ALL the plus-size denim available right now
No, seriously, all of it.
26 brand profiles on here so links + images = will DEFINITELY cut off in your email. Read in-app or in-browser. I have a tiny update on the name change (Ethical Fat Fashion to ポチャリSTYLE）which I’ll share next week!
(also I’m currently in Brisbane while this goes out!)
After the 110+ three-parter for winter recs, I swore I’d never do a long, long list again because it takes A LOT (time, energy, focus). I lied.
I just felt like we really needed this resource because fat people are already at a disadvantage when it comes to fashion options, and I truly believe we deserve the good stuff.
This is the final part in the denim series; read the previous newsletters, part 1—how jeans are a litmus test for fat fashion and part 2—my search for a decent pair of jeans (spoiler alert, it didn’t happen…).
I wanted to end on a slightly more hopeful note, having stepped back and gone into research mode and collated every brand (ethics-minded, custom, and majority fashion options) I could find.
I’ve looked at many, many brands, and I feel like this is a pretty comprehensive view of all the plus-size denim options right now.
Let me know in the comments if you have further denim recs.
I cannot state enough how excluded fat people are from the fashion industry as a whole, including sustainable fashion.
I’m thinking of three brands that are thrown around in sustainable circles—Reformation, Nudie, and Mud.
For tiny sustainable or ethical brands, I tend to offer more grace as they transition into more sizes—usually newer collections will have the full range.
Yet Reformation’s been at it for a while, and they continue to separate the styles. Their extended size range is just pathetic. And nope, they don’t offer denim in their few plus size styles.
Nudie Jeans caps at a 38-inch waist, but their shorter inseam (28 inches) is only available up to a 36-inch waist. Mud Jeans is worse; their largest size is 34 inches. I could go through designer jeans as well, because it’s all the same shit.
But these are all the brands people share with each other and buy secondhand.
We are excluded twice, not only at the original point of purchase but in the secondhand market too.
I’ve tried to hold this duality of valuing the options we do have—especially ones that are ethical—whilst recognising the limitations of our access.
And what that means to me is not feigning gratitude at majority fashion brands, including larger sustainable brands that give us crumbs, like three or four styles in plus while they have hundreds in straight sizes.
It’s not fair we have only a handful of ethical or sustainable options.
It’s not fair that we don’t have many choices to try things in-store.
It’s not fair we can’t buy from the ‘good quality’ majority fashion brands.
It’s not fair we can’t find designer jeans secondhand.
It’s not fair that the brands that do have plus-size options often stop at a US24.
Even though I have tried to collate as many options as possible for us, at the same time, I want to make it clear that I don’t think it’s enough.
If you checked out the last denim issue about my denim brief, one of the things I mentioned was I wanted to avoid an elasticated waist. That’s personal preference, and there are styles on here that do include them—they are very, very good for ease and changing bodies. Also when I screwed up buying jeans last time, the rise was too long, so I’ve included rise and inseam lengths where available.
A couple of notes:
Size-inclusive vs. size-diverse—I try to differentiate between brands that have infinity (all) sizes or have a pretty decent size range (like up to 6X), which I consider size-inclusive. Versus brands that have a handful of plus sizes, usually up to US24, which I term “size-diverse.”
Ethics-minded vs. majority fashion vs. fast fashion—
Ethics-minded are brands that I feel put some effort or transparency into who makes their clothes.
Majority fashion is opaque about their production but do not carry loads of styles, so I feel that they produce at a smaller scale (not to be confused with small batch or slow fashion). Many of these brands, including classic American ones have since a decline in quality but still often better choices than fast fashion.
Fast fashion is both opaque and produces more—in terms of style turnaround and also how much they carry. The options I’m definitely excluding are the worst fast fashion and ultra fast fashion—think 100% synthetics instead of cotton and records of workers rights violations. Not only do the workers deserve better, but we deserve decent quality options.
Oh yeah—be on the look out for “body shaping” language if you are trying to find body neutral descriptions. Another double-edged sword when it comes to options for fat people. We can get access but it’s wrapped up in trying to make our bodies look thinner.
ETHICS-MINDED
+ SIZE-INCLUSIVE
1. CONALLY GOODS
Connally currently has one style, the Ulla jeans with a 3/4 elasticated waist, button enclosure, and subtle barrel leg.
How much? 259CAD
Sizing: Infinite sizing, follows a size chart from XS to 6X and sizes beyond are custom made at no extra cost
Inseam: 25.5” to 28.5” depending on size, length can be added (50CAD) or hemmed (35CAD)
Rise: Changes based on size, front rise is 14” to 20”, back rise is 16.5” to 24.5”
Wash options: Available in dark indigo, pebble grey, and black
Fabric: Raw Japanese Denim, 100% cotton. I own a previous design in this same fabric, and it really is substantial.
2. BIG BUD PRESS
Big Bud has around 20 options excluding shorts and overalls. They have colourful and patterned options alongside a few classics.
How much? 150-198 USD, these wide-leg jeans are 168 USD.
Sizing: Up to 6X (60-66” waist)
Inseam: Regular inseam is 29-30”, petite inseam is 25”
Rise: Varies from 12.5” to 17.5” depending on size
Wash options: Indigo, light wash, black, railway stripe, and different colours
Style options: Wide-leg, trousers (pleated), carpenter (straight leg with deep pockets)
Fabric: Custom-woven cotton twill
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