All About The Plus Bus | An Interview with Fabulous Founders, Marcy & Jen

Right now on TCF, we’re sharing all issues about The Plus Bus, current sponsors of the TCFStyle Brunch and the model based by fearless fats babes, Marcy & Jen (or Jen & Marcy) in 2016. Saying that The Plus Bus is a “plus measurement retailer” is sort of like saying “Disneyland has some enjoyable rides” — it simply doesn’t do The Plus Bus justice!

I’m honored (actual discuss!) to share the backstory and evolution of The Plus Bus, by means of this interview with founders, Jen and Marcy. Whether or not you’ve been a very long time stan (and fan!) of The Plus Bus IRL in-store or throughout stay gross sales, otherwise you’re simply studying about this pillar of the plus measurement and fats group — Welcome!!

Let’s discuss all issues PLUS BUS!

All About The Plus Bus

Okay, bestie! As a result of Jen & Marcy are empire constructing babes, this interview is gonna be in-depth. (Actual discuss, can we get a Plus Bus memoir?! Or biopic?!) As a result of I’m diving in deep with Marcy and Jen, I need to provide you with a kind of desk of contents. That means, yow will discover what you’re in search of, or higher but, know the place we’re happening this glorious trip!

Right here’s the place we’re going:

• Jen & Marcy MEET: How the model got here to be!
• The Give attention to the Fats Group: How garments are simply ONE a part of the corporate’s mission
• Plus Bus 3 Places: A primer on the place to go to buy WHAT
• Group Occasions: Seashore events, pool events, Lizzo concert events, and so forth
• Connecting with The Plus Bus

You prepared? Let’s rock’n roll!!!

Jen & Marcy MEET: How The Plus Bus Got here to Be!

Okay, so! As a plus measurement blogger/mannequin/advisor/weirdo, I’ve lengthy questioned, “How did The Plus Bus HAPPEN?!”

I visited the flagship location pre-pandemic, and there was simply SO MUCH taking place. Shade! Clothes! Group! Cute enjoyable sun shades!!!!! this magical wonderland that’s The Plus Bus, I used to be truthfully like, “How tf did we get right here!?!?!”

So, after I bought on the telephone with Marcy and Jen, that was one of many first issues I requested.

And their story did NOT disappoint!

Shares Jen: “I walked as much as Marcy at Full Figured Trend Week in 2012, and I used to be like, ‘Oh my god you’re  a “Large Woman in a Skinny World” for Marie Claire!  Come be my good friend!!” Jen says with fun. “I didn’t have any fats associates or fats liberation, so assembly all these individuals was fantastic. I used to be sort of overstimulated, and it was a whirlwind. We ended up turning into Fb associates and speaking on there.”

From there, this dynamic duo discovered themselves going to London collectively!

“There was an occasion in London that we each needed to go to,” shares Marcy.  “We love going to plus measurement trend occasions. As we have been strolling in the direction of one another within the airport, I believed, ‘I’ve by no means spent greater than 5 minutes in actual life with this particular person. This could possibly be a nasty concept.’”

Fortuitously, their worldwide journey was a smashing success. “We have been collectively always for 3 days,” shares Marcy. “From that minute of assembly within the airport, we began laughing and by no means stopped.”

From that minute of assembly within the airport, we began laughing and by no means stopped.

Marcy Guevara-Prete , Co-Founder

(This theme of “Leaping in with each toes” may be very a lot the ethos of this enterprise, as you’ll see all through this interview!)

From that occasion in 2013, Marcy and Jen then went onto host plus measurement clothes swaps in Los Angeles, impressed by occasions taking place in San Diego. “Jen posted that she wanted to cease shopping for garments,” shares Marcy.  “So we determined, ‘Let’s do a fats swap!’ I had been to a swap in San Diego hosted by Ashley Nell Tipton, and it was so profitable. We felt like there was a group and starvation for group in LA.“

These preliminary clothes swaps led to Jen and Marcy opening up their flagship location in 2016. The enduring pink warehouse turned their first location!

“The Plus Bus is a ONE STOP SHOP for all issues plus measurement trend,” shares Jen. 

“We have now a bunch of choices for these occasions, bachelorette events or a customized costume designed by Jen,” provides Marcy.

“We’re the most effective place to stay your finest plus measurement life.”

Jen Wilder, Co-Founding father of The Plus Bus

The Give attention to the Fats Group: How garments are simply ONE a part of The Plus Bus mission

Speaking to Jen & Marcy, they actually made clear that whereas they LOVE and ADORE clothes (Jen is a plus measurement clothier, and Marcy is an expert producer and trend stylist), the mission of The Plus Bus goes past garments.

“The garments are a disguise for the FAT activism,” shares Jen.  “So typically when new individuals come to the shop, there’s so much happening of their minds. They received’t present their arms, they received’t take photos with their youngsters, and so forth. We need to be your tour information to your fabulous fats life.”

We need to be your tour information to your fabulous fats life.

Jen Wilder, Co-Founding father of The Plus Bus

“We’re therapeutic the trauma of plus measurement procuring,” explains Jen. “Being round folks that come from the identical sort of expertise you’ve had, who know the way difficult procuring might be. The Plus Bus can be a house of celebration and therapeutic.”

Plus Bus 3 Places: A primer on the place to go to buy WHAT

As a part of their overarching activism and mission, The Plus Bus has created intentional areas for each sort of plus measurement and fats buyer.

Their three places are:

• The Plus Bus Flagship: 5031 York Blvd. LA, CA 90042
• Group by TBP: 2701 W Ave 34, LA, CA, 90065
• The Plus Bus (a literal bus!!): Travels throughout!

