Preface
These pages have been put together in an attempt to provide a resource for larger women (and men!) who are interested in wearing some sort of costume or "special outfit" for a Con, SCA event, Ren Faire, or other occasion. Let's face it, if you're a size 8 the world of fashion is your oyster. If you're a size 28, it's more like your geoduck. (If you don't know what a geoduck is...well, go look it up. Really.)I'm gearing this site to women who are novices at sewing, are unsure about how to costume or what might look good on them, or generally shy about wearing something outrageous, sexy, or even a little fancy at a con or club. If you want some help and advice from other large ladies, and can sort through to find the bits you want to use and discard the bits you don't, this site will be useful. If you're already clad in leather and lace and strutting your stuff...well, there might be something here for you as well, but most of it will probably make you say, "Yeah, and your point is what?"
I have focused mainly on women, for a couple of reasons. First, I'm a woman, and I know what works for women better than what works for men. Second, men can generally look pretty snazzy in a pair of pants, boots, and a tunic. Foof with their hair? Makeup? Nailpolish? Finding a bra that fits? Well, sometimes, but those aren't generally big issues with men. If you are a large male, or have input that would apply to a large male in search of a costume, please let me know!
Remember, this is one woman's perspective and opinion, combined with observations and input from other large people. Look at the content here as a guidebook and list of possibilities from which you can pick and choose, not as The Rules. Ultimately, whatever makes you feel beautiful, comfortable, and happy is the right process and costume for you.
General Tips and Comments
The aim of this site is to provide advice, tips, tricks, and resources to
larger sized women (and men) who want to wear costumes or special finery to
events such as Science Fiction Conventions, Renaissance Faires, dance clubs,
and SCA gatherings.
Whatever it is, try it on if you can. Clothes look completely different on the rack than they do on a human being. Even if it's your size and a color you know looks great on you, and you love the style...sometimes once you put it on, it changes into something you hate. And if there's one thing that is constant in women's clothing, it's the inconsistency of sizing.
Also, trying on clothing will let you learn what you like and what you don't like on your body. Even if it's a tad too small or too large, you might be able to find it in something closer to your size, or find a costumer who can make something like it for you. Your costumer friends might also be able to take in or alter something you really like, too!
Get a second opinion from someone you trust. Ideally, this person would be someone whose fashion sense you admire, or who at least dresses in a manner you consider okay. Don't ask Aunt Gert how you look if you think she generally looks like a tacky sofa exploded on her.
Be tidy, even if you don't wear anything fancy. If you are neat and clean and well-groomed, you're ahead of the game. Make sure the only holes in your clothing are "fashion statements" and not disrepair. Avoid stained clothes, even as fashion statements. They just make you look like a slob, and unfortunately, the societal stereotype of "fat" includes slovenly and lazy. Don't feed the misconception!
Posture counts! Pull those shoulders back and lift up that chin. It's amazing to me how many people I see walking all hunched over and staring at the ground. What's down there that's so interesting, anyway? People are up higher! Simply standing up straight and walking tall does wonders to improve your appearance. This especially applies to the tall Luxury Sized lady. Tall girls often slouch, perhaps in an effort to look shorter. It doesn't make you look shorter, it makes you look uncomfortable and insecure. (It also doesn't hurt to smile...another cheap and easy way to enhance your looks!)
Attitude is over half the battle. The proper attitude is somewhere between 50 and 90 percent of your ammo. "Attitude" does not mean pretentious, loud, embarassingly flirty, or bitchy. It means confident and relaxed! I know, I know...easier said than done. However, in the immortal words of Ruby from 'V - the MiniSeries': "Fake it. We won't know the difference!" Seriously, if all else fails, pretend you're confident and relaxed. You may still feel jittery, but no one will know. And really, most people are too busy worrying about what *you* think of *them* to pay attention to your inner jitters!
Trust your own unique tastes. Don't let someone's credentials or status rule what you'll wear. If you are uncomfortable wearing something, or it isn't "you", skip it. It's your body and your life, and no one should tell you what to wear and what not to wear if you're not happy with it, not even this website! If you're not comfortable with what you're wearing, it's going to show in your attitude and demeanor, and you probably won't pull off even a minor style-change successfully.
On a Budget?
Costumes and interesting "special" clothing can get to be an expensive habit,
particularly in large sizes.
Here are some ideas to help you keep your costs down:
- Have a clothing swap with other Luxury Sized women!
My girlfriends and I do this for our "street" clothes about four times a year, and any leftover clothes that no one wants go to a local women's shelter. It's kind of interesting to see your clothes on someone else, and it's a riot when one item makes its way through three or four owners. - Shop at the Goodwill and thrift stores!
Takes more effort and time, but you can find some nifty stuff. To get the best stuff, you'll need to go frequently, as the large sizes go fast. - Learn to sew!
This can get expensive, but is usually cheaper than buying the equivalent item. - Get friendly with hot glue!
Seriously, I once made an entire jester outfit by "sewing" it together with hot glue, including a hat, boots, and a Jester puppet. Gluing trim onto boring clothing can give you a whole new outlook.
Comments from the Male Gender
"Attitude is everything. Sexy is 99% in your head." -- Nevada
Words of Wisdom from Other Bodacious Babes
In putting together this site, I asked a few of my female friends what advice
they might have for other Bodacious Babes who wanted help with costuming.
Here's what they had to say:
" Find fat chick friends who have really cool costumes and let them dress you." -- Sonja
"Velvet is never a bad thing. A bitch to sew, but gorgeous no matter what you do with it." -- Nutmeg
"Breasts are your friends." -- Annemarie
"Don't wear anything that you're not confident enough to pull off." -- Llyra
"If you've always wanted one -- whatever it is -- ever since you can remember, get it. If it's what you want, you will be able to pull off the attitude and belong in the outfit." -- Renee
"Simple and elegant is a lot sexier than loading yourself down with junk. Clean lines, smooth finish - just like a big sexy car!" -- Susan
