“Plus Size”. What does that mean? Well, by definition, “Plus Size” is an adjective used to describe women over size 12. As a society, we have become accustomed to this phrase; however, accepting the implications of this adjective has proven to be more difficult. As a size 16, I am proud of my body.
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I am a confident woman and I hold my head high, regardless of the size of my jeans! The issue is: I CAN’T FIND JEANS IN MY SIZE! I don’t dwell on being a “Plus Size”, but I have always been irked by the amount of effort that it takes to find cute clothes in “Plus Sizes”.
Shopping, one of my favorite hobbies, can quickly become a chore due to a lack of options in size 16. Hunting through racks and racks of size 8’s in hopes of finding one cute bohemian skirt in a size 16 can be exhausting. I happen to love effortless bohemian fashion, but everyone has their own unique personality & point of view to celebrate. This can add to the difficulties facing those of us seeking style above size 12. Walking through the local mall brings a stark realization that, once again, you will be buying “a shirt that fits”, rather than the shirt that you love.
After years of buying and wearing clothes “that fit”, I began to ponder that old adage “Perception is Reality”. I came to the conclusion that: Like it or not, what you wear is an indication to the outside world of who you are. By wearing clothes because they were available in size 16, rather than wearing clothes that fit my style, what message was I sending to those I encountered? I thought about this and I didn’t like any of the answers that came to mind. It was especially unsettling when I took inventory of how many shirts, skirts, sweaters, and pants I had in black. Being such a popular color, black had always been my security blanket, my safety net. In a pinch, I could always find something black in a size 16. I wondered if the world viewed me as being persistently in mourning. I do love Johnny Cash, but my reasons for wearing black were not quite as idealistic as his!
Thus, I set out on a quest to find the clothes that I love in the styles that I love. I wasn’t going to compromise this time! If my mission was a failure, I knew I would have to learn to sew, because I wasn’t going to live in a colorless, lackluster world any longer! I was done with the mall, I was done with boutiques, and I was so over department stores with “Plus Size” sections that didn’t quite cater to my generation. I had an inkling that there must be a website that offered comfortable quality bohemian apparel in my size. I hit the ground running and googled my little heart out scouring the internet for edgy and feminine bohemian gear.
My inkling was right on point! My efforts lead me to Soul-Flower.com, and I could not have been happier! Not only does SoulFlower have a variety of Plus Size bohemian clothes, but they have these items in various colors and patterns. I was thrilled to have color back in my life! Since finding SoulFlower, I have completely revamped my wardrobe to include the cute shirts, skirts, sweaters, and pants that I had always wanted, but could never find in my size. SoulFlower’s website makes it easy to shop and includes helpful photos of people with various body types modeling their clothes. This is very helpful in judging an item’s “true fit”.
SoulFlower offers a happy place for those weary of the hunt for Plus Sized fashion. SoulFlower keeps my style fresh by offering new Plus Size fashion every season. I now feel certain that my attire reflects the correct message: “Hello world, I am proud of who I am!”.
Cam LaBelle
February 23, 2011 at 3:51 pm (14 years ago)Right on!! 🙂
I have a very ample booty, so all my jeans are either really tight in the bum or too long in the length. Hippie/Boho skirts solve that problem 🙂
SoulFlower just rocks the house…
SoulflowerBuds
February 23, 2011 at 3:59 pm (14 years ago)Boho skirts are so much more awesome & funky than jeans, anyway, right? 🙂 Thanks, Cam!
Anonymous
February 23, 2011 at 4:19 pm (14 years ago)I definitely know how she feels! I have the same problems with finding clothes that fit my size!
Niki
February 23, 2011 at 4:58 pm (14 years ago)Yeah I know the feeling but find that Soul-flower is pretty much the same as most companies. Offering a 16 is great but I definitely wouldn’t say soul flower has “plus size” clothes. I’m 6’0″ and wear a size 24 so far the only things I’ve been able to get from soul flower are scarves and purses…..
Kelly
February 23, 2011 at 5:20 pm (14 years ago)Agreed with Niki. In the past 9+ months, I have lost over 100 lbs (and still going) so can now fit into a 16, but when I was in 26/28s… it kind of hurt to come to SoulFlower’s site and look longingly at skirts and tops that, while yes technically plus size, were still not a very big size range of plus sizes.
Props to SoulFlower for thinking of the bigger, curvier girls… but plus size is so much more than extended sizes to 20.
Fortunately, now that I can fit into 16s, I will soon be ordering some beautimous SF clothing. 🙂
Anonymous
February 23, 2011 at 6:16 pm (14 years ago)LOVE this blog… I can completely relate and I just discovered SoulFlower and am excited to redo my wardrobe!
Sundari Studios
February 23, 2011 at 6:57 pm (14 years ago)I am able to purchase some clothes from soulflower in my size 18, but I have gone the handmade route and started making and selling hippie clothes with an emphasis on real plus-size. I make apron tops to cover problem areas in all sizes, skirts, pretty much anything.
Anonymous
February 24, 2011 at 12:57 am (14 years ago)preach it!
one small comment though: Synergy, the company that makes those really cute dresses and skirts on Soul-Flower (usually a solid color skirt/dress with a patchwork sun/bird/somthing on the side, yall know the ones i mean) Could someone ask them to please add a REAL large to their line? maybe even an xl if their feeling generous? I LOVE their stuff so much i still buy the skirts, but then i have to wear a bigger shirt to cover the waist-band ( yall know what i mean)
i applaud their plus sized efforts, but i think some of the companies they sell (i.e. licensed grateful dead merch in female styles….some of us have tits you know!) need to get with the program
Anonymous
February 25, 2011 at 12:29 am (14 years ago)I love your blog, the looks you put together are so fun! Can’t wait to see more!
brittany
March 1, 2011 at 5:24 am (14 years ago)adorable pics! thanks for sharing your storie(s)!
Anonymous
March 15, 2011 at 5:19 pm (14 years ago)Me, too!! It’s frustration that when you are 16+, clothing becomes, old and fuddy-duddy.