Fatshion Blog

An Old Friend Revisited

2006-07-11T11:37:00.000-07:00

Well Fatshion world, I am back, if not for a little while. Before my hiatus, I said something concerning the appropriate position for pants that I need to amend. I recommended that pants be worn as high as possible while under the gut. Let me start from scratch.

Everything you do in the name of Fatshion can be for not if your pants aren't worn at the proper height. While truly pear shaped people will find a natural place for their pants to rest above their supple rumps and hips, the majority of us find ourselves in a gray area. With large guts and deflated man-asses, many large men find themselves going "the way of the plumber." I can not say this any more clearly: sagging is kryptonite. Ten times out of ten, you should prefer that your pants be too high than too low. Without much of an ass, this task can be menial, but there are a few guides to helping.

First, ensure that your pants have a proper but clean look. Make sure they are long rise if they need to be, and make sure the thigh area is large enough around without appearing baggy. Second, as a matter of physiology, determine which style of gut you have. If your gut is such that it laps over your waistline when you don't wear a shirt, you absolutely must wear your pants above your gut line. You don't have to go all the way to your belly button, but can not leave your pant line below your gut. If you are pot-bellied, you don't have much of a decision but to wear your pants below your gut. The exception to this is if you constantly look like you're sagging. Put pants on, and don't evaluate the way you look right away. Go to work or go out on the town, and evaluate what your pants look like at the end of the day. Take pictures from different angles, and actually see how you look from the different views. If you look like you're sagging, or if your shirt is puffing out too much because your pants are too low, you need to raise your pants--perhaps all the way to your hips.

I can not emphasize how foundational this is. In my previous post, I neglected to mention the exceptions for different types of guts, and since having posted it, I've been confronted with situations that presented quite a few exceptions. The bottom line is that if you look like you're sagging, or if you're constantly having to readjust your pant line, your pants are entirely too low on your waist.

New House

2006-06-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

I closed on my new house on Thursday, and I'll be working over there almost 'round the clock. I probably won't post on here for at least 3 weeks, and it'll probably be the end of the blog, but tomato tomato.

3 more weeks

Summertime Fatshion: Hats

2006-06-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve written briefly in the past about fat people wearing obscure hats. We can all think of at least a few fat guys who wear some ridiculous forms of fedoras, derby hats, berets or any other equally goofy hats. While some of these hats make brief, fashionable resurgences, the look they have on someone like Brad Pitt is far different than the look they have on larger people, but I digress. I want to talk exclusively about baseball caps. I know what you might be thinking. How on earth could Fatshion extend to baseball caps?

First, as a universal rule of hatshion (get it?), simpler is better. Hats with lightning bolts and colors split down the middle are just childish looking. Only buy solid color hats that have a logo on the front with a smaller logo on the back.

As far as Fatshion is concerned, always make sure that the hats you buy are fitted. The best fitted hats for larger-headed people are FlexFit hats. FlexFit hats are fitted, but the lining is made out of a very comfortable, very expandable elastic. This gives you a comfortable feel without sacrificing any style. The problem with non-fitted hats is that larger people often have to wear the buckle on one of the pegs closest to the end. This ends up giving most hats a funny shape all over because the cut of the hat is made for all pegs to be incorporated. The end result can be a hat that looks entirely too small for someone’s head, which brings us to our second point.

Always purchase hats that are deep. In other words, make sure your hats are deep enough to actually go around your head rather than sitting on top. When a fat man’s hat is really shallow, it gives the appearance that his fat head is so huge that his hat is forced to sit atop his head like a meatball ready to topple over. Again, FlexFit hats are cut really well in larger sizes so that the hats are incredibly deep and fit like they should.

Lastly, under most circumstances, you’ll want to purchase hats that have little backing in the actual lining of the hat. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, compare an Abercrombie style hate to an MLB style hat. MLB styles, and other styles that incorporate stiff backing, are designed to sit up and away from the head. Soft backed or no-backed caps are preferred.

