2011 Fat Girl Fleamarket

Fat Girl Fleamarket Shopping Tips from a PRO!

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:07:00 -0400

From our very own FGFM organizer and awesomesauce lady, Kim Smith.
Fat Girl Fleamarket Pro-tips

1) Prioritize! The Fat Girl Fleamarket can be overwhelming if it’s your first time! You will be spoiled for choice, and being surrounded by so many amazing clothes can be disorienting. So it’s helpful if you keep the top items on your wishlist in mind! Clothes will be divided into size categories (1x/2x, 3x/4x, 5x+) and separated by tops and bottoms. Dresses and coats are on hanging racks. So you may want to form a plan of attack! Need jeans? Head for the bottoms table for your size, and look for denim! Need a summer frock? Go check out the dresses first. Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of other goodies as you browse, but searching with purpose will help you get the most out of the Flea!

2) Grab a bag! It’s a clothes orgy, with lots of action, and if you see something you think you want to try on or consider buying, you should hang onto it! We will have large tote bags for sale that you can use to carry your haul while you shop, or bring your own. Oh, and hang onto you personal items, too, or someone will end up buying the sweater you came in wearing!

3) Keep an open mind about sizes. All brands run differently, so no matter what the tag says- if it looks like it might fit, try it on!

4) Speaking of trying on, you may want to wear clothes that make trying on easy. We do have a communal fitting room, but it can be get crowded. You may want to consider wearing a tank top that you can try other shirts on over, or bike shorts that you can keep on while trying on skirts or pants. Then you can just try on as you shop!

5) Bring a friend. Two pairs of eyes are better than one for scoping out the threads. Have an instant helpful opinion as to help you make decisions! Take turns watching your stuff! Somebody can go on a coffee run!

6) Share the wealth! If you find an amazing treasure that you aren’t going going to buy, then show your neighbor, or shout it out! It’s all about helping our fellow shoppers at this event.

Kim’s Favorite Find from Fat Girl Fleamarket 2009!
Faux lace overlay dress. Brand: unknown! Size: unknown! The tags were cut out of this when I found it. When in doubt, try it on!

The last flea market I did so well, I was supposed to volunteer the night before, However: Because of work I could and arrived late to bring in ALL my donation.. this year... I believe i can do both the same day or the night before...If I can not the night before, can I the day off..do both
Mandy

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:04:27 -0400

I’m not sure of your question, you can donate you clothing Friday from 5-10 or Saturday 12-3pm.

If I get there by 1PM, will it be mobbed? Will I have to wait to be admitted? Thanks.

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:03:42 -0400

You might have to wait. There is always a line at the door of folks waiting to get in. Not quite sure what it’ll be like at 1pm. It’ll be worth the wait and you can make new friends.

I have a few questions...

It says on the price list that shoes are $2, but I've also read that you are not accepting shoes for donations. Where are the shoes coming from that you will have to sell?
Will there be panties and bras for sale? If so how much per item?
What category are cardigans and sleepwear under?

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:02:47 -0400

The shoes are coming from donations from Re/Dress NYC. In the past when we’ve asked for shoes, we’ve been overwhelmed with shoes no one wanted to buy. So at least now when we have shoes, it’ll be just a few and hopefully ones that are desireable.

As for the rest, we’ve got a mountain of clothing to sort through, I’m sure there will be some bras in the mix.

I keep seeing "size 14+" for the FGFM, but I've been to Re/Dress and purchased 10's and 12's. I really would like to come support + shop on Saturday... but I'd like to know if there will be options for some one like myself (L/XL or 10/12/14) before I pay the $10 cover. Help! Hit me with some real hard honesty, please! :]

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:00:36 -0400

I would say just as Re/Dress NYC says their clothing starts at a 14, it’s the same as the fleamarket. A jr. 14 fits like 10 or a 12. Since so many brands are different it’s hard to be exact on sizing. There should definitely be plenty to choose from if you fit a size L/XL.

I don't think I can make this sale - Are you planning on doing this again any other time of year?

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:59:25 -0400

Sorry we won’t be doing another FGFM this year. The last one was in 2008, they are not necessarily annual. Sorry!

There are some plus-size brands that start their sizing at a pretty big 12 (I have Igigi in mind - their 12 is more like your average 16, but I know there are others). If the clothing comes from a plus-size line, can you take it as a donation?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:05:06 -0400

I'm so disappointed that I can't make it to this - I'm going to be in NYC in September, are there any plans for another flea market later this year? Or do you know of similar things that might be happening around September?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:27:30 -0400

Sorry we don’t know when the next fleamarket will be. The last one was in 2008. They are not necessarily annual.

will you be accepting winter-y clothes as donations, i.e. coats, etc?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:26:20 -0400

We are accepting everything for donation, thanks!

Hey! What time will everything be up and running? I'm trying to estimate what time I should be there for. (:

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:25:43 -0400

The event starts at noon. That’s when the doors will open. See you then!

I am coming from afar and by train. What train is near you?

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:06:38 -0400

Subway & PATH Directions
1, 2, or 3 to 14th Street and 7th Avenue
A, C, E, or L to 14th Street and 8th Avenue
F or V to 14th Street and 6th Avenue
PATH to 14th Street and 6th Avenue
Hopstop Subway Directions | MTA Website

Is there parking nearby? Or could you tell me the best place to park because I'll be driving from out of state.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:01:02 -0400

There is street parking on the side streets and metered parking on the Avenues. Whether there is parking available is unpredictable.

