#also I've got wide feet so it can be hard to find shoes that fit but also chunky boots just seem to be wider than regular shoes

[angiestown]

I had so much fun dressing up at pride that now I'm super tempted to buy another expensive pair of chunky boots but in black so I can wear them for more casual looks, but I also just bought two new pairs of regular shoes and I really don't go out enough to justify buying a fourth pair of shoes in 6 months

[nehswritesstuffs]

okay so for the "500 words or less" excerpt DVD commentary i'm going to choose the opening of this fic because i can't help myself it is honestly one of my favorite parts and i gotta know what the thought process was

Having never really considered himself weak in the ankles, Law was beginning to rethink his lifelong self-assessment as he slipped his feet into the absolutely terrifying shoes that had been shoved in his direction. With Nami on one side of him and Perona on the other, Law shakily attempted to stand, not enjoying the extra wobble he gained by simply standing still. “What the fuck is wrong with you people,” he grumbled lowly. His girlfriend, however, scowled. “You live in heels—I don’t want to hear it.” “I wear boots, Nami-ya, not whatever torture devices these are.” He looked out over the rows of shoe racks and saw that the difference in height was… concerning. “Fucking hell—these have three extra inches than normal.” “Well, yeah,” Perona scoffed. “You need to look your best, and they’re already doing wonders for your ass.” She hummed. “Well, what little you’ve got, anyhow.” “Why are we even here?” Law groused. “Can’t I just order some online?” “We are not,” Nami said, “because I am not going to have to deal with ordering shoes for your massive man-feet and then them not fitting properly. Turnaround is way too quick for us to need to worry about shipping.” “I feel like a fool,” he grimaced as he continued to curse the integrity of his legs. “We did not drive to the only shoe store in Greater Logue Town that carries wides in-stock for you to chicken out,” Perona scolded. “I’m not chickening out,” he insisted sourly. “I just have way too much coordination to know first-hand why Cora-san practices walking in these things.” “Well, you’re about to get a lot more familiar with them if we’re going to get you anywhere,” Nami said firmly. “Now go ahead and try to walk to that rack there.” Two steps and Law went sideways into a shelving unit full of narrow-widths. Nami and Perona stared at one another—they had a lot more work ahead of them than they had feared.

Ahahahaha, yes! Although I love all this fic, I do particularly feel this part. A bunch of me projecting on Law under the cut.

Have an excerpt you want me to break down? Go ahead and let me know!

Nehs? Projecting on Law? Never! *fake shocked gasp* Okay, so let me break it down:

I need wide width shoes as well, and holy shit are these hard to find since Payless started going nuts after filing for bankruptcy. Twice. This is a modern AU set in a pseudo-Midwestern America, so my loss of the only place that consistently stocked wides is also his loss of the only place that consistently stocked wides. and don't tell me that [place] does bc i've tried I am waiting for when that void is filled with bated breath bc I hate shopping for shoes online.

I am also on taller than average. (I am not Law's height, but he is on the taller end for normal people.)

I also like wearing boots with chonky heels/soles.

I also like wearing heels/wedges despite it making me "so tall" so what if I scrape six feet that way.

I also have enough coordination to walk in heels/wedges.

I can fucking run in heels/wedges.

I can honestly say that aside from a couple choice moments (as we all have) I am fairly well-coordinated overall.

I recently tried on a pair of heels in-store (returns from an online purchase, I'm sure) and as I stood I almost toppled over like holy shit.

I did roll my ankle once while running in wedges and I went down hard that was fun.

Narrow-widths are apparently a thing.

...and what sort of outfit as spectacular as Dr. Hart-Steeler's is complete without the right shoes? Can't have her show up in Crocs because although that's thematically correct I don't think those are going to fly in a drag queen revue.

[ask-whumptown]

helllo. fourtown. hope jesse's birthday was a good day and that he got everything he's ever wanted ever heart hands

now i do have another question teehee!!

we see you all in your regular outfits, jesse's vest, robaire's button down (button up?), z's tank top, etc. .. but what do you all tend to wear outside of your professional life? would love to know how you all would describe ur own (or ur fellow members!) styles are like :D

much love, hope you guys are doing ok especially the t man over there!! heart hands :]

star :D

Jesse smiles. "Hey Star, I appreciate the kind wishes."

