Jumbling All Over the World

Over the past couple of months, the Big Bum Jumble blog has been visited by thousands of people. Here's a map of the places where people have visited from around the world. There's a big concentration in Europe, and on the US coasts, but there are also a surprising number of visitors from other places too. This could easily mean that there's a hunger for events like the Big Bum Jumble all over the place.

Here's a more detailed map of the cities and places where there has been interest in the Big Bum Jumble in the UK.

We don't know if we'll do another one, we might, but there's nothing to stop you from putting on a similar event yourself. Why not go for it? We're really happy to share the skills and knowledge we've built whilst organising this event, you don't necessarily have to go it alone.

As we've organised the Jumble we've heard people say things like: "Things like that always happen in London and never near where I live." But things happen here because we've put them on ourselves. Similar bigger or smaller events could happen anywhere. Maybe you live near one of the dots on the map, if so there might be someone near you who would also like to get together to swap clothes, meet-up, or put on a bigger event. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Aaaaand here's another one

Ooh look, we're in the Daily Mail too, and they didn't say anything mean about us either. They did pigeonhole us as 'Size Zero Campaigners' which is not where we're at, we think bodies of all sizes are fine and are not campaigning to have anything banned. Still, how thrilling to know that people will be reading about rad fatties over their cornflakes and toast this morning.

Check out the boxed text on this article: Mission Fatshion

5 reasons why you should come to the Big Bum Jumble

Like you need an excuse.

1. The clothes
If you are fat you will find clothes that will fit you and make you look fantastic, and all for cheap too. If you are fat you will know that this rarely happens, plus-sized clothes are usually overpriced and difficult to find. So many different styles and types of clothes have been donated that you are bound to find something you like. You won't have to pinch yourself, you will not be dreaming.

2. The atmosphere
We've been working hard to make the Jumble a friendly, welcoming, playful place for everyone. There will be music, refreshments, a fashion show, stalls, and countless opportunities to try things on, make friends, or drink tea. It's going to be lovely!

3. The Rad Fatties
You want to know where you can meet rad fatties in the UK? Perhaps you want to find Your People. They will be here.

4. The culture
By coming to the Big Bum Jumble, you will be supporting future projects like it. Anyone of any size can do this. The Big Bum Jumble organisers want to help create and develop non-profit communities and events that support fat pride, Health At Every Size, Fat Studies, fat activism, fatshion, and body liberation in general. We want to have fun whilst we're doing it. We think this stuff is really worthwhile and can help us all live good lives.

5. The politics
We're not interested in shoving our politics down anyone's face, you can take them or leave them and it's fine if you want to come along and buy a jumper and let that be it.

However, we also think that fashion is political; we're interested in how clothes are made and sold, who buys them, how they are bought and why, and the affiliate industries that support the fashion business. We want to see these ideas develop. Big Bum Jumble is about messing around with clothes, a pleasure that is often denied fat people, and we think that getting together and concocting a feast of second hand clothes is a way of disrupting destructive beliefs such as the idea that only some people can look great or are worthy. We want people of all sizes to feel good in their bodies, playing with clothes helps you do that, and it's easy to take a fashion risk at the Jumble because everything is so cheap. We also think that it's better for the environment to reuse and recycle things, including the stuff we wear, and that it helps us create alternatives to consumerism. So there.

Please come!

Bill Savage's Jumble Facts #2

Bill has been running loose amongst the jumble donations and has unearthed some incredible fashion history* to share here for your delectation.

This fine piece of fuschia headgear was donated to the Big Bum Jumble by a retired MI5 agent. While the hat looks exactly like the kind of thing a teary-eyed mother would wear to an offspring’s wedding, it is in fact an incredibly advanced piece of spyware, and has, over the course of the last decade, averted several national security disasters. The hat’s genius lies in the netting which acts to disguise the true identity of the wearer, much like Clark Kent’s geeky specs. It also functions as a radio-wave scanner that intercepts enemy communications on almost any frequency. The elastic chin strap doubles as a garotte for use in emergencies while the head band is lead-lined to prevent penetration of x-rays. The flower decoration houses an advanced GPS system and homing device which can be activated should the wearer be stranded in hostile territory.

The hat has been fully decommissioned and would fit pretty much any sized head.

By Bill Savage

* Some of these facts might need to be corroborated.

Guerrilla Marketing: Sublime Juxtaposition

I have no doubt that Cultural Studies professors of the future will write windy academic articles about the sublime juxtaposition of fat/obesity discourse represented by these two posters. Just tell them you saw it here first.

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.

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!

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.

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: 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.