PLUS MEN WITH STYLE
Photographer: Nate Messarra
Fashion has become the pinnacle of today’s topic. Many high fashion designers are still not creating or catering to plus men’s fashion as their counterparts. When viewing the media, you do not see many plus men being styled and wearing colorful looks. Well, I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Valdez who is a plus-size man fashion enthusiast. He loves to be daring and display that plus-men do not have to live in a “fashion-box”.
Joy: If you were to be a fashion icon, what do you want people to say Jonathan’s fashion portrays?
Jonathan: I would want them to say my fashion portrays fun and is also fabulous! That it makes them smile and inspires them to express themselves in a way that makes them happy!
Joy: Being a Plus fashion enthusiast, where do you get your fashion inspiration? If you were to compare your style to a celebrity, who would you say and why?
Jonathan: Because I am plus, I’ve always had to search and dig deeper for clothes that I not only loved but that also fit me! I think that growing up with limited options when it came to the fit, really forced me to be more creative with my fashion. I would always find a piece or outfit that I got really excited about and then had that drop feeling in my stomach when ultimately, they did not have my size. Thankfully now things are a bit better when it comes to sizing, but growing up it was difficult especially before online shopping was an easy option like it is now. My inspiration always came from the way an outfit made me feel. I never wanted to feel drab or boring. I never really compare my style to celebs and oftentimes I see outfits I put together in fashion shows years later (I have the receipts! HAHA!) But I have to say that I have been loving what Harvey Guillen has been doing lately. I love that he is having a fashion moment as a Latinx Plus actor and that gorgeous Christian Siriano tuxedo he wore to the Oscars and his Vanity Fair after party look is something that I would absolutely wear if I had the chance!”
Joy: There are many fashion stylists, and some are afraid to go beyond dressing plus men. What will be your top three advice to any stylist who is afraid of dressing plus men and being colorfully loud?
Jonathan: I remember one of the first photoshoots that I did, they said that they would have a stylist. I was so excited to see what clothes they would pull and when I got there it was clear that they did not even try. They saw a bigger size and came with t-shirts and boring things. Luckily, I brought my own clothes that we ended up using! That being said, my top three pieces of advice would be
(1) Put in the effort and hunt for cute things! Bigger men love fashion too and they want to feel dapper and look good.
(2) Do not be afraid to try different things just because someone is bigger.
(3) Make sure that your client is happy and feels confident in what they are wearing. A lot of plus people are used to having to just wear what fits no matter if they love it, so go the extra mile and make sure they shine in the clothing!
Joy: Like women, many men and plus men still do not see colors in their wardrobe. How can plus men slowly accept color as part of their wardrobe?
Jonathan: I think plus men can start with accessories as an easy way to ease color in their wardrobe! Perhaps they are wearing all black but have shoes or socks with colors that pop! Perhaps it is a watch, or rings or a tie for work with color. Then once they are comfortable with that, they can try a shirt that is more colorful than what they would usually wear and so on. I would encourage everyone to never shy away from color. I LOVE wearing colorful clothing and people love seeing them too!
Joy: How have you used your platform to live in your fashion truth?
Jonathan: I have been so blessed to find and attract a community of people who truly get and support me when it comes to my fashion choices. Sometimes it was a bit scary to post some things, like when I first started wearing skirts and sometimes gowns but then it became liberating to see so much love and encouragement once I posted. I have always posted on my platforms with a goal to live my truth and to inspire and uplift others while doing so. I love it when people message me to let me know I made them smile or inspired them to try something new or to be the best that they can be. Fashion is powerful because it can tell a story and it can also move people to do amazing things in their lives even if that thing is healing from within by being able to express what they feel inside through fashion on the outside.
Photos from PFW, Photographer Maria Lelyuk
Photo credits:
Tuxedo Photo - Photographer: Darve Smith
MCM Photo - Photographer: Nate Messarra
