Here’s what people wore to Melbourne’s plus-size preloved market

PHOTOGRAPHY AND WORDS BY CAT FORSYTH

“I really love wearing clothes made by people who actually want to make clothes for fat people.”

Generally run by and for the plus-size community, the plus-size events I’ve previously attended have had a beautiful sense of kinship. This month’s plus-size market, A Plus Market, put on as part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s extensive Fashion Culture Program of events and experiences, was no different.

The market consisted of over 70 stalls, featuring new and preloved clothing, and focusing in on inclusive fashion. The crowd varied in size, age, gender and background, but everyone I spoke to felt accepted, comfortable, and most importantly, seen.

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I was delighted to look around and see so much self-expression and diversity in everyone’s outfits. Whether comfort was found in the perfect fit of a good bra or through bright colours and bold patterns, the air was effervescent with a collective love for fashion. Below, a selection of guests shares their outfit details and thoughts on fashion.

Liat Swieca, she/her, 24

I guess I like to wear things that have an element of whimsy always. Something a little bit fun, bringing out my childhood: the bows, the platform shoes. I really love wearing clothes made by people who actually want to make clothes for fat people. I’m wearing a skirt by Tulip Cutie, and she actually makes things to your measurements.

@_liat___

Erin Duyndam, she/her, 32

I am very into secondhand; I’ve worked in secondhand fashion pretty much since I got out of uni. I studied costume [design], which leads me to have very different personalities depending on the day. I go for comfort overall, especially with this heat, it’s just whatever feels comfortable and means I don’t sweat. When I pick stuff, it’s about what I will wear the most and what goes with everything else in my wardrobe. And it’s just a matter of experimenting. I’ll try on three to four things throughout the day until I feel comfortable and right.

@erie.puddi

Fuzzy Khang Ari, she/her, 26

I love to dress in 1950s pinup [reproduction as it’s] much more flattering for my curvy figure than authentic vintage. I buy from Vixen and the [United States], and it suits me well, I think.

@miss_fuzzy_zebra

Adelle Snibson, she/they, 19

I just wanted to dress out of my comfort zone, because I knew there were going to be people my size here. And I can’t do it back where I live – I don’t live in Melbourne – and I was like, “I’m going to come here, and I brought my friends with me” so I feel a bit more comfortable.

@gh0ulgutz

Chloe Walton, she/her, 19

My thought process for this morning was ‘How much slag do I want to put into this outfit?’, so I went with some high slits and I was like ‘Okay, well I’m gonna go in public, so maybe some cheeky sheer tights as well’. I try to go for [style choices influenced by bands like] Craft or Type O Negative, so that kind of, I know it’s not grunge but like a grungy side of goth, but today I’m looking a bit more techy, I suppose?

@filthy_fungus

Zakary Smiley, he/him, 30

My personal style, I like it to feel almost like I’m going to school every day. I like to put together looks that are clean and neat, but I like to incorporate an alternate style. I’m a hairdresser, so it’s important to wear black every day, but that sort of has carried on my whole life. I’ve always worn black, and I like the sort of neat and clean aesthetic that comes with that. So I like to look uniform, inside and outside of work, and I like to present that from top to bottom.

@zkrysmly650

Nadia Eldridge, she/they, 24

Right now, everything I’m wearing is from the F.A.T. Runway, straight from the runway. Actually, last night was a beautiful show, and I’m honoured to have walked in it. So, the top is Warmcore Clothing, and the skirt is actually beautifully thrifted which is so important for today’s economy and our sustainable ideas [around] shopping. I feel great, this is how we should dress. We’re allowed to wear this. We’re allowed to express ourselves, ’cause when you dress not for society, not for the standards that are set by [the] media, and start dressing for you, you’re beautiful in your own way. People only react to what you give out, and I say to that, just be you.

@nadia.wattle

Noa Opat, she/her, 25

So, it’s like hardcore teacher-core, which is like a combo of adult and child. It’s silly-billy patterns for an adult person, that’s what I’m going for. And always comfy, nothing tight.

@nopatt

Ellie Vallely, she/her, 29

Well basically, my style is quite playful, but I try to keep it down to earth, not too kind of over the top, I guess. That’s why I like to match my trainers and things like that. And obviously, I make it all myself, so it’s kind of like my dream wardrobe. It’s like, if I wouldn’t wear it, then why would anyone else?

@squintclothing

Adriana Timpani, she/her, 31

I love getting ready for this market particularly, ’cause I feel like I can wear whatever I want and be completely comfortable. So I normally go a little bit more extra even than I usually do, ’cause I work in a primary school. I’m always looking for something a bit funky. So I’ve turned a lot of bedspreads into dresses… like Bananas in Pyjamas, Little Miss Sunshine… ’cause my style’s just like ‘big kid’, basically. I love overalls, colours [and items that are] a bit crazy. Irregular Choice shoes are my go-to. It’s very rare that you’ll find anything plain in my cupboard or black.

Chloe, she/they, 26

I got dressed this morning and I wore a singlet because probably two years ago, I never would have worn a singlet. But it’s really nice being at an event like this, and having the confidence to do something like that, so that’s why I wore this.

@chloedrawsfood