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currently: open

if you want some kind of picture of you or what ever i’ll totally do it just send me a message somehow and also have a paypal account probably too £30 for a picture and like +£15 for an extra person in the picture 

Laura Aguilar is a Los Angeles-based photographer whose work mines the intersection between feminism, body image, queer politics, and latinx identity. Her earliest works depicted latina lesbians in intimate portraits, calling to mind the frankness of Catherine Opie, while her best known series features self-portraits of Aguilar posed nude in the California desert landscape. These photographs are instantly striking, finding in the artist’s body formal elements that echo the landscape itself, as in its doubling here with the giant rock that eludes the frame. Aguilar also forces our gaze onto a body that does not conform to stereotypical images of latinx or feminine identity—a body type that is not so much othered as invisible, despite its ubiquity. The artist originally began to produce these photos as a means of grappling with her own issues with weight and self-acceptance, but quickly came to see them as something more. They offer a profound, ambivalent vision of woman and nature. We see Aguilar dissolve into the landscape in search of anonymity, at the same time that she reclaims the pride and beauty in her body far removed from the society that rejects it.

Fatkini in the Keys!

I mean, you are not obliged to defend or explain your body to anyone, so a simple “That’s personal, I don’t want to discuss my health with you.” is one way to shut down these conversations.

But if you want to educate them, here is some information.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal condition that affects about 10% of people with ovaries. It is a syndrome, which means that there are a  constellation of symptoms  that can be experienced by people with the syndrome, but you don’t have to display all of the symptoms to be diagnosed. 

Most of the symptoms reflect a hormone profile that is higher in androgens – the so-called “male hormones,” like testosterone – than would typically be expected of someone with ovaries. These include: a more apple-shaped body fat distribution, body and facial hair, thinning head hair, sleep problems like sleep apnea, mood disorders like depression. People with PCOS often suffer infertility, painful or heavy periods, and other issues related to reproductive health.

Most relevant to your Ask, people with PCOS often have suppressed insulin sensitivity, and so they tend to be fatter and have an essentially impossible time losing weight (not that anyone should be doing that anyway). They are also prone to Type II diabetes. Given this link between PCOS, impaired glucose metabolism, and weight, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that as many as 30% of fat people with ovaries are thought to have the condition.

This is a genetic condition. Some people even categorize PCOS as an intersex variation, because it involves hormone levels that do not fit with societal expectations for a so-called “female” body. PCOS causes weight gain, not the other way around. 

We Love Colors - New Tights, New Dreamer 

As a plus size woman I have struggled a majority of my life to find clothes that not only fit my body but that I also felt reflected my personality. I settled for years for whatever I could find in stores. As I ended high school, plus size fashion began to expand, and I was so thankful. People in the fashion industry realized those with large bodies liked clothes too! We also wanted the option to make a statement with our clothing.  As my options grew so did my closet, but there was one item that continued to allude me—colored tights!

I was rather envious of any person I saw wearing tights in shades like mustard, teal or purple. My options for tights as a plus size woman were black, beige and white. Fine for a formal party, but I am a bubbly person who loves dressing in colorful outfits. I took my search to the internet but never found any with promising reviews or in the correct size. I also continued to check hosiery sections in vain while shopping, and felt that familiar feeling of shame and disappointment each time.

When I started my career at Sock Dreams, I discovered there were companies that sold quality tights in plus sizes. The colors were still on the neutral side for my taste, but I was glad to know more options were available. And then the day came when Sock Dreams was going to start carrying items from a company called “We Love Colors” that offered colored tights with some styles going up to 7X. I was given a sample of maroon tights in my size. It sounded good, but would they fit? I was sure within minutes they would rip, snag, or more likely hug too tightly at my middle. I prepared for disappointment.

They didn’t snag. They didn’t rip when I tugged a little more roughly than I should have pulling them on. They pulled up smoothly over my backside and sat perfectly above my hips. For my 5’6” frame, they can almost come up to an empire waist. I like this because it almost has the effect of shapeware on my stomach.  I couldn’t believe this new door that had opened. A fashion item that I had wanted for years was now offered to me. And in tons of colors!

