Sustainable Fashion That Actually Caters To Plus-Size Individuals

Finding fashionable clothes is really difficult when you're a plus-sized person. Finding clothes that are fashionable and made in a way that protects the environment can feel impossible. Sustainable fashion has a well-earned reputation for not being size inclusive because very few of the popular brands carry clothes above an XL. Project Cece, an organization that helps people find sustainable, ethically-made clothing, explains that this is because of the myriad barriers to creating size-inclusive sustainable clothing. Ethical and sustainable brands take on much higher business costs — like expensive fabrics, manufacturing processes, and shipping — than fast fashion brands. This often leaves them with less budget for quality expanded sizes.

Producing an excellent plus-size line involves hiring several plus-size models and doing multiple rounds of fit testing before even manufacturing a product for sale instead of simply sizing up patterns like many brands do. It's also really difficult to find eco-conscious materials with enough stretch to fit plus-size bodies comfortably. And many sustainable brands (incorrectly) believe that there just isn't a market for fashionable and sustainable plus-size clothes. With smaller budgets than fast fashion brands, sustainable brands literally can't afford to produce a line that won't sell.

So, eco-conscious plus-size fashionistas often think they have no other option than fast fashion. But that's not true! Here are a few ethical and sustainable brands that actually do cater to folks of all sizes.

Patricia Luiza Blaj created Loud Bodies because she hated all the clothes at the mall available in her size. All the cool clothes she wanted didn't come in her size, and all the clothes that did were so blase that she couldn't even imagine wearing them in public. So, she decided to start her own clothing line based completely on the idea that fashion doesn't have a size limit and neither does sustainability.

Loud Bodies is really the MVP of sustainable plus-size clothing. Their clothes go up to a 10X, a full three sizes larger than any other sustainable brand with extended sizes. They're all designed by Blaj herself and produced by her staff of nine, every one of whom is paid a livable wage. As for sustainability, all of Loud Bodies' garments are made with natural fabrics and recycled materials. Their packaging is all recyclable or compostable and plastic free. And to top it all off, all their clothes are vegan, absolutely free of animal byproducts.

Loud Bodies' vibe is decidedly boho chic, in the best way possible. They sell a wide variety of formal and semi-formal tops, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, and blazers, any of which could grace a runway at NYFW. They're pricey, with blouses starting at $85 and dresses starting around $175 plus, but those prices are in line with most sustainable brands.

Most brands focus on regular sizes Small to Extra-Large and then launch plus-size lines to expand their market. And it's really clear to plus-size folks that those brands aren't focused on their bodies. But not Superfit Hero. Their brand is exclusively dedicated to plus sizes Large through 7X. They worked extensively with plus-size influencers, models, and activists to fit test their clothes on all types of bodies, and it shows. Their products fit and fit well on a wide variety of bodies, as their website clearly shows.

Superfit Hero is also dedicated to manufacturing their clothes ethically and sustainably. They partner with two factories that pay fair wages and meet rigorous standards for employee well-being. Most of their clothes are made locally in California, reducing their carbon footprint from shipping, and their fabrics are certified non-toxic. They're working on sourcing more eco-friendly fabrics, despite the fact that it would be much easier and cheaper to use synthetic fabrics, and all their packaging is made from recyclable materials.

Superfit Hero's sports bras, tanks, leggings, bike shorts, and bodysuits are the definition of workout basics — simple, cute, and comfortable. Bike shorts, tanks, and sports bras start at $75, leggings at $95, and bodysuits at $105.

Tuesday Bassen, an award-winning visual artist, started her clothing line, Tuesday of California, as a way to experiment with a new art form. In the process, she discovered a passion for creating clothing tailored to fit any kind of body. Tuesday's quirky dresses, skirts, and blouses all go up to 7X and cost between $85 and $170.

All of Tuesday of California's shipments are carbon neutral, the majority of their fabrics are sustainable, and they pay all their employees a fair wage. They also run a resale program to lessen the amount of clothing waste the company produces. If you want to snag a Tuesday original for up to half the original price and contribute to their eco-conscious efforts, definitely check out their resale shop.

The selection in the resale shop isn't always size-inclusive since it's dependent on the people who choose to resell their garments. That being said, you can usually find one or two pieces in your size for a really good price if you're diligent about checking regularly.

If you love bright, colorful, basics with an artistic twist, Big Bud Press is exactly what you're looking for. Their tanks, tees, sweatshirts, pants, shorts, overalls, jumpsuits, and more all go up to a size 7X, and they're all fairly gender-neutral. They're simple enough to pair with any outfit but stylish enough to make sure you stand out.

Big Bud Press also takes sustainability super seriously. All of their manufacturing is done in the U.S., and the majority is done in California, where they're based. The vast majority of their 100% cotton fabric is produced in California, and the rest is made on the East Coast. Big Bud Press also uses recycled materials and deadstock — scraps from other garments — to make their clothes whenever possible. All their packaging is made from recycled materials, as well.

