Big Bum Fashion Fan: Deb Malkin

Who are you?

I am Deb Malkin, owner of Re/Dress NYC, a vintage and modern and resale clothing store for sizes 14 and up in Brooklyn, New York. I am also one of the founders of the Fat Girl Flea Market (Big Bum Note: this is the event that inspired the Big Bum Jumble).

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I call my style Utility-femme meets boobilicious. Which means I like clothing that's comfortable and yet form fitting, and shows off the 'girls'. Lately, I've been enjoying a bit of a femmed-up version of my 90s dyke style with my engineer boots and military jacket, but with skirts and dresses underneath instead of the old A-shirt and acid washed jeans, ew!

Whose style do you admire?

My staff, my customers, my friends, and Beth Ditto. I got inspired to wear my very first corset top at Nolose and I had a hoodie zipped so tight up you'd never know it was there. Then I saw a trio of super fat fairies with wings and wands and they were so free and comfortable with themselves that I unzipped that hoodie and never looked back.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

Stop wearing things too big. That's my biggest pet peeve. You're fat. Wearing clothing to hide your fat, isn't the same thing as an invisibility cloak. Experiment with shape, colour, style and find your fashion voice. And if need be, take things to a tailor and get them fitted to your shape, it will make you look like a person who's comfortable in their own skin, and that confidence is more flattering than anything.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

It would just be my dream to go. Then it would be my dream to get to shop at an event like this, since I'm usually working it. Since my Chubster name is Rainbow Rotten, I would be thrilled to find something glittery and rainbowy.

What else would you like to say?

I'm so excited to see more cities and countries create their own versions of the Fat Girl Flea Market. It's an incredible way to shop. It's empowering, it creates community, it's green shopping, and it's really fun. And also a ton of work. So please folks don't forget to volunteer, give Kay a helping hand, and thank you to everyone who's been working so hard. I hope to see you at the 2012 Fattylympics.

Deb! We love you! Thank you for your visionary work! xxxxxx

Would you like to be featured here as a Big Bum Jumble fan? Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Kay's Flyering Tales

Kay's been out and about flyering for the Big Bum Jumble. She says: "I've been carrying around flyers and posters from the Jumble in my bag for a few weeks now. Maybe I've given one to you? I've heard a few people say that they would be too shy to give out a flyer, or worried that giving out a flyer for a fat thing to a fat person might cause some offence. I'll tell you a bit about my experience and perhaps this will embolden people to go out there and start telling strangers about the Jumble.

"I've been flyering in my local shopping streets, East Ham High Street on a Saturday, Walthamstow Market during my lunch breaks from work. My best technique involves skulking around outside Bon Marché or Evans to catch disappointed shoppers on their way out. I find saying "Can I give you a flyer for my Jumble Sale, all plus sizes!" gets people taking them happily. I've had lots of people thanking me and saying what a good idea it is. Quite a few have said that they'd had similar ideas themselves.

"The other thing is that I found out where slimming clubs met. Where better to find potential Jumblers, eh? A pub on my local high street hosts a slimming club and I went in to leave posters, which they happily accepted. The customers were interested. I said: 'You don't have to be fat to come,' and they answered, 'We're all fat here!' 

"Of course, some people don't want to take a flyer but I've only had two negative experiences in all these weeks of flyering, both of which I loved. One woman said that the name Big Bum Jumble was 'not very flattering' (tee hee!) and the other was a super-cool teen girl who gave me a drop dead look. Thrills!"

You too could have adventures like these! We really need help in the final run-up to publicise the Jumble as much as we can. Simply download and print our gorgeous flyers and posters and get busy. You can also post digital versions on your blog or website, or just link to the download page. Let us know what happens.

Look What Came In: A Bit of Ooh-La-La

We've got woolly, we've got hip, we've got far out, we've got girly, we've got glittery, and we've got madness, we've even got major nappage. Now we've got slinky too. Every kind of fatshion is represented at the Big Bum Jumble. Yes, that's a boast.

This slip will fit up to about a size 24-26 and also works as a skirt.

Who's gonna get it? See you on the 14th to find out.

Jade's Things

Jade's going to be having a stall at the Big Bum Jumble selling pretty dresses. Although she's currently in the middle of moving house, and "mostly getting in a tizz over bubble wrap this week," she took some time to tell us what she's got.

"The dresses are mix of high street, vintage and charity shop finds. They range from sizes 12-26, but they all fit me happily and I'm a size 22, which is testament to the fact that you should never trust sizing labels (if you see something you like, try it on, make it work!). My favourite piece is the full length black satin skirt with a diamanté corsage and I've also got a really kitsch Grease jumper, baby pink with quilt and pearl appliqué, which deserves a new owner."

"All of my clothes are really precious and I would not be selling them if I could wear them myself - so I hope somebody else can give them a good home! Most of my dresses will be sold for £5 with a couple of special things at £10, but there'll be nothing more expensive than that."

Jade will also be bringing cupcakes and her boyfriend to the Jumble, hehhehe.

Would you like to have a stall at the Big Bum Jumble? Rates are very reasonable. Get in touch: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look What Came In: The Maddest Dress

It's made entirely of some terrifying artificial fibre and will still be looking as fresh as ever long after the apocalypse. This frock will even outlive the roaches and could generate enough static electricity to keep you sparking well into the night.

