New event by friends of the Jumble

Please come.

The Chubsters in association with Cheap Date magazine presents a night of girl gang mayhem!

Big Bum Jumble report in DIVA magazine

There's a double-paged spread in the October 2010 issie of DIVA magazine, yippee! Here're a couple of dodgy scans.

First Jumble Offshoot

Some Jumblers in Leeds are starting to organise a Jelly Belly Jumble. Just so you know.

First pics in, better ones to come

I took some poor quality pictures, which seems to be a trend for me. Anyway, they give you a tiny idea of what it's like. There are no pictures here for the fashion show because I was in it. Better pics will come soon, and if you took photographs we'd love to see them. Sorry about the cheesy captions, I couldn't resist.

Arriving with bags o' Jumble

Tom finds a treat

Bill's beautiful signage

Time for a quick rummage before it all kicks off

Getting ready for a stint at the station

Two pounds please, and would you like a badge?

Loading up the Denim Bar

Nearly there

Jumble!

Jumblers doing what they do best

Ooh la la corsetry

T-shirts and denim are popular

Busy times at the check-out

The Bops keep everyone'e energy up with their righteous sounds

Just one last pick-through

All done, time to go home

Big Bum Thanks

Gigantic, fat, big bum thanks go to the following people for making the Big Bum Jumble happen. We love you. If your name isn't here it is because we are fried. Please get in touch and we'll add it asap.

Max Airborne
Jackie Barnett
Stacy Bias
BigClobber.com
Ruth Bop
Tamsin Bop
Louise Carolin
Vicki Chalklin
Miranda Cheesman
Dwayne Cobham
Stephen Collins
Charlotte Cooper
Sharon Curtis
Jade Desumala
Lauren Ding
DIVA
Kelli Dunham
Kat Elvin
Elena Escalera
Fat Girl Flea
Chopin Gard
Ben Gooch
Julia De Gruchy
Beth Hardisty
Katy Hathaway
Holly Hessinger
Felicity Heyward
Pauline Hilton
Margo Howie
Stuart Howitt
Kay Hyatt
Rae Jenkin
Rebecca Kemp
Sue Kofi and Pat
Marion Labrum
Amy Lamé
Catrin Lewis
Deb Malkin and Re/Dress NYC
Jenny McLaren
Lauren Meow Strickland
Simon Murphy
London Borough of Newham
Newham Magazine
Newham Recorder
Siobhan Owen
Amanda Piasecki
The Pocket Rocket
Emma Purvis
Alison Quinn
Johanna Robinson
Bill Savage
Donna Savage
Scottee
Nicholas Smith
Sinister Mary Clarence
Liz Sterne RIP
Nicola Sterne
Stratford Circus
Simone Stumpf
Bea Sweet
Diana Thompson
Corinna Tomrley
Tom O’Tottenham
Meryl Trussler
Jamie Wildman
Ceri Wilkinson
John William
Pippa Willitts
Gary Wilson
Mike Wyeld
Stacy Wyrd Rock
And everyone who helped and encouraged!

Embroidered Merch Available

Our pals at BigClobber.com have produced Big Bum Jumble embroidered merch for your delectation.

The pique polo shirt that Big Bum house model Kay is wearing in the picture, is red, cute and costs £12. Get in touch if you would like to buy one, there are loads of colours and sizes available.

Other things can be embroidered with the girly logo, designed by Meryl Trussler, to order too, for example t-shirts, workwear, anything. Prices vary, so please drop us a line at bigbumjumble@gmail.com

By the way, you could do a lot worse than to mosey over to BigClobber.com. There's a big sales room out in the wilds of Essex, or you can buy things online.

Tee hee!

Look What Came In: PJs

Phew! Not long to go now. This week has been a frenzy of Jumbling, as you can imagine, and Saturday is likely to be both fantastic and exhausting. Come Sunday we'll all be crashed out in our pyjamas. Luckily, a super-sweet pair of pyjama bottoms has come in. I'm calling them PJs but you could wear them wherever you like, though maybe not out in a snowstorm. They have a girly cat and heart design.

They are too big for our house model, but would look excellent on someone who can work a size 6XL. They're made by our esteemed friend Bertha Pearl of Size Queen Clothing and have been worn by some of the most notorious fat activists of California. If only these PJs could talk...

Come and get 'em on Saturday.

