Hi, I'm Chichi — the newest associate writer on Refinery29's Shopping team. As a big gal, I have a keen interest in inclusive fashion and fat access to popular trends. Full disclosure: my relationship with fashion wasn't always a positive one; it's resembled a roller coaster full of high highs and low lows. Back when I was a kid, I reveled in the pages of teen magazines while happily experimenting with my personal style. In college, I passionately entrenched myself in a fashion minor. But, as I grew older, it became harder and harder to find trendy pieces that fit my larger body and feet.
During this time, Forever 21 Plus was one of the few retailers with inclusively-sized styles that I could rely on — everything else was just out of reach. I started to feel apathy for the labels whose limited-size collections I once found aspirational; why should I care about them when they don't care about people like me? A couple of years ago I decided to unfollow brands that don't offer inclusive-size options and seek out those that actually cater to my body. And, in doing so, I discovered a vibrant community of plus retailers and brands that make me feel seen and supported in the fashion space — and I've lined up each of those right here. From retro-inspired garb to sustainable fabrics and small local business excellence, I've got something for every fat person out there! So keep on scrolling to enter plus-fashion heaven.
I'll continue to update this list, so be sure to check back as often as you'd like — or, better yet, share your favorite plus places to shop in the comments below.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
ModCloth
Best For: Retro-Inspired Pieces Size Range: 00-28, XXS-4X
If you are like me and love the drama that is ~existence~ then you revel in your various phases. ModCloth is all about making your day-to-day the period piece of your dreams. Whether you want to take it all the way back to the big skirts of the 50s or throw up a cute peace sign with the feels of the 70s — ModCloth's got you covered.
In particular, I really appreciate the authentic sensibilities it keeps in mind when bringing to life a vibe from the past. From cool plaids to flare overalls to slick green faux-leather pants this retailer offers a range. ModCloth is the garb adorned love shack where we can get our fashion life together.
ModCloth ModCloth x Princess Highway Tiered Babydoll Dress, $, available at ModCloth
Warp + Weft
Best For: Sustainable Denim & Pants Size Range: 00-24, XS-3XL
When I discovered Warp + Weft, I might have shed a few tears. It's a cool sustainable denim start-up that offered plus sizes at the start of their brand. For fat folk that loves the look of Everlane denim, but can't fit into their incredibly limited sizes – Warp + Weft is for you.
Each garment created has a sustainability report break down which further explains what resources and thoughtfulness went into creating each piece. I own a different jumpsuit than the one linked here, but I can personally attest to the quality and comfiness that WW offers!
Warp + Weft ICN PLUS - WIDE LEG 26", $, available at Warp + Weft
ASOS
Best For: Discounted Trendy Styles Size Range: 00-30
ASOS is the ultimate aggregator of all things fashionable and trendy. It keeps you at the forefront and allows plus people the range and space to experiment at a similar level to our straight-sized counterparts.
If there is some cool fashion movement or trendy silhouette that you can't find anywhere else, then I'd check here.
Native Youth Plus Very wide leg pants in zebra print, $, available at ASOS
Wray
Best For: High-Quality Artsy Pieces Size Range: XS-5XL
If there was one designer that you should know about, it's Wray. I hate to pick favorites, but Wray makes it hard not to fangirl every piece in their catalog. Bonus: Just about every garment is made in every size offered. What a novel concept! This brand focuses on the artistic and structural integrity of a garment. Each of Wray's lovely hand-painted prints come to life in every release without fail. It's truly like donning wearable art.
Plus-size people want to wear the exact same things as their Straight Sized counterparts and Wray does just that. I'm not crying you are! If you want the latest styles, then check out their website — but I'd also recommend checking out Cara Cara's discounted pieces from past seasons.