It is a shade of pastel mint green that only the most fashion-forward might dare to wear. It is moderately transparent. The sleeve length, the poorly conceived pleats, the modest length, and the COLLAR, all add up to make the maddest dress we have pulled out of the Jumble pile so far. The fatter among us will breathe a sigh of relief that this is amongst the smaller of our donations, maybe a size 18-20, and thus there will be no obligation to try it on.

Just looking at this dress makes you sweat, and not necessarily in a good way, yet it has an undeniable charm, and is clearly vintage, the genuine article. It bridges the gap between extreme frump and extreme hipster. No doubt it will make some Jumbler very happy.

Who will walk away with this treat on 14 August? It could be you.

Thanks mystery donor, sorry for being so rude about your cast-off.

By the way, we're still looking for more jumble. Here's how you can donate.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Amy Lamé

Who are you?

I am Amy Lamé, and a huge fan of the Big Bum Jumble gang. I'm originally from New Jersey, hence my penchant for big hair, high heels and fast cars. I've been a Londoner for nearly 18 years.

Amongst other things I co-founded and host Duckie every Saturday night at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. I also co-host the afternoon show on BBC London 94.9 alongside fellow tubbster Danny Baker. I pop up occasionally on TV and write for various newspapers, but generally I prefer to spend my time listening to The Smiths and crocheting. Oh, and drinking sherry with my girlfriend.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I'm a girly girl, so I wear mostly dresses and skirts, though if I do occasionally wear jeans on a Saturday afternoon they have to have wide turn ups.

I have an eclectic collection of clothes that cross boundaries of stage and street wear, from 18th century inspired handmade gowns, to 70s American polyester house dresses, to punky cashmere from Anna Scholz. I am most influenced by the '50s and '60s, and in the past made quite a few of my own retro style dresses - as we all know plus size vintage is rarer than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Now I have an adorable seamstress who makes lovely creations for me.

I am addicted to accessories and drive my girlfriend crazy with bracelets/earrings/hairbands/fascinators etc scattered all over our flat (but I think she secretly loves it 'cause she keeps buying me lots of gorgeous accoutrements!) I have lots of vintage specs with my own prescription put in to match different outfits. I think coordination is a much underrated style statement, and I like to think of myself as never knowingly underdressed.

Whose style do you admire?

My Nan, Ruth, has been my style inspiration since I was a teenager; I was always plundering her jewellery box and wardrobe for scarves, beads, hats, handbags... She's 92 and still the most stylish woman I know, she has an amazing collection of flat caps, fedoras and clip-on earrings.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

If you've got it, flaunt it! Stick a belt/bow/brooch on your chub rolls and claim it! Revel in your rotundity, and delight in being a chubby glamourpuss.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

All the stuff my Nan has ever sent to the charity shop before I could get to it!! Other than that, a selection of glittery heels in size 8 wide would be brilliant.

What else would you like to say?

Rock on Big Bum Jumble! And in the words of fellow fattie homosexualist Luther Vandross (RIP)...NEVER TOO MUCH!!!

PS Check out AmyLamé.com

Wanna make like Amy and be featured here as a Big Bum Fashion Fan? Yes you do! Drop us a line at bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look What Came In: Shiny Disco Fun!

Here's an example of why you should never pay too much attention to the number on the label. This amazingly shiny disco top came in and Kay was unconvinced it would fit her for a picture. Clearly it's designed to be loose and blowsy on someone smaller, but she squeezed it on with a bit of help and, amazingly, it looked great on her too!

Kay cuts quite a dash in the alley by my house, and I'm sure you'll agree that the pairing of an extremely form-fitting shiny wrapover disco top with a pair of blue y-fronts is nothing short of fashion genius. I can only hope that the Big Bum Jumble encourages more fat folks to take fashion risks such as this.

The top would probably fit anyone between sizes 16-22. Who will walk away with this magical garment on 14 August? We'll have to wait and see!

By the way, we're still looking for stock, here's how you can donate.

Jumble Treats: Mrs Spoon on Button Moon

It might be that I've been staring at yesterday's far out t-shirt for too long, but today I can't rip my eyeballs away from this offering. Button Moon is a classic of freaky children's TV programming, and this is a great episode. Is this what the Big Bum Jumble is going to be like? I secretly hope so. Watch and marvel at the weirdness.

Button Moon - Mrs Spoon's Jumble Sale

Thanks for the link Simon!

Bill Savage's Jumble Facts #1

We let Bill run loose amongst the jumble donations to unearth some incredible fashion history* to share here for your delectation.

#1: The Dress

If you’re lucky enough to snap up this dress at the Big Bum Jumble not only will you be the proud owner of a lovely summer frock, but you’ll be taking home a real piece of South Devon history. This dress has a provenance steeped in the glamorous worlds of provincial theatre and cutthroat retail. It originates from the legendary Rossiters department store - for over a century a leading light of Paignton’s fashion scene. However, in the recent economic down-turn Rossiters’ fortunes waned and the store was threatened with closure. In a last ditch attempt to save it, staff rallied round and wrote Gussets and Gabardine: The Rossiters Story, a musical based on life in the store’s womenswear department, complete with props and costumes sourced from the store. The dress you see here was worn by the womenswear manager Jean during a scene set in the mid-80s in which the staff are preparing for a visit from Princess Margaret. Gussets and Gabardine played for four consecutive nights at the Prince’s Theatre Torquay in 2008 before poor ticket sales forced it to close. Rossiters department store has since shut down.