"We spoiled him, don't worry." Robaire winks, and gives you a thumbs up.

"I'm so glad you asked, because I've been dying to talk about fashion with someone." Aaron T.'s eyes are wide with excitement, and he bounces a few times on the couch. "Off camera, I'm pretty big on layering still. Cardigans, flannels, sweaters tied in literally every way a sweater could be tied, I love using stuff like that to add colour, dimension, texture, or shape to an outfit!"

"You've won him over." Aaron Z. smiles fondly.

"Of course, you know that I'm always wearing hats, and ball caps are my signature, but when I get to wear what I want I like to mix it up a bit. Especially beanies."

"He'll wear winter clothes in the summer if you let him, or summer clothes in the winter," Jesse says.

"Clothing has no season if you try hard enough."

"That's-"

"Z. is also really fashionable," Taeyoung interrupts, "think like, boxy but in the a good way."

"He easily spends the longest time putting outfits together." Robaire nods. "And they always look great, he plays with proportions really well."

"I like to be intentional with my outfits." Aaron Z. seems almost embarrassed by it. "My go to is probably a well-fit pair of jeans, a statement shirt, and sunglasses."

"Tiny sunglasses," Aaron T. puts in, "the ones that are very obviously not helping with the sun. He has three pairs and at least one is with him at all times."

He shrugs. "I like how they frame my face."

"His collection of button ups rivals Jesse's." Taeyoung grins.

"Oh God, yeah." Aaron T. nods with extra emphasis. "Button ups, polo shirts, dress pants, that's Jesse."

"I don't think he owns one pair of pants that doesn't have belt loops."

Jesse blinks. "That's... a really strange thing for you to notice."

"I opened his closet once, he keeps his belts front and center on a display," Aaron T. snitches.

"I only dress like that if I have somewhere to be, if we're practicing-"

"Practicing doesn't count, that's not style." Taeyoung crosses his arms. "That's like saying you wear pyjamas to sleep."

"When he dresses casually, he dresses like he's going camping," Aaron Z. says, "he's got just as many sweaters and sweatshirts as he's got button ups."

"Robaire's fashion strays pretty far from his stage looks." Aaron T. changes the subject before Jesse can find something to complain about. "I mean, even before we got those specific looks, his stage outfits were always very tight."

"I don't mind tight clothing." Robaire waves both hands. "Or any clothing that, uh, shows things off, but I'm definitely more comfortable in it when I'm onstage."

"He has like, five pairs of the exact same light wash jeans." Jesse says to you, before turning to point at Robaire. "You have a problem."

"I gravitate towards lighter colours, for sure. Pastels especially."

"Knit sweaters, necklaces, loose t-shirts, that's Robaire." Taeyoung squeezes his arm. "But you can always trust him to have the best shoes, hands down."

Aaron T. sinks back into the couch. "God, yes, Robaire has the best collection of shoes, and none of us can borrow any cause his feet are-"

"Do not finish that sentence." Aaron Z. glares.

"I think my fashion is probably the most casual," Taeyoung says, "I don't dress up very often, even if we go out as a group."

"He wears a lot of grey," Robaire explains, "lots of athletic-wear, sweats, tank tops, graphic tees, hoodies, he's always comfortable."

"If we're going to like, a nice restaurant or something, I'll wear something nicer! I have a pair of black dress pants that I adore, and like, I don't know, other nice things, those guys just care way more than I do." Taeyoung giggles. "And I say that with much love."

"His sense of style? Top notch," Aaron T. says, "he could probably join the stylist team and nobody would bat an eye."

He flushes. "T."

"So, yeah." Jesse eyes you curiously. "That's what we wear offstage, and when we're not at official events or anything."

"Thanks for asking Star!" Taeyoung waves.

At your concern, Aaron T. chuckles nervously. "Me? I'm okay!"

Jesse glances at him, then at you, then at Taeyoung, and then sighs. "Heart hands."

"Heart hands!" Aaron T. makes the gesture. Jesse does too.

"Yay!" Delighted, Taeyoung joins in. "Heart hands."