Wray Sally Dress - Taxicab Floral, $, available at Wray
Rebdolls
Best For: Body-Con Pieces & Swimsuits Size Range: S-5XL
This black-owned retailer focuses on killer sets and swimsuits that are to die for. It's kind of like Fashionova and Pretty Little Thing if they had a more inclusive-sized baby. If you are all about the super femme, sexy looks, this is the place for you.
Rebdolls Rebdolls "Long Time Coming" Wrap Crop Top & Wide Leg Pant Set, $, available at Rebdolls
K.S. Garner
Best For: Made-To-Order Gems Size Range: XXS-4XX (Other Sizes By Request)
K.S. Garner was my entrance into the made-to-order retail space. From following Kelsey Garner's brand on Instagram, I quickly fell in love with her simple yet whimsical designs and the one-of-a-kind fabrics that she builds her creations with.
Although K.S. Garner has a set size chart that goes up to a 4XX, the brand will willingly cater to everyone doing custom size orders as well. It does take five weeks to get your goods because each one is cut specially for you. The Luna Set is the most popular item and comes in over ten different colorways –– I own the Luna set in teal!
K.S. Garner Lavender Luna Bottoms, $, available at K.S. Garner
K.S. Garner Lavender Luna Top, $, available at K.S. Garner
Universal Standard
Best For: Elevated Basics Size Range: 4-40
Although it's amazing when a brand has plus sizes, more often than not they only go up to 24/26. US is different and has the widest size range I've seen from any retailer. Its elevated basics are unique in construction and meant to be worn into the ground. You must try their Fit Liberty collection. Anything you buy from this line that you grow out of, the brand will replace for free.
Customer Take: "I found these pants at Universal Standard. I ordered via the Try Now option. The quality is far better than I expected. The customer support was terrific. I highly recommend the company."
Universal Standard Stephanie Wide Leg Stripe Pants, $, available at Universal Standard
Tanya Taylor
Best For: Eclectic Prints Size Range: XS-3X
If we are talking about the exclusion of fat folks in fashion, high-end designers are the number one culprits. However, Tanya Taylor is on the right side of the industry –– offering up plus goods to a 3X. The designer's love of vibrant patterns and eclectic prints is definitely the main selling point.
Tanya Taylor Emma Top, $, available at Tanya Taylor
Berriez
Best For: Vintage Size Range: M-4X
Although plus-size fashion options are on the rise, larger vintage clothing that doesn't look lifeless is difficult to come by – until now. Emma Zack of Berriez has revolutionized the second-hand marketplace by primarily catering to larger-sized bodies. I've bought more than a couple of pieces from Berriez, and I plan to for as long as it'll have me.
Zack releases new collections of unique curated goods regularly. Follow Berriez on Instagram for random story drops, but check out the website full of vintage goodies.
Berriez FiOT Denim Short Sleeve Jacket, $, available at Berriez
Mate The Label
Best For: Loungewear Pieces Size Range: XS-3X
Mate is the go-to destination for thoughtfully designed loungewear. The brand uses organic cotton to create all its comfy pieces –– while focusing on simple yet stylish design.
Customer Take: "I’ve been working towards upgrading my loungewear since I spend so much time at home in sweat pants these days! These are a dream. The fit is a bit bigger than anticipated, but they are so soft and so well made. I can’t wait to get the matching sweatshirt."
Mate The Label Organic Terry Raglan Sweatshirt, $, available at Mate the Label
Eloquii
Best For: Sophisticated Trendy Fashion Size Range: 14-28
Eloquii is a trend-forward fast-fashion retailer with clothing that's actually good quality. They're regularly having sales on all product categories and really are a good place for fashion lovers of all ages to take part in the fun of getting dressed. This piece reminds me of the popular housedress trend from this past summer!
Customer Take: "This dress is Beautiful! The quality is very high, the style is unique and the color is gorgeous. It fits very well. I’m eager to have an occasion to wear it out."