Jean’s dress is a size 18. No certificate of authentication is provided.

By Bill Savage

* Which may or may not be completely fabricated, heehee.

Look What Came In: Far Out Garb!

This amazing top is like a wearable acid flashback, hang on, I think I can taste the colour purple. It's swooshy, flowery, with maybe a hint of paisley, and is far out, or rather faaaarrrrrrooooouuuuttttttt!

It's approximately size 20-22, or XXL-ish. Who will get it on 14 August? Perhaps someone with a faraway look in their eyes.

We're still soliciting Jumble donations. Get in touch if you have stuff in size XL+ for us. Arranging a pick-up couldn't be easier, simply email bigbumjumble@gmail.com and we'll sort something out.

You can also bring along donations on the day.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Kelli Dunham

Who are you?
I am Kelli Dunham. I am a weird little dorky boi comic with a face that says: "Please come tell me all about yourself. Would you like my lunch?"

What sort of things do you like to wear?
I like to wear cargo shirts with non ironic tee shirts. And black jeans. I wear black jeans in the winter like it's a uniform. Which, for a queer New Yorker, it kind of is. Oh and somewhat jaunty but dishevelled ball caps, when I can find them. And a random extremely feminine accessory like a sparkly earring, just for fun.

Whose style do you admire?
Sinclair Sexsmith, aka Sugarbutch, who knows how to work both an old look and a new look with a good hairstyle to boot. And Charles Meshmore, a faggoty butch friend of mine who sometimes wears 12 different kind of plaids at once AND an ascot (British translations: plaid=tartan, ascot=cravat).

Give us some fat fashion advice!
Hmmm, I consider myself more of the recipient of fashion advice than the giver of it. But I think "buy underwear that fits. At least look at the size before you buy it" is perhaps the best fashion advice I've ever gotten. Oh that and "bras come in sizes".

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?
A pair of magic black jeans in my size that would never wear out, a flawless white oxford, oooh and cufflinks made of the Q key from an old fashioned typewriter.

What else would you like to say?
Find me online kellidunham.com or on Facebook, I promise to make you laugh, except for when I am ranting about the messed up coverage of the earthquake relief in Haiti.

Wanna be featured here as a Big Bum Fashion Fan? Get in touch: bigbumjumble@gmail.com 

5 reasons why you should donate your clothes to the Big Bum Jumble

We're still looking for donations for the Big Bum Jumble. We want this inaugural event to feature as much plus-sized goodness as possible, in as many sizes and styles as we can get. To do this we need your help.

Here's why you should donate your unwanted clothing in sizes XL+ to the Big Bum Jumble

1. It feels great to have a clear-out
Don't hang on to clothes that don't fit you, or which never looked good in the first place, send them to us instead! Don't torture yourself by wishing something that doesn't suit you now will look amazing on you in some mythical future. It won't. Get rid of it all instead and make space in your wardrobe for things that do fit and look hott on you.

2. You'll be taking part in a unique and historic event
As far as we know, no one else has ever embarked on an event like this on such a scale in the UK. By the simple act of donating your unwanted size XL+ clothes, you'll be helping to pave the way for more events like it in the future. Remember that the Big Bum Jumble is not-for-profit, which means that all money raised will be ploughed back into similar low-cost community events and activities.

3. No Polar Bears Will Die
The Big Bum Jumble is good news for Mother Earth. It's all about recycling, reusing, appreciating things, and preventing clothes from ending up in landfill. If you donate your stuff to the Jumble and then, by some unknown reason, find yourself in the Arctic one day surrounded by hungry Polar bears, you will have a better chance of escape once they find out that you took part in this eco-friendly event and thus helped keep the ice caps frozen. Polar bears like this sort of thing.

4. You'll be helping to promote happiness, confidence and self-esteem in people who wear size XL+
Here's the scenario: you donate some big-sized clothes, someone who wears a big size tries them on, thinks they look wonderful, buys them, loves them and always feels great whenever they wear them. You will have helped create this. Aah, warm fuzzies!

5. All big-sized clothing is welcome
We want stock for the Jumble that reflects the diversity of bigger-sized people. It doesn't matter if you're trendy or dweeby; a fella, a lady, or any points inbetween; younger, older, richer, poorer, none of this matters to us, we want your donations. It helps if you live in London but we can arrange pick-ups of large amounts of clothing from elsewhere. Neither does it matter if you're donating a few things or a truckload; stuff you've worn to death or things you've never worn; high fashion, everyday clothes, uniforms, vintage, unfashion, workwear: we want it all!

Here's how to donate

Arranging a pick-up of your stuff couldn't be easier, simply email bigbumjumble@gmail.com and we'll sort something out.

You can also bring along donations on the day.

Pass it on!

PS. Even if you've got no clothes to donate or don't wear aize XL+, you can still support the Big Bum Jumble by helping with publicity Feel free to download and print the Big Bum Jumble flyers and posters, and distribute them wherever you can. You can also tell all your Facebook friends about this fantastic event, and link to us too if you feel like it.

Look What Came In: A Saucy Sailor

At last Kay gets to model something she'd wear in real life: a super-cute t-shirt with a nautical design. It's about a size XL or something like that and would look completely great on anyone who can squeeze into it.

A small warning to people who might want to buy this on 14 August – you may have to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Kay over this t-shirt, just so you know.