Big Bud Press is also a bit more affordable than some of the other sustainable brands with plus-sized lines. You can snag a tee on sale for as low as $35, and retail for a tee starts around $48. On-sale pants start at around $55, and retail starts at around $90.

Girlfriend Collective's comfy activewear has become a viral trend and for good reason. Their comfy AF sports bras, tanks, tees, sweatshirts, leggings, shorts, and skorts make you feel as good as you look while breaking a sweat (or lounging at home). And all their clothes go up to 6X with some generous stretch.

Another reason Girlfriend Collective has become a fave of influencers and us regular people alike is their pricing. On-sale bike shorts and skorts go as low as $24, and you can snag an on-sale pair of leggings for as low as $36. And their retail prices still come in lower than most sustainable brands with sports bras starting at $46, leggings at $68, bike shorts at $48, and tanks and tees around $42.

Though Girlfriend Collective does use synthetic fabrics, all their fabrics are made from recycled water bottles. Yep. Water bottles. So, they're keeping a bunch of plastic out of landfills. Girlfriend Collective also uses eco-friendly dyes, and they have their own wastewater treatment plant to ensure that none of the byproducts from the dyeing process end up in the water system. They also use a shipping service that offsets their carbon footprint by planting trees and building wind farms.

Altar is all about creativity and community. Their mission is to support artists local to the Portland, Oregon area and to create "objects with meaning." Each of their garments is a wearable work of art, created from deadstock materials — scraps that would just end up in the trash. All of their clothes are made in the U.S., and the majority are made right in Portland. Since each piece is handmade, sizes vary. Most of their clothes are available in 3X and 4X, and select pieces are available up to a 6X.

Altar's manufacturing process is based on the goal of "zero waste." Any scrap fabric that can't be used to make garments is used for accessories, like scrunchies. Scraps that absolutely can't be used are sent to a third-party recycling program. In 2021, Altar launched a resale program as well to ensure that customers get the maximum use out of each of their garments. And, all their packaging is compostable!

Altar's Houseline includes fun and flirty dresses in a wide array of styles. Lots of floral and bright, eye-catching patterns. Their dresses start around $130, but you can snag one on sale for around $90.

As an Indigenous fashion house, eco-friendly practices are at the heart of Anne Mulaire's fashion house. Anne started the brand as a way to honor her roots — both French-Canadian and Indigenous-Canadian. All of her garments are inspired by her Anishinaabe/French Métis heritage and her ancestors, some of whom were accomplished seamstresses.

Part of honoring that heritage is ensuring that her manufacturing processes honor Earth and all its resources and the people who bring her designs to life. Each garment is made by a woman who's paid an ethical wage. All the fabrics are natural and non-toxic and produced in Canada. Like Altar, Anne Mulaire's manufacturing follows a zero-waste policy, reusing and recycling as much of its fabric as possible. They also invest in carbon offset programs to balance the environmental impact of all their manufacturing.

Their classic, simple, chic tanks, shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, and activewear all go up to a size 6X and range from $119 to over $400. For sure, Anne's line is one of the pricier ones, but your purchase supports an Indigenous businesswoman, ethical wages, and some of the most eco-conscious manufacturing standards in the industry.

For almost two decades, IGIGI was an off-the-rack fashion brand. But after examining the environmental impact of the fashion industry, owner Yuliya Raquel decided that it was time to make a change. What really changed her mind was the fact that up to 20% of fabric used in the production of ready-made clothes and the majority of prototypes, display garments, and unsold pieces ends up in landfills because it can't be used. So, she chose to convert the entire company to custom-made clothing to reduce waste.

All of IGIGI's clothing represents a collaboration between the customer and the creator of the garment. You choose a base style from the selection on their site, then customize it to your exact measurements and preferences. Then, a local seamstress, who's paid 35% more than the local standard wage, creates your garment just for you.

The semiformal and formal dresses IGIGI's seamstresses make do come with a big price tag, though. Custom tunic blouses start at $175 and the less formal dresses range from $218 to $375. But if you need something to wear for a special event or a really fancy night out, IGIGI is worth the splurge.

Ogechukwu Ajibe, the woman behind Oge Ajibe, is the definition of a #GirlBoss. She's the sole designer, seamstress, and marketing guru for the entire brand, which she started so that people of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds look and feel great in their clothes.

Like IGIGI, each of Oge Ajibe's garments is made to order to reduce manufacturing waste and is made from 100% natural cotton, deadstock, and recycled materials. And when we say made to order, we mean that Ajibe makes each garment herself in her studio in Vancouver.

Oge Ajibe's simple but bold and stylish tops, pants, and dresses are all available up to a size 5X. Just take your measurements, compare them to her custom size chart, and order the garment you want in that size. Of course, orders take a bit longer to get to you because they're literally being made for you. For handmade, eco-friendly clothes, Oge Ajibe's are basically a steal. Tops range from about $85 to $135, pants start at about $125, and dresses start around $140. And every one of those dollars supports a Black, woman-owned business.

