Hamilton vintage shop embracing all body types while creating safe space for those living with eating disorders

Erica Crews' Instagram-based vintage shop Every Body Thrifts is more than meets the eye.

It's not just a hobby or a means to make a profit for the Hamilton woman.

She says it's a beacon of body positivity, a safe space for folks living in larger bodies" and a gateway to accessible, size-inclusive and sustainable fashion.

I wanted to create a space in which folks can shop freely if they are struggling with body or self (image) or clothing in general, since trying things on can be a big trigger for folks," said Crews, 29.

An avid thrifter, Crews said as someone living in a larger body," she faced challenges finding clothing in her size as she scoured the racks at her local used store.

Even in the online world, through peer-to-peer shopping platforms such as Depop and Poshmark, she found it was still hard to find trendy clothes for plus-sized folks at a good price.

You still notice that there isn't a ton of representation for folks in larger bodies," said Crews. It still happens in the thrifting world, probably even more so."

So, she decided to carve out her own space and fill the gap.

Since launching her online thrift shop last June, Crews has amassed more than 2,500 followers. She sells anything from graphic tees and dress pants to vintage wool jackets and denim shirts - in all sizes.

And her followers are helping to make it happen, offering their previously loved items to her store. But opposed to selling them, she offers them as donation drops" once a month - and the lucky recipient only pays shipping.

It just speaks to the generosity of this community," said Crews. The people are just amazing."

Each post includes a description of the item, the size or measurements for the piece and its price. When someone wants to buy something, they connect with Crews by direct message to set up shipping as well as payment.

It's about creating a space in which I recognize that all bodies are good bodies and they all deserve cool clothes or vintage clothes," said Crews.

Another focus of the store is community building, with an emphasis on body positivity and increasing awareness of eating disorders.

By day, Crews is the co-ordinator for the Danielle's Place program at the Reach Out Centre for Kids in Burlington, which works to provide targeted prevention" for youth and children who are at-risk of eating disorders or are experiencing disordered eating patterns, low self-esteem and negative self-talk.

Crews also has lived experience with an eating disorder and many folks that shop from her self-identify" with having an eating disorder or are in recovery.

Between selling clothing, she mixes in conversation around body acceptance, the impact of limited" and arbitrary" sizing and reminds folks that their body is still valid and good" even if things don't fit.

That's especially important during the pandemic, Crew said, as messaging of the COVID 15" and needing to lose weight" continues to swirl around.

It's more than just shopping," she said. It's a way for individuals, wherever they're at in their journey, to feel good about shopping, about their bodies and to take time to appreciate their body and where it's at and the fact that it's gotten them through a pandemic."

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com