Meanwhile, we're still looking for donations, whether it's stuff like this languishing in the back of your wardrobe, or something different. We'll take anthing in size XL or larger, so clear out your crap and drop us a line to arrange for a pick-up.

Jumble Treats: this is what a jumble sale is like

Big Bum Jumbler Simon Murphy dug up this little beauty from some dusty corner of YouTube for our jumble viewing delights. Become as one with the slightly posh video guy as he interrogates the good people of St Stephen's at their jumble sale in 1986. They're the salt of the earth!

Yes, this is what a jumble sale is like and this piece of cinema-verité comes close to what we are trying to achieve with the BBJ, only in much bigger sizes, of course, and with an E15 tang, and with more diverse people, and a better venue, and fewer grumpy people, and...er, actually it'll be quite different, heheh.

Be warned, it's eight minutes and feels much longer. Take it in small bursts, eh?

St Stephen's Jumble Sale 1986

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Stacy Bias

Who are you?

I'm Stacy Bias. I started FatGirl Speaks (a mini-conference and performance) and a few other small activist events (dance party, group swim, clothing exchanges) in Portland, OR. I also run a wind-powered web hosting company (http://taproothosting.com).

What sort of things do you like to wear?

These days I'm wearing more daring clothing, which is well-outside my norm of loose-fitting and black; Vibrant dresses with plunging cleavage and very little mystery, shorter or no sleeves, showing more skin than usual. I view wardrobe as another tool of activism and occasionally try to up my game.

Whose style do you admire?

Style is so personal and so subjective - what's hot to me is someone who has found the way to being comfortable in their skin, however they decorate it. That said, I have a particular fondness for the style I call 'fuck you femme' - which is rough and tumble and glamorous all at the same time.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

- Wear it for you, not anyone else.
- Show some skin! Especially in the summer. Nothing feels better than the breeze across your bare shoulders.
- Baggy pants don't magically make you appear thin. People still know you're fat. So, don't hide yourself. Wear clothing that fits you and feels good.
- Don't be 'palatable,' be happy!

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

The mythical punk-studded belt for people above a size 20. Seriously. My kingdom for a @#($*&#@(* belt that doesn't look like it came out of a menswear catalog.

What else would you like to say?

Considering a move to the UK next year to start my undergrad/grad studies. I'm very excited to see the Jumble starting and am hoping to be involved in the creation of more body-positive events/actions/community! Do let me know if you're planning something and need help! You can reach me via my website: http://stacybias.net

PS Wanna be featured as a Big Bum Fashion Fan? Yes yes yes! We'd love to have you on the blog. Help us show the diversity of fat fashion fans by sending an email to bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look what came in: a whole lotta girliness

Can we get a handclap? Kay is boldly going into realms of girliness that she would normally avoid like crazy in order to bring you, dear Jumblers, an idea of what's on offer at the Big Bum Jumble. Go Kay!

This majorly girly top is about a size 22-24 and is as sweet as hell.

Who will snatch it up in their greedy hands on 14 August? Nobody knows!

Thanks mystery donator.

By the way: we need your clothes.

Very Important: We Need Your Clothes

Dear Jumblers,

We have bags of donations for the Big Bum Jumble which include some lovely stuff and some everyday stuff, in sizes XL through to about 6XL, with most donations being somewhere in the middle. We have some accessories to delight you too.

However, we still need much more stock in order to make the Jumble a playground of plus sized wonderfulness where we can all frolic to our heart's content.

Here's where you can help:

1. Go through your wardrobe and drawers and have a good clear out. Chuck out things you don't like, things you never really liked, things you never wear (be honest!) and things that don't fit you. Let it go. Feel free!

2. Put everything in a bag. Bin bags are perfectly fine. Unless things are really filthy don't stress about laundering anything, you don't have to fold it neatly either, just get it in there.

3. Email bigbumjumble@gmail.com to arrange a pick-up or a drop-off.

4. Tell your fat friends what you've done and encourage them to do the same. (NB: this makes a great Facebook status update, just so you know, especially if you're one of those people who has approx 1,000,000 friends)

5. That's it. Easy!

These steps apply to people who wear or used to wear size XL+, including women, men, children and everybody inbetween. If you are smaller and still want to support the Jumble, consider donating your unwanted accessories.

You can also bring stuff on the day, but it's better if we can get it beforehand so that we can sort it into groups by size.

We'd love to hear from you especially if you have anything particularly unusual or noteworthy you'd like to donate, perhaps items that could be used in the fashion show, or that could be featured on this blog.

Thank you!

Love,

Kay xx

PS. If you're still not convinced, here are 5 Reasons Why You Should Donate Your Clothes to the Big Bum Jumble

Facebook Event

Are you coming to the jumble? Don't forget to add yourself to the Facebook Event page.

Because the Big Bum Jumble is the first event of its kind in the UK, we have no idea how many people will actually turn up to it. Will we be sobbing and twiddling our thumbs in an empty room, or fighting back the hoards, or doing something inbetween those two extremes? We don't know.

The Facebook Event page is the closest thing we have to getting some idea of who's going to turn up on the day. So please add your name if you can, and share the event info with your pals too. Thanks!

Big Bum Jumble Facebook Event

Look what came in: cute cute cute shoes

These shoes are cute cute cute and tiny tiny tiny, about a size 4 or 5. They'd look great on someone with mini-feet, though probably aren't the best footwear for a ten-mile walk (unless you're a very high femme).