At The Standard Stitch, sustainability has always come first. They aren't one of those brands that shifted their business model to sustainable fashion. They designed their entire manufacturing process based on rigorous ethical and sustainability standards.

All the clothes The Standard Stitch produces are made from natural cotton, recycled cotton, or a combination of the two. All of the scraps of fabric that aren't used for one garment are combined with natural cotton to make a new garment. Even their tags are made of recycled materials! All of their packaging is made of recycled material and is either recyclable or compostable. Their dyes are eco-friendly and use less water than standard clothing dyes. All of their garments are made within 10 miles of the home office, greatly reducing the environmental impact of their manufacturing process. And, all their employees are paid a livable wage.

The Standard Stitch's comfy, casual basics won't break the bank either. You can snag an on-sale sweatshirt or pair of joggers for around $45 or a tee or tank for under $30. Non-sale sweatshirts, joggers, and shorts are between $75 and $95, while tees and tanks are about $60. And all their clothes go up to 5X.

Celine Kabaker had two things in mind when she created Almost There: sustainability and positivity. She wanted to create clothes that make people feel good about themselves, no matter what their bodies look like, in a way that prioritizes the planet. And Almost There's sleek, classic dresses achieve Kabaker's goals.

Each dress is made to order, so they don't create a bunch of garments that don't sell, and they use deadstock from other brands, preventing the fabric from heading to the landfill. All of Almost There's fabrics are natural, and the majority of their dyes are eco-friendly. They're working on converting to all eco-friendly dyes. And all of their packaging is made from recycled materials. All of Almost There's dresses, which are named after powerful, iconic women, are available up to size 5X. You can select your size on the site based on their size chart, and they'll make the dress just for you.

Because each dress is sustainably made to order, Almost There's dresses are on the pricier side. The Condoleezza, their most affordable dress, will cost you $168, while The Riri will set you back $288. But if you've got some money stashed for a splurge, these dresses are absolutely worth it.

It's no surprise that the first activewear brand to go up to a size 32 was founded by a plus-size model. Candice Huffine has been representing plus-size bodies on the runway and in ad campaigns for nearly 20 years. In that time, she's had way too much experience with the fashion industry's lack of size inclusivity. She decided she wanted to do her part to change that, and she did so by creating her own activewear brand, DAY/WON.

Huffine also wanted to change the way activewear is made, so she opted for sustainable manufacturing practices. All the clothes DAY/WON makes are made from recycled materials and made on demand, so there isn't overstock. Unfortunately, DAY/WON was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the factory they were working with had to close, so the brand is currently on hiatus. However, Huffine promises DAY/WON will be back with a new size-inclusive line soon.

Berriez isn't actually a sustainable clothing line, but it does give plus-sized folks a sustainable way to get their hands on fashionable threads. Emma, Berriez's founder, started reselling her vintage, thrifted plus-size clothes on Instagram in 2018 and found that there was a huge demand for her clothes. Obviously, her closet couldn't accommodate everyone who was interested in secondhand plus-size clothes, so Emma started taking requests and hunting down clothes for folks. Soon, this project was way bigger than a side hustle, and the Berriez shop was born.

People can use Berriez to find clothes or resell their own clothes, which keeps secondhand clothes out of landfills. Emma also works with local artists and seamstresses to take old garments and redesign them into custom clothes for customers. Since the shop is almost entirely resale, you might not find something in your size on any given day. They almost always have garments up to 4X and there's a decent selection of 5X through 8X. Prices vary widely based on what you're looking for and what's on sale.

And if you can't find what you're looking for in the shop, Emma is still in the business of hunting down whatever it is you're looking for. The site has a form where you can describe exactly what you're looking for and Emma will get back to you to discuss.

Levi's? On a list of sustainable clothing brands that cater to plus-size folks? We're shocked too. But it turns out Levi's is really doing the thing. Levi's has been a leader in ethical work practices since 1991 when they contracted to provide fair and ethical working conditions at all of their factories. In 2003, their ethical work practices were recognized by the Human Rights Campaign.

Levi's is as committed to the environment as they are to their workers. They developed a water use program for all their factories that reduces the amount of water used to manufacture their sustainable denim and reuses as much of that water as possible. As of 2021, 95% of their garments were made from organic materials, recycled cotton, or Better Cotton, cotton that meets a certain sustainability standard. Levi's also launched a resale program to ensure their clothes are used for longer, and they're one of the few major clothing manufacturers with a transparent plan to address climate change.

The only downside is that Levi's clothing currently only goes up to 4X, which means it's not really size-inclusive. That being said, 4X is a lot larger than some other mainstream brands. And Levi's garments are much more affordable than a lot of sustainably and ethically made clothes. So, they're not perfect, but they make our list because they're making sustainable fashion a bit more accessible.