All About The Plus Bus | An Interview with Fabulous Founders, Marcy & Jen
At the moment 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 dimension retailer” is type 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 dimension 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 form of desk of contents. That method, you will discover what you’re on the lookout for, or higher but, know the place we’re happening this glorious journey!
Right here’s the place we’re going:
- Jen & Marcy MEET: How the model got here to be!
- The Deal with the Fats Group: How garments are simply ONE a part of the corporate’s mission
- Plus Bus 3 Areas: A primer on the place to go to buy WHAT
- Group Occasions: Seaside events, pool events, Lizzo live shows, and many others
- 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 dimension blogger/mannequin/marketing consultant/weirdo, I’ve lengthy puzzled, “How did The Plus Bus HAPPEN?!”
I visited the flagship location pre-pandemic, and there was simply SO MUCH occurring. Colour! Clothes! Group! Cute enjoyable sun shades!!!!! Taking a look at this magical wonderland that’s The Plus Bus, I used to be actually like, “How tf did we get right here!?!?!”
So, after I obtained on the cellphone 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 Lady in a Skinny World” for Marie Claire! Come be my pal!!” Jen says with amusing. “I didn’t have any fats mates or fats liberation, so assembly all these individuals was fantastic. I used to be type of overstimulated, and it was a whirlwind. We ended up changing into Fb mates 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 dimension trend occasions. As we had been strolling in the direction of one another within the airport, I assumed, ‘I’ve by no means spent greater than 5 minutes in actual life with this individual. This could possibly be a foul concept.’”
Fortuitously, their worldwide journey was a smashing success. “We had been collectively consistently for 3 days,” shares Marcy. “From that minute of assembly within the airport, we began guffawing and by no means stopped.”
From that minute of assembly within the airport, we began guffawing 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 dimension clothes swaps in Los Angeles, impressed by occasions occurring 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 long-lasting pink warehouse grew to become their first location!
“The Plus Bus is a ONE STOP SHOP for all issues plus dimension trend,” shares Jen.
“Now we have a bunch of choices for these occasions, bachelorette events or a customized costume designed by Jen,” provides Marcy.
“We’re the very best place to stay your greatest plus dimension life.”
Jen Wilder, Co-Founding father of The Plus Bus
The Deal with 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 dimension designer, 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 quite a bit happening of their minds. They gained’t present their arms, they gained’t take photos with their youngsters, and many others. 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 dimension purchasing,” explains Jen. “Being round those who come from the identical type of expertise you’ve had, who know the way difficult purchasing will be. The Plus Bus is mostly a house of celebration and therapeutic.”
Plus Bus 3 Areas: 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 kind of plus dimension and fats buyer.
Their three areas 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 had been type of, no, REALLY good 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 dimension purchasing 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.”
Under, we dive into what will be discovered at every location!
The Plus Bus Boutique [York Location]
The Plus Bus on York is a boutique! It’s a mixture of recent gadgets from plus dimension indie manufacturers (BAACAL, What Lo Needs, URTUMUCH, and many others), in addition to classic and top quality resale or thrift gadgets (“Classic clothes” must be not less than 40 years previous 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 may go browsing and do digital styling, private styling requests, occasion requests (for instance, if you happen to’re going to be a bridesmaid or have one other particular occasion). Now we have among the greatest plus dimension fashions and stylists that work right here within the retailer, you’re styled by a professional who has been within the trade for years.”
Now we have among the greatest plus dimension 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 dimension babes may also discover in-store group occasions for brand new and established plus dimension indie manufacturers, discovering luxurious or increased finish items for his or her wardrobe.
Okay, this location is for our babes who’re hardcore thrifters! Actually, 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 dimension!
“On the Park location, we’ve extra low season gadgets which might be a bit extra gently worn,” explains Jen. “Some items might need a injury or two. That is the place you discover treasures, and a few may have a zipper repair!”
This location additionally provides “shade packs” which I assumed had been cool! “Now we have $5, $15, $20 shade packs right here as effectively,” shares Marcy.
This location was actually pushed by Marcy & Jen’s need to serve the plus and fats group. “There’s no method we may promote all the garments we get at simply York location,” shares Jen. “This location means we will provide clothes at quite a lot of value factors, and actually intention to serve everybody. We’re attempting to make trend accessible. Doesn’t matter your dimension or your finances. You don’t have to decorate by the foundations, and The Plus Bus is exhibiting that each physique will 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 staff at The Plus Bus shares every day finds to their Instagram Story, a mixture of recent, 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 can even arrange a private or in-person styling appointment (feels like such a enjoyable expertise!!), particulars on plus dimension private styling in LA and digital, here!
Word: Gender Inclusion
One thing that Marcy and Jen made positive to speak at the start 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: Seaside events, pool events, Lizzo live shows, Disneyland, and many others
As Marcy & Jen have shared, The Plus Bus celebrates trend — however is a lot extra!
“Now we have a month-to-month fats mountain climbing membership, fats yoga on Thursdays and so many group occasions,” shares Marcy. “We love our plus dimension seashore days, and Jen is at all times attempting to get individuals to put on smaller and smaller bikinis,” she explains with amusing.
Marcy & Jen love when an occasion is community-led, and group members typically use The Plus Bus as a form of nexus for occasions they need to see occur. “We’ve additionally organized two totally different teams round LIZZO live shows,” shares Jen.
The Plus Bus loves LIZZO, and so they have had wardrobe gross sales from gadgets from Lizzo’s closet!
To see all the particulars on The Plus Bus occasions, head here!
If you happen to’re a bit afraid to go looking for your self or present as much as a group occasion, each Marcy & Jen had encouraging phrases to share (and some completely satisfied tears):
- From Marcy: “By no means be scared to indicate as much as a fats occasion. You’re going to discover a entire group. It’s an incredible place to satisfy individuals, particularly if you happen to’re in LA. Meet different like minded people who need to exit and have enjoyable.”
- From Jen: “Don’t be afraid to come back alone, 50 fats mates 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 seem like 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 kids’s lives.”
Connecting with The Plus Bus
There space few methods to attach with The Plus Bus! For IRL occasions, I’d control their events page, and for purchasing and enjoyable I’d observe on Instagram!
Store the most recent in plus dimension trend in LA at ThePlusBus.com!
Lastly, in fact, The Plus Bus invitations you to usher in YOUR clothes! “You may carry 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 may observe Jen on Instagram here, and Marcy on Instagram here!