Who will walk away with them on 14 August?

Thanks mystery donator!

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Bill Savage

Who are you?

I am Bill Savage and I am helping Kay with the Big Bum Jumble.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I like to wear ties and sleeveless jumpers. This look works in all contexts of my life: at work, at home, going to Unskinny Bop, weddings, funerals, interviews, hott dates etc etc. Ties are a good way to add colour to boringly coloured men’s clothes - I have over 60 of them. My favourites are the vintage Marks & Spencer polyester numbers.

Whose style do you admire?

Hercule Poirot and, to a slightly lesser extent, Captain Hastings. I admire the kind of dude who wears a suit like it was a second skin. At the moment I’m kind of obsessed with Elijah Oberman, the violinist from The Shondes...it’s a tight waistcoat thing. Generally though I like people who look comfy in what they’re wearing and who have committed to a look and are going with it.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

As far as I can tell mainstream fashion advice seems to exist for the sole purpose of fetishising an unattainable gender- and heteronormative, white, middle-class, thin norm - in other words it is a pile of crap for any number of reasons.

The only advice I feel qualified to offer instead is to stop caring about what some non-specific/mythical 'other people' think and wear what the hell you like.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

A tweed or corduroy suit jacket with leather patches on the elbows that wasn’t too long or too broad across the shoulders, but that did up...I will settle for a new hoodie though!

What else would you like to say?

Can’t wait to see you all at the Big Bum Jumble!

PS Wanna be featured here? Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com and it shall be done.

Look what came in: a shirt that makes you do cheesecake poses when you're having your picture taken

This shirt is not the loudest or most ostentatious garment that has been donated to the Big Bum Jumble so far. About a size 20-22, it would look on someone doing some kind of socially aspirational activity, such as shopping at the farmer's market at the weekend, or telling a bunch of friends who are of a slightly higher status than you that you've decided to jack in your job and become a novelist.

But the shirt's most amazing power, apart from the ability to pop open if you are at all hefty in the bust and belly area, is to make its wearer, no matter how masculine-identified they are, to adopt any number of cheesecake poses for the camera.

Who will walk away with this magical item on 14 August? It's exciting to think about, eh?

Thanks feminists!

Thanks to Bill Savage over at The F-Word for giving us a stout out: Coming Soon: The Big Bum Jumble.

Edited to add: The post has generated an amazing and somewhat lively/vitriolic debate. Who knew that plus-size second hand clothes could provoke such a reaction? It's depressing to see the piece hijacked into going-nowhere debates about health and taxpayers. Oh well! Some people! Read, marvel, despair and join in at your leisure.

Jumble treats: true tales of the Big Bum Jumble

This classic episode of children's television heaven programme Rainbow is an exact rendition of the behind-the-scenes work going on here at Big Bum Jumble HQ. Got ten minutes to spare? Watch and learn.

Rainbow - 'Jumble Sale'

Thanks to BBJ supporter Simon Murphy for digging up the clip.

Guerilla marketing: the chill cabinet

Jumble madness is hitting East London and there are still weeks to go until the ribbon is cut and we all pile in to the Big Bum Jumble. Witness this example of guerrilla jumble marketing, offered by an anonymous jumbler of Bethnal Green.

We still need help getting the word out about the jumble because a) we want people to come and b) we want donations of clothing to sell. Take a leaf out of this saucy jumbler's book, download the Big Bum Jumble posters and flyers, stick 'em up all over the place, and send us pictures of your most demented publicity coups.

Exciting news flash!

Amy Lamé is going to give us a mention on BBC London 94.9 at about 3.45 this afternoon. Listen out and get ready to tape it off the radio with your cassette player. If you miss it you can catch it again on the iPlayer.

Thanks Amy! We're sending you special Jumble love for your support.

PS. Are you a media maven with a soft spot for fatshion and jumble sales? Please don't be afraid to turn the dazzling light of your broadcast, online or print power in our direction. Take a look at the Big Bum Jumble Press Release if you need more information.

Look What Came In: Red, Black and Square

Is it check? Is it tartan? Is it plaid? Gingham?! Only a true connoisseur of the warp and the weft would know the difference and I am not one. What I do know is that this t-shirt would look bloody fantastic on anyone who feels like squeezing into it. It's about a size XL.

Who's gonna get it on 14 August? Will there be a fight? Tears? I hope so not.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Amanda Piasecki

Who are you?

I'm Amanda Piasecki, I coined the term "Fatshionista" and I started the online community of the same name.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I like a tough, hyper-feminine look that has a sense of humor about itself at the same time. I like drawing attention to my enormously curvaceous proportions and giant ass. At my best and most resilient, I enjoy exaggerating everything about my size and rocking hot, gruesome, femme monstrosity. At my most weary and over-it, I work a surly, fat Russian Riviera look. For a long time, I attempted to dye my hair the same color red as every woman in communist Poland had, but no one made the connection except my immigrant family, and my skin looked terrible. Now it's a less belligerent Californian henna color. I am one of the least invisible people I know, even when I'm trying to be – I receive a lot of street hassle, from come-ons to fat bashing, and everything in between. I do the best with it that I can, and sometimes my outfits are a way of fighting back or making a visual inside joke with other outsiders.

