In The Thick Of It
Queer fat femme. Fat fashion bargain hunting. Living in Chicago.
Plus size swim ideas
It’s summertime again and time to think about poolside and beach ideas. Here are a few that are perfect for plus size folks
On the left is a more classic look - I love the polka-dot sunglasses with the gorgeous cut-out halter one-piece.
On the right is pulling from the neon trends of this summer. Paired with bright sandals but mixing it with natural elements in the bag and shoes.
And of course I don’t know about y’all, but I am LUSTING after that hilarious donut pool float. Perfect for the fabulous unashamed fat folks out there.
Plus size swimwear, $40
Steve madden sandals, $120
Corso Como black flat sandals, $95
Street Level canvas tote bag, $36
Woven tote, $40
ASOS vintage sunglasses, $22
Black White Zebra Striped Beach Towel 60” X 30”, $32
Plus Size Crystal Cove Halter Top | Plus Size Swim Separates | One…, $62
The sheerest of the sheer dress
Another new piece for my summertime looks. Of course since it’s still quite cool in chicago, I’ve paired it with a lot of layers.
This dress is so great for layering - I’ve got it here with leggings, but could easily also go over another dress, a slip, or even jeans.
Sheer Dress - Forever 21+ 2X
Camisole - St. Eve (nordstrom rack), XL
Leggings - Forever 21+ 2X
Boots - Vince Camuto
Jacket - GAP
Cross Necklace - Forever 21
Crystal bullet necklace - etsy
Pyramid earrings - Wilson/Clark imports
Glasses (both) - SEE
Quartz Ring - Stone and Honey
Belt - Nordstrom Rack - 1X
Hair by Heather of Black Hearts Hair House, Chicago
Reader Request
Hi! So, I have two weddings to attend in June, and zero dresses, and a small budget — maybe $150-200 max. I’ve been limiting myself to eShakti - my bottom half is a 22 and my top half is an 18, so I need the customization aspect. I’m still totally overwhelmed though. Ideally, I need to just find one dress that I can change up. Wedding #1: old bar friend, super drinking party wedding. Wedding #2: my dad is getting remarried (this is the intimidating one), reception at a local art gallery. HELP.
Ok. So there are some options on eshakti, but since you’ve already explored there, I thought I’d give you options elsewhere. If you have specific eShakti dresses you want me to style for you - send them my way!
I picked the dress on the left because it’s the style of dress that will fit your bottom half even if your bottom half is many sizes larger than your top half. It’s a very beautiful dress that I think can work a few ways. I’ve styled it here with classic accessories
The dress on the right is probably out of your comfort zone, however I think it can be styled a few different ways to make it more trendy or more classic. Here it is styled more trendy. It’s also a shape that can be tailored very easily to different measurements. You could also easily turn this into a dress you can wear on dates by pairing it with a cool jacket (like a structured leather jacket) and tights and boots!
So this happened today. I went pink! My stylist really wanted to try something new and I’m always game for that.
I dig it. I think it will play well with my most black wardrobe. My pop of neon for the spring is MY HAIR. Who needs a Cambridge satchel? ;)
Jean Jacket - Gap, sz 14
Stripe shirt - Nordstrom Rack, sz XL
Suede Skirt - Forever 21, sz 16
Tights - Target sz 1X
Boots - Jeffery Campbell Gene
I had a request from verybusyandimportant for a plus size look reminicient of Shannyn Sossamon from Rules of Attraction. This is what I came up with - delicate prints paired with good outerwear - very no-fuss but super cute.
Dorothy Perkins knit top, $35
Feather top
Blouse
Dorothy Perkins short jacket, $59
Old Navy denim jean jacket, $40
Old Navy skinny fit jeans, $40
Lauren Ralph Lauren straight leg pants, $85
Woven flat, $90
Short heels, £40
Bright shoes, $80
Backpack bag, $80
Forever 21 layered chain necklace, $8.80
Wildfox Couture peacock necklace, $59
Prototypes and apologies
Hi folks. It’s been an intense week here in Chicago - the death of friend calloutqueen and my best friend gave birth - just a rollercoaster of emotions personally and within the community. So I haven’t been around and I’m sorry, though I’m sure you understand.
