Fair Trade Plus-Size Clothing
For sustainable fashion to transition from niche to normal, it’s vital that fair fashion be accessible to everyone who wants to engage in it—and that it includes thoughtfully made plus-size clothing. For many women, the path to adopting the slow fashion movement is blocked as brands fail to offer inclusive sizes.
Looking into the issue further, the problem often lies with the fact that so many sustainable brands are sole ventures or small, independent companies. But as the demand from conscious consumers has grown, so has the ethical fashion industry and its ability to offer broader and more inclusive product ranges.
We were thrilled to find 19 sustainable brands offering ethically made plus-size clothing for the curvy woman, from everyday basics to fabulous formalwear. Looking to complete the look? Check out our guides to responsibly-made shoes and jewelry.
1. Hackwith Design House
Ethics | Made in the USA
Best For | One-of-a-kind plus-size wardrobe staples
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 4XL
Fusing classic silhouettes with current season details, Hackwith Design House, or HDH, treads the line between trend-led and timeless. Determined to support local industry and reduce waste, all HDH products are made in-house at the company’s Minnesota studio by its own team of seamstresses. Looking for a statement jumpsuit or minimalist dress you can wear in any season? The extensive plus line has what you're looking for in sizes up to 4XL.
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2. EILEEN FISHER
Ethics | Fair Trade Certified collections, sustainable materials & practices
Best For | Natural & organic clothing
Price Range | $$$–$$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 3X
From sustainable and organic fibers to a squeaky clean supply chain and focus on human rights, EILEEN FISHER’s ethical approach is multi-faceted. In terms of aesthetics, expect effortless staples in muted tones. Not content with simply scaling the size range up a few notches, the company has a dedicated Plus collection, which is designed to be flawlessly proportioned for the perfect fit. The range runs up to a 3X.
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3. Girlfriend Collective
Ethics | Uses recycled materials, SA8000 certified fair production practices
Best For | Plus-size activewear
Price Range | $–$$
Sizes Available | Up to 6XL
Girlfriend Collective is a revolutionary activewear brand that’s using recycled plastic to create comfortable and durable leggings, sports bras, and tees that you’ll wear time and time again. The dedication to transparency is clear on the About Page, where you can learn about the entire production process, the factory it partners with, and its fair labor initiatives and certifications. With sizes that go up to 6XL, this brand is designed to easily go with you wherever your next adventure calls you.
Shop Girlfriend Collective
4. Universal Standard
Ethics | Quality materials, fair labor standards, upcycling/recycling, gives back
Best For | Simple, effortless dresses
Price Range | $–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 40
Universal Standard knows that, oftentimes, the world isn’t “made” for women above a certain size—the company also knows that that theory is outdated. So it’s crafted the world’s most inclusive apparel brand for sizes 00 through 40. And you might need to see it to believe it, but Universal Standard offers a “See It In Your Size” option for each piece so that you have more than just the one frame of reference. Changed sizes? No problem. For up to one year, any pieces from its Fit Liberty Collection can be exchanged for a new size or color.
Shop Universal Standard
5. Karen Kane
Ethics | Ethical production process, supply chain transparency
Best For | Plus-size workwear
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 3X
Guided by respect for both people and the planet, family-run Karen Kane believes “women should feel beautiful and comfortable, always.” And it speaks from experience as over 70 percent of the company’s management team is women. Using sustainable fabrics (like rayon and viscose made from wood and tree pulp) and with most of the clothing cut and handsewn in Los Angeles, Karen Kane’s clothing is feminine and versatile. The Plus line includes everything from dresses to outerwear.
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6. Kirrin Finch
Ethics | Uses sustainable & natural materials, made responsibly in the USA, gives back
Best For | Menswear-inspired, androgynous and tomboy style
Price Range | $$$
Sizes Available | Up to 24
If you’re on the hunt for menswear-inspired style made for female and non-binary bodies, look no further than Kirrin Finch! The brand creates dapper, gender-neutral shirts and pants that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. It makes all of its products from sustainable materials and supports LGBTQ+ organizations through donations and events. Plus, as an LGBTQ+ owned company, it advocates for all gender identities and has a blog where it features “Dapper Scouts”: stylish people who are also outstanding community ambassadors.
