2.10 plus-size gothic clothing

From: Jilli
Where do those of us who are of more generous proportions find good clothes? Gather round kidlings, and I'll let you in on some secrets.

1) Learn to sew. Or at the very least, learn to do basic alterations. If you can sew, you can find all sorts of patterns that can be made in black and velvets. If you can do alterations, you can search out things at thrift stores that aren't *quite* what you're looking for, and rework 'em. Which leads to point #2...

2) Keep your eyes open in *all* sorts of stores. Thrift stores, regular mall stores, whatever. Lane Bryant gets in some surprisingly goth-friendly things, and you would be amazed what you can find in the 'formal/bridal' section of such stores as JC Penny's, Sears, and The Bon. Think differently!

3) (And this is a VERY important one!) Keep in mind what looks good on you, not just what is the most gothy. If structured, shaped lines make you look wonderful, then start looking for those sorts of clothes in interesting colours and fabrics. OTOH, if you look best in floaty, drapey things, then keep your eyes peeled for that. Don't buy something *just* because it's gothy and it fits you; ask yourself honestly if it flatters you.

4) (The wacky, fun point) Drag queen supply catalogs and stores. You would be amazed at some of the things you can find in those sources. ;-) One of the most GAF items of clothing I own came from a drag queen shop in San Francisco called the Piedmont Boutique: a floor-length black lace frock coat, with black silk ribbon embroidery and beading, velvet lapels, and trimmed with black marabou feathers on the hem and cuffs. And I never would have found it if I hadn't accidentally wandered into a drag queen shop on a vacation.

I'm not claiming this will work for everyone. I'm on the small end of 'plus-size'; I can wear anywhere from a size 14 to a size 18, I don't really consider myself big, and I still have problems finding clothes. *BUT*, the tips above have helped fill out my wardrobe considerably.

From: Julia
Express regularly carries velvety dresses and skirts in large or 14s. Lerner's, the place to bring your curvy ass, carries up to a 16, and everything is cut for the voluptuous goddess within. The colors tend to be bright, but I have a couple gorgeous black and slate grey skirts and dresses from there. Also, plain t-shirts at the end of the season are outrageously cheap. Feel free to also toodle your booty over to Lane Bryant (size 14 is the smallest they carry), especially during the winter "velvet velvet everywhere" season. Also, Liz Clairborne and Jones of New York cut for the womanly body, can be found at your local dept. store, and they go on sale regularly.

From: Tracy
I am pretty much too damn big for the Lane Bryant clothes... I am 5'11' and their longest skirts are just above mid-calf on me. But, I get the catalogs and bought something from the new mens' catalogs they put out. A velour button-up shirt in black, a 7X. It is HUGE. I replaced the ugly imitation wood buttons with little jeweled pewter ones, and it is fabulous!

I generally make my skirts, as I prefer them to be A-line and swishing at my ankles (that is at least a 38" long skirt!). I do like to get the "talls" leggings from them. And things like sweaters and tops sometimes work for me.

I have better luck with the big mens catalog for things like T-shirts and plain sweaters though.

From: mari
Lo and behold, in Ashley Stewart, they had cheap PVC bustiers in red and black. sizes 1x-4x. I got a black one. The only drawback (for some) is that you need to be like a D/DD to fill the cups properly. It has "boning" that I might replace, but for now... it is ok. It was $17.99!! w/4 garters. I am going to reinforce the seams on the garter connections if I ever use 'em, since they don't look like they are very strong. They also had red PVC bras for $14.99. Ashley Stewart is a Lane Bryant type store.

From: Lucasta
If I am in a bind and can not have something made, I generally order/buy a plain type dress/shirt, add simple adornments to it, i.e., big sleeves, a neat collar, or create a train/bustle.

As for the Black Rose dress I got made to spec -- I had ordered their "large," and when I got the dress it was *so* small that it would not even fit my rather svelte friend (who on a bad day is a size 8!). I sent it back and told them what had happened, and they made me a new dress to the specs I requested :) I do not know if they do this regularly, but I was rather impressed!

From: Angela
[Plus-size men] don't dismiss regular big-and-tall shops, you never know what you might find there -- black dress shirts, black jeans, possibly vests. The selection in thrift shops (around here, anyway) is pretty good in larger men's sizes -- I wear a 44 or 46 long and have no trouble. You might even consider splurging for a nice pair of dress pants or tux pants in black or charcoal pinstripe. Finally, find a tailor. She can make many off-the-rack items better suited to your tastes. If there's a particular piece you dream about, you can have her sew it for you, which is not exactly inexpensive, but may be the only way to get, say, a velvet tailcoat in your size. If you decide to lose weight, most garments can be slimmed down by an expert seamstress.