My clothes come from everywhere, but mostly from eBay these days. I also shop at thrift and consignment stores, and get some of my clothes made by sellers on Etsy, like Jane BonBon and Ureshii. I'm a clothes horse, but have to limit my spending, so I try to prioritize using my wardrobe budget on used clothes, then small designers, then big sweatshop chains.

Whose style do you admire?

I'm most inspired by other fat queers who rock bold looks with limited resources. I also love old people's fashion – not simply vintage. One of my favorite fashion blogs is Advanced Style.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

I think that the best style is born from resourcefulness and aesthetic inventiveness rather than through cash outlay. While we're incredibly lucky to have an alterna-fat-girl chain store here in the US, since the rise of Torrid there's part of me that feels like we've lost something now that it's easier for young fatshionistas to assimilate into their subcultures of choice. Fatshionistas used to almost universally be masters of creativity, inventiveness, and making something out of nothing, and this is a value that I'd love to keep around as plus-sized clothing gets slightly more accessible.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

I'm psyched for lots of British fatties to have a gleeful moment of fashion abundance at the Big Bum Jumble! As far as I'm concerned, wide shoes are much easier to find and much more stylish in the UK than in the US, so I'll gladly Paypal shipping for any interesting-looking UK size 7E or wider shoes that don't find homes!

What else would you like to say?

Fashion is great and all, but making up for a fat glory deficit through cool clothes is way less important than being a radical, badass mofo.

There's more here: Rad Fatty: Amanda Piasecki

PS Wanna be featured here? The answer most surely is "Yes!" Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com and it shall be done.

Guerilla marketing: the sociologists are in the house

Dr Bill Savage rose to the challenge thrown down here and has offered her own example of Big Bum Jumble guerrilla marketing – at her university's Sociology department! She tells us: "I am carrying posters with me wherever I go." You should too.

Phooey to those dullards in Cultural Studies, their part of the noticeboard looks crap!

Got pics of your genius Big Bum Jumble marketing strategies? Send 'em please.

Look What Came In: Mega Velvety Goodness

There were squeals when these two pieces were unpacked and of course we had to photograph them together. If only we'd had velvet knickerbockers, gloves, socks and a hood to complete the look. So much nap in one place!

The shirt is slightly larger than the jacket, both are about a size 28-30, are cut roomily and would fit larger, I think. Dare to wear shoulder pads for the full effect.

Who will walk off with this look on 14 August? It could be you.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Vikki C.

Who are you?

I'm a queer femme scholar and performer, and also an aspiring rad fatty and burgeoning fat activist.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I find great joy in wearing everything my mother always told me 'girls like me' can't get away with. That mostly consists of bright colours, prints, and revealing/tight stuff, currently expressed in an obsession with patterned leggings and those little tshirt-dress things. I also love Vans and other footwear oft sported by 14 year old boys, it's the Peter Pan tomboy in me that refuses to grow up.

Whose style do you admire?

Standard answer I know but I do adore Beth Ditto's ability to put an extraordinary outfit together. Amy Lamé is always impeccably turned out in a way I could never even aspire to. Also there's a certain quite famous queer theorist (who I cannot name for fear of embarrassment) whose sparkly jeans, bold glitter printed t-shirts and generally awesome daily disco wear has me in complete thrall.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

There is simply no such thing as too much. No, seriously.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

I'm really hoping for some of the fabulous 50s dresses I always see other hot fat girls wearing but cannot seem to find in my size at a reasonable price. I'm also open to suggestion and intend to try on all sorts of crazy things I would normally never go for!

What else would you like to say?

Just that I am very excited about the Jumble, and I hope it sparks exchanges of ideas, actions and plans as well as clothes!

The photo of Vikki is by AbsolutQueer Photography.

PS Wanna be featured here? Of course you do! Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

In Californiay? Head along to this!

Cupcakes and Muffintops
Clothing and Bake Sale

9 August 2009
Midday - 4pm
Humanist Hall, 390 27th St, midtown Oakland, CA

A size-positive, gender inclusive Fat Clothing Flea and Bake Sale where only the prices are small! Clothes sizes L and up, up, up! Butch, femme, men's, women's... and tasty treats, too! Clothes $2-$7/per item. $5 door fee (applicable toward any clothing purchase). All proceeds to benefit Big Moves Bay Area and NOLOSE.

For more information or to donate clothes contact cindy@bigmoves.org, matilda@bigmoves.org or CupcakesandMuffintops@gmail.com.

Unsold clothing will be donated to area shelters after the sale.

Thanks!

Thanks to Donna Savage for donating £100 to the BBJ. X X X X X X X

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Bea Sweet

Who are you?

My name is Bea Sweet and I work as a Makeup Artist in the fashion industry in London.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I like to wear all things tight and shiny, huge prints, fussy clothing, diva dresses, painful heels, oversized T-shirts, massive gold hoop earrings, headscarves and hairpieces. I like to mix high-end pieces with vintage and things from Evans.

Whose style do you admire?

