Bloggers are changing the world and it's a revolution. They are quickly rising not only in popularity, but in influence as well. Brands cannot ignore the tremendous impact bloggers are having on retail, fashion, beauty and so many other industries. Through their tireless work (because blogging is VERY demanding), investment (yes, in many cases, they actually have to buy the items they style) and their unique and uncompromising sense of style, they are giving a voice to consumers about trends, sizes, prices, availability, diversity, quality and needs.
They are unapologetic. They are awesome. They are fearless. They are trailblazers in the body positive and beauty diversity movement. They stand courageous every day against criticism from trolls and fat shamers, to remain true to their principles. With utmost vulnerability, they pour their hearts out in the hopes of touching and inspiring a human being with a similar reality.
This blog is a BIG resounding, glorious, grateful tribute to them. I've rounded up 27 of the Canadian Plus Size Fashion Bloggers who have touched me in one way or another. I hope you take the time to visit them, leave a comment, follow, encourage them, and let them know that their work is not for naught.
27 Canadian Plus Size Fashion Bloggers You Need to Know (in alphabetical order)
Allie Krystal is a 24 year old blogger, stylist, and cat lover from Toronto, Canada. But she's so much more than that. From fabulous DIY Karlito-esque key chains, to dressing like a "fat American Apparel Model', she's mixing affordable urban fashion with fabulous statement pieces and haute couture to bring it oh so fabulously to the streets of Toronto.
Sarah Anne is a 27 year old blogger from Toronto, Canada. She's "your average, everyday fashion addict with a shopping problem and her head in the clouds", so she says, but with a satirical and sometimes unabashed and admirably honest point of view on political issues surrounding the plus size industry and beauty diversity movement. With a natural flair for pin up and cheek bones to die for, Sarah is so much more than big hips and red lips!
3. Boldly Curvy
With the "Be Fearless. Be Bold. Be You." headline, May isn't afraid to make people stare, and encourages her fans to wear what they want. Edgy, provocative and always feminine, May declares that "As long as you are true to yourself, you've already won!".
Dolly Monroe is a multi-talented plus size pinup blogger babe, model, clothing and costume designer and burlesque dancer from Toronto, Canada. Her vast modelling portfolio showcases her bold, sexy side as well as her talent to completely transform herself. Photo by If You Fall Photography.
Jessica is a 21 year old photographer and blogger from Toronto, Canada. Her blog is a platform by which she not only showcases her personal style, but the many other aspects of her life. She is honest, quirky and down to earth and shoots a lot of her looks outdoors in the most beautiful wooded spots. She's also the creator of "100 Days of Summer" where she showcases her looks for each day of her favourite season.
6. Cloud 14+
Thera of Cloud 14+ is a woman on fire, with a refined and ultra feminine sense of style. As a fashion blogger with "a healthy obsession for fashion and beauty, {she} aims to inspire chic & fabulous women to embrace their curves". As a stylist, she also offers her services to women who want to present a polished, chic and fashionable image.
As a pioneer on the Canadian plus size fashion blogging scene, the unparalleled Karen Ward has been paving the way and inspiring us for years, long before blogging became mainstream. Karen works through her blog and her store (Your Big Sister's Closet) "to inspire Canadian plus size women to dress to their full potential. To inspire them to feel great about themselves, now, and in their own skin, not when they "lose 10 pounds."" From cute casual daringly short dresses, to the most impressive gowns and head-wear, Karen is a trailblazer in Canadian plus size fashion.
A new Canadian plus size fashion blogger living in Winnipeg, Kate is on a mission to help you find plus size fashion at a great price. Follow her for her budget-concious style inspiration and up-to-date deals that you can take advantage of.
9. Danishaz
Danisha is french blogger who very active on YouTube, creating videos about fashion, beauty, and all things girly. And food! She shares inspiration through her personal experiences, and engages with her audience for inspiration.
10. Erica Exposed
Sharing her thoughts, experiences and style as a plus size woman, Erica wants you to know that fashion is not limited to size. And having worked with Erica at SexyPlus Clothing in the past, AND as a recent graduate of the Master of Social Work program, I can truly say that Erica is as sweet and smart as she is stylish.
11. Fab Four Fashion
Meet Judy, Leslie, Gail and Nancy - four friends, originally from Montreal, now living the big city life in Toronto. They bring a quadruple punch to the blogosphere representing the tall, slim, curvy and plus size women of the world. Making waves navigating fashion trends and remixing them to suit their diverse bodies and unique styles.
Ama and Yuli / Fat Girl Food Squad recently ended their blog, which was about a community, focused on the intersection between food, fat, and Feminism. Fundamentally about people of all shapes and sizes eating good food and feeling good in their bodies, in every way possible. It would be remiss not to include them here.
Image by Tanja-Tiziana for NOW Magazine
13. Fat in the City
Fat in the City (FITC) is a fashion & lifestyle blog for stylish women with curves. ‘Supermodels’ Aisha Fairclough and Jill Andrew are partners and proud co-parents of a heavenly Himalayan and a dazzling Snowshoe, they also run the Body Confidence Canada Awards (BCCA'S) and BITE ME! Toronto Int’l Body Image Film & Arts Festival.
The talent and beauty of these two ladies is so beyond skin deep. Their commitment to the plus size industry is unparalleled, and they are definitely putting Canada on the beauty diversity map.
[Stina is] "a wife and mother of 4, living in Hamilton,Ontario, who loves expressing her creativity through fashion. She's not your normal, boring mama and she embraces that. She's into retro styles and pop culture. She believes that your style tells a story of who you are and you should not be ashamed to be true to yourself no matter what your size.
Her 2015 Body Positive Bikini Babes project featuring 101 women of all shapes and sizes in bikinis was a huge success and was featured by The Huffington Post. And guess what - I was in it! "KEEP CALM AND BIKINI AT ANY SIZE!!!" exclaims Stina!