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7. Sotela
Ethics | Ethically made, natural fabrics, recycled materials
Best For | Jumpsuits & bottoms
Price Range | $$$–$$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 30
Our bodies change on a daily basis, and the team behind Sotela wants us to champion that. Instead of being too restricted or too loose, Sotela crafts stunning apparel that’s both size-inclusive and flexible for whenever we fluctuate. Ethically handmade in California using natural fabrics like Tencel and linen, it uses non-traditional sizing to promote inclusivity and comfort, rather than complicating our feelings with body image. Forgiving, flattering, and fairly made: a win-win-win for everyone.
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8. Hours
Ethics | Ethically made, natural & sustainable materials, eco-friendly practices
Best For | Outerwear
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | 14 to 28
Hours is all about low-impact and high-quality with its NYC-based brand for women, exclusively for sizes 14–28. From simple tees to knit cardigans, there are all kinds of pieces for your ideal capsule wardrobe. What we’re most obsessed with? The outerwear! It’s effortless, made to last, and exceptionally functional because—as Hours remind us—clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around.
Shop Hours
9. DL1961
Ethics | Eco-friendly fabrication and materials
Best For | Denim
Price Range | $$$
Sizes Available | Up to 26
Everyone should have a quality pair of denim that they can turn to at a moment’s notice. Enter: DL1961. The expanded sizing includes sizes 14–26 and features striking skinny jeans in multiple washes. The brand uses only eco-friendly fibers and innovative technology like Refibra™ Lyocell to reduce the impact on the planet. Plus, it uses solar power for all the manufacturing. We’re excited about this collection and are hopeful that DL1961 will continue to add inclusive sizing across more of its styles.
Shop DL1961
10. IGIGI
Ethics | Made-to-order in Europe, fair labor standards
Best For | Plus-size special occasion dresses
Price Range | $$$
Sizes Available | 12 to 36
Named after an ancient goddess embodying vitality, charm, and intelligence, IGIGI designs contemporary clothing that celebrates curves. The dresses range from casual to formal, and the patterns and florals truly make them perfect for all occasions. Made in Europe from high-quality materials, IGIGI dresses add radiance to any woman's wardrobe. We love the variety of silhouettes and styles in IGIGI's store—and the fact that it’s made-to-order means your favorite style or size will never be out of stock again!
Shop IGIGI
11. Hope & Harvest
Ethics | Made locally or in small fair trade factories
Best For | Capsule wardrobe layering pieces
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to US 22
Australian plus-size brand Hope & Harvest operates locally as well as manufactures through fair trade agreements with small factories in order to ensure the wellbeing of its workers (and their families). The chic, on-trend clothes are perfect layering pieces for seasonal capsule wardrobes. The amazing patterns and unique cuts give each piece a bespoke feel. Plus, Hope & Harvest offers custom pieces for weddings and other special occasions, and design consultations if you live near its studio in Melbourne or via Skype.
Shop Hope & Harvest
12. Diane Kennedy
Ethics | Made in Canada, eco-friendly, organic materials
Best For | Bamboo knit tops & tunics
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 3X
Diane Kennedy's clothing line emerged when she personally realized a need for sustainable, comfortable, and well-fitting clothing for the plus-size woman. Her classic pieces are designed specifically for curvy women and aim to celebrate every woman's shape. Produced in Canada with eco-friendly and organic knits (that are also made in Canada), these clothes will be the ethical wardrobe staples that you'll love wearing daily. We love Diane Kennedy's bold and classic basics, modern silhouettes, and luxuriously soft, travel-friendly organic bamboo knits.