So go out and buy yourself a new hat. Many retailers offer a variety of FlexFit caps, and many embroidery shops offer completely plain FlexFit hats for around twelve bucks.

Exciting News for Fatshion

2006-05-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

After submitting a few pieces to various companies, I have been contacted by two small publishers regarding the potential for Fatshion to appear as a syndicated column in various style magazines. The articles may appear under the title "Fatshion and Fatceptance." Not to get ahead of myself, but one publishing company purchases columns for FHM, Maxim and a variety of other man-magazines. The other company produces direct-to-consumer catalogues for various clothing manufacturers. I think the first company understands the intentionality of Fatshion a little better, but I think I have the best shot with the second company.

"Hooray Fatshion," says the beautiful man.

Summer Fatshion Series: Shirts

2006-05-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Keeping cool without exposing too much of yourself is an incredibly delicate balance during the summer months. Fat people love the cold. Most fat men in heat just look confused or frustrated, and rightfully so. No need to fret as we continue with our summer Fatshion series. The three main concerns with warm weather shirts are color, fabric and style of shirt.

Near the top of the list for warm weather Fatshion is sweat control and concealing. For starters, no matter how hot it gets, always wear an undershirt. Your undershirt will act as a barrier of protection in heavy sweating areas. There are other things that can help, and one of the main things is color selection. Whether it's a simple t-shirt, golf shirt or even dress shirt, the color of shirt you choose to wear can make a huge difference. Colors like light gray, light blue and a variety of other colors drastically change colors when they become wet. If you have problems sweating through shirts, think about the colors of shirts you're purchasing--especially with t-shirts. Black, brown, cream, some darker grays and quite a few others change very little when wet. The best way to determine is to test shirts before buying them. When you're in a store, just put a small dab of saliva on your finger and rub it on one of the t-shirts. Look to see how much the color the shirt changes, and make your color decisions based upon which colors change the least. I know this suggestion may sound gross, but it could save you a lot of embarrassment down the line.

Fabric selection is really only important with golf shirts, button downs and dress shirts. Golf shirts essentially can be knit (pique or micro-pique), or they can be made of a smooth jersey-knit fabric. Knit shirts are preferred because they are slightly thicker, so they show less definition across the chest, and they are also quite a bit more absorbent than their jersey-knit counterparts. Button downs and other dress shirts should always be made of natural fibers like cotton. Polyester, Nylon and other synthetic fabrics don't breathe as well and can cause more sweating. One thing to consider with button downs is that many of the wrinkle free styles now offered at stores like Eddie Bauer, are also stain-free so they are quick drying and show considerably less moisture.

Short sleeve button downs should be worn only with utmost discretion. Most of them tread awfully close to having the look of a Hawaiian shirt, and this is antithetical to our cause. A much better option for a warm weather button down is to wear a long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up two rolls. This creates a much more sleek, slimming look because of the added vertical interest. Also, this type of shirt can go with shorts and pants, and it can be either casual or dress-casual.

You don't have to be trapped in a world of confusion or frustration this summer. Just remember to pick out colors that don't draw attention to moisture, fabrics that are breathable and light, and try to stay away from short sleeve button downs. Before too long, we may all move out to the desert.

Go(atee) to Hell

2006-05-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

When I think of the antithesis of Fatshion, I think of a large man wearing faux zebra fur Doc Martins, a pair of JNCOs, a rockabilly style button down with guitars printed all over it, long side sideburns and a bushy goatee. We've started to cover many Fatshion basics, but we've said very little about personal grooming. Before too long, many people start asking, "What about those sideburns and that goatee?" Willis is talkin' 'bout facial hair.

