Hello my Curvy.Confident.Chic. readers. Although I am here on the West Coast, I wanted to reveal and share with you an amazing Plus Size Chic gem in the NYC!
How much fun can a Curvy Fashionista have walking into a brand new vintage/ resell shop and find EVERYTHING in your size? No, Really! If I am lying, then I would be frying. Not just second hand pieces and the leftovers that you would find at Goodwill or the masses of nothing to be found at Buffalo Exchange. I am speaking of fabulous frocks from as far back as the early 40’s to the trendy NOW pieces!
Ladies, let me introduce you to Re/Dress NYC! I had the amazing opportunity to interview Ms. Deb Malkin, owner of this amazing find!
Deb, can you share with us what is Re/Dress NYC? In addition, how long have your doors been open?
Re/Dress NYC is the only plus size vintage + resale store in NYC and the only plus size vintage store in the US. We buy and sell contemporary clothing in sizes 14 and up and vintage clothing fitting a modern size 10 and above.
Our model follows stores like Buffalo Exchange in keeping with the spirit of recycling and reusing goods that are too good to be thrown away. We also offer plus size women the opportunity to clean out their closets and get rid of what we call “phantom fashion” items, you know those things that are adorable but don’t fit or you never wear anymore. They just need to be in some other woman’s closet. You can bring them to Re/Dress NYC and get either cash or store credit for them and turn it into new clothing that you will love and wear. It’s so much fun for us because we get new inventory in every day. 
We’ve been open 8 weeks. Right now we’re in our soft opening phase and are open for Winter Thurs-Sunday. In the spring we’ll open 7 days a week.
What inspired you to create and open Re/Dress NYC?
My inspiration was to create the kind of store I’ve always wanted to shop in, as none of the NYC resale stores carry my size (18/20). I also love vintage clothing and knew that I was out there in a whole range of sizes, we’ve just never seen so much of it together in one place. It’s fun watching women’s mouth’s drop open when they see the amazing collection of vintage dresses we have, it’s unparalleled and runs from sizes L to 4/5x and from 1940′s through the 80′s.
Professionally, I used to work for an online plus size retailer, alight.com and came to know the plus size market + customer. I’m also a fat activist and have organized a shopping event/fundraiser called The Fat Girl Fleamarket which has inspired my passion to create a body positive space to shop and build community. The next flea market will be April 4th. My other inspiration is that my fat femme friends are incredibly stylish and it’s a personal joy to dress them and help them and all curvy women have more tools for fashion as self expression.
So tell me, what makes Re/Dress special and different from other resale stores?
Re/Dress NYC is different from other resale stores because we focus all our energy on the curvy customer. We have larger dressing rooms, wider room between the aisles, and a unique selection of plus size vintage + contemporary clothing. I think most resale stores also don’t have a vintage focus in the way we do.
We also cater to a fashion forward and eclectic customer, the kind of woman who loves a good flashy sequined top, or fun pair of leather pants in addition to a more work appropriate Calvin Klein dress. We also have a good amount of unisex or men’s wear, such as leather jackets + western shirts, since we have many customers who wear men’s clothes or do mix + match.
Sounds like you are off to an amazing start! What is next for you and Re/Dress NYC?
Next for me would be to open another Re/Dress store. My goal is to open multiple stores across the country. We’re also planning to sell our vintage collection online. In the fall we’re planning a new designer trunk show to expose some new up and coming indie designers to the plus size consumer.
Okay, Okay, I am excited! So what advice could you lend to your Curvy.Confident.Chic Fashionistas?
My best advice for curvy confident chic fashionistas is to stop wearing clothing that is TOO BIG! Learn to dress + get comfortable with your curves. If you buy a size smaller, it will help define your shape. Wearing shapeless clothing isn’t going to make you look any smaller, so you ain’t fooling nobody. 
Show off, feel good, fake it till you make it and you will make it to feeling more confident about your body. Also get a good fitting bra. Also I encourage women to take fashion risks such as wearing sleeveless tops and dresses, or showing off their legs if that’s new for them.
I live on the other side of the country- Are you available online?
We’re not selling online yet. But hope to be selling our vintage collection online in the next few months. Also, if there are any aspiring designers reading this, they can email me at deb@redressnyc.com.
Ladies, I am excited are you? If you are in the NY area, Grab your Curvy fashionista sisters and make a mad dash down to Re/Dress NYC!
Please visit Re/Dress NYC and support our Curvy.Confident.Chic. Diva Deb!
Re/Dress NYC can be found at
109 Boerum Place
Brooklyn, NY
between Pacific + Dean
f/g train to Bergen Street stop
Keep it Curvy!
Marie Denee
The Curvy Fashionista
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