If you read my past blog post about my capsule wardrobe then you know that I’m trying to limit the amount of shopping I do and how much stuff I have. I decided to make this change a while ago and around that same time I decided that I wanted the clothing I wear not to have a negative effect on the environment and are ethical in their manufacturing. As we all know by now, the way the majority of clothing in the fashion industry is made is terrible, whether its sweatshops in developing nations or child labor or its made with materials that may never biodegrade or some devilish combination of all those things, fast fashion is bad all around.
It could be justified in some sense if the clothing lasted, you could say “yeah it’s terrible the way it was made but it’ll last me for years so I won’t have to buy again” but that’s not the case, we are buying in mass clothing that is terrible for the environment, abuses disadvantaged nations and won’t even look the same after 2-3 washes, so really what’s the gain, what are we getting out of Fast Fashion?
I know for me it’s the price, I am not rich nor did I grow up middle class so when it came to buying clothes it was whatever we could afford. Now I am older and I am much more aware and I know where I want my money to go and where I don’t. Now when dealing with ethical and sustainable fashion you are definitely paying more for the cause. Cheaper materials tend to be bad for the environment and don’t last as long which defeats the entire purpose of the item. Now I would never say you’re a bad person if you shop at fast fashion retailers, most of us do, I do. I’m saying if you want to take a route that better for your pocket and the earth long term here is one.
The first obstacle I found in my hunt for ethical, eco-friendly, sustainable fashion was sizing. Sizing is the obstacle I find whenever I’m looking for things I like in general. But after months of searching I have found brands that are ethical and also plus size. If the brands bellow don't fit your tastes or outside of your price range, shopping second had at thrift stores is a great way to get clothing that may not have been made ethically but if its old enough it was probably well made and you can keep it from ending up in a land fill.
ASOS has a Eco Edit where they showcase brands leading in sustainable fashion. Here are links to some articles that feature straight size ethical fashion, since plus size is the focus of this blog they won't be featured in the list below but some of the those brands stock non plus size clothing as well. Now on to the list !
Ethical Fashion Retailers:
A Minnesota based design house, they create limited- edition ethical clothing items also well as stock a Core Collection.
Another US based fashion brand, this one focuses on sustainable basics and wardrobe staples.
A more edgy and mod take on both ethical fashion and plus size clothing.
A Canadian brand that does staple and basic pieces ethically.
An Australian based company that focuses on classic piece done responsibly.
USA based brand that does both Boho and classic pieces.
Fun, brightly colored pieces done exclusively in plus sizes.
Classic pieces in prints made of great material.
One of the largest ranges of sizes I’ve during my search this brand goes all the way up to 6X.
A UK made brand that is also sold on ASOS, good for trend based pieces.
An Australian line that focuses on dresses and tops, cool prints, and patterns.