From: Thessaly
[Plus-size women] also might consider trying men's pants, because you can choose the waist and the length; if you go to Structure, and they don't have your size in the store, they will FedEx the pants to your home within 3 days for no extra charge. Skirts should be easy, just look for things with an elastic waistband. Broomstick skirts should be especially helpful since you also have the drawstring at the waist, and the elastic usually has a lot of give, which allows one size to fit a large range of people.

From: Genevieve Duvessa
I just went to a store tonight called Romantic Sensations, and they have all sizes. I must say they carry the most beautiful gothic dresses, but the prices are a little steep. I have my eye on a beautiful gothic victorian dress at the mere (gag) price of $179.99, but it is worth every dollar. The fabric (unlike that ever popular Hot Topic store) is not cheap, flimsy stuff, but rather heavy, quality fabric.

From: Yosa
Larger-size goth guys -- for fancier clothes, I recommend the Corporate Goth Look, the Punk/Goth Look, or the Antiquity Goth Look.

Corporate -- White black or grey dress shirt (doesn't have to be expensive ) with jeans or slacks and a nice vest. The vest is important.

Check out vests at a local JCPenny type store. They will have in their trendy suits section lightweight vests. They are going to cost, but a $50 investment in a black or charcoal grey vest will go a long way. They generally come in sizes either large, xl, et cetera, or by chest size. You will want to try on a size 48 or larger. That will be the largest size they offer, and they may not have one in stock. Ask. It is also a size that will sell out fast. JcPenny also has a catalog, and it is possible to order it from the catalog after you have seen it in person. It is also possible to have a tailor add a bit of extra lining in the back of a vest that is a bit small in the waist. It is important to have it fit in the shoulders.

Wear the vest over a button-down shirt, open and casual. It is important to feel comfortable in it. A good vest will work under a jacket, over a tshirt ,and everywhere in between. The next time you have a formal occasion to go to, you will have clothes to wear :)

For this look, I also recommend investing in several solid black tshirts. I find that a solid black shirt tends to look more dressed up than a printed one. Also, the same tshirt works with fishnet sleeves made out of a pair of women's thigh high fishnet stockings with fingerholes -- to bring us to the next style...

Punk/Goth Look -- Tshirts, jeans, and belts a plenty. When trying this look, the point is to not try to hide your size. Be comfortable with how you look, and decorate yourself with a necklace or a chain, maybe a collar. Bracelets! Fishnets -- pull a pair of fishnet thigh highs onto your arms -- the band at the top will hold to your arm under your tshirt sleeve. Wear a bracelet, or even a bit of nifty fabric tied around your wrist. Safety pins are always good. Anywhere, on any jeans rips. Boots. Black ones. Ones that you like. They don't have to cost a fortune, but do need to be ones that you have an affinity to.

This look will work, but takes big-time confidence. A bit of black eyeliner -- practice at home lots -- eyeliner is a great thing, but takes practice. Also -- look around you at the club/wherever, and gather information as to the styles around you.

Antiquity Goth -- Very similar in simple form to the corporate goth. Wear the vest, and if possible a nice black jacket on top. Check out International Male catalogs for jackets -- they will have your size. If you have long hair, I recommend a piece of black fabric or a black velvet ribbon around a ponytail. Very nice. A bit if gel in your hair. Boots or dress shoes-again shoes you really like, no matter the style (no sneakers if you can help it).

Note: The following businesses are known for selling plus-size clothes that can work as part of a gothic wardrobe. Some businesses in the other sections of the faq may also sell larger sizes. Also keep in mind that any business in other faq sections which claims to sell custom-made clothing can probably make larger sizes too.

Barely Nothings Lingerie
1514 Grand Ave.
Grover Beach, CA 93433-2209, US
Phone: (800) 422-7359
Fax: (888) 489-5987
Catalog $3-$5
Fetish fashions and lingerie for women. Carries plus-sizes.

Frederick's of Hollywood
Retail Stores: in shopping malls across the US
Mail-Order: P.O. Box 229, Hollywood, CA 90099-0164, US
(800) 323-9525
custserv@fredericks.com
Free catalog
Trendy/sleazy clothes, decorative corsets, lingerie, and accessories. For reviews of Frederick's of Hollywood corsets, see section 2.6a.

