Plus size ethical fashion
Stylist not size-ist
The Natural Store's Bailey evening dress
Finding clothes when you are over a size 12 can be tricky. Ample hips, bosoms or waist can mean your fashion choices are limited on the high street or in designer shops.
As a woman who has one of those ample figures, I spend my life being disappointed by the choice of clothing on offer to me as a size 16 to 18. I personally do not believe the industry line about the added cost of making larger clothes. I would even be happy to pay the extra if I was given something wonderful.
But how does ethical fashion stack up on this front? Is ethical fashion any better at providing stylish, fashion forward ladies who are little higher up on the tape measure than those size 12 girls?
It seems that, as on the high street, a size 14 is the cut off point for a lot of ethical labels. Happily there are some labels and retailers who do offer a choice to the larger sized lady.
The Natural Store has a lovely Bailey evening dress in bamboo that goes up to a size 16. However the information about the actual measurements of the dress was really hard to find – I couldn’t. I find it is really important to know the dimensions of any garments as every manufacture has different sizing and every inch can make a difference.
www.thenaturalstore.co.uk
Eva Grant is a label based in Dingwall and has a small but perfectly formed collection that goes up to a 16 (see image below). It also has a size chart giving the exact measurements in inches and centimetres. The label also cuts generously, even better.
Fair Trade pioneers People Tree also have up to a size 16 in their collection. However their cute new collection with Emma Watson only goes up to a size 14.
www.peopletree.co.uk
Howies, a label I love for their relaxed weekend look also offers their range up to a size 16. They jeans (pictured below) are really generous and they also have excellent size information complete with diagram.
Nomad's pink peacock dress
www.howies.co.uk
Nomads a company based in Cornwall offers a range of colourful Fair Trade clothing. They have a huge range of items that are sized up to 18.
www.nomadsclothing.com
The list of labels offering clothing for over 18 was none existent, I couldn’t find any that offered good clothing.
I think, until fashion catches up, the fact that we are getting larger, rightly or wrongly, it will always be difficult to get great clothes once you get past a certain size.
Labels like Goodone will custom make garments for you as will some local labels but it is still hard to get clothes that are on trend.
Fortunately most ethical labels are very approachable and are happy for you to get in touch with them. I recommend that if you see something ethical you love ask why it is not available in your size.
If enough of us ask, hopefully we will change things.
Are you larger than a 14 and had trouble finding ethical clothes to fit? Or are you a supplier offering larger sizes that we haven’t found yet? Tell us by ‘Leaving a reply’ below.
er… these are not plus sized clothes really up to a size 16 really!!! Women up to 16 are real women! I am plus size – a size 22 I consider this article an insult!
Jo, We’re sorry you feel this way. The point of the article was to raise awareness of the fact that there hardly any ethical clothes for over 14 sizes and we couldn’t find any over 18. The fact is that there should be ethical clothes available for over 16 sizes and we want to raise awareness of this. The fact that thay don’t exist is something that we’re entirely unhappy about too. As a first step we are looking to get an ethical bra made that fits larger sizes.
Thanks for your comment.
Sallyanne, Editor
Finding ethical clothing over a size 12 is easier than finding suitable clothing for over 50′s. I do not want to look like a 20 something and I don’t work in an office. There again I don’t feel or want to look like a granny!
It is really difficult trying to find good quality ethical fashion that goes with a working lifestyle for over 50′s especially when you are not a stick insect and six feet tall.
It would be great to find some colourful well fitting ethical/organic clothing.
Please someone out there answer this plea : )
I am a size 16 but I am fairly tall and I don’t consider myself to be a ‘big girl’ , perhaps I am disillusioned!
I just find it disheartening when people of an average size are put into a separate category of ‘plus’ , it is no wonder young girls are starving themselves, after all, not many people want to be in their own section in a shop for instance when their slimmer friends are at the front of the store looking at the trendy stuff.
It really upsets me when I see different clothing sections like that.
I am not a fat celebrator but I would like to see girls of a good healthy size being treated as normal
Lucy
We hear you! We would also like to make it clear that we personally know that size 14 – 16 is the norm, not plus size, but those fashion people do insist it is. We are on a mission to bring these comments to designers to encourage them to make clothes to fit everyone.
Nicola
MD
Quail is an eco ethical label that offers sizes up to 20, sometimes up to size 26. If anyone would like plus size skirts in 20, 22, 24 and 26 please drop by the website or send me an email query. I have was surprised to offer plus sizes up to 26 and then not have any customers wanting these sizes.