When it comes to plus-size fashion, Jenna gets it. She’s lived it, stitched it and like many of us, has stood in front of the mirror in a clothing store asking: “Is this really the best they can do?”
The emotional cost of clothing
Even as a skilled dressmaker and the owner of Jenna Sews (a sewing and alterations business in Winchester, New Zealand), Jenna isn’t immune to the emotional toll of plus-size fashion.
“I’ve got very low self-esteem because of my size,” she says. “I always have had and I probably always will.”
Shopping for clothes is often frustrating. The choices are limited, the quality inconsistent and it’s rare to find clothes that make her feel good.
“As a designer, I’m unrestricted in what I can sew,” she says. “But how I look in it? That’s another matter.”
She remembers her school ball not for the glamour but for the disappointment. Unable to find a flattering pattern, she settled on something that felt more “mother of the bride” than magical.
“I didn’t feel pretty,” she says. “But at least I had something to wear.”
Reshaping the standard style
“I haven’t bought clothes for something like five years,” she says. “I would normally go to K&K (a New Zealand size 10–26 chain store) but I don’t like wearing the same thing as everybody else.”
As a trained fashion designer, Jenna knows how to make garments that fit and flatter. Yet despite her couture-level skills, she rarely designs or makes clothes for herself.
“I might do a sketch, draft the pattern, make it sometimes but I tend not to design for myself,” she says. “I have a look in my mind and I don’t fit the look.”
It’s a quiet confession many plus-size women will understand but Jenna’s thinking is beginning to shift. Recently, she’s been reimagining what’s possible.
“I’ve got all these ideas in my head at the moment,” she says, her eyes lighting up.
A holiday mindset shift and a boutique revelation
A recent cruise with her mum proved to be a turning point. After the trip, they stopped in at Zebrano, a high-end boutique known for stylish plus-size clothing. Jenna’s mum offered to treat her to something special.
She picked out a few pieces — including a showstopping $680 dress.
“It’s so gorgeous,” she says. “I haven’t even worn it yet. I can’t wear it without the right shoes!”
There was also a simple black stretch top with dropped shoulders and a pouch pocket for $270 and a striped shirt with a sewn-in vest, feature collar and buckled ties. Jenna didn’t share the price for that one, maybe it was a bit too eye-watering. An oversized Japanese-designed sweatshirt with unique dye techniques also caught her eye priced at $350.
Shopping at Zebrano gave Jenna the opportunity to see, touch and try on garments that fit and made her feel confident, stylish and seen. It was a moment of reflection, not just about the cost of quality plus-size fashion but about the value.
Maybe, just maybe, it made her think it’s worth making beautiful things for herself again and maybe designing for others.
Analysing the value of style
Sometimes plus-size garments are more expensive and not just because they use more fabric. Often it’s because the options are so limited.
“Shops charge more because you’re plus size, because you’re restricted and have to buy whatever you can get,” Jenna says.
“I’m just coming to terms with the fact that if I want a designer look, I have to pay for it,” she reflects. “This time, it’s not because it’s plus size, it’s because it’s designer. If a skinny girl wants to look like that, she has to pay too. If you want to look edgy, you either pay for edgy or you learn to make it yourself.”
It’s a tricky space, wanting clothes that fit your body and reflect your personality but not always having the time, energy or money to buy them or even to make them.
Jenna understands that better than most. She’s spent decades reshaping other people’s garments and reshaping ideas about what fit and fashion can be.
Possibility, patterns and progress
Still, Jenna remains hopeful and passionate about plus-size style.
“There are some beautiful things out there now if you’ve got the money,” she says. “It’s getting better. But there’s still so much room to grow.”
For those of us who sew, there’s even more reason to be optimistic.
“For plus size, I’m thrilled about the variety of patterns you can get these days,” she says. “But there’s still a long way to go.”
Clients continue to come to her for alterations, custom fits and sometimes personalised designs. The demand is there.
A new season begins
“Designing is something I can do and something I’ll always be able to do,” she says. “And when I get to do something design-y, then I get really excited. I can start with a piece of paper and a pencil and a set of measurements and end up with something edgy and stunning.”
Now, as she begins to dabble again in design “as a hobby,” with plus-size bodies in mind, perhaps Jenna is coming into a new season in her career. After all, designing a plus-size collection was her original vision when she studied fashion design more than 30 years ago
“If I like something, I’ll design it, put it out there and see what happens.”
Yes, Jenna. We see what’s happening — and we’re here for it.
Jenna is Creative Genius at Jenna Sews, 153 Temuka-Orari Highway, Winchester.