How to Find Plus Size Punk Clothes

It's been my experience, as a plus sized girl, that plus size punk clothes are nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price. In this article, I'll show you how to acquire plus size punk clothes easily and inexpensively.

Sure, we can shop at Hot Topic or Torrid, but on my income that equates to a clearance top every month or so. Of course, the most punk thing to do is make your plus size punk clothes on your own. This is not always easy and if you aren't good with your hands may prove overwhelming.

Online Auctions for Finding Plus Size Punk Clothes

Ebay and Etsy will become your best friend fr finding plus size punk clothes. For my summer wardrobe, I was able to buy four plus size punk mini-skirts, an awesome plus size punk dress made by Torrid, three pairs of Bermuda shorts and countless punk t-shirts for about $100. At Torrid or Hot Topic, that might buy you a pair of jeans.

Ebay constantly has a barrage of plus size punk clothes and they're cheap - fractions of the cost of regular retail stores. There are even a few sellers who make unique plus size punk clothes and offer them at very reasonable prices. Of course, I would recommend looking for original pieces first. Support the little guys!

Etsy is another great auction source for plus size punk clothes. However, they can sometimes be pricey. I've found amazing deals there but you have to dig and keep coming back.

Punk or not?

Also, when looking on Ebay, remember to search for things that aren't necessarily punk by themselves but can be converted into great plus size punk clothes.

An example is two pair of Jones NY shorts I bought for about $10. These were advertised as women's Bermuda shorts but I could definitely see the punk potential here. They are long shorts that I sewed a patch onto and wear them with a pair of converse low-tops and a band tee.

As plus size punks, we have to get creative. Take a regular jean jacket from a thrift store that you can normally buy for under $5, add patches and studs and voila! It's an instant and cheap plus size punk jacket! Look for items that you can make your own.

Thrift Stores for Plus Size Punk Clothes

Another great resource for plus size punk clothes is your neighborhood thrift store. Granted, you probably won't be able to find many items that are usable as-is. But, I've got some tips for making plus size thrift store finds a little more punk (and interesting).

Look in the men's slacks section. Find men's old Dickies work pants that fit your waist and cut them off to make shorts. Don't worry about cutting them evenly or hemming. Ha! You're supposed to be a punk! Chop those legs off and wear them! Let them fray; add patches, studs, zippers, etc. to make your own unique, plus size punk clothes.

Find a plaid skirt that fits your waist and cut it up; add zippers, d-rings, straps and studs. Anything can be modified easily with a little creativity and before you know it you'll have tons of plus size punk clothes.

Thrift stores are excellent places to find t-shirts. If you like the logo or picture, buy it! It doesn't matter if it doesn't fit. You can cut out the logo and sew or pin it onto a solid color t-shirt you have that does fit.

Other Ways with T-shirts

There are many things you can do with t-shirts to expand your plus size punk clothes collection. You can buy them too large and resize them. When I go thrift store shopping, I buy every t-shirt I like then resize them to fit if they're too large.

If you have a sewing machine, this isn't very difficult. I've listed a site in the resources section that will show you exactly how to do it.

Spray Paint! That's right; spray paint is a great tool for making t-shirts for your plus size punk clothes collection. Buy or make some letter stencils and spray paint your favorite quote or band name onto a solid color t-shirt. This can also be useful for jackets, bum flaps, etc, and it costs pennies!

Use online auctions for buying your base pieces, a few shorts or skirts and dresses. Then hit up thrift stores for items you can modify into plus size punk clothes. Not only is this more ethical than shopping at Hot Topic, it's also easier on the wallet. Plus, you'll have your own one-of-a kind plus size punk clothes! W.S. 

How to Start Your Own Sewing Business And Fill a Wide Open Niche!

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With the economy and rising prices, most everyone is looking for a way to make some extra cash nowadays. Some people who are frustrated with "lining other people's pockets" yearn to start their own business. While others who have been "downsized" or laid off are searching for a job period.

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Of course, the most successful businesses fill a niche. That is, they provide a particular product or service that customers want or need. My friend Becky found a money-making niche when she started her own sewing business. Becky started out by sewing clothing for her daughters and herself. She also repaired their clothes and fixed and patched her husband's attire. Her husband worked a full-time job, but Becky found their finances strained, especially when he was laid off.

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So, she put the word out to her family and friends that she was now doing sewing repairs and alterations for hire. Did the work come? You bet it did! She was immediately hired to replace broken zippers, hem up pants, skirts, and dresses, sew up holes in pockets, reattach buttons and snaps, and more. Because Jean is a skeptic, she wondered if her business would amount to much. To her amazement, she got more and more work just by "word of mouth" advertising.

I wasn't surprised by her success. In a world where both the husband and wife have to work full-time jobs just to make ends meet, who has time to make needed repairs on the family's clothing? And if one has the time, not all women have the ability to sew.

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As Jean's business took off, I advised her, as a business owner myself, to give her company a name and apply for a business license. She also needed to find out if her workplace had to be zoned for business. As for the bookkeeping and tax ends of her business, Jean took my advice. She opted to let an accountant handle all that for her.

I f you're handy when it comes to sewing, and you're looking to earn some extra cash, you can start your own business right out of your home as well. The start-up costs are minimal, especially if you already own a sewing machine and some basic supplies. Don't worry if you don't have a sewing machine. You can pick up a good-used model for a couple hundred bucks. Check the classified section of your local newspaper. Or, check out some of the online auctions to see what you can find there.

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You'll have to set up a price list and an hourly rate right from the start. You can charge a fixed amount for zippers - X amount per inch is the usual cost- and other repairs. But you'll need to establish an hourly rate for large jobs like sewing a wedding dress, etcetera.

You may choose to take on all types of sewing jobs like Jean did, or, you may decide to specialize in one or two areas. For example, instead of doing repairs, you may choose to make clothes for your customers. Maybe you'll decide to focus on sewing wedding dresses. Or maybe you prefer to make kids' clothing. Since you're the boss of your own business, the choice is yours!

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Although sewing clothing is where the big money is at, you may also choose to make curtains, decorative pillows, cloth dolls, and other items using your sewing machine.

To help your fledgling business gain customers, besides using the "word of mouth" method of advertising, you can also use another type of free advertising. Start out by composing an ad on your computer. Then, print several copies out. Tack these ads up on bulletin boards at your post office, local grocery store, Laundromat, fabric stores, at styling salons, and anywhere else you can find!

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You can also print up your own business cards on your computer and distribute them to the public as well. Kassidy Emmerson.

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