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

Brianne by Brianne
2 years ago
- Last edited by: Marie Denee -
Reading Time: 15 mins read
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Photo c/o The Plus Bus

Photo c/o The Plus Bus

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Today on TCF, weโ€™re sharing all things about The Plus Bus, recent sponsors of the TCFStyle Brunch and the brand founded by fearless fat babes, Marcy & Jen (or Jen & Marcy) in 2016. Saying that The Plus Bus is a โ€œplus size storeโ€ is kind of like saying โ€œDisneyland has some fun ridesโ€ โ€” it just doesnโ€™t do The Plus Bus justice!

Iโ€™m honored (real talk!) to share the backstory and evolution of The Plus Bus, through this interview with founders, Jen and Marcy. Whether youโ€™ve been a long time stan (and fan!) of The Plus Bus IRL in-store or during live sales, or youโ€™re just learning about this pillar of the plus size and fat community โ€” Welcome!!

Letโ€™s talk all things PLUS BUS!

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Marcy & Jen, founders of The Plus Bus
Marcy & Jen, founders of The Plus Bus

All About The Plus Bus

Ok, bestie! Because Jen & Marcy are empire building babes, this interview is gonna be in-depth. (Real talk, can we get a Plus Bus memoir?! Or biopic?!) Because Iโ€™m diving in deep with Marcy and Jen, I want to give you a sort of table of contents. That way, you can find what youโ€™re looking for, or better yet, know where weโ€™re going on this wonderful ride!

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o brand

Hereโ€™s where weโ€™re going:

  • Jen & Marcy MEET: How the brand came to be!
  • The Focus on the Fat Community: How clothes are just ONE part of the companyโ€™s mission
  • Plus Bus 3 Locations: A primer on where to go to shop for WHAT
  • Community Events: Beach parties, pool parties, Lizzo concerts, etc
  • Connecting with The Plus Bus

You ready? Letโ€™s rockโ€™n roll!!!

Editorial c/o The Plus Bus
Editorial c/o Brand

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

Ok, so! As a plus size blogger/model/consultant/weirdo, I have long wondered, โ€œHow did The Plus Bus HAPPEN?!โ€

I visited the flagship location pre-pandemic, and there was just SO MUCH happening. Color! Clothing! Community! Cute fun sunglasses!!!!! Looking at this magical wonderland that is The Plus Bus, I was honestly like, โ€œHow tf did we get here!?!?!โ€

"The Early Days" | Photo c/o The Plus Bus
โ€œThe Early Daysโ€ | Photo c/o The brand

So, when I got on the phone with Marcy and Jen, that was one of the first things I asked.

And their story did NOT disappoint!

Shares Jen: โ€œI walked up to Marcy at Full Figured Fashion Week in 2012, and I was like, โ€˜Oh my god youโ€™reย  a โ€œBig Girl in a Skinny Worldโ€ for Marie Claire!ย  Come be my friend!!โ€ Jen says with a laugh. โ€œI didnโ€™t have any fat friends or fat liberation, so meeting all those people was wonderful. I was kind of overstimulated, and it was a whirlwind. We ended up becoming Facebook friends and talking on there.โ€

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o Brand

From there, this dynamic duo found themselves going to London together!

โ€œThere was an event in London that we both wanted to go to,โ€ shares Marcy.ย  โ€œWe love going to plus size fashion events. As we were walking towards each other in the airport, I thought, โ€˜I have never spent more than 5 minutes in real life with this person. This could be a bad idea.'โ€

Photo co/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o brand

Fortuitously, their international trip was a smashing success. โ€œWe were together constantly for 3 days,โ€ shares Marcy. โ€œFrom that minute of meeting in the airport, we started giggling and never stopped.โ€

From that minute of meeting in the airport, we started giggling and never stopped.

Marcy Guevara-Preteย , Co-Founder

(This theme of โ€œJumping in with both feetโ€ is very much the ethos of this business, as youโ€™ll see throughout this interview!)

Eearly Clothing Swap - Photo from The Plus Bus
Eearly Clothing Swap โ€“ Photo from brand

From that event in 2013, Marcy and Jen then went onto host plus size clothing swaps in Los Angeles, inspired by events happening in San Diego. โ€œJen posted that she needed to stop buying clothes,โ€ shares Marcy.ย  โ€œSo we decided, โ€˜Letโ€™s do a fat swap!โ€™ I had been to a swap in San Diego hosted by Ashley Nell Tipton, and it was so successful. We felt like there was a community and hunger for community in LA.โ€œ

Those initial clothing swaps led to Jen and Marcy opening up their flagship location in 2016. The iconic pink warehouse became their first location!

