I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the exclusivity of fashion and I’ve decided I just don’t buy it.
That being said, we ought to differentiate between Fashion and the Fashion Industry.
The mainstream fashion industry and media has its head so far up its own emaciated backside that it can use its own lungs as convenient and ergonomically sound in-flight neck pillows. That’s not going to change any time soon, so take whatever good you can find from it as a pleasant surprise and leave the rest. My current scientifically bangin’ measurements are 53-361/2-54 and I cannot buy ready-to-wear from any major designer. That is screwed up. I have –albeit on a larger scale– pretty the exact same proportions as Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and the Venus De frickin’ Milo. If you can’t design clothes that look great on my figure *coughMiucciaPradacough* the problem? Is not with me.
But Fashion? Fashion is by no means the exclusive provenance of 15 year-old Eastern Bloc automatons with bones but no faces. Sure that may be what we see on the runways right now –although admittedly with the revival of the early 90’s looks, we’re getting a bit more diversity of look on the catwalk– but after poring through thousands of editorial fashion images this weekend, particularly from the How to be a F**king Lady tumblr stream which is beyond fabulous I’ve decided one thing:
When you create something unusual, maybe even shocking, put it on your body and sell it so hard that it becomes fabulous by sheer force of will, THAT is Capital F Fashion. It doesn’t belong to the thin or tall or blonde or rich or whatever actress has a new movie coming out. It belongs to anyone with courage and courage doesn’t give a damn about measurements.
Which isn’t to say there’s anything wrong with wanting to be pretty, but good Fashion –like all good art– is challenging and challenging ain’t always pretty.
So take this as a call to arms.
If we want to do Fashion, we can do Fashion. In fact, as big girls, we might actually even have a natural advantage because we command more attention with our physical presence. After all, there’s a reason Cadillacs are in parades but those little SmartCars aren’t. BE the Cadillac, girls and go commit some Fashion.
Word. I have so much appreciation for anyone who clearly puts some thought in to the things they stick on their body, especially when it involves a serious risk of looking cracktastic.
And on a related note: thank you for *not* being one of those bloggers railing against any woman who dares to wear something more interesting than a pretty dress that makes her look skinny. Awards season has barely started, and I’m already over the fashion blogosphere’s Marchesa or Death! b.s.
Comment by Emily — January 24, 2011 @ 2:02 pm
@Emily, well Lord knows there’s nothing wrong with just being a pretty girl wearing pretty clothes, but it seems so dull. I don’t bother to watch award shows because there is almost never a single interesting gown. It just seems like such a waste. If I had designers throwing gowns at me left right and center, I would show up in some cracked out things too, just in the name of fashion. Speaking of: what is the most most memorable Oscar dress of all time? Bjork’s swan dress. I loved it then and I loved it now. Viva Fashion!
Comment by Miss Plumcake — January 24, 2011 @ 2:17 pm
This is just so freaking fabulous Plumcake particularly the “Be the Cadillac” mantra. When I turned 26, I finally realized that as a 5’10”, 200 lb woman, people are going to look at me so I might as well embrace it and give them a fantastic show to watch. However, it’s easy to forget that (especially living in a small town in Wisconsin… not exactly fashion forward around here.) Thank you for reminding me once again. I’m going to print this post out and wallpaper my walls with it.
Comment by Kate K — January 24, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
Thank you for this post. Sometimes I just need the reminder as I’m trapped here in the boonies. (Let me put it this way: people buy Juicy Couture at Merle Norman and think they’re On Trend.)
Also, yay, new Tumblr for me to follow!
And did you see Amber Riley’s(from Glee) dress? I pretty much need it, but in an actual color.
Comment by ChloeMireille — January 24, 2011 @ 10:36 pm
I for one totally agree with you that if designed correctly plus size divas will come out in force to not only be a Cadillac but the six-speed manual transmission model that stands out from the rest of the crowd!
Comment by Glen L Johnson — January 25, 2011 @ 1:08 pm
“be the Cadillac!” that is an awesome mantra and I may steal it if that’s ok with you.
Comment by sabrina — January 26, 2011 @ 4:34 pm
@Sabrina: by all means! Use it in good health.
Comment by Miss Plumcake — January 26, 2011 @ 4:35 pm