My Big, Fat Plus-Size Life

A couple of weeks ago, I excitedly posted "my very first Make Me Over blog post ever", and I hope you got a chance to read it. But what I realized recently is that I hadn't really introduced myself or my business! Because my goal for Curve Conscious and the Make Me Over blog is to be a part of the growing online community of plus size bloggers, stylists, activists, shoppers and supporters - I should have started with a "Hello".

Adele is plus size and proud

So, hello readers. My name is Adrienne. I'm 33, I live in the Philadelphia area, I went from a husky teen to a plus size woman, and now I'm the owner of Curve Conscious. Of course I didn't just go from husky teen to business owner over night. No no no. I've had plenty of #plussizeproblems to deal with along the way, which have made me into who I am and led me to where I am today - fat and happy! ​

Tales from the plus side

Truth be told, I have struggled with being "plus size" since my mom had to stop ordering my school clothes out of the JC Penney catalog. And it wasn't so much about being overweight, I just couldn't find clothes that fit, which is really depressing when you're 13. When I was in junior high school, I wore men's clothes. By high school, I had discovered Old Navy and The Limited. It was like a dream come true because, at a size 14, I could wear the same things my friends wore! By the time I was in college, it was Old Navy and New York & Company! AND I HAD STORE CREDIT CARDS! 

Fast forward to today, and there are so many more great options for us to choose from. I personally like to shop at Target, ASOS, Forever 21, and Old Navy (still!). And there's many more great designers, brands and stores that have helped expand the plus size market and create more options for us all. But we know it's still not enough. 

Before there was online shopping, there was the Penney's catalog.

Curve Conscious to the rescue 

Even though the plus size industry has come a long way, so many of us, including me, are still not satisfied. When I read articles like this and this, I know I am not the only one who wants more from the industry. And at the same time, when the very first ever plus size designer wins Project Runway, it makes me so hopeful for the future of plus size fashion!

What I was also struggling with is the fact that it's pretty damn hard to thrift shop that carries plenty of plus size clothes! Now, I know this isn't the case for every thrifty plus size diva out there, but there is absolutely no comparison to how non plus women and men are able to shop their asses off, anywhere they please. And so going to thrift stores became daunting, and honestly, as waste of time (especially when certain places won't even accept plus size clothes on consignment, but that's another blog post to come).

Yay Ashley!

Then about a year ago, I decided that I wasn't happy with my career working as a copywriter for major companies and big brands. I started thinking about other things I could do - move overseas and teach English as a second language, going to grad school for an expensive liberal arts degree, and so on. But deep down I knew I wasn't helping solve a problem I was passionate about. It wasn't until I read this story, that it clicked. I needed to create a space where plus size women feel welcome and comfortable. Where they can shop and find something in their size on every rack. Where they can find trendy, contemporary plus size clothes, shoes and accessories at reasonable prices (because lets face it, some brands are just out of budget).

And so the idea of Curve Conscious was formed: a consignment and resale store exclusively for plus size women. Is the idea new? Nope! There are a growing number of plus size only resale stores across the country. I look forward to learning a lot from them about how to run a business. But Curve Conscious has it's own uniqueness because, well, of me! And that's why I wanted to take the time to say "Hello". You can find me on Twitter and Instagram, and this blog. Please feel free to say hello too. I'm excited to continue this journey of entrepreneurship and I hope you become a reader, supporter and future shopper of Curve Conscious.

A friend designed my logo. Clean and sharp, like me ;-)

Thank you,

xoxo

Adrienne