As it becomes clearer how detrimental fast fashion is on our environment, sustainable fashion is only set to grow in popularity. Since the beginning of 2020, fashion platform Lyst has seen an increase of searches for sustainable-related keywords of 37 per cent, and reports suggest that the second hand clothing market is set to overtake fast fashion within the next 10 years. Brands are taking note too. Ganni launched a rental range of denim last year, while Cos recently launched their own Resell platform.
It all sounds great, but so far plus size women seem to have been left out of the equation. While vintage fashion rarely caters for plus size women, there are few sustainable fashion brands that sell curve sizes either. This leaves women who want to look after the environment and give up fast fashion stuck.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. As it’s predicted that the plus-size fashion market will account for 22 per cent of the entire UK clothing market by 2022, sustainable plus size fashion brands are an obvious gap in the market – and brands are catching on. As a result, some shops having recently started making their lines more inclusive and those are the ones we want to shout about. All women should be able to dress exactly how they want without feeling excluded.
Lucy & Yak
Lucy & Yak have come under fire in the past for excluding plus sizes from their ranges, but they recently added sizes up to a 22. While there’s still a long way to go (fast fashion brands go up to a size 32), it’s great to see L&Y finally listening. We love their dungarees – particularly the rainbow pair!
Lora Gene
Lora Gene is a London-based contemporary fashion label, with many designs going up to a size 28 or XXL. The designs are sleek yet comfortable, elegant yet easy to wear, with sustainability at the core of the brand. Their garment makers are from Bulgaria and are paid 10% above the regular wage, going up to 30% more in some cases. 60% of their garments are made in-house, while all their suppliers are based in the EU or UK.
We Are Kin
We Are Kin is a slow fashion label, which avoids passing trends to keep their garments as long-lasting as possible while working with a local factory in Bow, East London to create them. Don’t be fooled into thinking their garments aren’t stylish, however. They’re effortless, combining minimal designs with beautiful details. Sizes go up to a 24.
Mary Benson London
Gone are the days of sustainable fashion being dull thanks to Mary Benson London. Her dresses are made-to-order from deadstock fabric and are made in-house at their studio in London. They stock up to a size 30 and can create bespoke designs, while they also sell pre-loved pieces online. It goes without saying that her dresses are simply gorgeous, perfect for those who like to stand out from the crowd.
By Megan Crosby
Megan Crosby’s designs are all about colour and pattern. You won’t find a beige thing in her store! She designs everything you see online and then makes them in-house with her tiny team of seamstresses. Megan also uses remnant, sustainable and deadstock fabrics to create her garments and only uses environmentally friendly dyes as she aims to reduce any harm fashion has on the planet. As her designs are made-to-order, she caters for any size and can create bespoke orders too. All you need to do is measure your body before putting an order in and you’ll get the perfect fit.
Kai Collective
Kai Collective is an inclusive and sustainable womenswear brand with attitude from influencer and blogger Fisayo Long. It’s making waves in the fashion industry, with celebrities including Maya Jama and Ella Eyre being spotted in Long’s designs, while also changing previous ideas about what a sustainable fashion brand looked like. Kai Collective stocks up to a size 20 and works with ethical manufacturers.
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