Consign Your Curves has become more than just an opportunity for plus-size women to shop from the closets of well-known fashion bloggers, designers and models and some fashionable, curvy individuals.
Over its five-year history it has become a social event and a destination for curvy women to buy fashionable, quality clothing at affordable prices in a vacuum of retail outlets that carry larger sizes.
But what delights Carlie Roberts, founder and driving force behind the annual clean your closet sale, is the camaraderie that develops, the support and honest feedback shoppers give each other, and the enormous sense of well-being for shoppers and sellers alike.
“It`s really uplifting and positive,” Roberts said in an interview. “And nowadays more than ever we need to build each other up. Body confidence has no size.”
The first sale began as a simple idea for Roberts and her friends to sell items from their closets to make room for new and updated pieces. It`s hard for women who wear a size larger than 12 to find clothing of any kind, Roberts said, never mind clothes that are in style or even trendy.
She does most of her shopping online, she said, and has acquired some unusual pieces that were too good to just give away.
But Roberts went one better. She invited local fashion designer Jessica Biffi, plus-size model Mellisa Shannon, TV personality and comic Sheena Snively, and blogger Lisa Schoenberger, who brought items from their own closets to sell. They continue to support the event.
“These are great, stylish women and it`s because of the influences of the celebrities we get some really cool pieces at the sale. Really, it`s remarkable. Newbies don`t know what they`re getting into.”
Roberts called it the largest plus-size consignment sale in Canada and said it attracts women from across Canada and the U.S. And it takes place right here in Guelph, although she`s been asked to hold sales in other cities and at other times of the year.
“I don`t make any money from this,” she said. “I do it out of passion for women.”
If you want to go, here`s what you need to know:
• May 27 noon to 4 p.m. at the Evergreen Senior Centre
• 50 sellers, 300 shoppers expected
• shoppers start lining up early
• cash only, so bring lots
• sellers set their own prices but most range from $5 to $40
• sizes range from 12 to 34 and from trendy to classic, and include business attire, leisure, athletic and evening wear.
More information: www.facebook.com/ConsignYourCurves/
