FAQ


Answers to most frequently asked questions! If you don’t see yours here, you can email me at fattyunbound [at] gmail [dot] com.

How did you learn to accept yourself?
I get this a lot! I have been interested in body acceptance since about 2007 when I started reading Fatshionista on livejournal and invested in it for myself since about 2008. Body acceptance isn’t easy, and how you get there is different for everyone! For me, it has been about dressing up, writing, eating well and looking after myself. Read this post on first steps in fat acceptance for a bit of inspiration, then follow some of the blogs in my sidebar. Practise large amounts of self care and try and think through anything you see or hear with a fat shaming rhetoric. You don’t have to love yourself entirely to be fat positive or a fat activist – you just have to be pissed off and unwilling to be pigeon holed because of your body.
                                                   
How do you cope with abuse/nasty people?
This is tough. I wish I could say that things never hurt me but that’s not true. I think anyone who feels the need to shout, inappropriately touch or throw things at anyone is a pathetic excuse of a human being, but disappointingly there are quite a lot of them. Sometimes I shout back, sometimes I walk away, but most importantly after it happens I don’t try and repress how it made me feel and I do try and do something that makes me feel good in my body. I wish I could say that harassment was dwindling as more people get exposure to fat politics, but it really isn’t. I’m sorry that other people deal with this too, and my support is with you.

Is there ever a point when someone is “too fat”?
I’ve been asked this a bit in interviews and it drives me barmy. I’m a fat activist and this means I support every fat (and thin) person and their right to bodily autonomy, whether that person is a size 0 or 40. No person is less welcome to the support and resources that I try and provide or link to.

Where did you get your glasses from?
I have a few pairs of glasses, but the ones I wear most frequently are made by Derek Cardigan, model number 7005. I got them from Lensway, but they have since sold out there. They might be available elsewhere.

Where can I buy your zines, clothes or other wares?
I make zines fairly regularly, and the ones currently available for sale will be listed on my etsy store. If the shop is “on vacation”, you can also find my zines stocked by Marching Stars and Vampire Sushi distros.

How do you find plus size vintage clothes?
With a lot of effort, but it’s worth it! I grew up shopping in charity shops and second hand shops, so I’m used to rummaging. Plus size vintage does exist, it’s just not as common as straight size vintage. I shop in vintage shops, on etsy, eBay and at car boot sales and vintage fairs.

Which are your favourite vintage shops?
I have lived all over the place, and found little favourites across the country. I love 21st Century Retro on Holloway Road, London, To Be Worn Again in Brighton, Ryan Vintage in Manchester and the Antiques and Car Boot Market at Brighton Marina. I live in Leeds now and find the vintage shops a bit rubbish, but I love the vintage fairs in the town hall.

Where do you shop?
I am pretty disloyal to brands and shop all over the place. I buy most of my high street clothes from Forever 21+, ASOS, Dorothy Perkins, Very and New Look. I also love Dr Martens, Domino Dollhouse, etsy, Queen of Holloway and We Love Colours. I would shop more independently if I had more resources, however I mainly have to keep to a strict budget. I also love charity shops, car boot sales, eBay and other bargain hunting hot spots. I buy most of my clothes in sales or second hand, which is how I keep my costs down.

What size do you wear/how much do you weigh?
I’m about a size 22 UK up top and more of a 24 on my bottom half. I’m a definite pear shape with a big belly! I don’t really weigh myself these days, but I’m probably around the 18 stone mark. My measurements are around 49-43-54”. No, I don’t think that any of the above are a problem, and neither should you!

Are you healthy?!!?!?!
Check your privilege please! No, I don’t believe that every fat person is healthy, but I don’t believe that every thin person is either. Respect that I am in control of my health and I’ll respect that you are in control of yours.

What do you eat??!”?!”?!?”?
I eat food. What do YOU eat?

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