Thick Facets
Thick Facets
I've been fat my whole life. Fat, chubby, thick, curvy, plus-sized, whatever word you want to use I've identified with the good and bad of it (except maybe "big boned," I've always thought my bones were very dainty). While it's never easy to feel different from the norm, I found it particularly hard to be bigger as a tween and a teenager. In the years before fast fashion, let alone before fast fashion companies like Forever21 started adding plus-sized clothing ranges, shopping for clothes that fit my body AND my style was nearly impossible. My love of accessories developed not only because I'm drawn to everything shiny and believe "more is more," but also because fat people have access to endless quantities of accessories compared to paltry plus-sized clothing options. I was always able to use statement jewelry, funky shoes and a closet full of purses to express my personal style.
In high school I had a formulaic wardrobe of jeans and colorful shirts that served as a backdrop for necklaces I would make, vintage baubles inherited from my grandmother, and far too heavy crystal earrings I would buy in Chinatown. Shopping for jewelry was always fun, even when shopping for things like a prom dress were hellish. So, for prom I found a very non-remarkable, entirely sufficient black dress and paired it with a rhinestone Betsy Johnson heart necklace that gave off heavy Titanic vibes, a Lucite and rhinestone cuff bracelet, aforementioned Chinatown crystal earrings, and lightly rhinestoned heels. It was a lot of look, but please remember I was competing with the era of Jessica McClintock ruched satin dresses and making the most of it.
If you asked me even a year ago to write about this, I would have been nervous maybe a little mortified and likely unwilling. In the past year I have found a love for my body that I was unable to access in my younger years. Social media communities focusing on body positivity have been integral in helping me shift my mindset, along with the media inching towards feeling comfortable with displaying the endless variety of human bodies. While my self-image has changed, I have not noticed much of a shift in the industry where I work. Sure the fashion industry has started to make small steps towards plus-size inclusivity, be it motivated by money or compassion, but the styling that happens in the jewelry industry still seems to feel very slim body focused.
I’m trying to use my own body confidence to bring some attention to the big-bodied beautiful women (& men) of the world who have always loved accessories because even when a brand doesn’t sell clothing over a size 12, handbags, shoes and jewelry almost always fit!
I’m challenging myself to do a monthly feature pairing plus-sized clothing with jewelry that inspires me. I’m also issuing a call to all the curvy ladies of the jewelry industry to collaborate on this project, so if you want in send me an email. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but seeing more “normal” non-model bodies online has really helped me connect with brands and their products. Hopefully my pairings of bigger bodies with beautiful jewelry will help more women connect with the jewelry brands I love and be inspired to expand their horizons when it comes to personal style. I’m calling this feature Thick Facets.
