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Finding stylish plus-size clothing (size 14 and above) is easier than it used to be. In 2024 many large brands are now size-inclusive. But most of them aren't sustainable.
So where can you find plus-size fashion that's stylish, comfortable, and kind to the planet?
Navigating the maze of greenwashing, toxic fabrics, and fast-fashion manufacturing can be confusing. I found this out first-hand while trying to buy larger-sized activewear for the gym and clothing for work.
I decided to do something about it. I used my eco-testing experience and love of inclusive fashion to test the best sustainable plus-size clothing brands.
In this guide, I'll share my top picks for the stylish and ethical plus-size wardrobe you deserve...
Why It's My #1 Pick: TomboyX Boy Shorts are made from a lovely, breathable cotton blend fabric and are incredibly comfortable to wear all day.
I especially love the comfort during long journeys. The stay-put waistband and no-chafe seams prevent discomfort and irritation better than any other brand I tested.
Personal Experience: TomboyX Boy Shorts have been my intimates of choice for a few years now. I've worn them during long flights and busy days of sightseeing or work. They always provide exceptional comfort.
What has also impressed me is the durability. After several months of regular use and washing, they look as good as new. The colors remain vibrant, and the fabric hasn't lost its shape (unlike some of the lesser brands I tested).
About the Brand: TomboyX is a Certified B Corp. It uses Oeko-Tex-certified fabrics that are free of harmful chemicals. These materials include organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Modal.
All TomboyX manufacturing partners meet high standards of social responsibility. They ensure fair wages and maintain safe working conditions.
✔ Timeless Vintage-Inspired Designs
✔ High-Quality Construction
✔ Practical Versatile Wear
Why It's the Best for Work / Ladies: Christy Dawn has the most extensive range of clothing I would wear to work. During testing, I was especially impressed with the Emma Dress. It's one of the cutest yet practical dresses I've ever worn.
Personal Experience: The vintage-inspired design of the dresses stood out during testing. The neckline and tiering add a touch of elegance, making it suitable for professional settings AND post-work drinks!
The practical side pockets are a thoughtful feature I love. They enabled me to carry small essentials without needing an extra bag.
About the Brand: Christy Dawn embraces regenerative practices to heal and nurture the planet. This commitment is evident in relationships with farmers in India and dressmakers in Los Angeles.
✔ Local Manufacturing
✔ Comfortable Fit Soft Fabric
✔ Eco-Friendly Casual Style
Why It's the Best for Young Adults / Juniors / Casual: My youngest sister tested The Cropped Sweatshirt and loved it. The relaxed fit and drop shoulders gave it a trendy look that some older focused brands struggled to achieve.
Personal Experience: The blend of organic and recycled cotton used by The Standard Stitch gives its range of t-shirts and sweatshirts a super soft feel
My sister commented that The Cropped Sweatshirt is not only stylish but also durable. The high-quality construction has lasted through frequent wear and washings.
About the Brand: The Standard Stitch prioritizes using organic and recycled materials. It makes sure that every step of the manufacturing process minimizes environmental impact.
I also love that The Standard Stitch uses low-impact and non-toxic dyes.
✔ Durable Construction
✔ Warm & Water-Resistant
✔ Eco-Friendly Materials
Why It's the Best for Winter: I love Winter hiking, and Coaltree has always been my go-to brand for waterproofs and warm layers. The Puffy Kachula Adventure Blanket I tested was exceptionally warm and versatile. It's my new favorite in my winter wardrobe.
Personal Experience: I was unsure about recommending a blanket at first. However, its multifunctional design impressed me during testing.
I used it as a poncho while sitting around the campfire. Later, I converted it into a sleeping bag for extra warmth while sleeping under the stars.
I loved the zipper pockets. They were perfect for keeping my phone and flashlight secure and accessible.
About the Brand: Coalatree is an innovative brand focused on eco-friendly gear and apparel. Its products are aimed at adventurers and city dwellers.
I also LOVE that the brand uses surplus fabric to create blankets for the homeless in Salt Lake City! 👏
Why It's the Best Activewear: Girlfriend Collective outperforms and has outlasted all the other size-inclusive activewear I've tried. I find the lightweight construction perfect for intense workouts and casual lounging.
Personal Experience: I love that the fabric used to make Girlfriend Collective leggings (90% recycled plastic bottles and 10% spandex) is so sweat-wicking and quick-drying. They always keep me cool and dry during my workouts.
I also very much appreciate the sheer-proof material. It offers full coverage and gives me confidence in any activity (including yoga!).
The buttery soft texture and brushed matte finish give these leggings a luxurious feel. For me, they are an absolute pleasure to wear.
About the Brand: Girlfriend Collective creates stylish, eco-friendly clothing using ethical manufacturing practices.
The Girlfriend Collective sewing partner in Vietnam is SA8000 certified. This gives the workers fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to unionize.
As a lover of slow fashion brands, I focused on the following to ensure the plus-size brands I recommended met the highest standards.
Fast Fashion is a significant cause of environmental damage. It rapidly produces large quantities of low-cost clothing, leading to considerable waste and pollution.
Clothing and footwear production is responsible for more than 8% of the global climate impact. That's more than all international airline flights and maritime shipping trips combined.
Inclusivity in fashion means offering clothing options for all body types, including plus sizes.
Historically, plus-size consumers have had limited choices and styles in the fashion industry.
This issue is even more pronounced in sustainable fashion, which often focuses on smaller sizes.
Producing plus-size clothing requires more fabric and materials, which increases production costs. This is especially significant for sustainable materials, which are often more expensive.
Ensuring a perfect fit for diverse body shapes and sizes is a significant challenge. Plus-size clothing requires thoughtful design and pattern-making to cater to different body types.
Sustainable clothing offers numerous benefits for plus-size consumers. These include improved comfort, fit, and quality.
Ethical brands also often prioritize high-quality materials and construction techniques.
Brands like TomboyX and Girlfriend Collective are the current leaders in sustainable plus-size fashion, because they use organic or recycled materials and ethical manufacturing practices.
Inclusivity in sizing is crucial. Historically, plus-size consumers had limited options. Brands like Christy Dawn and The Standard Stitch are changing that. With sizes up to 6XL, these brands offer stylish and comfortable clothing for all body types.
Buying from any of the ethical clothing brands in this guide will help you build a stylish and sustainable wardrobe.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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