More choices for plus-size fashionistas
Market organizer envisions women coming together to support each other
Jessie Goyette stands inside the former donair restaurant, now empty of tables, chairs and fixtures and sees a bustling community. Back there, in what was the kitchen, those will be changing rooms, she says. And over here, where she’s hung a vinyl swath printed with sunny lemons, that will be an Instagram photo booth. But most importantly, she envisions women coming together in this space to support each other, to lift each other up, to build confidence.
Welcome to the first of what Goyette hopes will be many Hamilton Plus-Size Flea Markets, this one to be held Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in what was formerly Donairs on Gage. The idea came to her one evening a couple of months ago while she was scrolling through her social media feeds and was struck by what she didn’t see; diversity and inclusivity in fashion.
It’s a problem, she says. The plus-size community is sorely underserved in the retail landscape in Hamilton and elsewhere in Canada. And even though she’s been to plenty of flea markets, makers markets, clothing shows, she has never seen one dedicated entirely to plus sizes. So Goyette, a Community Development graduate from Western University and current Leadership in Community Engagement student at McMaster’s School of Continuing Studies, decided to do something about it.
“It was something that I’d always wanted to attend for myself,” says Goyette, 22, of the concept of a market dedicated entirely to plus sizes. “And I realized that by going to all of these shops and boutiques in Hamilton that they had all these plus-size options, but a lot of people might not realize it. So, I wanted to kind of highlight all of the vendors in Hamilton that have these options.”
Eight local vendors — including White Elephant, The Mermaid’s Purse and Dungeon Divas — selling a range of new and vintage items will have booths at this market. But after posting the event’s Facebook page, Goyette says she was inundated with vendor requests she had to turn down due to space restrictions. So she hopes to make it a seasonal event, already planning another one for the end of spring.
Patricia Barreira says events like the Hamilton Plus-Size Market can’t come too soon. She agrees with Goyette that it’s important to host events that bring together the plus size community — it’s the reason she founded the Plus Sizes Buy and Sell Hamilton Burlington Facebook page three years ago, where its 360 members can buy and sell gently used clothing items.
“I figured if people (have) used clothes that are any good, and we’re bigger sized women, help each other out,” says Barreira who also cites the lack of stylish and affordable options for plussize women as a reason for starting her Facebook group. “That’s exactly why I did it — so we can help each other out.”
Barreira says it’s easy to walk into a store like Walmart and buy a plain T-shirt in her size. But when she wants to bring it? When she wants to juice up her style? The options are few and far between.
“I want to dress with something that’s a nice colour or a nice print, but there’s nothing out there,” she says.
The notion that curvy women should wear plain clothing that help them blend into the background is outdated, says Chelsea Ward, who will bring a collection of glamorous, flashy vintage pieces to her booth The Mermaid’s Closet at this weekend’s Market. It’s a matter of building confidence in one’s self, about stepping out of the shadows.
“Larger women have just as much right to wear a yellow pantsuit or a glittery gown as someone Size 6 does,” writes Ward in an email. She points out that women of all sizes want to wear outfits that express their style and personality. “They don’t want to hide behind a black cape.”
In the empty donair shop, Goyette smiles at the future possibilities. She wants to be part of a community that celebrates Hamilton’s inclusive spaces, she says. She wants to “build a community and meet like-minded people and to see the smiles on people’s faces when they realize they’re worthy of wearing fun, unique clothing that suits their personality.” And this weekend’s Plus-Size Flea Market is just the first step.
I figured if people (have) used clothes that are any good, and we’re bigger sized women, help each other out. PATRICIA BARREIRA