Here's the bomb. Facial hair should be avoided at almost all costs. That's right. I said it. Even with thin guys, facial hair only looks good about ten percent of the time. This is reduced to about one percent of the time that facial hair actually looks good on overweight men. There are a few reasons why. First, facial hair intended to mask double chins, fat cheeks, or recessed chins rarely performs as the wearer thinks, and often actually draws attention to the troubled area. When facial hair is allowed to grow long and ratty, it looks disgustingly unkept, and when it is kept short and groomed, it doesn't provide the masking effect that it was grown for in the first place. Second, facial hair is simply not fashionable. Sideburns, goatees, soul patches, mustaches, chin straps, full beards: you name it, it's just not in style. Third, with a lack of a jaw line, fat people are forced to end full beards at an arbitrary point along their double chins. When thin people have chiseled jaw and neck lines, there are natural places for facial hair to stop. With fat people, these lines are considerably blurred, and choosing a place to end your facial hair can be disastrous. Lastly, a stubbly day after look works for models and good looking people, but the same look makes overweight people look sloth-like.

The biggest key to facial hair is to look around yourself. Look at the facial hair of the people you run into. All those people who have hideous facial hair think that their facial hair looks great, just like you think yours does.

This post brings up one of the fundamental dilemmas of Fatshion: in the midst of trying to look your best and trying to maximize perceptions, where do personal taste and personal style enter the picture? The ultimate answer is that many issues of personal taste ( i.e. I love the feel of silk shirts or I love these sideburns) are in diametric opposition to the principles of Fatshion. This doesn't mean that you must give up all personal style choices; rather, it means that your personal style, over time, should become far more congruent with the principles of Fatshion.

Your facial hair isn't fooling anyone about your chin(s), it's not fashionable, it ends awkwardly, and women don't like it. Don't consider yourself the one exception who actually does look better with facial hair. Don't wait until tomorrow... Shave today.

Waistline Blues

2006-05-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

A reader recently asked a very pertinent question about how high overweight people should wear their pants around their waistlines. This is a great question because guts force overweight people to an often difficult decision regarding their waistlines.

I need to start by saying that this issue really splits the world of Fatshion into two categories depending on body type. We'll start with the least typical type--pear shaped. Pear shaped people are those who carry their weight more like women than men--in their hips, thighs and ass. For these people, it's easier to wear pants higher because the hips provide a natural curve upon which pants can rest. The problem is, most moderately overweight people do not have this body type.

Typical overweight males are more often apple shaped than pear shaped. Apple shaped body types are categorized by a larger gut with a tapering deflated-man-ass. Essentially, apple shaped people are largest around the midsection and have an ass that is disproportionately small for their body size. Ten times out of ten, this causes problems with the issue of where someone's waistline falls. For moderately overweight people, pants should be worn below the gut but as high as possible other than that. There isn't any difference for the types of pants or the look you're trying to achieve, but keeping the pants as high as possible while resting below the gut is crucial.

The problems with the decision to go above the gut are that your waist size can instantly go from 42 to 52, and your style goes from fashion forward to nursing-home-esque in under four seconds.

Things that can help include purchasing slacks and jeans with "long rise" options. Eddie Bauer is a great place to purchase dress slacks because they offer long rise for a nominal charge. The long rise simply adds length between the crotch and waistline and is very important when trying to keep your pants as high as possible while maintaining a comfortable feel. Another viable option is purchasing suit separates as slacks. This allows you to have the pants tailored to your specifications for around $130.00.

The thing that we want to avoid at all costs is an intentionally sagging look. Don't be afraid to buy pants in a larger size so they will actually fit you where you need to wear them. Nothing looks worse than when a fat man is forced to sag because the waistline of his pants is too small, and remember to always wear a belt.

Summertime Footwear

2006-05-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

With warmer weather approaching and the dreadful promise of another blazingly hot, fat-man-marginalizing summer ahead, it’s appropriate to begin a series discussing summer Fatshion. Let’s start from the ground up with footwear.

Footwear is the most easily recognizable way to determine what look someone is trying to achieve. Chinos and a button down can look dressy when worn with a polished dress shoe or incredibly laid back with a pair of open toed sandals. For a fat person wearing shorts, shoe selection is absolutely crucial.