Eloquii Smocked Bodice Ruffle Day Dress, $, available at Eloquii
Anthropologie
Best For: Cottage Core Meets Boho Chic Size Range: 00-26
Anthropologie is good for embracing your inner hippie and prairie dweller alike. It's great for fun patterned dresses and unique jumpsuits. Jump to here if you have a wedding to attend when the Panny-D calms down!
Atelier 1756 Amal Embroidered Midi Dress, $, available at Anthropologie
Madewell
Best For: Wardrobe Staples Size Range: XXS-3X, 00-24W
Madewell is a tried and true staple for many of us in the plus community. Although we were let down by the recent change in their size chart, it's hard to beat all American denim retailers. I have many simple pieces like tees and sweaters from them that get lots of wear. I own too many Madewell pieces to count. There's a reason I can't resist coming back to them over and over again.
Customer Take: "I am now a loyal buyer of this jean style. The other styles just don't seem to live up--this particular pair has less stretch but doesn't sacrifice comfort. The pair I bought doesn't have the fading in the legs and around the butt as these photos do, it's more of a consistent color of light denim, which I prefer. So cute and comfortable! Madewell, why did I have to get hooked to your jeans?!"
Madewell The Plus Perfect Vintage Jean in Fiore Wash, $, available at Madewell
Big Bud Press
Best For: Statement Colors & Prints Size Range: XXS-7XL
Big Bud Press is what you'd get if a rainbow threw up on a beautifully structured, simple range of goods. The fun, bright, and over-the-top prints and designs make its clothes instantly identifiable no matter where you are. Their sizing is unisex in order for all genders to be represented which sometimes can cause a little bit of sizing confusion–especially if you have curvy hips. I find that the Trouser is the number one garment in their offerings that caters to the curviness that usually comes with a plus body. It's a little roomier in the hips than the other styles.
Big Bud Press Trousers - Mustard Yellow, $, available at Big Bud Press
Athleta
Best For: Giving Back Size Range: 00-26, XXS-3X
Athleta has recently expanded their size range, but on top of that, they are a certified B-corp. A B-corp is a business designation that means the business prioritizes community and the environment just as it does profit. In particular, their P.A.C.E initiative strives to provide each woman in their factories with advanced educational opportunities and life skills classes.
Although their products aren't made from completely recyclable materials, about 40% are which is still pretty solid if you ask me.
Athleta Elation Space Dye 7/8 Tight, $, available at Athleta
Girlfriend Collective
Best For: Sustainable Activewear Size Range: XXS-6XL
Girlfriend is dominating the plus activewear space. Its cool colors and simple product line-up are strong suits for the brand. They also used recycled materials to make their products and make it possible for you to recycle the garments as well. This brand has been inclusive since the beginning and is definitely very popular in the inclusive fashion space. I'm particularly obsessed with their unitards in their most recent colorways. Girlfriend tends to sell out quickly so you have to be ready to jump on a piece that catches your eye.
Customer Take: "Like everyone else, I was skeptical that I would like this unitard. However, it truly is so flattering and so comfortable! It's the perfect layering piece and seems to go with everything. I'm so glad I took the leap!"
Girlfriend Collective Pond Scoop Unitard, $, available at Girlfriend
Zellie For She
Best For: Romantic Nomad Vibes Size Range: 1X-3X
I discovered Zellie for She on Plus Instagram where I find most of my style inspiration. It's great for unique, high-quality pieces you won't find anywhere else. It's a small biz with everything made in Los Angeles. It's also black-owned and has killer representation in its product photography. I definitely feel reflected in this brand.
Customer Take: "Zelieforshe is the best! Such an amazing designer and I was elated when I heard about this collection coming to Nordstrom."
Nordstrom Wilderness Cozy Crop Tank & Maxi Skirt, $, available at Nordstrom
Tradlands
Best For: Ethical Fabrics & Flowy Silhouettes Size Range: XXS-5X
Tradlands new extended sizing is done right with lots of care put into its development. Although this brand has not always been on on top of things plus-size fashion wises. It's definitely made a big comeback and has won over the hearts of the sustainable fat folk on the interwebs.