First Location - The Plus Bus
First Location โ€“ Photo c/o The brand

โ€œThe Plus Bus isย a ONE STOP SHOP for all things plus size fashion,โ€ shares Jen.ย 

โ€œWe have a bunch of options for those events, bachelorette parties or a custom dress designed by Jen,โ€ adds Marcy.

โ€œWe are the best place to live your best plus size life.โ€

Jen Wilder, Co-Founder of The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

The Focus on the Fat Community: How clothes are just ONE part of The Plus Bus mission

Talking to Jen & Marcy, they really made clear that while they LOVE and ADORE clothing (Jen is a plus size fashion designer, and Marcy is a professional producer and fashion stylist), the mission of The Plus Bus goes beyond clothes.

โ€œThe clothes are a disguise for the FAT activism,โ€ shares Jen.ย  โ€œSo often when new people come to the store, thereโ€™s a lot going on in their minds. They wonโ€™t show their arms, they wonโ€™t take pictures with their kids, etc. We want to be your tour guide to your fabulous fat life.โ€

We want to be your tour guide to your fabulous fat life.

Jen Wilder, Co-Founder of The Plus Bus
Image c/o The Plus Bus
Image c/o The Plus Bus

โ€œWeโ€™re healing the trauma of plus size shopping,โ€ explains Jen. โ€œBeing around people that come from the same kind of experience youโ€™ve had, who know how challenging shopping can be. The Plus Bus is really a space of celebration and healing.โ€

Plus Bus 3 Locations: A primer on where to go to shop for WHAT

As part of their overarching activism and mission, The Plus Bus has created intentional spaces for every type of plus size and fat customer.

Their three locations are:

  • The Plus Bus Flagship: 5031 York Blvd. LA, CA 90042
  • Community by TBP: 2701 W Ave 34, LA, CA, 90065
  • The Plus Bus (a literal bus!!): Travels all over!
Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

Thrift, Vintage & New

Marcy & Jen were kind of, no, REALLY brilliant when it came to planning their two brick and mortar spaces, and their actual literal BUS.

โ€œThe Plus Bus on York was designed to elevate the plus size shopping experience,โ€ shares Marcy. โ€œExcellent vintage and really excellent thrift pieces. For people who want more of that thrift โ€˜sort through binsโ€™ experience for treasure hunters, theyโ€™ll love the location on Park.โ€

Below, we dive into what can be found at each location!

The Plus Bus Boutique [York Location]

The Plus Bus on York is a boutique! Itโ€™s a combination of new items from plus size indie brands (BAACAL, What Lo Wants, URTUMUCH, etc), as well as vintage and high quality resale or thrift items (โ€œVintage clothingโ€ has to be at least 40 years old to qualify as โ€œvintage,โ€ hence the differentiation between โ€œvintageโ€ and โ€œthriftโ€ here.)

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

โ€œThe York Boutique is โ€˜Buy Now / Wear Now!'โ€ exclaims Marcy. โ€œOur goal is to elevate the experience at York to include personal styling.ย  You can go online and do virtual styling, personal styling requests, event requests (for example, if youโ€™re going to be a bridesmaid or have another specific event).ย  We have some of the best plus size models and stylists that work here in the store, youโ€™re styled by a pro who has been in the industry for years.โ€

We have some of the best plus size models and stylists that work here in the store, youโ€™re styled by a pro who has been in the industry for years.

Marcy Guevara-Preteย , Co-Founder of The Plus Bus

Plus size babes can also find in-store community events for new and established plus size indie brands, finding luxury or higher end pieces for their wardrobe.

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

Community by TPB

Ok, this location is for our babes who are hardcore thrifters! Honestly, before going to The Plus Bus, I hadnโ€™t really had the experience of going to a thrift store and finding something in my size!

โ€œAt the Park location, we have more off-season items that are a little more gently worn,โ€ explains Jen. โ€œSome pieces might have a damage or two. This is where you find treasures, and some may need a zipper fix!โ€

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

This location also offers โ€œcolor packsโ€ which I thought were cool! โ€œWe have $5, $15, $20 color packs here as well,โ€ shares Marcy.

