Lexingtonian starts More Than Your Average, offering low-cost bright statement style to plus-size women | Lexington Herald Leader

It is a Thursday morning on Sixth Street, with morning fog just burning off when Mya Price appears like a risen vision near The Plantory.

Price is wearing a kelly green dress with a bright pink belt. On her wrist is a dusty pink rose bracelet. She’s wearing large silver earrings. Her bag is fuchsia, a green scarf tied around it. Her sandals lift her well above the ground.

Never mind just drawing attention; Price looks ready to take over the world.

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Here’s what Price’s new online thrift shopping business, More Than Your Average, is offering women: a website with women’s clothing size 12 to 26 from various sources — Price loves the thrill of the shopping hunt — along with a tip with each item on how to accessorize it.

Her message: Don’t be afraid of the green dress. Boldly accessorize the green dress or the yellow, or red, or leopard print. Use scarves, jackets, purses and big earrings. Let people know you’re there, and you have a style.

Price, 27, is a size 14 and has been since she was a teenager. But what she is not is a plus-size slouching around in baggy clothes of indeterminate color. When she arrives, she makes an impression.

“When you look good, it’s all about feeling good, too,” she said. “You don’t have to define yourself based on your demographic. Dress is important for me because it sets the tone for the day.”

Price is available for styling sessions and personal shopping, coaching women on what should and should not be in their closet. She likes florals, colors and prints, but her website won’t ignore those whose wardrobes run the gamut from black to gray. She thinks women should have one black dress and one red one in their closets. Those are basics and can be accessorized in different ways.

Don’t know how to put together an outfit for the Keeneland October meet? Price has got this, and she’s scheduling sessions for those who want to learn to dress to impress among the Keeneland crowds.

Even when her business was not officially open, she had requests from men and from mothers who want styling for their children.

Price, a Lexingtonian, attended college at Centre College in Danville and got a master’s degree in community and leadership development from the University of Kentucky. In addition to her interest in fashion, she has worked for a program to research child hunger. When her business gets off the ground, she hopes to be able to give back some money to nonprofit community causes.

“You don’t have to be just a one-trick wonder,” she said. “For me, in my life, you can do pretty much anything.”

Angela Baldridge said she knew Price when she served with the Americorps Vista Coalition hub at the Plantory.

“When I first met her … she had this air that she’s going to be successful at whatever she decides to do,” Baldridge said. “She’s so smart, and she has such great communication skills … and a great attention to detail.”

While developing More Than Your Average, Price received invitations to speak to underserved youth about finding opportunities in the community: “I’m going to be very open to where this is going to take me,” she said.