls. "Why can't they just make those exact designs in plus size proportions?" I ask myself. Well, someone over at Forever21 must have been a mind reader. They have introduced their new extended size line called Faith 21.

There are so many cute things Faith 21 and at those coveted Forever21 prices. They are adding new things to the website every day and the selections are different all the time. And the best part is that most of this line is the exact same stuff as the "average" sizes, only it's plus sized! You can see many of the pieces modeled by the gorgeous plus size models they have at Faith 21 and then again over at Forever21! And is that Miss Whitney, the first ever plus sized winner of America's Next Top Model I spot over there at Faith 21? Why yes it is!


Delight in some of these gorgeous selections from Faith 21. Don't forget you may even be able to catch this line in person as some of the Forever21 stores are starting to carry the line. Be sure to check the website to see if it's available at a store near you!

Get legs that will make everyone jealous!

Don't spend hours at the gym agonizing over those legs. Flaunt what you got, confidence makes anyone glow! And look at these gems of stockings I have found to draw attention to your stems. These tattoo tights by Post on etsy.com are so unique you are sure to get stopped a million times when you wear them out. "Where did you get those?" everyone will ask. It's up to you to keep it your little secret or share it with the world.

I love these tights so much I decided to share them with the world. And of course, the best part is that they come in plus size! All of their styles and colors come in size XXL, which can stretch to 48 inches at the waist and 55 inches at the hips. They are available in 5 colors so you can either try to match your skin tone or choose black or white. Now be sure to treat your tights well as they are delicate, hand wash them and be careful not to snag them. These tights are the oomph needed to jazz up a plain dress. I guarantee you'll feel extra special when you wear these out, just try not to feel beautiful, it's impossible!