I’ve been not super fashion focused, but I’ve had this idea in mind for a while. I love the button up look that’s happening right now, but wanted to find another way to execute it. I decided to try it with a spare shirt I had around (I have been chopping collars off of button-ups to make into elaborate jeweled collars). I plan on perfecting the cut and doing this with some long sleeve flannels and other button ups. It’s not quite perfect yet, but I thought you all would enjoy seeing my creative process.
Shirt - thrifted
Skirt - ana - sz 18
Bra - Wacoal
Shoes - Franco Sarto
Jewelry - Forever 21, thrifted
I want to pause for a minute and talk about queerness and clothing.
I want to talk about how often when folks talk about gender neutral clothing they’re talking about clothing that is traditionally seen as male clothing.
I want to talk about how despite best efforts, masculinity and trans masculinity are still given great honor in queer spaces and that many things feminine and femme are given the stink-eye.
Last night I was reminded of all of this when I was pointed to “Unbinding Binaries: A Panel Discussion on Clothing and Gender Identity” I was absolutely stoked by the topic and it’s being hosted by WORN journal, a favorite of mine. But then I started reading more about who was on the panel and reading the critiques of the panel and it made me realize that there really is still such an emphasis placed on trans masculine folks who dress in a style that skews male (there are a number of problematic things with the panel - see the fb wall for some good discussion on the matter).
To me, being Femme means a lot of things. But it is especially a big glittery fist to the internalized misogyny in the queer community. I explore Femme with the use of clothing and style but also by intentionally speaking about the role of femme and femininity within my community. I specifically seek out other femme identified people to grow the community so we can make our presence.
All this being said, I’m excited by the amount of style I’m seeing in the local community - it’s the reason I’m writing about queer style (in all its facets) for The Qu and it’s the reason why I absolutely love having a fashion blog.
Femme Identified folks!!! If you’d like to be a part of a photo collage I’m making for this blog - send me a photo of you in your favorite outfit by 3/15/12. inthethickofitfashion @ gmail . com
All flannel all the time.
I know, I know y’all. This blog has become the flannel and boot zone lately. But what can I say? It’s still winterish in Chicago and I’m just feeling a little bit Daddy lately.
Leather Jacket - INC sz 1X
Jean Jacket - GAP sz XL
Flannel - thrifted, XL
Chain necklace - topshop
Scarf - Macys (last year)
Jeans - Target - 18
Sweater - H&M - XL
Boots - jeffrey campbell Gene (via soulstruck)
Bag - R&J couture
I’m a 5’9” queer fat femme and approx size 18
Suited floral
I don’t have to dress in business professional outfits all that often, but today required it. I felt a need to pop a really bright shirt today.
Suit - Old Navy (jacket 18, Pants 18)
Shirt - thrifted
Earrings - Forever 21
Watch - gift
Glasses - SEE
Shoes - Franco Sarto size 11
The Jeffrey Campbell Chain ‘Gene’ Boots
So guys. I fell in love recently. With these boots. I’d been lusting after them for months and when I got an email from solestruck last week that they were available in my size, I dropped everything to purchase them immediately. I honestly cried when I put them on. They’re so beautiful.
This outfit is just something quick and nighttime casual…rest assured you’ll be seeing a lot of these boots.
Boots - Jeffrey Campbell ‘Gene’ via solestruck
Black Jeans - Target, size 18
White v-neck - Alfani sz M
Grey hoodie - Target, sz XXL
Jean Jacket - GAP, sz XL
Pins via etsy
Necklace - forever 21
Earrings - Target
Glasses - SEE
I’m a 5’9” queer fat femme and approx size 18