First, a few don’ts. Never wear socks that come up past your ankle unless you’re playing soccer, and if you’re fat, this exception will never apply to you. Unless you plan on participating in an activity that requires you to take your shoes off, never wear flip flops. Woah! I know what you’re thinking. No flip flops? Listen, the fresh-off-the-volleyball-court look may work wonderfully for your thinner counterparts, but the flip flops have a much different, sloppy appearance on larger people. Low top running shoes like New Balance are ok, but try not to wear them if you’re wearing anything other than a t-shirt.

So, what should we wear? There are essentially three options. First, a Birkenstock sandal or clog. Classically styled and easily recognized, Birkenstocks provide the perfect sophisticated open toe look. It provides the ease and functionality of a flip flop with the versatility of a deck shoe. Second, plainly colored fashion forward sport shoes. Adidas, Ben Sherman, K-Swiss, and many other companies offer simple styles that go great with shorts. These shoes provide the versatility of a running shoe with a clean, more fashion conscious appearance. Lastly, the shoe that everyone should own, the casual loafer. Never worn with socks, casual loafers are the be-all, end-all of fashionable warm weather attire. Loafers should only be worn with button down shirts or golf shirts, and can also provide a great casual look when worn with a pair of chinos.

The one overarching theme of the footwear you choose is that it should be high quality. Nothing looks worse than when someone shows up in the Wal-Mart version of a Birkenstock sandal. Quality products will outlast their inferior counterparts and make you look a lot better at the same time.

So throw those ratty flip flops away, and say goodbye to shin-high socks. Embrace the warmer weather with a fresh, fashionable look.

Restart

2006-05-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

It feels good to be back in the Fatshion saddle again. The good news is that I have decided to continue to update the Fatshion Blog regularly. I almost pulled a Jesus and threw the towel in, but after some consideration and support, there's just too much promise to pass up on. I was temporarily discouraged because I wasn’t sure if people were really getting it. However, I’ve been reinspired by affirmations that some people really do get it, and a reassurance from myself that I don’t care if people get it.

Check Back Often.

Wa wa wa waaaaaaaa...

2006-04-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

www.theslantedpenguin.blogspot.com

New Slang When You Notice the Stripes

2006-04-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

When I speak with random people about Fatshion, most of them assume the crux of Fatshion has to do with vertical and horizontal stripes. While there can be some good foundational advice given with regard to vertical and horizontal stripes, it is really just the tip of the Fatshion iceberg. As such, let's talk about patterns and fabrics.

For starters, the specific types of fabrics you wear can make the difference between looking polished and looking like a Walmart cashier dressing up to go to court. Natural fabrics such as cotton will always breath and look better than their synthetic counterparts such as polyester and nylon, which can lead to less sweating and a higher end look. The most important thing to remember is to wear what works for you. Don't get caught up in how elegant particular fabrics are, because more elegant fabrics like cashmere and silk are absolute nightmares for moderately overweight people. It's important to purchase high quality clothing, but don't equate a high price with a better look for you.

For fat men, there are three types of patterns that should never be worn on a shirt--paisley, repeating theme shirts, or dots. Plaid shirts should only be worn with utmost discretion. I know it sounds incredibly elementary to say these things, but if you look around, you'll start to notice that it happens far more often than you think. As a general rule of thumb, if you can imagine a bedspread being made out of the same material, don't wear it.

Vertically striped shirts are great, but try to avoid incredibly busy stripes. As a general rule, don't purchase or wear striped shirts that have more than 3 colors, and tone on tone stripes can be great. For me personally, I prefer shirts with stripes that are relatively thin and are approximately one inch apart from one another. For medium and darker complected people, don't be afraid of jewel tones--taupes, tans and earth tones are more difficult to pull off, and they must be of a far better quality to actually look polished. For lighter complected people, more subdued versions of the brighter colors won't make you appear as pasty as their more vibrant counterparts.

I think this has probably been the most elementary post, but more people misunderstand this than you'd think. Patterns for pants, shirt/tie combos, and jackets will be tackled in another post.

Open Access Shirts: Capes With Armholes

2006-04-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that for the past century, the biggest fashion dilemma overweight men have faced is the struggle to downplay the size and shape of their breasts. You don't have to look hard at all to see the various ways that men have attempted to mask their cones, but one gimmick, for whatever asinine reason, has stood the test of time: the open access shirt.

