Look What Came In: An Amazingly Gorgeous Jacket

Two caveats: a) This gorgeous jacket arrived in a special consignment from Oakland, California, and thus looks a little rumpled in this picture, although a quick air will sort those out soon enough. b)The Big Bum Jumble house model may not be the target wearer of this item either, it's pretty femmey.

Now here's the juice: it's one of two similar jackets, the label says Size 28 and it would fit that size snugly. It's really high quality stuff, lovely fabric and smothered with nice detailing. This jacket would make the right person look as though they were on fire. It's totally smart and would seal any deal any day.

Who's gonna get it?

Thanks Oakland donor!

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

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

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: 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!

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.

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

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