What is a Fatshionista?

A fatshionista is someone who is overweight and also dresses fashionably. Fatshionistas can be found in many corners of the world, setting trends and showing off stylish ways to dress fuller figures and larger bodies. In addition to dressing fashionably, fatshionistas also follow fashion and keep up with emerging trends in the fashion industry which may be of interest. Some may work in the fashion industry, designing collections, staging runway shows, and monitoring trends so that their companies stay abreast of the latest and greatest.

The term “fatshionista” is a portmanteau of “fat” and “fashionista,” a term which is used to describe someone of any size who dresses stylishly and follows fashion. Some overweight people prefer to be referred to as “fashionistas” because they find the term “fat” offensive. Others like to emphasize the “fat” in “fatshionista” to stress the idea that being overweight does not preclude one from being fashionable, and that larger men and women can be every bit as elegant, stylish, and fashionable as their more slender counterparts.

Dressing fashionably while overweight can be a major challenge. Many prominent designers do not offer plus-sized lines, or they offer plus-sized lines which are poorly designed. Overweight men and women have a wide range of body types, just like slender people do, and simply sizing up garments doesn't address the unique needs of larger bodies. Designers who recognize this can find themselves in a very profitable position, as a fatshionista is just as happy to spend money on high-quality garments as other fashion-conscious people with smaller bodies.

Fatshionistas sometimes sew their own garments, or modify commercially produced garments to look flattering on their figures. Others hunt through the offerings provided by companies with plus-sized lines, searching for the perfect garment, and many exchange hints and tips on websites. Designers who create garments which are tailored to overweight bodies are often extremely popular, especially when they divide collections by body types such as apples and pears, allowing people to zone in on the most flattering clothing for their bodies.

The taste of a fatshionista can vary widely. Most people focus on emphasizing the parts of their body that they are especially fond of, such as a slender waistline or nice calves. Learning to dress an overweight body in a stylish way can be difficult at first. Many people think that larger people should dress in loose garments to hide their bodies, but in fact such garments can emphasize the fact that someone is overweight, while properly fitted garments can look much more stylish and elegant, when they are chosen with care.