Guest Post: Plus Size Pinup

Guest post by Cara Hill

I think an important part of the body positive journey is wearing clothes that make you feel fabulous – at least, it has been a very important part of my journey. I find it nearly impossible to feel bad about myself and my body if I am wearing a kick ass outfit, one that I love, that I feel good in and that I believe looks good on me.

My favourite style at the moment is retro inspired – tops and full swings skirts or dresses that nip in at the waist, all worn with layers of petticoats underneath. It is a style that I feel fantastic in, and thankfully there are a number of companies out there at the moment that are providing retro reproductions (designs inspired by true vintage but in modern fabrics and colours) in plus sizes.

Before I get into the companies, however, I should mention that it is very difficult to buy these things in person in New Zealand. There are one or two brick and mortar stores that stock some of the products, but rarely have much of a variety in plus sizes. So us buxom beauties must turn to the Internet for our pinup treasures, and that can be a scary thing for someone who has never bought clothes online before. I have been shopping almost exclusively online for my clothes for the last three and a half years, and have developed a couple of tips that I will share – I know Meagan has posted about online shopping before so I apologise if this is repetitive:

1. This is the most important – TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS. Do not order based on the number size you think you are; throw what number size you think you are out of the window. Using a fabric measuring tape, take your bust, waist and hip measurements – firmly but not too tightly. And then all you have to do is check the size chart of the item you want to order and get the size that suits your measurements. It may be bigger or smaller than the size you thought you were, but who cares? A well-fitting garment is so much more important that a number on a tag.

2. Actually, there is only the one tip. Once you answer the question of sizing, everything else about online shopping is smooth sailing, more or less. And once you know what size you should order from a particular brand – you will have to go by your measurements the first time you order from any brand – then it is a safe bet you can get that size for any future orders. I know there is still some risk involved, but knowing your measurements really helps to minimize it.

(Disclaimer: Tops, dresses and skirts are easy to order online once you know your measurements, but I will take no responsibility for pants ordering as I never wear them and therefore haven’t figured out how to successfully order them online. Just wanted to make that clear.)

3. When it arrives, it doesn’t work or fit, sell it on Trade Me – it is very easy to offload cute, new plus size clothes on Trade Me – I do it all the time (my TM name is samchill, in case you’re interested). That way you get your money back and don’t have to worry about dealing with a return and paying for the postage. And you can move on from the experience and order something else!

Ok, on to the stores…

My absolute favourite place to get retro repro clothes is a Pinup Girl Clothing. I bought my first dress from them in 2010 and that opened the floodgate to the massive wardrobe I have now. It is an addiction.

Pinup Girl Clothing clothes are well made, decently priced and beautiful. Their in house brands (Pinup Couture, Deadly Dames, Laura Byrnes California and Dixiefried Clothing) typically are sized XS-2X (I take a 2X in most things) but they have been expanding their size range in an ever-growing number of products to 3X and 4X.

Pinup Girl Clothing have a huge number of dress and separates styles, which they release in a variety of colours and prints, so most Pinup Girl Clothing addicts like me buy multiples of a style we like. My favourite styles are the Heidi, the Lana and the Havana Nights, although I love lots of others too (the Matador skirt and Jenny skirt are must haves as well). But those three are the ones I tend to wear the most – I have 7 Heidis, if that gives you any indication of how fantastic they are! Pinup Girl Clothing has become for me that trusty brand that I know I can turn to for something beautiful that makes me feel like a million dollars!

Another store I love for gorgeous vintage inspired styles is Collectif. A UK company, they make a beautiful range of dresses, skirts, tops, knitwear (their cardigans are to die for!) and outerwear up to a UK22 – although one or two items go up to a 4X/UK28-30. I particularly like their outwear. I have two absolutely gorgeous winter coats – the Ashley and the Lady Leona (no longer on the website) – from Collectif and I am kind of hanging out for the cold weather so I can wear them again (don’t judge me). I also have the beautiful Faye Floral Doll Dress, which could make any girl feel like royalty. Some of my fellow retro loving lady friends swear by the Dolores Doll Dress, although I have yet to try one myself.

One note of caution for Collectif and Pinup Girl Clothing: some styles sell out FAST and take a long time to be restocked (both are small companies with ethical manufacturing policies), so if you see something you like and it is available in your size, it is often a good idea to get it right away.

Also, Collectif and Pinup Girl Clothing have awesome sales every so often so it really pays to sign up to their newsletters to stay informed.

A novelty I have come to love in my search for fantastic clothes that make me feel amazing is custom made clothing. There is nothing better than buying something that is made just for you. My favourite place to get custom made circle and swing skirts – the kind that are just awesome over my beloved petticoats – is Betty Le Bonbon.

Run by a single mum in Melbourne, Betty Le Bonbon skirts are fantastic because you get to choose the fabric they’re made from (they constantly post delightful samples, but if you find a fabric that you must have you can ask them if they can get it in – they are really flexible) and of course, the size they’re made in. I have quite the collection of Betty Le Bonbon skirts now, and they are all so unique – they are definitely stand-out wardrobe pieces. And a great thing on top of all the other great things – Betty Le Bonbon have a payment plan, so you don’t have to fork out the whole amount at once if you don’t have it. That is where the small business touch really becomes apparent, when you feel that you are well looked after as a customer.

There are so many other cool companies and not enough time or space to go into them all so I’ll just provide a quick list of a few others that are worth looking into:

Heart of Haute – great designs up to a 2X, and they are currently expanding their range to 3X. Formerly Heartbreaker Fashion.

Hell Bunny – big range of sizes and great styles and prints. They don’t have a store of their own but lots of online stockists sell them – I’ve bought from Sinderella’s Shrine and Tiger Milly.

Lady V London – some lovely designs in a range of sizes.

Pixie Pocket – a dressmaker in Christchurch with an etsy store who will custom make dresses for a reasonable price – I have one and it fits like a glove.

Lindy Bop – goes up to a UK22 with some beautiful designs and reasonable prices. I am currently waiting on my first to arrive, so can’t speak to quality, but I’ve had friends say great things so I am hopeful!

ModCloth – fantastic plus size selection that is growing all the time. Not strictly vintage inspired, but enough so that it can be included here. Sometimes the size chart isn’t the most trustworthy, so it can pay to talk to their Live Chat Customer Service department before ordering for the first time.

This list isn’t exhaustive by any stretch, but just goes to show that the availability of beautiful plus size clothing – particularly beautiful pinup style plus size clothing – is impressive and is growing all the time. And that is just a very good thing.

If you want to share a brand you love that isn’t on this list, or would like to see more of my outfit photos, please check out my Tumblr.

Guest Blogger: Cara Hill
Cara is an expat Canadian living in Wellington, New Zealand who loves theatre, shopping, wine and tattoos (in no particular order).