Shop Diane Kennedy
13. Alice Alexander
Ethics | Made in the USA, uses US-made sustainable materials when possible
Best For | Colorful statement pieces for all sizes
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 30, additional sizes custom-made at no extra charge
Alice Alexander’s whole brand ethos centers around inclusivity—without sacrificing the quality of the clothes or the working conditions of the people making them. Originally launched as a brand for just plus-size women, Alice Alexander pivoted to include sizes 0 through 30 for the sake of not perpetuating the cycle of exclusivity. We especially love its willingness to create a garment just for you at no additional cost if your size is not offered. The print-driven, colorful designs are modern, body-aware, and made-to-order in Philadelphia.
Shop Alice Alexander
14. On The Plus Side
Ethics | Fair labor standards, sustainable practices
Best For | Wide selection, including plus-size undergarments
Price Range | $$
Sizes Available | US 22 through US 48
On The Plus Side is committed to changing the plus-size fashion industry by offering a wide range of sustainably made, stylish clothing designed to fit perfectly. The clothing is manufactured in fair labor environments and is committed to sustainable practices in its production and at its headquarters. Over 90 percent of the clothing is made from eco-friendly, natural fibers, so you can fill your wardrobe with clothing that looks and feels good. We love the range of clothing; from undergarments to outerwear, dresses to denim, On The Plus Side has exactly what you're looking for.
Shop On The Plus Side
15. thredUP
Ethics | Made in the USA
Best For | Secondhand styles
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 5X
Secondhand giant thredUP is a one-stop-shop for gently used plus-size apparel. Accepting up to 15,000 “like-new” styles a day, thredUP’s team ensures authenticity and quality, then passes on the savings to you for up to 90 percent off. You can find some brands offering plus-size clothing up to 5X. For an added bonus, thredUP also offers flash sales to get the most bang for your buck. Sustainable and stylish, this online shop is a permanent go-to on our list.
Shop thredUP
16. REI
Ethics | Recycled materials, eco-friendly practices, co-op business model
Best For | Outdoor wear
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 4X
For more than 80 years, REI has been passionate about making sure everyone can experience the great outdoors with its gear. Now, with more than 13,000 employees across nearly 40 states, the REI team operates as a member-owned co-operative, which means the majority of its annual profits are given back in dividends to members, employees, and nonprofits. In addition to REI’s own products, the shopping platform also carries plus-size apparel from brands like prAna and The North Face.
Shop REI
17. Levi’s
Ethics | Ethically produced, sustainable practices, gives back
Best For | Denim jackets
Price Range | $$–$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 4X
Levi’s is about as American as they come, which means it’ll fit everyday Americans always. With sizes up to 4X, the denim jeans and jackets are available for the whole family to rock. Made with responsibly sourced cotton and Lyocell or even recycled denim, the brand has made the move over to eco-friendly practices like reduced water consumption. No matter your style, you can find inclusive, sustainable denim here.
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18. Alternative Apparel
Ethics | Fair wages, eco-friendly packaging, organic & recycled materials
Best For | Sustainable basics
Price Range | $–$$
Sizes Available | Up to 5X
Alternative Apparel, based out of Atlanta, has been known for comfort, simplicity, and sustainability since 1995. Everything the brand makes is crafted with organic cotton, eco-friendly materials, and low-impact dyes in safe and clean workplace conditions. With classic styles for adults, like pullovers and crew tees, you can find plus-size options up to 5X for your capsule wardrobe.
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19. Big Bud Press
Ethics | Ethically made in the USA
Best For | Unisex apparel
Price Range | $$–$$$$
Sizes Available | Up to 7X
The Los Angeles-based Big Bud Press gives off good vibes with its vibrant and, dare we say, groovy apparel. Ethically made with local Californian contractors, the brand specializes in inclusive, unisex everyday wear so all genders can rock custom-dyed trousers or statement jumpsuits. With sizes ranging from XXS through 7XL, this small business is the most size-inclusive brand on the list.
Shop Big Bud Press
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