I admire women like Diane Pernet and Mrs Jones, because they both have their fingers on the fashion pulse but do it their own way, retaining their femininity and class. I believe that is the key to being a woman with admirable style.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

• If you see something in a plus size that you like and dither about whether or not to buy it, just buy it. Because it’s really hard to find nice signature pieces in clothing sizing to fit big girls, so when you find a good item make sure you get it and leave no space for regrets.
• Don’t be afraid to wear something you wouldn’t usually wear, don’t stick to what you know, embrace leggings, wear colour, wear black, layer, accessorise, customise, surprise yourself.
• Nothing is off limits to you: no item of clothing is something that "you shouldn’t wear because you are big." Don’t think you can’t wear something because you are fat, because the truth is that you can wear it and you will absolutely rock it. So do it.
• Remember this quote by Aimee Mullins, "Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It's much sexier than any body part." It applies to being a fat girl too, if you are confident with what you have and really own it you will be surprised with the reaction you get from other people. Nine times out of ten people will tell me how wonderful I look (and the other one isn’t even worth mentioning because I realise that what they say is a reflection of them, not me). So hold your head up and turn what has always been a negative for you into a positive.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

A vintage prom dress in a UK Size 28 with so many beads on it that I could hardly carry it.

What else would you like to say?

I am hugely excited for the Big Bum Jumble, fat girls are hot girls!

Perhaps you’d like to visit my blog, beasweet.blogspot.com, and see more of what I do, or look at my website, beasweet.com (which is unfortunately currently under re-construction but you can still bookmark it).

The photo of Bea is by Scott Nunn.

PS Wanna be featured here? Of course you do! Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look What Came In: Accessories

Kay works the E15 hipster look in these dashing accessories. See, you don't have to be fuller-figured to enjoy the BBJ, there'll be something here for everyone. (Specs model's own).

Who'll walk off with this stuff on 14 August? Only time will tell!

Big Bum Jumble badges

Dr Savage donated time on her badge-making machine, and badge supplies and we all set to work. Here are the beautiful results.

Mobile Advertising Campaign!

No expense has been spared on promoting the Big Bum Jumble, hee hee hee.

Kay has thrown down the gauntlet for insane Big Bum Jumble guerilla marketing via the most uncool car of all time: the Nissan Micra. Can you top that? Send in your pics and we'll publish them. No promo tactic too bizarre!

Remember: the more people who come and bring stuff, the better the pickings.

Click for flyers and posters to download and spread about.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Kat

Who are you?

My name is Kat. A fat and fabulous 28 year old Femme. I write a plus size fashion blog, Plus Size Beauty.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

I like things that break the rules of 'what a fat girl shouldn't wear'. I love horizontal stripes, body con, leopard print, bold colours, statement jewellery and anything slightly OTT and attention grabbing. I also like bright lipstick.

Whose style do you admire?

I admire anyones style as long as it's their own. I love getting inspiration from other girls I see in the street, fashion blogs, and friends. I think my biggest style crush is Beth Ditto. She has an amazing wardrobe! I love the way she doesn't conform to the usual 'fat girl' rules, I love the way she wears body con dresses and I love the way she just doesn't give a fuck about wearing any of it.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

Wear what you want, not what people tell you to, or tell you you shouldn't. Wear what you feel comfortable in and what makes you happy. I always see someones style/clothes as an extension of someones personality! Try everything on. The label can lie! If something has stretch, or an elastic waist, or simply looks big, try it on, even if it is much smaller than your regular size.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

Anything from the 80's. Something in a bold colour with HUGE dynasty shoulder pads and gold buttons. A leopard print body con dress. A vintage playsuit. A comfortable pair of heels!

What else would you like to say?

MEGA excited about the Big Bum Jumble! It combines ALL of my favourite things. Clothes for fat girls, fat girls, bargains and meeting new people. Oh, and check out my blog

PS Wanna be featured here? Of course you do! Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look What Came In: The Top That Would Not be Found

This top was donated by a certain someone who then realised that she needed to wear it to a big family gathering. Cue frantic search through many bags of donations. It was not to be found and our beloved certain someone had to go away empty handed. Sod's Law being what it is, Kay found the top the day after it was needed, and is modelling it here in typical cheeky style. Could the classic 'waistcoat with nothing underneath' look return to full vogue? I think so, especially when accessorised with such a cute tummy.

It's about a size 22-24, from Torrid, and needs a good iron. Who will walk away with it on 14 August? It could be you!

Thank you certain someone!

Exclusive! Unskinny Bop's Fatshion Top Ten

C'mon everybody, it's The Bop this weekend.

Ruth and Tamsin, the people in charge of Unskinny Bop, always manage to keep everybody dancing all night. They'll be providing the music at the Big Bum Jumble too. I asked them to give us their Fatshion Top Ten and they obliged. Look 'em up, stick them on the turntable and move on down.

1. Are You Feeling Fashionable by Help She Can't Swim
2. Slip In Mules by Sugar Pie De Santo
3. Hoodie by Lady Sovereign
4. Vans by The Pack
5. Fashion Pack by Amanda Lear
6. P.V.C. by Kenickie
7. Let Me Fix My Weave by Missy Elliot
8. Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That by Dolly Parton
9. Pencil Skirt by Pulp
10. L'homme à la Moto by Edith Piaf

Tamsin says: "Sequencing could do with a bit of work! Unfortunately it's not all on Spotify or we'd have made a playlist... The Vans song is pure comedy, it got the nod over My Adidas due to the fashion preferences chez Bop rather than on musical merit."

God they're cool.

Help Needed

The Big Bum Jumble has been offered an amazing donation of 13 large bags of clothes in sizes 28-32. Wow!

There's a problem. The BBJ and its organisers are in London and the clothes are in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Does anyone have any genius ideas about how to bring them down south? Is there anyone travelling between London and Newcastle between now and August 14th? Perhaps we could organise some kind of complicated road relay!