J.C. Penny Bridal Collection Catalog
stores across the US
(800) 527-8345
Bridal and formal gowns.

BatGoth comments: It's got wonderful elegant gowns and dresses for those "oh so special" occasions. Most of the gowns are very reasonable, and they've got slips that start around $26 (the full-length kind). I really like it and it's got the "real women" sizes as well. As I am not a waify-like-gothess, I look everywhere for my clothes!

Lane Bryant
in shopping malls across the US
Trendy plus-size clothing store (not affiliated with the mail-order catalog of the same name).

Starr comments: Lane Bryant! I was there two days ago, and scored a cool v-neck black velvet dress, a black velvet button-down shirt with see-through-netting vines and flowers, a couple of beautiful rings, and *bounce* a crushed black velvet frock style jacket. I'm like a size 12, but can swing a 14 (their smallest size).

Sheila Marie comments: Here is my beef, maybe I'm just to harsh on clothes, but everything I've ever bought from Lane Bryant just fell apart after a few wearings. There were the 2 pairs of jeans that developed holes near the zipper like it was wearing thin, then after about 10 wears, things like belt loops and pockets just started ripping off. There was a pair of black pants I bought that the seams just blew out of. I did get 2 t-shirts a few years back that have just recently bought the dust, one has a "bite" out of the bottom (kinda like something reached up and bit it) I have NO clue where that came from, and the other I got bleach on. I buy the correct sizes, so it's not that I'm just too big for this stuff (the jeans were actually a little baggy on me); it's just that I don't trust the quality of their merchandise, especially for the prices they charge. I don't know, if I go in, it's always just to browse the clearance racks.

Trystan comments: One of the most GAF jackets I own was from Lane Bryant. It's a 3/4 length, black crushed velvet jacket that's become my CorporateGoth suit jacket. Gorgeous, comfy, and very good quality. Oh, and I got it at an after-xmas sale for less than $20!

Leather Lady
248 Route 25A
Setauket, NY 11733, US
Phone: (888) LEA-LADY
Fax: (516) 751-6761
leatherlady@leatherlady.com
Regular and plus-size lingerie in leather.

Peggy Lutz Plus
7650 Bell Road
Windsor, CA 95492, US
Phone: (707) 837-1897
Fax: (707) 837-1899
peg@peglutz.com
Catalog $5
Custom-made plus-size women's clothing.

Lacrima comments: While this is not a goth store per se, there are some very nice looking dresses at this site, plus some PVC and velvet bustiers. It tends to be a bit pricey, but the clothing is made to order and is of very good quality -- also, you can choose your fabrics and colors in just about any style.

Persephone Plus
2801 Ocean Park Blvd. PMB 366
Santa Monica, CA 90405
orders@persephoneplus.com
Plus-sized women's gothic clothing.

Silhouettes
Hanover, PA, US
(800) 704-3322
Free catalog
Mainstream women's clothes, shoes, and boots in plus sizes.

Silks and Velvets
c/o Yosa Addiss
700 Mass. St. Suite #105
Lawrence, KS 66044, US
catalog@yosa.com
Custom-made corsets, fantasy gowns, wedding gowns, and historical gowns. Plus-size orders are welcome (up to about a US 24) and no additional charge.

Daednu comments: Today I received my second Yosa corset. I previously bought an Antique corset from her. I bought my own brocade, and she made a perfectly fitted corset from it. This time I got a Century corset to wear under a bridesmaid gown. I had it made of black cotton for durability. I couldn't be more pleased with it. It's wonderfully finished and looks beautiful even though it's made of plain cotton. The cotton is a perfect weight, and it fits me like a glove.

Trystan comments: I have several items made by Yosa, and they're all divine! The materials are lush, the construction is precise and exquisite, the fit is amazing (even by mail!), and she's just a dream to work with. Highly recommended!!!

Ulla Popken
(800) 245-8552
Classic women's clothing in plus sizes.

The Wicked Witch comments: I recently discovered Ulla Popken, a plus size line from Europe. Their sizes begin at 12 (different than in the US where plus sizes don't start until 16, typically). Fabrics are very nice, clothes are generously sized and feel well-made, and it's not too expensive. Also the customer service is very good, and they have online ordering.

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