This location was really driven by Marcy & Jenโ€™s desire to serve the plus and fat community. โ€œThereโ€™s no way we could sell all the clothes we get at just York location,โ€ shares Jen. โ€œThis location means we can offer clothing at a variety of price points, and really aim to serve everyone. Weโ€™re trying to make fashion accessible.ย  Doesnโ€™t matter your size or your budget.ย  You donโ€™t have to dress by the rules, and The Plus Bus is showing that every body can be aspirational,โ€ says Jen.

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

The Plus Bus (Actual Bus!!)

Finally, the last โ€œlocationโ€ is actually on wheels! โ€œThis is a 250 sq ft boutique,โ€ shares Marcy. โ€œWe use it to host events and pop ups all over in Southern California!โ€

Marcy & Jen in front of the official "Plus Bus"
Marcy & Jen in front of the official โ€œPlus Busโ€

The Plus Bus (Online)

As not everyone is in the LA-area, the team at The Plus Bus shares daily finds to their Instagram Story, a combination of new, thrift and vintage pieces! Itโ€™s like QVC or HSN, but make it fat!

Plus Bus Instagram Story Sales

The Plus Blus also does regular โ€œInstagram Livesโ€ selling pieces live!

You can also set up a personal or in-person styling appointment (sounds like such a fun experience!!), details on plus size personal styling in LA and virtual, here!

Note: Gender Inclusion

Something that Marcy and Jen made sure to communicate at the beginning of the interview was that The Plus Bus is for folks of all genders. No one is going to police who can try on what at The Plus Bus!

Marcy and Jen celebrating their new bus! | Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Marcy and Jen celebrating their new bus! | Photo c/o The Plus Bus

Community Events: Beach parties, pool parties, Lizzo concerts, Disneyland, etc

As Marcy & Jen have shared, The Plus Bus celebrates fashion โ€” but is so much more!

Plus Bus at Disneyland
Plus Bus at Disneyland

โ€œWe have a monthly fat hiking club, fat yoga on Thursdays and so many community events,โ€ shares Marcy. โ€œWe love our plus size beach days, and Jen is always trying to get people to wear smaller and smaller bikinis,โ€ she explains with a laugh.

Marcy & Jen love when an event is community-led, and community members often use The Plus Bus as a sort of nexus for events they want to see happen. โ€œWeโ€™ve also organized two different groups around LIZZO concerts,โ€ shares Jen.

Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Photo c/o The Plus Bus

The Plus Bus loves LIZZO, and they have had wardrobe sales from items from Lizzoโ€™s closet!

To see all of the details on The Plus Bus events, head here!

Marcy and Jen at a swim event | Photo c/o The Plus Bus
Marcy and Jen at a swim event | Photo c/o The Plus Bus

If youโ€™re a bit afraid to go shopping for yourself or show up to a community event, both Marcy & Jen had encouraging words to share (and a few happy tears):

  • From Marcy: โ€œNever be scared to show up to a fat event. Youโ€™re going to find a whole community.ย  Itโ€™s a great place to meet people, especially if youโ€™re in LA.ย  Meet other like minded individuals who want to go out and have fun.โ€
  • From Jen: โ€œDonโ€™t be afraid to come alone, 50 fat friends are excited to meet you!ย  I know that finding a fat peer community is the most healing part of fat liberation.ย  Being with people who look like you.ย  Iโ€™m crying I feel so lucky to have so much of it in my life, and I have created a world, and Iโ€™ve created. Show up alone, and show up open.ย  See what happens! at community has has literally changed my life, and my childrenโ€™s lives.โ€

Connecting with The Plus Bus

The Plus Bus
The Plus Bus

There area few ways to connect with The Plus Bus! For IRL events, Iโ€™d keep an eye on their events page, and for shopping and fun Iโ€™d follow on Instagram!

Shop the latest in plus size fashion in LA at ThePlusBus.com!

Finally, of course, The Plus Bus invites you to bring in YOUR clothing! โ€œYou can bring your gently worn clothes for store credit,โ€ shares Marcy. โ€œMake an appointment via email!โ€

Thank you so much to Jen & Marcy for this interview!!! We love The Plus Bus! You can follow Jen on Instagram here, and Marcy on Instagram here!

Tags: LA Plus Size FashionPlus size boutiquesplus size communityThe Plus Bus
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Brianne

Brianne

Brianne (she/her) is the blogger and creator behind The Huntswoman. She is a plus size model, consultant, and entrepreneur. Based in Salt Lake City, this Sagittarius loves getting on a plane, especially to see LGBT Pride festivals around the world.

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Comments 1

  1. Marcy says:
    2 years ago

    Thank you for sharing our story so beautifully!!!

    Reply

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