Jaci’s List: Plus-Size Men We Love to Follow on Instagram
A Bear Named Troy
I’m easily distracted by glitter, and Troy Solomon is an endless supply of sparkle. This West Hollywood superstar doesn’t conform to any style rules. Spending a day playing dress up in Troy’s closet is a bucket list fantasy of mine. In addition to the glam factor, he just released two songs that have quickly taken top billing on the “Morning Jiggle” playlist. My fave being “Thicck” which is an ode to shamelessly celebrating every inch of his curves. “I’m so thicck like honey on cake” has been stuck in my head for weeks now and I ain’t mad about it.
Notoriously Dapper
Kelvin Davis is the body-positive gentleman that I compare all my dates to (btw they never add up). In addition to his dashing good looks, Kevin brings an honest vulnerability and authenticity to his page. He recently hit it big with national ad campaigns for Gap and Target. Side Note: I may have squealed a little when I saw him bigger than life on a Times Square billboard earlier this year. I’m gifting his new book “Notoriously Dapper: How to Be a Modern Gentleman with Manners, Style and Body Confidence” to all the men in my life. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here swooning.
Zach Miko
Zach Miko is a trailblazer in the plus-size community, and well, kind of a babe too. He’s changing the game as the first “Brawn” model with IMG Models while showing plus-size guys how to look and feel good. Zach has modeled for some of the biggest national brands like UNIQLO, Nordstrom and Levi’s. And he doesn't stop there, this year he launched his podcast “Big Things with Zach Miko” where he sits down with folks who are trying to shake up the norm in their respective industries.
Cocky Fly Trans Guy
Giovonni Santiago is one of the extra special people that makes the world a little better. While not exactly plus-size, he is a supporter of the body positive movement and is engaged to one of my fave plus-size advocates Alysse Dalessandro. But the real truth is, I identify so much of my own struggle with my body every time I hear a transperson speak openly about their journey with their body. For me, there are so many parallels to what society demands my body should be and the contrast of what it actually is. And then further, the internal decision to step out and be me, no matter what. Trans people have been trailblazers in the body positive movement, making the world a little safer for all of us whose bodies don’t conform. The body positivity movement as a whole still has a ways to go regarding acceptance and inclusion, and I love how Giovanni and Alysse are leading the way. I can’t wait to see their gorgeous wedding pics in my Instagram feed!
Brandon B Coates
The first time I met Brandon Coates, he paraded into my first shop wearing five inch blue stilettos, and I knew we were going to be friends. Back then he was working for designer Monif C, but these days he has his own fierce line, Brandon Kyle. He is filling the fashion gap with a collection designed exclusively for modern big and tall men. Every time a husband is in my shop begging me to carry menswear, I send him to Brandon. Yea, big guys want style too! Thank goodness Brandon is here to give it to them.
Jaclyn McCabe
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