Grechen Cohen, the seriously stylish blogger who brought you coupon-code heaven GrechensCloset.com, more recently launched GreenGrechen.com, a site devoted to eco-designers and ways to green your life. Noting the scarcity of ethical designers who make clothing to fit full-figured women, she put together this review of the best places to shop for those who need more than a size 12.

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Although it is getting easier to find eco-friendly fashion online, PLUS-SIZE eco-fashion is few and far between. Maybe there’s not enough demand out there yet, or maybe it’s just been neglected. I’d like to think the latter is not the case, but this is the fashion industry we’re talking about here…

For smaller, independent designers, it’s very difficult and sometimes cost prohibitive to add an extra size to their collection, but many are doing it and are making most of their pieces available in XL’s. Hopefully, the day will come when more designers will create plus-size eco-friendly collections, and by this I mean not just upsizing their “regular” collections, but really designing clothing for the larger sized woman.

I did find two designers who do exclusively plus-sized eco-friendly fashion: Diane Kennedy and Mewv (more details below) and more that include up to 3x or 4x in their size offerings. Sadly, most of the big-box plus-sized online outlets offer very limited selections with organic cotton or bamboo, or none at all.

And still, a lot of the designs are seriously lacking in originality and are reminiscent of the hippy/crunchy/granola clothing that we USED to associate with earth-friendly fashion. Come on, really? Plus-sized fashion has evolved so much recently, why is there such a serious lack of eco-friendly plus-size designers actually creating new and exciting styles and collections?

It’s truly up to the consumer to demand more sizes and original designs from designers and boutiques. But the money does have to follow. So support the designers and boutiques below who are making an effort to offer more sizes, and word will get around that there is indeed a market for plus-sized eco-fashion.

The following list is just a beginning, it’s not meant to be exhaustive, although I feel like it’s a very good representation of what’s currently available online. These are mostly designers, please check my list of Eco-Friendly and Ethical Boutiques as well, many of them offer these designers and others who offer XL’s. Oh, and if you’re a designer who’s currently doing or considering doing a plus-sized eco-friendly line, tell me about it! I’ll add you to the list and help get the word out!

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Acacia (organic cotton and bamboo casual wear, up to XL)

Athleta (bamboo/organic cotton clothing available in XL’s — athletic/lounge gear)

Avenue (disappointing…only have bamboo sleepwear available)

Bamboosa (bamboo tops/sleepwear in sizes up to XL)

Blue Fish (honestly, these are very “hippie” and too over the top for me…but all styles are available in sizes up to 22)

Bodyworks Apparel (no online shopping yet; activewear created specifically for curvy women — organic cotton and bamboo collections)

Chloe Angus (Canadian eco-friendly designer — also designs in plus-sizes. available in Canada and some online at Juno and Jove)

Coldwater Creek (basic organic cotton tees, up to size 3x)

Diane Kennedy (Canadial plus-size eco-friendly designer — cannot buy directly through site, but some pieces are at Juno and Jove)

Etsy (honestly, this is my favorite option for plus-sized organic/bamboo/hemp clothing. most of the designers will take your measurements and design your piece around those, instead of based on a “size.” My favorite etsy sellers in this category are: Gaia Conceptions – I have one of her dresses that I LOVE LOVE LOVE, Sandmaiden, 2Enju, and Desirapesta.)

Gaiam (has many organic cotton/bamboo pieces in XL’s)

Horny Toad (all pieces available in XL)

HT Naturals (organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, soy clothing available in XL’s)

Indigenous Designs (fashionable fair trade and organic clothing available in XL)

J. Jill (a few classic organic cotton pieces — button-down blouses, etc., in up to 4x)

Jonano (bamboo ecoKashmere, Eco Scrubs & more eco-friendly styles available in XL)

Juno and Jove (eco-friendly boutique carrying plus-size designer Diane Kennedy and Chloe Angus among others)

Lola & Gigi (carries Dianne Kennedy’s plus-size clothing)

Mewv (organic cotton, bamboo, etc., in up to size 26 — designed specificaly for plus-sizes, NOT just sized up)

Mountains of the Moon (hemp and organic clothing in sizes up to XL)

Nixxi (Canadian eco-friendly designer – some pieces available in XL)

Nordstrom (several organic cotton pieces by Eileen Fisher — up to 3x)

Of the Earth (original organic clothing, mostly casual, in sizes up to XL)

One Stop Plus (organic cotton plus-size selections from Roaman’s and Woman Within)

Peacefull Disorder (basic basics in sizes up to XL)

Peligrosa Knits (fashion forward knits/cashmere in sizes up to XL — but I have found that their pieces tend to run a bit small…so…)

Positivitee (clothing with meaning: organic cotton tees, tanks, henleys, and more in XL’s)

Rawganique (hemp, organic cotton clothing in true plus sizes, up to 3x)

Saks Fifth Avenue Salon Z Organic (Eileen Fisher and Lewis Cho organic cotton plus sizes)

SameUnderneath (fashionable bamboo/spandex pieces, all available in XL)

SelenaEon (hip, casual clothing in all sizes, but focuses on XL and up for both men & women)

Sharka Chakra (organic denim, in sizes up to 33/34)

Soul Flower (eco-friendly clothing/hemp/organic cotton – some styles available in XL’s)

Spiegel (their eco-luxe bamboo/spandex collection is available in XL’s)

SPUN (affordable organic cotton line — online shopping available soon!)

Team Estrogen (eco-friendly plus-size cycling & outdoor wear)

Torrid (a few organic cotton tees and underwear in plus sizes)

Tranquilit (some yoga/lounge styles available in up to XL)

Ulla Popken (organic/bamboo clothing in sizes 12 and up)

Under the Canopy (earth-wise, style-conscious clothing in XL — very casual, mostly lounge clothing)

 

(Reprinted with permission from GreenGrechen.com.)