All help and ideas are welcome, get in touch: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Lauren D

Who are you?

I am Lauren, I'm going to be helping at the Big Bum Jumble. I have the blog Pocket Rocket Fashion where I waffle on about plus sized fashion and am a contributor to Italian Vogue's 'Curvy' site. I also dj badly for money on occassion.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

Dresses, dresses, dresses. I just can't get enough of them! The more outlandish the better. My favourites are ones that have interesting detailing and/or kitsch prints, although I do love luxurious, Hollywood vintage style ones too. I also really like pencil skirts teamed with cardigans and dressed up with brooches or flowers.

Whose style do you admire?

I admire the style of anyone who has the confidence to wear exactly what they want and not tame their look to suit society. Obviously Beth Ditto's been a big inspiration to me and a lot of other fat girls, and continues to push the envelope. Pretty much any of the women from John Waters movies. In real life, my friends Diana Thompson, Camilla Pia, Tegan Titmuss, Christina and Charlene Millare and Carmen Luvian are huge inspirations. I'm also a fan of many fatshion bloggers, notably Val at blogtobealive.com, Sakina at saksinthecity.blogspot.com, Stephanie at leblogdebigbeauty.com and Xtina from musingsofafatshionista.com.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

Firstly: ignore every piece of style advice you've ever been told. All that 'dressing for your shape' gubbins is nonsense. Dress for yourself and ignore everyone else. Wear exactly what you want, wear what makes you feel happiest, most comfortable, and most ready to face the world. No matter what anyone says. Why please idiot strangers who may or may not approve of what you wear? I live at home and my mum tries to stop me from going out in certain outfits by reminding me of all the people who will laugh at me. But their opinion is worthless. Who cares?! Be true to yourself and you'll be so much more confident.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

A gorgeous, opulent cocktail dress that was custom made for a short fat woman with tiny boobs. Failing that, a lovely fake fur coat.

What else would you like to say?

Just that I am super excited for the Big Bum Jumble and hope it's the first of many!

PS Wanna be featured here? Yeah you do! Drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

Look What Came In: A World of Woollyness

Ok, ok, so it's the hottest day of the year and the last thing you want to think about is anything warm and woolly. But fatshion knows no season, the 'top' designers (who we really care about here at BBJ, obv) are currently showing their Winter/Spring 2011 collections, so why not do the same here. It may not seem like it now, but in January you'll be gagging for a jumper like this.

Approx size 4 or 5XL, but has some give in it and would look great on someone bigger.

Who will walk away with it on 14 August? It could be you!

Thank you mystery donator.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Charlotte Cooper

Here's a lovely interview with a Big Bum Fashion Fan, Charlotte Cooper.

Who are you?

I'm a fat activist, scholar, author, blogger, zine and film-maker, and I'm also one of the helpers at the Big Bum Jumble. I live in E15.

What sort of things do you like to wear?

It goes in phases, but currently the things I enjoy wearing most are a couple of push-up bras that make my tits look insane, almost like weaponry; a really soft leather jacket that has a sort of classic biker shape; neat little skirts and really old t-shirts that are soft and semi-transparent. I have a bit of a denim fetish too.

I've been experimenting lately with short dresses that have an empire, baby-doll or trapeze shape. I tend to go for things that are more form-fitting, so this is a departure. I like things that have plenty of colour about them.

And accessories, I have a preposterous faux bling skull necklace that I can't stop wearing, and I went to a party in my Mexican wrestling mask recently and had a ball. My girlfriend bought me these crazy high-heeled Nikes that I like to totter around in, but they kill my feet and are not exactly in keeping with the Big Bum Jumble ethos, oh well!

Whose style do you admire?

It's rare to see fat people in the public eye, so there aren't many fatshion icons that I look to for inspiration, although Mama Cass is certainly one. She wore these great short swing dresses in the 60s with really hott knee boots, such a great look.

Otherwise, punk girls and the tough girls that I see on the streets where I live have an enduring style that I love.

Give us some fat fashion advice!

Wear things that make you happy, corny but true.

What would be your dream find at the Big Bum Jumble?

I actually found my dream thing when I was in the US recently. My friend Amanda took us to this great thrift store called _____________ (sorry, embargoed!) and I got a calf-length vintage black and brown pleather coat, all used and worn and battered. It fits me like a glove. This description does not sell it very well, but I love it.

I'm on the lookout for a denim jacket, that classic v-shape but tailored so that it actually fits me. Also, ridiculous things that I'd never buy in a shop, but which are a lot of fun to wear, silly dressing-up things that somehow make it into real life.

Look What Came In: Ace Smiley Top

Here's Kay modelling one of the top picks from the Big Bum Jumble donations pile, a super-cute XL smiley sweatshirt. No one can be glum in a top like this. Who will walk away with it on 14 August? It could be you!

Thank you mystery donator.

Flyers and Posters

Look! Look! Flyers and posters for you to download, print and distribute. Send 'em to your friends, plaster them around the place, amuse us with your most audacious BBJ publicity coup.

Big Bum Jumble Flyer (.pdf 147kb)

Big Bum Jumble Poster (.pdf 168kb)

Thanks to Meryl Trussler for the grrrl design, Simon Murphy for the label design, and Charlotte Cooper and Bill Savage for ideas and technical image wrangling.