Most often worn over a t-shirt, an open access shirt is simply defined as a button down shirt worn with none of the buttons fastened, or as many fashionistas amicably refer to it, the cape with armholes. Simply put, there are few abominations that have had a further reaching recourse in the world of Fatshion. Not only does it produce an incredibly unkept appearance, but the loose, bedspread-like flow can make overweight people look five to ten percent heavier than they really are. Couple this with the fact that the open access look is incredibly dated, and you have a recipe for disaster.

For a cleaner, more modern look, purchase button downs that actually fit when buttoned, and wear them untucked with only the top button undone. If the drapery effect is a potential problem, don't forget to purchase tall sizes. When put with a securely fitting undershirt and a pair of loose boot cut jeans, the effect can be awe inspiring. To make this look more casual, pair it with a pair of fashion forward tennis shoes, or for a slightly more polished look, wear this with dress shoes and a blazer.

Tell your arm-holed cape to pull a Superman and go flying off a tall building, and take comfort in the fact that you'll never be flying with it again.

Vintage, Emo, Euro: The Problem With Cliff

2006-04-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

I have a friend named Cliff who gets clinically depressed when he peruses his favorite magazines and sees all of the casual looks he wishes he could emulate. Until now, he had no where to turn. Until now, he had no where to learn.

Dressing for incredibly casual evenings, like concerts, can be one of the most intimidating fashion challenges a moderately overweight person can face. In light of popular form-fitting vintage trends, fat people can easily be marginalized when it comes to cutting edge casual looks. However, rid yourselves of unrest, hope springs eternal.

Vintage jeans used to be impossible to find in anything over a size 38 waist, but as the vintage trend has come full force, anything is possible. Remember that popular clothers like Gap and Banana Republic as well as many clothing brands like Diesel and Ben Sherman offer extended sizes online that you simply won't find in any stores. Ebay is also an easy (and inexpensive) way to find jeans quickly by searching only for your specific size (i.e. 42x34 or 42L).

Shirts are the most difficult things to find, and are far more difficult to find online because of the variations between brand sizes. Just as important as the circumference of the chest and stomach of a t-shirt is the length of the shirt. The best way to shop for t-shirts is to find brands you like rather than stores. In other words, shopping at an online store like threadless.com (who manufactures their own shirts) will give you much more uniform sizing than shopping at an online store that sells shirts from multiple manufacturers.

Now, the crux of Fatshion for dressing vintage/emo/euro lies in wearing another article that many thin people forego--a jacket. Jackets such as modified track jackets are a wonderful solution to unflatteringly tight t-shirts. Many of the appropriate looking jackets are incredibly lightweight, and they can serve to cover more than just tight shirts. As almost any larger person can attest, tight shirts evoke unsightly sweat stains--especially during concerts. Thin, lightweight jackets cover areas where sweat commonly seeps through, and the good news is that most jackets are made of materials that don't show wetness, so there is little or no risk that you will sweat through your jacket.

Next time you see that look in a magazine, don't get down on yourself like you have in the past. Realize that there is hope for overweight people, and you can achieve any look you want--even if that look is traditionally considered antithetical to your body type. Remember, Fatshion is not a list of rules, it's a lifestyle.

Power Suits, Power Ties, Power Naps, Power Lies...

2006-03-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Business and formal wear can be the saving grace of a fat man. With a nice suit, shirt and tie, almost anyone can look successful and confident. To make it as easy as possible, let's talk about jackets, shirts & ties, and pants.

While there seem to be so many choices when it comes to suit fabrics and cuts, these are such simple items that it seems unfair to those who don't understand it yet. First, if you own a double breasted suit coat, burn it. Double breasted jackets are, without a doubt, the jacket equivalent of a silk shirt--under no circumstance should one ever be worn by a fat person. Single breasted jackets should always be three buttons, unless the wearer is below 5'8" in height. Jackets with no vent, a single vent or side vents are all acceptable, but well made side vent jackets allow for easy pocket access and less bunching while sitting. If your wardrobe consists of fewer than three suits, you should purchase black, charcoal or navy, but don't be afraid of really distinctive pinstripes. If you're going to have few suits, make them worth while. As a standard rule, you should spend around 2 weeks' salary on your suits.

