Plus-size Fashion and Androgyny
02.18.24
By Skylar Wachtman
I’ve always been a lot bigger than my peers, so finding clothing that fits me has been a challenge. This obstacle progressed when I first decided to experiment with androgyny at 16. The few plus-size brands that are out there tend to be on the feminine side. A few clothing brands create androgynous styles, but it’s rare for them to be size-inclusive. None of these options are particularly cheap, either. Being plus-size and gender nonconforming is an incredibly isolating experience. I’m here to let my fellow plus-size friends know that you aren’t alone and to share what I’ve learned over the years with you all.
Don’t be afraid to shop from either section of the store
Clothing stores are almost always divided into “men’s” and “women’s” sections. Don’t limit yourself to one or the other based only on these arbitrary labels. Mix and match based on what you like. Some kinds of clothes will fit better than others. For instance, if you have a larger chest, “women’s” shirts might fit you better than “men’s.” If you have broad shoulders, “men’s” shirts might be the way to go. “Women’s” jeans tend to fit a bit tighter around the legs, while “men’s” jeans are more straight-legged. Also, consider silhouette. “Women’s” clothing tends to fit closer to the body and creates curves. “Men’s” clothing tends to be a bit boxier.
Finding creators and influencers
One of the best ways to develop a style is to look to the internet, but it took me a long time to find people who look like me on social media. The plus size influencers that are androgynous are scarce on the internet. Basically, I followed almost every plus-size content creator I found until the algorithm started showing me people who had a style similar to mine. If you don’t want to wait that long, here are some awesome accounts to get you started:
Jordan Underwood (@jordallenhall on TikTok)
Posh Heat (@posh_heat on Instagram)
Jazzmyne Jay (@jazzmynejay on Instagram)
Jade Fox (@iamjadefox on TikTok)
*Jade is not plus size herself, but she does give some tips regarding masc/androgynous fashion for all body types.
Shopping local is hard
A lot of people encourage buying from local and small businesses, which is great! Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find size-inclusive options at these locations, especially in the Bellingham area. Western Washington University hosts some great free clothing swaps and programs, such as the Career Closet, but again, the sizes are limited.
Chain thrift stores like Goodwill can have some great options, but often the bigger clothes are picked over. There are trends that encourage straight-sized people to thrift clothing that are several sizes too large for them. “Oversized” clothing is very trendy at the moment, which speaks to the privilege that straight-sized people can have. Since they’re able to fit into clothes that are larger than their normal sizes, they can choose to get clothes that give a baggy fit. Meanwhile, plus-size people can’t always make that choice and struggle to find clothes that cover their bodies at all. There’s also the trend of “flipping” or modifying thrifted clothing in order to fit tighter on the wearer’s body. It’s understandable if the article of clothing is a size or two too big, but often people who participate in this trend like to look for clothing that is 2X or larger. This leaves people who are plus-sized left with very few options.
Fast fashion is a hot-button topic, I mean, The Rage even made a great blog post about alternatives to buying from fast fashion places. But a lot of alternatives just don’t work out for plus-size people. It’s okay to buy from places that aren’t the most sustainable every once in a while, it’s just important to be a smart consumer. Be aware of the working conditions that the employees of a brand might be subjected to. Don’t toss your clothes a month after getting them. Instead of throwing away your clothes, consider donating them, reselling them on places like Depop or repurposing them. Try to keep accessory buying to local stores, since size isn’t as much of an issue with them.
If there are any straight-size people reading this article, here are some thoughts for you to take into consideration: If you’re a small business owner, consider size-inclusivity in your products. If you shop at thrift stores, try not to buy out plus-size or “oversize” clothes, save some for people who don’t have many options. If you run the clothing swaps or the free career closets at Western, it’s important to include more plus-size clothing.
And to my plus-size friends, please be kind to yourselves and don’t give up. We deserve the same opportunities and resources that everyone else does. Keep fighting for those opportunities, keep digging to find what suits you best. We need to be looking out for each other.