*a project I started in September before I moved and took a brief hiatus from posting. This is a review of my experience at one of two plus size stores for Secondhand shopping in Portland OR.
The first of two shops I visited in September, a plus size consignment shop. I think at first I felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable. This was a combination of the sheer lack of shopping done recently, COVID anxiety definitely elevated by the fact that one of the women in there wasn’t wearing a mask when I first walked in, which is sort of understandable as she and her coworker were the only ones in there, but still weird for me.
I think my feeling weird was was also brought on by my own internalized shame about being plus sized and walking into a plus size store for the first time. Something I am working on everyday and I can say has gotten better. And something that this shopping experience helped over all. Once I took a few deep breaths and calmed my tits, it was much better.
Fat Fancy is located in a part of town I don’t spend much time in, not because it’s not nice, it is, just because it’s the furthest from where I live. It’s small, but FULL of clothes. There was more in there than in the next place, which was twice it’s size. It’s got a sort of cluttered but organized thing going on. There’s a wall of skirts and dresses, a rack of coats, one for leggings, and one that is just pants, and several racks that are a mix.
I think if I were to go in looking for a specific piece I would struggle, but it was fun to flip through and pull what I wanted. It’s a casual and fun atmosphere. Bright colors, fun patterns, and murals. The people were sweet and welcoming. Definitely a queer LGBTQIA+ welcoming space, and just generally fun. It was clean and the dressing “rooms” were spacious, which I ALWAYS appreciate.
I got a great long black coat with fake fur lining and fun snaps, a casual piece that’s a fun mix between street fashion and comfort clothes. I found a tan a black oversized, boxy tee… the colors screamed now and the pattern screamed early 80s.
Overall it was a fun experience. I’m thinking about taking some things there the next time I do a purge. I’m really glad I went, more than that, I’m glad that this space exists in Portland for all the Plus size people.
Coffee & Conundrums 