Shirts and ties are probably where the most gamble takes place. There is a fine line between cutting edge and simply falling off the edge. The key with shirts and ties is not to skimp. Rather than having 12 shirts and 14 ties of low quality, a person would be far better served having 5 custom shirts and 7 ties. Tab collars and collars of a nontraditional nature should be avoided in order to stray away from an ethnic look, and a patterned shirt with a wide spread collar and french cuffs provides a cutting edge, european look. At present, trendy ties are ones that measure at least 3.5 inches across at their widest point, and wide ties always allow you to make good sized, more semetrical knots. Many shorter people may utilize a full windsor knot, however for taller or more rounded people, I recommend a prince albert knot. The prince albert seems to thin out the face because it is a slightly more slinder knot, but it also allows for the best possible dimples just below the knot. Lastly, the tip of the tie should always extend just beyond the top of the waste line. While it's trendy to wear wide ties resting short around the navel, this fashion forward look is absolutely detrimental to anyone with a gut.

Pants are relatively simple. Even with a suit, plain front pants are always the way to go. Pleats, especially while sitting, can lead to a bunched up, cluttered look, while plain front pants can provide a smooth, more modern look. Plain front pants should be hemmed with no cuff at the bottom.

General rules of thumb include the following. On a three button suit, you should only button the middle or top two buttons--never the bottom one. On a two button suit, you should button the top button but never the bottom. When wearing a suit, shirt and tie, only two of the three should be patterened. Having all three with patterns can have a very jumbled effect. As simple as it may sound, you should never have your suit buttoned while sitting, and always wear a belt. Fat people should never wear suspenders or bowties under any circumstance, and sweater vests should be worn with the utmost discretion.

If you follow those few simple rules, you'll probably look forward to getting dressed up like you never have before. In any work or social setting, always try to dress and carry yourself 2-3 positions higher than you already are. As long as you take the early steps to preparing your wardrobe for a high fashion look, you can always look your best, and this will allow others to think the best about you.

More Than Meets the Eye...

2006-03-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

As with many things in life, that which seems to be the most simple is often that which is most overlooked. The crux of Fatshion hinges upon a person's ability to lay down a good foundation. If you can't get this part down, you might as well cease every effort you're making beyond this. Upon this item, streamline looks can be achieved or disaster can ensue. It is the ubiquitous garb that many consider an afterthought, but here at Fatshion, we know that the undershirt sets the proverbial stage for everything you wear. The benefits of a perfect undershirt are numerous, and the detriments of a poor undershirt are just as strong.

The perfect undershirt consists of the perfect combination of a taught neckline and a form-fitting body. From here, we can build the base for Fatshion. I've been on record saying that a loose, stretched out neck hole is absolute disaster for the moderately overweight. It gives the appearance that you're a slob, and it evokes a subconscious response from others that can not be overridden by anything else you wear. It is of utmost importance that the necklines of your undershirts be near perfect all the time.

The way the body of the perfect undershirt fits someone can allow the wearer to look 20-30 pounds thinner when compared to a poorly fitting undershirt. A good rule of thumb is to go two sizes lower for your undershirts than for your outer clothing. If you are a 2XL wearer, you should never wear an undershirt larger than a size L. Now, one problem that many overweight people incur when they purchase smaller sized undershirts is that the length is insufficient. The answer to this is incredibly simple--purchase tall undershirts. Every single undershirt I've worn for the past five years of my life has been size large-tall. This allows for ample room to tuck the undershirt in.

When you're wearing a perfectly fitting undershirt, not only will you look slimmer, you'll also avoid a few pitfalls. The largest undershirt pitfall is the classic undershirt showing out of the armholes of a t-shirt.

