Lately I have often bitched and moaned here about how much I hate some of the current fashion trends. To be honest, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a tunic, smock top or a maxi dress (despite my recent write up on them) because the truth is I am an alternative girl at heart.
Today in another list-a-rama frenzy on ebay, I noticed that most of the clothes I was selling were black. Most of the jeans going were flared or baggy/wide-legged. I am currently thinking about planning a end of diet shopping trip to the USA, mainly so I can go shopping in Hot Topic.
As 'alternative' can mean a multitude of styles, I guess the kind of 'alterntative' clothes that I like are the more girly ones, black gypsy wench style tops and dresses appeal to me, retro style clothing with a sexy fit and cutesy gothic lolita skirts. All of which tend to flatter my curvy figure and huge boobs. Of course of a lot of the figure flattering depends though if you can get clothes you want in your size!
My first and foremost tip in finding a good variety of alternative plus size clothing is always, always check ebay first! The place is awash with the stuff, there are loads of small independent sellers who make stunning clothing and of course there are people like me selling on my now too big clothes. And until plus size clothing improves here in the UK, ebay is an excellent place to make some money. Once I bought some Hot Topic baggies from Ebay in the US for £25 (which included the postage costs), only to discover that they were ridicolously too long for me. So I decided to sell them on ebay. I sold them for £70 - yes £70.
My second piece of advice is, bulk buy. In the oh-so fickle world of fashion, I am sure you have noticed that a lot of styles and fabrics tend to repeat themselves and occasionally alternative styles become mainstream and popular. So for the brief time that fashion seems to be producing clothes that you like for change, stock up on them. The clothes will be cheap and they will be worth hoarding in your wardrobe for times like now, when you want the stupid bastards who brought smock tops into fashion put in the stocks for crimes against curvy women.
Finally those of you in the UK, when you do want to spend some money, check out the list of shops mentioned below...
Alienskin - I discovered Alienskin shortly I after I set up this blog and I want to buy all of their clothes! Most of the stuff they sell is also available in plus sizes (except the bares range) and they also have a few bits modelled by plus size models! They have recently revamped their site and it is very user friendly. And, and!!!! They have a size chart for every item of clothing which is very helpful!
So if you have ever wanted to dress up like a fairy princess grab one of their Hazey Hazel Mini Skirts and a leafy layer top, then run off to the woods to find your Oberon...
Getting back to all important me ;-) I'm going to buy this skirt, either really soon or once I hit the all imortant next size down...
Also very worthy of a mention are Drac-in-a-Box, who until the weekend I did not realise had a plus size section in their shop (and it is quite an extensive collection!), but they do! Although a bit on the pricey side, their clothes are absoutely stunning - they have loads of velvet, corsets and PVC stuff. My particular favourites are...
...Their "She looked good in ribbons" top... I want one in black! Although not for me this PVC dress looks amazing and I am almost tempted to go the opera if I can get this coat...
Another wonderful online discovery I have found is Moonmaiden, who produce all the velvet & lace clothes you could ever want... However they do occasionally branch out a bit into fishnet, pvc and good old fashioned cotton. Every thing is hand made, they frequently update their styles and the majority of what they sell is offered in plus sizes. But one of the most amazing things about Moonmaiden is that you have loads of choice in the colours and trimmings, so whatever you buy - it will be unique! And even though everything is hand made, personally I feel that everything they sell is very reasonably priced. Once at my target weight I am gonna have a little Moonmaiden shoping spree! Here are my favourites from their lovely site (so user friendly!)...
Their Fairy Net Mini is adorable and would go well with their sexy Vampire Siren Top... And one of their newer designs is this - their Shadow Maiden Top absoutely gorgeous! I want one now!
Well above are all of my favourites but please also check out the links below... And just one little thing I haven't forgotten about corsets! I will be doing a little ditty on corsets soon enough - I just felt they deserved their own blog entry.
Anyway here is the list of other places well worth checking out for alternative plus size clothing, some are in the US so watch out for import charges!
BeaBea - lots of stuff here - have some beautiful gothy tops.
Crimson Empress - in the US, friendly & helpful & of course all the velvet & pvc you could wish for...
Dare - a cornish based shop - online of course too.
Fashionoverdose - where Beth Ditto really should buy her clothes from. Funky colourful alternative clothes.
Get Cutie - Brighton based alternative/vintage clothing - does bespoke clothing!
Goodgoth - US based has a big range!
Gothic Haven - make plus size corsets and check out the Pimp Alternative Clothing section of their site.
Hot Topic - Loads of stuff! Check out Torrid too as they often have Tripp clothing there too.
Inkubus - Has some very unusual clothing!
Lillijean - US company selling adorable retro vintage style dresses and skirts...
Pin Up Girl Clothing - another US company that sells sexy retro clothing.
George at Asda has a really good plus size range too! I thought I'd have a look round the other day and I was shocked at how much they have, it's pretty cheap as well!
Posted by: Kylie Morris | 09/16/2008 at 10:17 AM
wow wow wow your blog is FAB, some brilliant links there, i've been looking for alternative stuff for ages, am size 22 and it's murder!!! thank you!!
Posted by: Kaz | 11/06/2008 at 05:49 PM
excellent- you just made my life a hell of allot easier!!
Posted by: Pam | 12/11/2008 at 12:17 AM
Don't bother with Hop Topic in the US. It's not worth the trip to here for what they will tell you is an extra large is really around a medium size. I cried the last time I went as I have a 44 chest, and I couldn't fit a single top in their store, even their "expanded" sizes. Even when I had a 38 chest the shirts where extremely tight, and I felt uncomfortable in them. It does look worth my time to order from Alienskin however, thank you for the link!
Posted by: Bethany | 02/21/2009 at 01:33 AM
Hello! Please add us to your list.
Fashion Overdose
www.fashionoverdose.com
Posted by: Carrie Woomer | 09/25/2009 at 12:50 AM
THANK YOU so much for this :)
Posted by: Jacqueline | 10/28/2009 at 12:35 PM
Hi. You might like to check out my site purely for size 16+. We sell retro pin up lingerie up to size 24 made in the UK including hard to find in big cup sizes - bullet bras. Love you all to visit www.curvaceousbeauties.com Jx
Posted by: Jules x | 11/29/2009 at 06:41 PM
Whenever i see the post like your's i feel that there are still helpful people who share information for the help of others, it must be helpful for other's. thanx and good job.
Posted by: Fashion Dissertation | 12/04/2009 at 11:44 AM
It is nice to read that others are in the same boat regardless of which continent they reside on. I,too, am saving for a trip to shop in my nearest Torrid store. Lucky for me it is only an eight hour drive away. Good Luck with your trip.
Posted by: Mourning Glory | 03/07/2010 at 04:42 AM