[jenroses]

My fashion statement is "shut up, it's comfortable" but from a practicality standpoint, I know that it can be hard for autistic fat people like me to find clothes that fit and are comfortable, so I'm going to break it down for you.

From the top:

Face masks: I use a surgical mask with a double-layer cotton mask over it whenever I'm in public. The cotton mask is from Sleeping Baby Productions and comes in sizes, and the design is excellent. I will put the ear loop mask on, put the cotton mask over, then unhook the ear loops. I put a little elastic on the ribbon, and that goes behind my head, so it's very pop-on-pop-off without requiring repeated tying, and it holds the paper mask in place extremely well. My ears get very tired from elastics, so this lets me mask longer without pain.

Hoodies are magnificent items of clothing, but jewel-toned tunic trapeze hoodies with big front pockets are even better. They're kind of like a wizard robe but without the trailing skirts. They go to the thighs and they are wide wide wide at the hem, so nothing binds anywhere at all. Currently getting mine from the unfortunately-named "Woman Within" because while they're a little over-gendered in the name, their clothes run the gamut from Aunt Marge's flowered Muumuu to Star Trek Genderless Alien Monochrome. Whole lotta options in between, including, often, the deepest selection of plus sized plaid I've ever seen. They're currently carrying about six different hooded tunics. Sizes range from M-5x

Under that, Ava and Viv long sleeved t-shirts, made of cotton, modal and spandex. These are the holy grail of sensory friendly shirts, they are more comfortable than nudity. They are not just sensory neutral, they're actually calming. Plus sizes only (but look for modal/spandex blends for whatever shirts you need to be soft and stretchy) and although I normally wear a 5x, their 4x fits me fine. I wear the short sleeve in the summer.

On my legs, back to Woman Within, their 7 day knit pants are inexpensive, come in sizes from small to 6x, petite, regular and tall, and have deep enough pockets to hold a whole full sized cell phone. They also come in straight, wide and slim leg, full length, capri and shorts in the same "7-day knit" which also includes skirts and blazers. Target also has a knit blazer, and if you MUST wear a jacket to work, invest in some knit blazers, they feel like sweats, only softer, but look snazzy enough to not raise eyebrows. Black and navy are fine, but they also come in a lot of colors. When it's colder, velour is a godsend for me, smooth on the inside, sensory-positive texture on the outside, and they've got those, too. Feet: SOCKS. I hate almost every sock I've ever tried, due to sensory issues. I've pulled almost 100% of my buying away from Amazon, but socks are one of my three big exceptions, because Yomandamor doesn't sell anywhere else that I've seen. They have bamboo diabetic socks in a range of shapes, colors and lengths, but every one I've tried has met the following high standards: They're soft, they have no annoying toe seams, they stay up most of the time, they don't bind my ankles, they fit my calves, and they are better than barefoot. The thickest winter socks they have are less than $3 per pair. The standard ankle socks I usually wear are less than a buck fifty a pair. Oh, and they fit my giant feet.

Shoes: Summer, Alegria sandals. Winter, either Alegria leather shoes or Merrell Moab II hiking boots. Let me tell you about these boots... they have room for orthotics. They don't bind my toes AT ALL which makes them much better for preventing annoying toe stuff, and they are comfortable everywhere. Also, I can just step into them if I put stretchy laces on them. Hiking boots that SLIP ON. I swear the first time I put on a pair of these, the heavens opened and choirs sang.

To save my sanity, I just buy enough of each of these in colors that won't bother me if I mix and match (lotta black, lotta jewel tones) and thus I don't have to think about clothes other than making sure I have enough of them clean.

Oh! Hands! I have RA and EDS and need hand support, but a lot of arthritis gloves are too dislocating for my EDS hands. I have no clue whether the copper matters in the various Copper gloves that you can find (As seen on tv, copper fit, copper hand, there are different types) but they're usually soft, just enough support and relieve pain well, probably more due to the compression than anything. Durability varies. I will also use padded-palm weight lifting fingerless gloves with a wrist strap when my hands need extra support. If the seams on the weightlifting gloves are bothering me I'll put copper gloves underneath. I have typed easily a hundred thousand words wearing gloves like this.