We Love Colors Plus Size Tights in Sky Blue & Lilac (available in 4x and 6x-7x)

I decided to put a pair of the We Love Colors tights to the test and wear them for an entire day. I had my doubts on their ability to last a work day and into my evening life, but I’d already been surprised by their fit, and I was excited to see how they’d perform. I put an outfit together around the maroon pair as I loved the richness of the color. I had some shorts I’d been wanting to wear over leggings, but the weather hadn’t been cold enough yet. The tights were the perfect solution for that. And the tights didn’t feel scratchy on my legs nor were they stiff right out of the packaging.

We Love Colors Plus Size Tights in Maroon (available in 4x and 6x-7x)

From the moment I got the tights on I dreaded my first bathroom visit. Putting on tights as a plus size person is the worst part of tights, in my opinion. You spend minutes tugging and pulling while silently praying that when you bend down next a giant tear doesn’t open in your thigh or backside. My first bathroom visit was a success! And each visit after made it easier to re-adjust and I got used to the extra few seconds to a minute of straightening everything back into place after. The extra work is well worth how lovely these look on my legs. And they are very soft! Even where my thighs rub didn’t cause any friction. If you get that chub rub you know what I’m referring to here. I imagine if I walked or ran in them for a prolonged period my thighs may become irritated, but have yet to experience any discomfort from my normal daily activity.

As the days went on I did feel the tights gathering at my knees. I think that’s to be expected as the body moves around. No clothing stays 100% in place for eight hours. I did a little tugging to pull the fabric back up my thighs and then I was fine. While sitting for prolonged periods of time the waistline sometimes did roll down an inch, but it was very easy to adjust, and I noticed when it did roll down it didn’t apply any extra pressure to my stomach or cause me pain.

The tights kept my legs warm, but they never felt hot. And once I took them off I didn’t see any signs of wear in the thighs or any runs in the fabric. I have since tried a few other assorted colors and found the quality consistent each time. No pair has given me issues, and all have fit comfortably.

One of my favorite things about these tights doesn’t have anything to do with how they fit—it’s the simple fact that the colors offered for these tights are available in so many sizes! Sock Dreams will be carrying the We Love Colors tights in four sizes starting at 1x all the way up to 6x-7x. Since we only have limited room, we’ve skipped a few sizes where we didn’t see enough of a difference in sizing, and recommend aiming a size up if your size isn’t currently available.

We Love Color Plus Size Tights in 1x-2x in Cocoa Rose, Spruce Green, Gold, Light Tan

For these lovely 80 denier Microfiber Tights (87% Nylon and 13% Spandex) we have measurements listed as:

1x: Stretch: 34" at waist, 43" at hips, 25" at thighs 2x: Stretch: 50" at waist, 54" at hips, 33" at thighs

4x: Stretch: 64" at waist, 70" at hips, 35" at thighs 6-7x: Stretch: 68" at waist, 71" at hips, 38" at thighs

We are starting our run of the tights with an assorted collection of colors to test out. 1x & 2x is initially being offered in 10 colors with the 4x & 6x-7x coming with six color options. As our relationship with We Love Colors progresses, and we get feedback from our customers, we are very like to see these options grow and change.

We Love Colors Plus Size Tights in 4x and 6x-7x in Spruce Green, Lilac, and Sky Blue

I’m excited about the possibilities opening for my daily outfits. I imagine these would be fantastic for bridal parties, dance companies or group costumes where several people need the same color tights but don’t have the same body shape/size. Or obviously, everyday fabulous wear!

Overall, I’m impressed with the We Love Colors tights. I’m thankful for the chance to have reviewed them and even more thankful they found their way into my life at all. Full inclusion in fashion may still be far off but in colored tights, my options have definitively expanded.

Amazing diverse campaign by Bralette Boutique