Thrift, Classic & New

Marcy & Jen have been sort of, no, REALLY sensible when it got here to planning their two brick and mortar areas, and their precise literal BUS.

“The Plus Bus on York was designed to raise the plus measurement procuring expertise,” shares Marcy. “Wonderful classic and actually glorious thrift items. For individuals who need extra of that thrift ‘kind by means of bins’ expertise for treasure hunters, they’ll love the situation on Park.”

Beneath, we dive into what might be discovered at every location!

The Plus Bus Boutique [York Location]

The Plus Bus on York is a boutique! It’s a mix of latest gadgets from plus measurement indie manufacturers (BAACAL, What Lo Needs, URTUMUCH, and so forth), in addition to classic and prime quality resale or thrift gadgets (“Classic clothes” needs to be at the very least 40 years outdated to qualify as “classic,” therefore the differentiation between “classic” and “thrift” right here.)

“The York Boutique is ‘Purchase Now / Put on Now!’” exclaims Marcy. “Our purpose is to raise the expertise at York to incorporate private styling.  You’ll be able to go surfing and do digital styling, private styling requests, occasion requests (for instance, should you’re going to be a bridesmaid or have one other particular occasion).  We have now among the finest plus measurement fashions and stylists that work right here within the retailer, you’re styled by a professional who has been within the trade for years.”

We have now among the finest plus measurement fashions and stylists that work right here within the retailer, you’re styled by a professional who has been within the trade for years.

Marcy Guevara-Prete , Co-Founding father of The Plus Bus

Plus measurement babes may discover in-store group occasions for brand new and established plus measurement indie manufacturers, discovering luxurious or larger finish items for his or her wardrobe.

Okay, this location is for our babes who’re hardcore thrifters! Truthfully, earlier than going to The Plus Bus, I hadn’t actually had the expertise of going to a thrift retailer and discovering one thing in my measurement!

“On the Park location, we have now extra low season gadgets which can be slightly extra gently worn,” explains Jen. “Some items might need a injury or two. That is the place you discover treasures, and a few might have a zipper repair!”

This location additionally presents “colour packs” which I believed have been cool! “We have now $5, $15, $20 colour packs right here as nicely,” shares Marcy.

This location was actually pushed by Marcy & Jen’s want to serve the plus and fats group. “There’s no means we might promote all the garments we get at simply York location,” shares Jen. “This location means we are able to provide clothes at quite a lot of worth factors, and actually purpose to serve everybody. We’re making an attempt to make trend accessible.  Doesn’t matter your measurement or your price range.  You don’t have to decorate by the principles, and The Plus Bus is displaying that each physique might be aspirational,” says Jen.

The Plus Bus (Precise Bus!!)

Lastly, the final “location” is definitely on wheels! “This can be a 250 sq ft boutique,” shares Marcy. “We use it to host occasions and pop ups throughout in Southern California!”

The Plus Bus (On-line)

As not everyone seems to be within the LA-area, the workforce at The Plus Bus shares day by day finds to their Instagram Story, a mix of latest, thrift and classic items! It’s like QVC or HSN, however make it fats!

The Plus Blus additionally does common “Instagram Lives” promoting items stay!

You too can arrange a private or in-person styling appointment (seems like such a enjoyable expertise!!), particulars on plus measurement private styling in LA and digital, here!

Observe: Gender Inclusion

One thing that Marcy and Jen made positive to speak firstly of the interview was that The Plus Bus is for people of all genders. Nobody goes to police who can strive on what at The Plus Bus!

Group Occasions: Seashore events, pool events, Lizzo concert events, Disneyland, and so forth

As Marcy & Jen have shared, The Plus Bus celebrates trend — however is a lot extra!

“We have now a month-to-month fats mountaineering membership, fats yoga on Thursdays and so many group occasions,” shares Marcy. “We love our plus measurement seashore days, and Jen is all the time making an attempt to get individuals to put on smaller and smaller bikinis,” she explains with fun.

Marcy & Jen love when an occasion is community-led, and group members typically use The Plus Bus as a kind of nexus for occasions they need to see occur. “We’ve additionally organized two totally different teams round LIZZO concert events,” shares Jen.

The Plus Bus loves LIZZO, they usually have had wardrobe gross sales from gadgets from Lizzo’s closet!

To see the entire particulars on The Plus Bus occasions, head here!

If you happen to’re a bit afraid to go purchasing for your self or present as much as a group occasion, each Marcy & Jen had encouraging phrases to share (and some blissful tears):

• From Marcy: “By no means be scared to point out as much as a fats occasion. You’re going to discover a complete group.  It’s an important place to satisfy individuals, particularly should you’re in LA.  Meet different like minded people who need to exit and have enjoyable.”
• From Jen: “Don’t be afraid to return alone, 50 fats associates are excited to satisfy you!  I do know that discovering a fats peer group is probably the most therapeutic a part of fats liberation.  Being with individuals who appear to be you.  I’m crying I really feel so fortunate to have a lot of it in my life, and I’ve created a world, and I’ve created. Present up alone, and present up open.  See what occurs! at group has has actually modified my life, and my youngsters’s lives.”

Connecting with The Plus Bus

There space few methods to attach with The Plus Bus! For IRL occasions, I’d regulate their events page, and for procuring and enjoyable I’d comply with on Instagram!

Store the newest in plus measurement trend in LA at ThePlusBus.com!

Lastly, in fact, The Plus Bus invitations you to usher in YOUR clothes! “You’ll be able to deliver your gently worn garments for retailer credit score,” shares Marcy. “Make an appointment via email!”

Thanks a lot to Jen & Marcy for this interview!!! We love The Plus Bus! You’ll be able to comply with Jen on Instagram here, and Marcy on Instagram here!