Color, Confidence, and Consignment: Inside Curvy Chic Closet

An interview with Becky Jarvis, founder of Curvy Chic Closet

Some shopping trips are a quick pop-in.

Curvy Chic Closet is not that.

Curvy Chic Closet is the kind of event where you show up thinking, “I’ll just browse.” …and then two hours later you’re power-walking past a rack of dresses with an IKEA bag slung over your shoulder like a fashion Santa, whispering, “I didn’t know I needed this, but I did.”

I sat down with Becky Jarvis, founder of Curvy Chic Closet, and within minutes it was clear: she isn’t just hosting a pop-up. She’s building a body-positive shopping universe where plus-size women get what they’ve deserved all along, which is options, space, and joy.

Curvy Chic Closet is celebrating its 15th year and has grown into the largest plus-size consignment pop-up event in the United States. We’re talking around 200 sellers and roughly 20,000 consigned items in sizes 14 and up, plus shoes, jewelry, and purses. This is not a “small rack in the corner” situation. This is a “bring snacks” situation.

And Becky’s mission is clear: women should not have to shrink themselves to shop.

Myth-busting time: “Plus-size women should wear all black.”

When I asked Becky what plus-size fashion myth she wants to bury, she didn’t hesitate.

“Plus-size women do not need to always wear all black. Bring some color to your wardrobe.”

Yes. Thank you. Send flowers. Frame it. Put it on a billboard.

Becky’s philosophy is beautifully simple: wear what makes you happy. Not what makes other people comfortable. Not what makes you “blend.” Not what makes you “less noticeable.” Just… what brings joy.

She shared a story about her niece being told she shouldn’t wear stripes. The stripes made her happy. Becky’s response was basically: then wear the stripes. Period.

Because here’s the thing: style is not about permission slips. It’s about expression. And Curvy Chic Closet is unapologetically a place where confidence is in the dressing room with you.

What flies off the racks? Dresses and tops, baby.

You might assume the fastest sellers are the rare designer finds or the “how is this even here?” handbags.

But Becky says the real speed demons are casual dresses and tops. The everyday pieces that make you feel good on a Tuesday when your calendar is rude and your coffee is doing its best.

They get thousands of tops and around 1,500 dresses, and yes, formalwear too. Becky basically gave the community a gentle nudge:

If you’ve got a teen looking for a formal dress, or you’ve got an event coming up, this is the time to browse.

The rule Curvy Chic Closet loves to break: shrinking

There was a moment in our interview where the conversation shifted from clothes to something deeper.

Becky talked about how women, especially plus-size women, are often trained to take up less space. At restaurants. In public. In photos. In life.

And Becky is like… no. We’re not doing that.

At Curvy Chic Closet, the environment is built with intention. They have 11 spacious dressing rooms, each one 5x5, each one with a chair. And they don’t stop there. They place body-positive signs inside the dressing rooms, not out by the entrance where they’re easier to ignore, but right where the mirror moment happens.

That’s not just thoughtful. That’s strategic kindness.

"It says: You’re safe here. Try things on. Take your time. Take up space."

What to bring (aside from your main character energy)

I asked Becky what someone should bring to the event.

Her answer was perfect: patience.

Because on opening day, people line up early. Like, 8 a.m. early. And the doors open at 11. The crowd is real because the selection is real.

Also on the list:

• comfortable shoes (you will be moving)
• water (hydration is fashion)
• something reusable to carry your finds (be green, we love that)
• and yes, people bring wagons and laundry baskets to shop

If that doesn’t paint a vivid picture, nothing will.

And Becky strongly recommends making it a girlfriend day out. Many shoppers do: shop, laugh, try on a dozen things, then hit a nearby restaurant or the food pod area.

This isn’t “ugh, errands.”

This is “we’re making a day of it.”

Shopping for people who hate shopping

If you’re someone who dreads shopping, Becky gets it. Especially if you’ve had the experience of ordering online, getting excited, and then… the fit is wrong, the fabric feels weird, and your confidence takes a hit for no reason.

Becky’s tip: try the brands you’ve never risked ordering online.

At Curvy Chic Closet, you can try them on, get feedback from the dressing room team, and discover new favorites without playing “return shipping roulette.”

Sunday is where the legends are made.

Becky shared a detail that bargain-hunters should tattoo on their hearts:

“Sunday is the second busiest day, and many sellers mark items as “reduced,” meaning 50% off.”

Someone apparently walked away with four pairs of jeans for $11.

I don’t know who that person is, but I hope their pillow is always cool.

Event details and why it matters

Curvy Chic Closet’s spring event runs March 5–8 at the old Big Lots in Aloha (18565 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy). There’s also a VIP shopping night on Wednesday, March 4, from 6–9 p.m. Tickets are $10, and the proceeds benefit Xpose Hope, a local nonprofit helping women exit sex trafficking and human trafficking.

And Becky didn’t stop there.

Curvy Chic Closet also partners with:

Edwards Center, providing adults opportunities for retail experience.

Tigard Grange Community Food Project, where attendees can donate toiletry items and GHM Boutique, where donations support local veterans

Becky shared that this partnership helped increase support dramatically, with $108,000 going toward veterans last year through this channel.

That’s the part that really sticks.

Curvy Chic Closet isn’t just moving racks of clothing.

They’re moving resources.

They’re moving confidence.

They’re moving community care.

And that’s exactly what we spotlight around here.