What is a FASH FRIEND?

A Fash Friend is someone who I’ve identified as someone with great style, whether it be a personal friend, someone I found online, or anyone in between. It’s exciting to be able to share another person with you all that has a different style than me and may be a different size, shape or gender. I focus mainly on plus size Fash Friends, so I will ask questions about the community or the stigma surrounding fashion and being overweight.

About Kelly

I have a million things I could say about Kelly, but I will just start with the fact that I told her to turn her head and be serious for a photo, and she started CRACKING UP. That’s just how she is. She is fun, incredibly kind, but also hilarious. I’m incredibly lucky to have found a friend in a co-worker (which I don’t let happen TOO often.) She’s become one of my favorite people to talk to, share plus size fashion tips with, have photo shoots with (I snapped these cute ones of her on our lunch break!), and just chat about life with. I know you will all love learning about Kelly, so check out her interview below!

Fash Friend Questions—

Name: Kelly Musick
Instagram/Twitter: KEL_MUSICK / @Musickgrl
Age: 34
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Profession: Administrative Assistant
Inspirations: Family, Friends, Pinterest, Giving back/Helping others
3 words to describe your style perfectly: Comfortable, Classic & Flirty
Fashion Role Model: Zoey Deschanel & Kate Beckinsale
Favorite Makeup Brand: Revlon, Maybelline & Sephora
Favorite Musician: I absolutely couldn’t pick a favorite, I LOVE music! DMB, Alt-j, Punch Brothers, Rascal Flatts, Bob Marley, Sting, Adele, Bon Jovi & BSB just to name several. ☺
1 Interesting Fact About Yourself: For about half of the #PSOOTD photos you see on The Pretty Plus, I am the photographer! (See: #PSOOTD: Big Black Tutus & Red Lips)

Digging Deeper— In the Dressing Room

What do you find most difficult about shopping as a plus-sized woman?

There used to be so few places that carried plus; while more and more stores are now offering trendier plus sizes, it is still very limited compared to the other sections. Also, a lot of the online stores don’t carry the same styles in plus. You’ll see a shirt you like, but they don’t carry it in the “extended” sizes. Another frustrating thing about online shopping is that with the way I’m built, everything fits differently so if I can’t try it on, I have to guess at the size I would wear – which sometimes leads to multiple returns and purchases to get the right fit.

How to you cope with the difficulty? Any tips/tricks?

I sometimes will order an item in multiple sizes if I am not sure which one I will need, to eliminate the hassle of shipping back and forth. Also, some stores will allow in-store returns for online sales – so that does save time. If I’m able to find an item that I absolutely love, I’ll buy it in several colors; that way, I can mix and match to make several different looks.

What are your go-to stores that you know you can turn to if you need something and need to be sure it fits?

Torrid, Rue 21, Old Navy & Lane Bryant

Why do you feel many retailers do not sell their plus size lines in store?

I hate to say it, but I think that society has made us feel like it’s not as attractive to be plus size – so many places don’t offer them in-store. If they do, the racks are in a back corner and not marked well. Also, I don’t feel that plus size models are always at the top of designer’s minds when creating their looks.

Do you purchase online, or do you stick to in-store purchasing?

I do both! As I said before, more stores now offer a plus section so it’s easier to purchase off the rack as opposed to online only.

If ONE STORE that doesn’t carry plus sizes created an extended line, which store would you wish for it to be?

Cute boutiques like Francesca’s & Sweetie Styles

#PSOOTD: Dress- Charlotte Russe | Jacket- AVA & VIV | Boots- Torrid