Cusotomer Take: "I own the Nico dress in two color ways now; it is the perfect dress for any occasion! Depending on how you accessorize it, it could be a casual dress for a lunch date with friends or a dress for a fancy occasion. It is flattering without being too boxy or large, and yet the loose fit means it is beyond comfortable. The fabric is clearly high quality and the colors are vivid and beautiful. I highly recommend everyone get a Nico dress!"
Skimpy bikinis are great! Honestly, truly. There are minimal tan lines, they’re easy to adjust, and — if you find one that really fits — they are actually really comfortable, too (there’s no pinching or chafing common to fuller-coverage bottoms). The cons? At many swimwear brands, revealing suits are often only available in straight sizes, or, the plus sets they do carry are somehow more modest, as if plus shoppers only want full coverage. And brands that do sell string bikinis in larger sizes rarely use plus-size models on their websites, leaving their shoppers in the blind.
Though they’re hard to find, many brands do offer skimpy bikinis in plus-sizes. And since there are plenty of you who want to kick off the warmer months by getting as much sun as possible, we thought we’d find as many itty-bitty plus-size bikinis we can before the first beach day of the year.
From Frankies and Alpine Butterfly to Good American and Andrea Iyamah, click ahead for an exhaustive list of skimpy and supportive plus-size bikinis.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Aerie
Aerie Printed Ruffle Tie Longline Triangle Bikini Top, $, available at Aerie
Aerie Printed Ruffle Bikini Bottom, $, available at Aerie
Alpine Butterfly
Alpine Butterfly Alyssa Top in Lilac, $, available at Alpine Butterfly
Alpine Butterfly Alyssa Bottom in Lilac, $, available at Alpine Butterfly
Skaters are many things. They’re rebels. They’re political. They’re trendsetters, though some might brush it off as no big deal. Part of skate culture is also about practicing sustainability, and not just in the transportation sense. Meet Jae, Darius, and Yaz: three New York City skaters for whom wearing and re-wearing clothing is not only a personal preference, but a personal philosophy too.
Thrifted dark rinse but their lightwash now
holes tainted with all of the sweat
All the falls
Engraved with all of those long summer nights outside
Holey enough to feel the warm breeze
And the way that they fall, grip, comfort my body
Makes me feel wrapped in love
Wrapped in all the time there was and all the times there is to come
— Jae
“It was always more than wearing cool jeans or cool clothes, it was finally feeling comfortable in what was wrapped on my skin. Finally I felt me in my baggy jeans and mens t
these clothes, my board gave me this space where I feel so comfy in my mask and more okay with my fem. Skating gave me that balance.”
— Jae
“With sustainability within myself, I love wearing the clothes I make to represent me and keep me fresh when I’m skating.I can’t step out the crib without someone asking me where I got my Malcolm X silk screen pants from. And that shit feels good, knowing people fuck with your creative mindset like that. And if i wear the same pants or some shit in a row, then who cares. Do you, as long as feeling bout yourself that’s all that matters. And be yourself. With the clothes it shows 100% me and what I fuck wit so if other people liking what I make or what I rock then that just goes to show that being yo self has a lot to go with it.”
— Darius
“We don’t like wearing odee like commercial ass brands. We deff not shopping at zumiez. If I’m wearing anything I only shop off my friends brands and buy off of people who have supported me in any way like skate shops. Run by people who are dedicated to the shit. But making my own clothes is another way of just showing off my art. And let the people know how I feel by the clothes I wear. Even as a kid clothing was important, I don’t care if I had to wear the same pairs a couple days in a row. If you aint feeling fresh on the board or like the clothes you rocking, then that shit just affects your whole mood and the way you move.”