Central Parking has a lot on 13th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues and their website has discount coupons!

http://nyc.centralparking.com/Manhattan-Greenwich-Village-Parking.html

Awesome donations from these awesome companies

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:17:00 -0400

We’re getting in boxes of new clothing from some of our favorite plus size fashion brands. A big thank you to Kim for wrangling the donations.

Here’s what we’ve got so far:

alight - http://www.alight.com - alight gave us more swim to help everyone get ready for summer, some sets and cute sporty hoodies. Thanks alight you’ve always been a supporter of the FGFM!

Igigi - http://www.igigi.com - It’s an unopened mystery box, but you know they make gorgeous dresses & separates!

Love Your Peaches - http://www.loveyourpeaches.com - clothing & swimwear up to a size 5x.

La Grande Dame - http://www.lagrandedame.com - a yummy box of Anna Scholz, David Meister & Melinda Masse pieces. Oooooooh luxe!

Eliza Parker - http://www.elizaparker.com - they’ve donated a collection of dresses in sizes 26/28.

Daphne Larger Sizes - http://www.daphnelargersizes.com/index - they sent us a box but we haven’t peeked in yet! They sell gorgeous wearable art pieces.

Sydney’s Closet - http://www.sydneyscloset.com - they sell scrumptuous formal wear that’s perfect for prom or other special occasions.

Hips & Curves - http://www.hipsandcurves.com - 2 boxes of sexy plus size lingerie, sleepwear and who knows what! Meow meow!

Always for Me - http://www.alwaysforme.com - sending more swimwear and swim coverups! Let the FGFM help you get ready for summer!

Elegant Plus - http://www.elegantplus.com/ - this plus size fashion shopping blog is sending over 100 pieces of clothes, many of them samples they’ve received from various companies including Marina Rinaldi!

Re/Dress NYC - http://www.redressnyc.com - Re/Dress NYC has been collecting their donations from the last few months specifically for the Fat Girl Fleamarket. They’ll also be pulling some great styles from their racks just for the flea.

We’ll update this list when we get more donations in. A little bird is telling us that we’re waiting for pieces too from Junonia, Svoboda and maybe even Monif C!

What time do the event start ?

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:13:16 -0400

The sale is on Saturday April 30th from 12-8pm.

Is it possible to hold a Fat Girl Fleamarket outside of NYC (I'm in New Haven) and proceeds donated to a local women's charity?

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:11:59 -0400

Yes and no…

No one else can put on an event called The Fat Girl Fleamarket.
That said, we love when people throw their own plus size or all size rummage sale. There have been many others, called things like Big Bum Jumble in London or Cupcakes and Muffintops…

So we’re more than happy to have more shopping fundraisers like this pop up all over the place, raising money for stuff (hopefully body positive related) that your community believes in. We can try to provide support, but basically it’s simple:
1. Find a charity
2. Make a committee of organizers
3. Rent or borrow a space
4. Collect donated clothing
5. Advertise event
6. Sort clothing
7. Sell clothing
8. Donate money
9. Celebrate
10. Repeat
Of course simple doesn’t mean it’s not a ton of work….

But the Fat Girl Fleamarket is in NYC and raises money for Nolose, and this year also the Femme Conference.

Is this event cash only?

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:01:00 -0400

Great question! Yes it is cash only. And we will put that in the FAQ page as well!

How will the event be set up? Will everything be sized and organized, or will it be all mixed together depending on when it was donated?

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:38:08 -0400

Everything will be organized in size groups and by category. So there will be L-1x, 2x-3x and 4x and up areas. In those areas the clothes are organized by type, bottoms, tops, dresses….

All clothing brought in for donation will be organized by those principals. We try to make it somewhat easy to shop :)

I've been wondering why you chose to start at a size 14 and not a 12. I realize that a size 12 is maybe borderline plus size, depending on the brand. I wouldn't want larger fats to feel uncomfortable or excluded, but many brands do consider a size 12 plus size and many of us who wear a size 12 (or who can fit into a variety of sizes, like 12-16, depending on cut/brand) are fat.

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:36:25 -0400

The clothing starts at a large. And if you fit sizes 12-16 then this is still an inclusive event for you. 14 is an accurate numerical indicator of “plus size” that is why this number is used. Most people can fit a variety of sizes. I can wear anything between a stretchy medium through a 3x.

And in the past when we have focused on the smaller sizes being offered we have had many larger sized people opt out of attending because they assumed that there would be no clothing for them. There are far more places to buy clothing in a size 12 than above that. That said, there will be many things for size 12 people and smaller even.

Hi... I have two questions:
1. Is it okay to bring donations to the venue on 4/30 once the flea market has started?
2. Would you accept plus-size maternity clothes? They're in great shape, some worn only once or twice. And I promise they're cool-looking maternity clothes--nice dresses, skinny jeans, etc. :)
Thanks!

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:24:00 -0400

Yes you can bring clothing to the event, in fact that is the only way we are accepting donations.
http://fatgirlfleamarket.tumblr.com/donate

We are accepting donations only until 3pm. Please limit your donation to 1-2 bags of clean clothing in sizes 14+. They can totally be maternity clothing. That’s very cool!

volunteer

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:21:50 -0400

If you’re asking how to volunteer you just need to email volunteers@fatgirlfleamarket.com and Robin will let you know what shifts she still has available.