A few miscellaneous tips can help you along the way. Always tuck your undershirt in. The only place you should ever see your undershirt is at the V of a shirt with a button or crewneck collar. This next one comes as a shocker to most people, so I'll explain in detail, but never wear a colored undershirt. Colored undershirts can look good, but an overwhelming majority of the time, they look cheesy and childish--especially when you're dressing up. The problem with the colored undershirt is simple: if it looks bad (and it looks bad about 80% of the time), then you can look like a complete buffoon. If it looks good, however, it doesn't add anything from a fashion standpoint. Basically, a colored undershirt only has the options of looking as good or worse (better is not an option) than a white one, and any risk you take where you can only break even or lose is a risk that's not worth taking.

Properly fitting undershirts are the least expensive purchases that makes the biggest changes in your look. Aside from giving off the appearance that you're neat and well groomed, properly fitting undershirts can make you look much slimmer and reduce the size and pointiness of any man breasts present. You can never build a great house without first having a solid foundation.

Bagginess: a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

2006-03-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

There are a few foundational principles and ideas that set the proverbial table for a proverbially great meal. While this isn't the most foundational principle, its influence is seen in almost every aspect of Fatshion.

Let's face it, fat persons and bagging clothing are as familiar with one another as baked potatoes and cheese, sour cream, butter, bacon bits, and chives. The problem is, as you may have guessed, baggy clothing often does more harm than good. A few things make this the case. Loose shirts and tops almost always cause what is known as the "drapery effect." Baggy pants and jeans are not only out of style, but they set the platform for your entire appearance--if they look big, you look big. Perhaps most importantly though, you're simply not fooling anyone. Regardless of shape or size, everyone looks best in clothes that fit them.

The "drapery effect" is the specific appearance of a shirt when the bottom of the shirt is hovering away from the sides, front, and/or back of a person's thigh area (or higher). In other words, no part (or only a small part) of the shirt is touching the wearer's body below the largest part of the stomach. This, in turn, accentuates both the size of the gut and the size and pointiness of the man breasts. The proper circumference of a shirt is such that when you sit down in the upright position, there is approximately 2-3 inches of extra cloth around the largest part of the midsection. There should be enough fabric that buttons on a button-down shirt should not be pulled or strained. T-shirts should have enough fabric that the indention of the belly button can not be seen.

Baggy pants should be avoided out of general fashion principle because they are out of style. For fat people, baggy pants evoke the presentation of softness and unclean lines, not to mention copious amounts of extra fabric in the crotch area when sitting can evoke the look of a "pants tent." With the current fashion trends, many fat people have difficulty not with the waistline of their jeans, but with the circumference of the thigh when sitting or bending. A taught thighline can be just as detrimental as incredibly baggy pants and should be avoided. A good rule of thumb is to allow 1-2 inches of extra fabric on the circumference of the thigh when sitting. If a clothier has 8 different cuts of jeans (with 1 being the most lean), it's recommended to stick around the equivalent of a 5 or 6 out of the 8.

The most important thing to remember about wearing baggy clothing is that you're simply not fooling anyone. Like someone who pleads the fifth or answers a pervasive question with "no comment," you've already signed your guilty plea in the court of public opinion.

Long, Long Ago...

2006-03-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

Long ago a man had an idea. This idea was to create a safe-haven where fat people could learn the folly of their poor dressing ways. The idea was predicated on the belief that behaving and presenting yourself in certain ways dictates success, happiness and public perceptions both good and bad.

This idea, and this idea alone, has lead to the creation of the Fatshion Blog. Here, everyone from the marginally overweight to those who are border line obese can learn secrets of fashion, appearance and perception that have previously been withheld from the general public. Learn to maximize your potential in life by maximizing others' perceptions of you.

Fatshion will cover a variety of topics seeing how the creator of Fatshion believes strongly in the symbiotic relationships of fashion, presentation and culture. It is important to remember that the nature of the content on Fatshion Blog will be helpful and interesting to all shapes of people. Here you will find it all: here you will find your Mecca.