— Darius
“Whether its my love for horticulture, my unique relationship to the clothes I wear, or the many subtle ways I continue to make conscious efforts to lessen my carbon footprint — environmental sustainability reloads to all of these aspects of my life!”
“Horticulture: Finding peace within plants
“since the start of quarantine in 2020, I had to stick to staying inside the crib. As a result, I redirected my love for nature and got into horticulture! I’ve learned so much about taking care plants, herbs, flowers and even carnivorous plants! As someone living in a polluted concrete jungle, reconnecting with nature has helped me to find peace in things other than skateboarding and art.”
— Yaz
“Style: How my unique fashion style has helped me to fulfill my sustainability goals
“As a skater I’m constantly having to fall, tumble, and roll in my threads. Because of this, I’ve had to find a balance between durable clothes that I have that are meant for skating and clothes are one-of-a-kind or delicate. I’m not rich (lol) so I’ve had to take some of my ripped or nearly destroyed clothes and turn them into something new. I don’t condone the act of fast fashion and fast paced trends, so I don’t engage in these toxic fashion happenings. I revamp, recycle and rewear my clothes in an effort to be more environmentally conscious and stylish.”
— Yaz
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Skinned knees. Missed shots. Wipeouts. Mortifying, face-palming moments are usually relegated to bloopers than highlight reels — but in Nike’s “Play New” campaign, an elite cast of professional athletes prove otherwise. Instead of exhibiting their superior display of athleticism (the kind of inspirational fodder typically reserved for sportswear commercials) these pros showcase the discovery and joy of picking up a new sport — and sucking at it.
There’s baller Sabrina Ionescu trying out tennis and hitting net. Or Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest British woman in recorded history, taking a swing at golf and making a bad shot. Or eight-time Paralympic track and field medalist Blake Leeper striking out in baseball. (Plus, a cameo by award-winning artist RosalÃa attempting archery.)
“Play means joy. It represents pure enjoyment and being able to just be free. All kids play. That’s just a natural thing they do,” says Melanie Auguste, VP of global brand marketing at Nike. “The reason we are encouraging people to ‘Play New,’ is to celebrate that notion of getting back to the joy of discovering and trying something for the first time — the joy of letting loose a little bit.”
And honestly, nothing feels more inspirational — or relatable.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to start the daunting task of shopping for swimwear. I don’t know about you, but my 2020 swimsuit lineup was nothing close to on-trend or photo-ready, mostly because the only place I wore it was on my roof. This summer, though, a new swimwear style has arrived on the scene, taking over Instagram and TikTok feeds alike. Introducing: Tarzan bikinis, the barely-there, '80s-style swim bottoms — also called curtain string bikinis — that are making a serious splash (ha) in 2021.
After having grown used to shopping for high-rise, vintage-style bikinis for the past four summers, finding Tarzan bottoms that fit, don’t pinch, and look great is like entering into uncharted waters. That said, once you get acquainted with shopping for swimsuits that show off,well, everything, we’re sure you won’t be heading back to the ‘50s anytime soon.
To make the first step into skimpy bikini territory easier, we went ahead and scoured every swimsuit shop on the internet, rounding up 23 bare-all bottoms for you to try this summer.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Good American Tiny Ties Triangle, $, available at Good American
Good American Matte Tiny Ties Bottom, $, available at Good American
Frankies Bikinis Tia Triangle Satin Bikini Top, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
Frankies Bikinis Tia String Bikini Bottom, $, available at Frankies Bikinis
RJ Swim Stella String Top, $, available at RJ Swim
RJ Swim Stella String Cheeky Bottom, $, available at RJ Swim
MELISSA SIMONE Enita Micro String Bikini, $, available at Melissa Simone
MELISSA SIMONE Enita Micro String Bottom, $, available at Melissa Simone
Out From Under Martini Curtain Tankini Top, $, available at Urban Outffiters
Out From Under Cora Curtain String Printed Bikini Bottom, $, available at Urban Outffiters