Ok, I need a moment here. There is so much I have to say about Cynthia - first of all, as a Montrealer, I feel I have a connection with Cynthia that only Montrealers know. But aside from that, her beautiful ground-breaking courageous posts, her defiant elegant style, her ability to transform her look from rocker bitch to prima donna (and even pre-Madonna) is, to say the least, inspiring and transforming the way "fat" is seen - and admired - in the world today. Her work as a blogger is more than just fashion - it's about the glory and diversity of what it means to be a woman - a wife - a mother, a professional...and, whether she knows it or not, a widely loved and admired icon.
She is also a guest blogger for Penningtons.
And this photo - gah! Total girl crush on that perfect bottom!
16. Flaws of Couture
Sasha and Garcia of FOC are fierce body positive advocates and super stylish babes to boot. They are about embracing every "flaw" and influencing fashion through their style, images and message. Also creators of the PRETTY PERIOD and subsequent PULLIN OFF A CROP and THIGHS SO THICK bold messaged apparel. And despite being so fierce, they're super sweet and down to earth gals.
17. Just Biffi
As a graduate from Ryeron's Fashion Design program, and a runner up on Project Runway, Jessica is no stranger to fashion and style. She is regularly invited to and featured as a guest blogger with brands like Addition Elle, Penningtons, Suzy Shier+ and more. As a body positive advocate, she is also seen at special events like the Body Confidence Canada Awards, and if you check out her blog you'll fall in love with the beautiful photography done by her boyfriend, Elliot Parrott Photography.
18. Killer Kurves
As one of Toronto's inaugural plus size fashion bloggers, the lovely blond bombshell Karyn has been making her own rules and sharing her ultra sweet and feminine style with thousands of readers for years. Frequently featured by brands like Addition Elle and now Torrid who has just entered the Canadian marketplace, Karyn's fun and flirty style is just dreamy. Her website also features a comprehensive directory of plus size stores you should check out.
19. Lion Hunter (misslionhunter)
After successfully maintaining a style blog, Curvy Geekery since 2010 Mo decided that she needed to "take a bigger step towards a project that encapsulated more of [she is] and what [she] wanted to contribute to [her] readers. She launched Lion Hunter in 2013 and set out to share her authentic self through fashion, work and anything she sees a "majestic quality" in. She is a Digital Influencer for AIRMILES Canada, contributes content to Huffington Post Canada Style and The W Dish and she is on the Style Panel for FASHION Magazine, Canada’s No 1 fashion and beauty magazine. I had the chance to meet (and photograph her, below) at the 2015 Body Confidence Canada Awards to congratulate her on her achievement as one of the recipients.
Anesha describes her blog as a look book for those fashionistas in the big city. With accessories to die for and a flare for practical extravagance, Anesha is a mover and shaker within the city who, over the past four years, has built a personal brand around her fashions and events. Although Anesha has many accomplishments under her belt, one of the largest is her collaboration with a leading bridal magazine, Dauphine Magazine.
Lisa of Mustang Sally Two is a woman in control - successful professional accountant, fashionista extraordinaire and a lover of all things beauty and interior design. After facing challenges finding clothing she loved and expressed her feminine, professional, elegant style, she set out to share her increasing knowledge and repertoire of plus size finds through her blog. She's also a firm believer that everyone, no matter what size, can look fabulous and stylish.
Assa is a wife and mother of two, based in Toronto, Canada sharing her knowledge and opinions of style, shopping tips, thrift store finds, general beauty and everything in between. She's an expert on print-mixing and does it with unparalleled flair. Blogging since 2008, Assa is a pro with killer style and extraordinary outlook.
23. Petite Plus Meow
Petite Plus Meow is a blog dedicated to all things fashion and lifestyle with a self proclaimed focus of "What I Wore and What I Did". Run by Irene, a fantastically charismatic woman who explores her journey through fashion while being petite and curvy at the same time. Also a lover of all things retro, Irene provides unique and fabulous styles with a nostalgic flare that are refreshing for women everywhere.
24. Plus Size Panda
For the past 3 years, Aggie of Plus Size Panda has been running her blog and social media sharing fashion inspiration, reviews and coupon codes to help out all her fellow fashionista readers. Aggie just recently relaunched Plus Size Panda and is out to share her love of life and all that surrounds it. Every now and then Aggie offers some of her fantastically unique items on sale so be on the look-out to shop her closet.
Sarah XXL St-Fleur is a blogger and YouTube beauty guru who is a master of all things fashion and beauty. Straight from Montreal, Sarah provides her blog in both English and French. Sarah is a very accomplished makeup artist and has a love for dance music. She is also passionate about sharing her views on empowerment of women, self esteem, being healthy at any size and many other social issues.
Sarah is a professional model and award-winning motivational speaker, teaching the value of self love to girls and women based on her own personal journey and survival. Reigning Miss Plus Canada 2014/2015, Sarah has had many exciting opportunities coming her way like being one of 5 Canadian models selected to walk the runway at Full Figured Fashion Week 2015 in New York City - along with many other exciting events that she shares through her blog and social media.
27. The Stylish Reid
Annika is a plus size fashion blogger, YouTuber, stylist, former fashion designer and mother, with extreme enthusiasm for fashion. Through her blog and her active involvement in fashion-related ventures and collaborations, Annika is out to build a community of encouragement and inspiration for those with curves. Sharing fabulous style along the way, Annika's passion spreads like wildfire.
Thanks for reading, and THANK YOU to all the bloggers mentioned above for your passion, your courage and your STYLE! If you think I've missed a blogger that should be on this list, please comment below.
Special thanks to McKina, SexyPlus Associate, for her help researching and completing this post.