Also I'd like to mention that I had ANOTHER fight with my mom recently about how many clothes I have stuffed into my TWO double-sized closets. I kept trying to point out to her that as a fatty, I can't just get rid of something that I "haven't worn in a while" or that is "out of fashion" because if I suddenly realize "shit, I really do need a ruffled blouse for this [costume, change in trend, theme party, burlesque performance, whatever]," I don't have the luxury of having a million choices online or in brick and mortar stores, or even of knowing I can run out and thrift something up. So I "hoard" things because god damn if having that brown lace peasant skirt around at exactly the right moment doesn't make my life easier. And her solution is that I just shouldn't do things if I don't have the clothing to wear to them.
Which is not about class precisely but it *is* about the contempt with which people often view my "heaving closets," totally unaware that maybe I hang on to this stuff (and, when money allows, obsessively buy things that actually work on my body) because of fear of privation, because you never know when you might need something and not have it. And it speaks to your point that cultivating a look when you are fat requires a significant investment of time or money or often BOTH.
I am currently weighing whether or not to sign up for a go-go gig for a "zombie beach party" themed night, because my two bathing suits are fairly old and not the greatest of fit, and my attempt to be body positive and buy a cute bikini at Target was thwarted by their stupid B-cup tops, and my frenzied search online in a fit of pique made it clear that I could spend a lot of money for something ugly, or I could... not buy a bikini, or even a swimsuit.
And I am now entirely off in my own world and shall now stop typing at you.
it's my experience that hoarding is totally connected to scarcity/fatness/class. i used to be surprised when i'd see some of my favourite (thin) wardrobe-remixers swapping or selling off amazing vintage, but i realized that it was easier for them to let pieces go since they can usually count on sourcing more vintage in their size. i've been solidly thrifting and building a certain style for three years now, and i can count on my hands the amount of good quality vintage dresses i've been able to find.
Also I'd like to mention that I had ANOTHER fight with my mom recently about how many clothes I have stuffed into my TWO double-sized closets. I kept trying to point out to her that as a fatty, I can't just get rid of something that I "haven't worn in a while" or that is "out of fashion" because if I suddenly realize "shit, I really do need a ruffled blouse for this [costume, change in trend, theme party, burlesque performance, whatever]," I don't have the luxury of having a million choices online or in brick and mortar stores, or even of knowing I can run out and thrift something up. So I "hoard" things because god damn if having that brown lace peasant skirt around at exactly the right moment doesn't make my life easier. And her solution is that I just shouldn't do things if I don't have the clothing to wear to them.
Which is not about class precisely but it *is* about the contempt with which people often view my "heaving closets," totally unaware that maybe I hang on to this stuff (and, when money allows, obsessively buy things that actually work on my body) because of fear of privation, because you never know when you might need something and not have it. And it speaks to your point that cultivating a look when you are fat requires a significant investment of time or money or often BOTH.
I am currently weighing whether or not to sign up for a go-go gig for a "zombie beach party" themed night, because my two bathing suits are fairly old and not the greatest of fit, and my attempt to be body positive and buy a cute bikini at Target was thwarted by their stupid B-cup tops, and my frenzied search online in a fit of pique made it clear that I could spend a lot of money for something ugly, or I could... not buy a bikini, or even a swimsuit.
And I am now entirely off in my own world and shall now stop typing at you.
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it's my experience that hoarding is totally connected to scarcity/fatness/class. i used to be surprised when i'd see some of my favourite (thin) wardrobe-remixers swapping or selling off amazing vintage, but i realized that it was easier for them to let pieces go since they can usually count on sourcing more vintage in their size. i've been solidly thrifting and building a certain style for three years now, and i can count on my hands the amount of good quality vintage dresses i've been able to find.
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