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If you are one of the countless women the fashion industry designates as “plus-size,” you may feel out of luck when it comes to a sustainable wardrobe. Lack of size diversity has plagued sustainable fashion for years. Happily, an increasing number of ethical clothing brands are working towards offering options to women of all shapes.
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher has overhauled their supply chain with initiatives in organic materials, fair trade certification, and waste reduction. The label offers an impressive variety of sizes, including plus sizes up to 3X and a US size 24W. A fit chart with measurements is available to help shoppers determine their sizes. Unfortunately, curvy women will not find visual representation on the Eileen Fisher site, which includes only smaller-sized models. Eileen Fisher does have the benefit of availability for women who prefer to shop in stores rather than online; the company currently has stores in 23 states and seven countries. Unworn merchandise with the tags attached may be returned within 30 days of purchase.
Elizabeth Suzann
The high-end, sustainable basics from Elizabeth Suzann are cut and sewn in Nashville, Tennessee. The label considers the addition of extended sizes one of their most important accomplishments in the past year. They now offer their most popular styles in sizes up to 4XL (US sizes 26-28). As they worked to increase size diversity, the company conducted fit testing and incorporated feedback from women who tried the new sizes. Each product page on the Elizabeth Suzann website includes measurements for each size, and an in-depth sizing guide is available to give shoppers more details on the fit of each garment. Elizabeth Suzann includes models of diverse backgrounds, ages, shapes, and heights on their site. Each piece is made-to-order, and unworn items may be exchanged for store credit within 14 days. Shoppers can join an email list to be notified of seasonal shopping events at the Nashville studio location.
Girlfriend Collective
With a mission of inclusion and representation, activewear company Girlfriend Collective displays extended sizes as part of their main product line instead of a separate category. Their leggings, which include fabric made from recycled water bottles, are offered in sizes XXS – 6XL, and their bras are available in XS – 3XL. Each size is based on specific waist and hip measurements and/or bra sizes as listed in Girlfriend Collective’s size guide. When I asked about their decision to become size-inclusive, the company told me they seek to provide customers the same quality, fit, colors, and experience, no matter their size. Unworn items with the tags attached may be returned within 14 days. For shoppers who prefer to try on items in-store, a list of stockists is available.
Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky is one of my favorite sources for affordable lingerie and sleepwear. The company offers many of their comfortable, sexy styles in sizes up to 3X (US dress sizes 24W-26W), including the Signature Lace, Bridal, and Organic Cotton collections. A size chart is available with comparable bust, waist, and hip measurements as well as dress-size equivalents. Hanky Panky items are stocked in boutiques across the U.S., although shoppers may want to call individual stores for information on specific items and sizes. Unworn items with tags attached may be returned within 30 days. Hanky Panky manufactures their products in New York and uses U.S.-grown cotton and domestically manufactured lace in many of their lines.
Prana
With sizes up to 3XL and US size 22W in jeans, yoga pants, and casual clothing, Prana is a good option for one-stop shopping. A size guide with measurements is available, and items may be returned at any time with Prana’s lifetime guarantee. Many of Prana’s options include organic and recycled materials, and a few items are fair trade certified. Customers can use Prana’s store locator to find a retail store for in-person shopping, although the stores are concentrated in the western half of the U.S. (Thanks to Molly Stillman and her round-up of sustainable brands with extended sizes for alerting me to Prana’s range. I also included Prana jeans in my round-up of sustainable denim.)
Reformation
Girls who are cool and curvy can rejoice; trendsetter brand Reformation offers many of their styles in sizes up to 3XL, with jeans up to a US size 24. The Ref’s extended sizes include the flowing summer dresses, fitted peasant tops, and cool denim you’ll find in their smaller sizes. Much of the brand’s sewing and manufacturing is done in the U.S., with an emphasis on reducing waste, increasing energy efficiency, and manufacturing safely. Each product page includes a link to a style guide with general measurements, although the initial guide that pops up is set to “regular” sizes instead of extended. Unworn items from online orders may be returned within 21 days for a full refund, while in-store purchases may be exchanged or returned for store credit with 14 days. Reformation has retail stores in five U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. (Another thanks to Molly Stillman for helping me discover the Ref’s extended sizes; they also are included in my denim post.)
Symbology
Symbology’s flowy, Bohemian styles are handcrafted in India using traditional techniques such as block printing and embroidery. The company offers sizes up to an XXL (US dress sizes 14-16) in most of their small-batch styles and recently added 3X in several designs. All of Symbology’s pieces can be custom-fit to any size for an additional $50. When I spoke with Symbology founder Marissa Heyl, she seemed passionate about catering to women of all shapes and sizes, declaring, “We all need beautiful, flattering clothes!” The company offers sizing charts with dress-size equivalents and measurements in inches and centimeters. Unworn items may be returned within 30 days; custom-fit items may not be returned. A list of stockists is available for customers who prefer to shop in-store.
Honorable Mentions
Mata Traders
Fair trade manufacturer Mata Traders first offered their curvy collection several years ago and recently returned to offering a few plus-size options. Right now their curvy range includes three dresses available in sizes 1x and 2x (up to a US size 20). Each product page includes a size guide with measurements listed in inches. Items may be returned for refunds within 30 days and returned for store credit within 90 days. Although the options are limited, I’m encouraged to see a few offerings from a brand that has anchored the sustainable fashion space for a long time. Mata Traders is stocked in boutiques across the U.S.; call ahead to confirm sizes and selection.
Naja
I hesitate to include Naja, as most of their styles tend to run small and only go up to a 36 band size. However, Naja’s new curvy bralette collection offers slightly more inclusive sizing. The Everyday Curvy collection features two sizes that are touted to fit measurements including 38DD, 40A, and 40DDD. The options are opaquely named size 1 and size 2, but a chart is available to convert these into standard bra sizes. In addition, limited underwear styles are available in 1XL and 2XL (US sizes 14-16). Naja prides themselves on offering diverse tones for their nude-colored lingerie; I’m hopeful this inclusivity eventually will incorporate extended sizes as well. Naja products are available online only and may be returned, unworn, within 14 days.
Esther Williams
I love the retro look of Esther Williams swimwear. These beautiful, made-in-the-USA swimsuits are available in sizes up to a 26W. For the perfect fit, shoppers can use the company’s size charts with measurements in inches and centimeters. This brand got bumped down to an “Honorable Mention” due to issues with durability; I’ve had two Esther Williams suits disintegrate after a year of use. This is a great suit for occasional use, but it may not hold up to endless pool time. Esther Williams suits are available online only, and unworn suits may be returned within 30 days.
While I know the limited offerings from some of these brands may be frustrating for shoppers, I wanted to include them for conscious consumers who have longed for diverse sizes from some of the big names in the sustainable fashion industry. I hope we can celebrate progress in this area even while kindly pushing for more inclusion.
Looking for even more sustainable brands offering inclusive sizing? Check out these fantastic lists from other sites:
Still Being Molly
The Good Trade
Plus, read my friend Leah’s review of Eshakti and her thoughts about the solutions it provides for extended sizes.
