10 Sustainable Plus-Size Fashion Brands
Finding sustainable plus size fashion brands is like finding a pot of gold, it’s a total rarity.
I have always been a huge fan of sustainable brands, but for many year’s it seemed that they weren’t a fan of anyone larger than a size 14. I love being able to invest my money into brands that have sustainable practices when it comes to the clothes they make and the fabrics used. Over the years I have found several brands that have amazing plus size clothing and are also killing it in the sustainability world. Sustainable fashion is here to stay, and it’s amazing to see that some of these OG brands in the world of sustainability, are promoting ethical wages and work environments, and are also on the plus size bandwagon!
With many babes finally paying attention to the impact of fast fashion, it’s great to see that retailers are starting to take notice AND doing so in a big way. Companies like Adidas and Levis who have been around for a very long time are setting the stage for other big brands to follow suit. It’s exciting to see that not only are these brands getting on board with sustainability, but they are also making way for one of the largest (no pun intended) markets in the industry a.k.a. plus size. Plus size women deserve to purchase clothes that they can feel confident and sexy in while also knowing that the they are making a small contribution to lowering their fast fashion footprints. These are the ten brands that are game changers in the sustainability fashion world.
Of all the plus size sustainable brands out there, Reformation comes in at numero uno for me. Their clothes fit my curvaceous body like a glove and every season their entire line is pure gold. This year they graced us with dresses that have the perfect subtle and hella sexy slits, square neckline crop tops, and some seriously amazing cargo pants. Much of my the trends I was into and rocking this year came from Ref and I anticipate that being true for years to come. Every year they calculate all their emissions and create an annual sustainability report that provides context for their carbon footprint in comparison to fast fashion brands. Additionally, they have made significant efforts on working conditions, make all of their products in Los Angeles, and all of their employees make a living wage.
I discovered DL1961 last year, and instantly fell in LOVE! They are one of my all-time favorite demin brands and their fit is oh so incredible. Not only are they killing it as a sustainable brand, they have set the stage for efforts across the denim world. Most jeans typically take 1500 gallons of water to manufacture, and DL1961 come in at only 10 gallons of water to make! Their factories are also using solar power electricity, and they package all their products with completely recyclable and compostable materials. Read more about their sustainable process here.
If you are looking for activewear that will last you forever, then check out Girlfriend Collective! They are one of the most inclusive companies I have every found, and their sizing goes up to a 6X. Their leggings, sports bars and tees are all made with recycled materials, are so effing comfortable, and durable at the same time! They are a game changer in the athletic wear industry and are completely transparent about their production processes. Seriously, I wish other active wear companies cough cough: Lululemon and Alo would get on board!
My madre is a huge fan of Eileen Fisher, and so am I! Their clothes are simple, yet such amazing quality. I have several pieces from Eileen Fisher, and most recently snagged these sneakers which feel like you are walking on a cloud. Eileen Fisher is a Fair Trade Certified brand, meaning all of their products are made in factories that have been certified for paying a fair wage and provide comfortable and safe working conditions for all of their employees.
Growing up all I ever wanted was to wear a pair of Levi’s and now that dream has been realized. You know what they say manifest it baby… Anyway’s I am a HUGE Han of Levi’s denim, especially their Wedgie Fit Jean (which I am wearing in the photo above) and their Trucker Jean Jacket. Levi’s has developed their “Water<Less” technique, which reduces water use in the denim-making process and they hope to make 80% of all their products with this process by the end of the year!
Adidas is one of my all time favorite brands! I have been rocking their sneakers since middle school, and when they came out with plus size atheleisure wear, I was completely sold. Adidas is one of the larger companies to work to make their sustainability initiatives a company wide commitment and they have set the standards for companies of their size. They are shifting to using 100% recycled polyester in our products by 2024 and list out all their initiatives on their website as well.
Mara Hoffman offers a variety of high end clothing that ranges from dresses and pants to swimsuits and coverups. The designs of the clothing are timeless and they use many natural, organic and recycled materials as often as possible. They use materials that are made to be washed less, and their website has tips and tricks for their “wear more, wash less” initiatives.
I first learned about BAACAL from a plus-size designer fashion company, 11Honore, which works with designers who are looking to develop plus-size lines. I personally own the BAACAL jacket pictured above and absolutely love the fit of the jacket. BAACAL is the first designer-led clothing brand for women who wear size 10-22 “The True Majority”. Their clothes are designed by women, for women and they have some seriously stellar initiatives in place. 80% of our limited run collections are made in Los Angeles and they use upcycled, vintage, and existing materials.
Eli & Barry is a brand that is local to the Denver area, and one that I discovered when the founder and designer reached out to me about being a model for them. The brand focuses on slow fashion that is simple and will last for years. This years collection reminds me of early Kanye West collections, and I am obsessed with their dresses. They are a must to check out if you are looking to invest in a smaller but still trendy and environmentally friendly brand.
This past summer I tried on every. single. swimsuit. that SummerSalt had in stock, and I have some serious thoughts. I personally think the fit of their suits didn’t work for me at all, and I wish their suits would have had more support in the chest. That being said, they most definitely have fun patterns and styles, which I do think could work for certain body types. They have “earth friendly” practices and use recycled materials to create fabrics and product packaging. “Their swimwear is made of a super compressive, luxurious fabric crafted from 78% Recycled Polyamide. These fabrics are crafted from recycled plastics, post-consumer materials and nylon waste—like old fishing nets—that are literally pulled from our oceans.”
Thanks for reading! If you love and know of other plus-size sustainable brands, drop them in the comments bellow!