A FAT GIRL'S GUIDE TO FASHION:

I love fashion! I love clothes, shoes, scarves, jewelry, and purses! I love color! My grandfather was an artist, a painter, married to my grandmother, a musician. They never had much money, but they raised 5 children in a home filled with love. I spent a great deal of time with them. My other set of grandparents lived two blocks away, and I spent quite a bit of time with them also. My grandfather made wine and furniture, had a fabulous garden, and played the violin. My grandmother was a member of the garment worker's union and worked in a factory that made dresses with the Leslie Faye label. My mother made almost all of my clothes. I was surrounded by color, talent, and creativity.

Because my mother was perpetually on a diet and thought she was fat, (sometimes she was and sometimes she wasn't) and my great-grandmother always wore black, my mother loved and still loves black clothing. It was slimming, it made you inconspicuous, it was classy, blah,blah,blah...

I own some black clothing, now, but somewhere in my 20's I rebelled against black. I was not in mourning. I didn't want to be inconspicuous. I liked to be flamboyant and fun! Black did not reflect my personality AT ALL!

Fat people don't have to be afraid of color. Clothes have to fit properly and be comfortable. Patterns and colors should blend and go together. I love high heels, but can rarely wear them because of my leg problems. Remember, if your feet hurt, you'll be a crab-ass no matter what you're wearing. Don't forget to accessorize. Scarves, pins, and jewelry reflect your personality and can dress up the plainest outfit. Don't forget the BLING! A great bag with a designer label is a must! I'm all for lower-priced knock-offs if you can't afford a designer bag. Or you can try that website where you can rent designer bags, then send them back. Your bag has to make a statement as well as be functional. I'm not big on make-up. Just a little to accent your best features, but nothing to look fake and caked. A great haircut and color or highlights is also a must-have. Don't forget to pay attention to your nails, hands and feet.

My mother had a saying that it takes a lot of work for a fat person to look nice, and a thin person can wear a burlap bag and a belt and look nice. Guess what? MY MOTHER IS WRONG!!! A thin person has to work at looking nice, too. I know a lot of thin people who don't know how to dress, who don't take care of themselves, and basically look like hell. So fat or thin, everyone has to put the same amount of effort into looking good.

Start naked. You are a blank canvas. Moisturize your skin and take care of your hair and nails. Don't forget the proper undergarments (foundations they used to call them in the old days). As you age, you MUST wear a bra. Spanx and Lipo In A Box give the illusion of a 5 pound weight loss immediately without unsightly lines and bulges and they are comfortable. Your bra must fit properly. Most women wear the wrong size bra. Don't be embarrassed to get fitted by a professional. Embrace your curves. Love your body. Get dressed and have fun with your wardrobe!