Look Who Went Out

London Rollergirl Sinister Mary Clarence did the Big Bum Jumble proud this weekend by embarking on a heroic journey from London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to pick up a mega-donation of clothes from an extremely lovely and big-hearted Big Bum Jumble fan. Fact fans, this is a journey of 600 miles (plus an excursion to Lincoln to do a bit of skating yes, the gal's got stamina), driven entirely in a Nissan Micra, powered by Red Bull and Capital Gold. Can we get a handclap?

Part of the Newcastle haul, socks drying on radiator not included

In return SMC asked only that she could make an appearance on the blog, though for important security reasons her true identity must remain a mystery.

So here she is, modelling treats from the Newcastle haul, channelling Stevie Nicks in sequins, tie-dye, a generous tiered peasant skirt, and suede boots, plus super-furry duffle. Pink is not SMC's typical spirit-colour, but I'm sure you agree that she works this ensemble well.

Big Bum Fashion Fan: Diana

Who are you?

I'm Diana, a 28-year old photographer from London. I'll be the person with a camera in front of my face at Big Bum Jumble. (Pssst: have a look at Diana's beautiful work on fashionlovesphotos.com)

What sort of things do you like to wear?

My style is somewhere between grungy and glam - as if someone squished Daria and Bettie together. Cute dresses, red lipstick, big boots, vintage bags. I am a sucker for cocktail, prom and sundresses, anything with floral prints and polka dots. I am also completely obsessed with make-up and accessories; giant flowers to detract from messy hair, bright perspex necklaces, retina-scorching eyeshadows. Basically if it's bright, chunky or plastic, chances are I will fall hopelessly in love with it. I've said it before but in my head, I am still essentially a 17-year old with chipped nail varnish jumping around to Hole. Especially when in a photography studio.

Whose style do you admire?

There are so many people out there who have such an incredible look. One of the advantages to living in London is that a bus journey can give you as much inspiration as a catwalk, as the people with the best style are those around you doing their own thing. Bettie Paige, Sophie Dahl, Shirley Manson and Dita are also other ladies who seem to pull it together every time. I can still remember sitting with a copy of the NME at college trying to dissect Manson's eye make-up so that I could recreate it!

Give us some fat fashion advice!

Dress for yourself and have fun with it! The biggest reason why an outfit will fail has nothing to do with the size of your bum, but whether or not you have the confidence to pull it off. Fashion is about having a giggle, and everyday should be treated like you're getting ready to walk the runway with your friends in tow. It's also so important to dress for your shape, and to not hide beneath a sheath of baggy fabric. Waist cinching belts are amazing, and if you're feeling like you need a little support, a corset and a good bra are always there to provide a little help.

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

I will be the happiest girl in the world if I can come away with a few lovely dresses. Tea dresses, cocktail dresses, prom dresses, anything that I can stuff lots of petticoats underneath and twirl around in before stumbling over my boots. Cute screen-printed tees would be brilliant as well. They're always handy to wear in the studio. Anything with dinosaurs and robots. I am a bit of a geek.

What else would you like to say?

If you're shy about having your photos taken, but would love to have some done, get in touch! You don't have to be a model to have beautiful pictures. After all, you'll be wanting to show off all the bargains that you find at Big Bum Jumble!

Would you like to be featured here as a Big Bum Fashion Fan? All you have to do is drop us a line: bigbumjumble@gmail.com

The Sorting Party

The Big Bum Jumble got a step nearer at the weekend with the grand sorting party. This was where some lovely Jumblers went through the donations bags and sorted them into size and type. This will make Jumbling easier for people when they come on 14 August. Items were also priced up and paraded around the garden. Yes, important work was carried out.

Look! Look! Lauren of Pocket Rocket Fashion was there too and she posted about it an' all.

We'll tell you about Jumble categories and pricing over the next few days.

We're also still looking for clothes. Here's how to donate.

Meanwhile, here're some pics from the party. Many heartfelt thanks to everyone who came and helped.

Oh dear, piles and piles of clothes

Hurrah, busy bees at work

Part of the denim pile

Bill Savage muscles in on Kay's modelling territory.
Big Bum Jumblers please note that Bill and Kay are not the same person,
even though they are both mannish, specs-wearing chubsters.
Also, neither of them should be mistaken for Ruth and Tamsin of Unskinny Bop.

Order is brought forth from chaos, and everybody retires to the garden for a cup of tea

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

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

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: 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 

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.

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.

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.

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 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.