I thought that there might be some Fatshionistas who don't also frequent the Chronicle message boards and who might appreciate this amazing resource:

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=60308&highlight=womanly+sized+riders+unite

It's an exhaustive thread about riding clothes for larger women. Lots of leads on boots, chaps and half chaps, breeches, vests, you name it. For those more interested in the fashion than the activity, per se, it would also be useful for hunting down equestrian-style boots for larger calves.

Enjoy!

(In case for some reason the link doesn't work, the board site is <http://www.chronicleforums.com/forum/index.php>, and the thread is entitled "Womanly-sized riders, unite!.:)

So most if not all of us have stories about how the people around us, including and sometimes especially friends and family, have showered us with fat hatred instead of love.

I want to know if any of you have turned the tables. Not with more hatred, but by turning your friends and relatives onto the fat acceptance and/or the HAES movements.

I am looking for some examples to follow and tips for how to introduce my mom to these movements. We are currently the same size, and while I'm loving my life (mostly) and feeling good about myself, she is hating her body.

And it makes me really sad to see, because she's an awesome, smart, accomplished woman. But none of that matters to her, because she's not thin.

As it turns out, May 11 is Mothers' Day, and with that in mind elements and I have postponed our swap to Sunday, June 8th. The original post is here.

I've been in touch with some of you via email, but for any I haven't heard from, you are welcome to RSVP to aqraboston (at) gmail (dot) com.

Remember, fatties of all sizes will be welcome!

I have the rack of all Racks of Doom, and the only two bras in the world that come in my size are uber uncomfortable, so I ordered a bra from Decent Exposures. By their measurements, I'm a *gasp* 46K.  :-P 

The bra came yesterday, but I'm not sure if I like it. What I couldn't tell from their Web site is that the gathers between the breasts are created by a thin band that loops around the bra. The loop is from the same fabric as the bra, but I didn't like that it made the bottom band not sit flush against my skin. I also didn't like that the loop didn't sit flat against my breastbone, instead living up to its name as a loop.

I thought I might need it to be a different size, so I cut it off. Bad mistake. The bra without the loop is really just a sports bra, and it does nothing whatsoever for my shape. 

So now I have to decide what to do. I can't sew too well, so I can't make the modifications I think it needs. I don't want to take it to my mom (who's a brilliant seamstress) 'cause she's really busy and she's not exactly fat-friendly (she's overweight, absolutely loathes her figure and takes it out on me). If I send it back, what do I ask the DE ladies to do to it? I definitely want the loop sewn down and not wrapping under the bottom band. The sides need to be a bit stronger, too, since my breasts kinda bulge out at the sides.

Do any of you larger ladies have experience with these bras? How do you deal with the front loopy thing and the side bulges? Of the fabrics they offer, do you have a preference?

I guess I should introduce myself since this is my first post. I've been lurking a bit. And I have to say I'm thrilled to see such a variety of people!

So about my shopping problems....