It is a fact often flagged by the body positivity movement that the average woman in the UK is a size 16. And yet still many brands – especially those at the high end – regard that average as ‘large’ – and that’s if they even cater for it at all. Despite ever-louder voices calling for inclusivity, many women still struggle to find stylish clothes to fit them. However, things look set to be changing. With plus size forecast to account for twenty-two per cent of the UK clothing market in 2022, it is an area that is now growing faster than the rest of the fashion market. And we say high time. From the designer to the high street, we round up our pick of the size-inclusive brands which serve women who don’t fall under the narrow strictures of what has been regarded – until now – as the ‘norm’ by the presiding fashion brigade. These are our favourites.
Main image: Reformation
By Nancy Alsop
March 2021
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Erdem
A wander into most shops on Sloane or Bond Streets will tell you that – with a couple of notable exceptions such as Nicole Farhi and DKNY – the fashion crowd does not do larger sizes. How welcome, then, that Erdem, a brand revered in fashion circles, recently announced that every collection hence forth will be available in British sizes 6 – 22. Whilst the label previously offered a bespoke service in all sizes, the announcement, made by its founder Erdem Moralioglu, means that those who fall outside of the usual 6-14/16 range can now shop the ready-to-wear collection too. Could this spell the start of inclusive sizing in high fashion?
Our Top Picks
Our Top Picks
We Are Kin
An emerging fashion label based in London and founded by Ngoni Chikwenengere, We Are Kin has a small but growing collection of sleek and minimal pieces in sizes 6 – 24. Describing what she does as ‘slow fashion’, Ngoni also ensures that her label is ethical and sustainable. A force for good in the sartorial world.
Our top picks:
Our top picks:
H & M
H&M has long had an inclusive sizing policy. However, in 2018, after complaints at the lack of uniformity and smaller-than-average fits for each size, it brought its sizes into line with wider British standards. It now goes up to a size 22 – and is generally pretty pocket-friendly too.
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Our Top Picks:
Reformation
Reformation’s extended sizing section is awash with pretty, feminine frocks – the kind that demand to be worn to frolic in summer meadows. We like that, unlike many brands, its models are appropriately size-inclusive too, as they ought to be. It’s all sustainably made, and goes up to a size 22.
Our Top Picks:
Our Top Picks:
Mango Violeta
If you love high street stalwart Mango’s style but less so the sizing, it’s time to get acquainted with its Violeta range, which runs from sizes 14 – 26. Think floral dresses, good jeans, sweet knits and all the staples you’d expect from this trend-led brand.
Our Top Picks:
Our Top Picks:
Benjamin Fox
Founder of Benjamin Fox, Ciara, makes every item in her collection from her Norfolk studio. As she explains, ‘I learnt the art of pattern design and dressmaking from both my mother and grandmother, both incredibly talented seamstresses and dressmakers, and started BF after graduating with an LLB from UCL. My designs are focused on femininity and comfort, and I aim to create sustainable pieces that have their own identity, giving customers a more sentimental view of their clothes. I work with a range of sustainable fabrics; deadstock, end of line and ex-designer fabrics, organic cottons and natural and biodegradable materials.’ Each piece is made on request in sizes that go up to 22. Place your order and expect it to arrive minimally packaged in recyclable packaging.
Our Top Picks:
Our Top Picks:
The Hour
‘The Hour venerates silhouette, confidence and identity. It is dedicated to creating contemporary plus size pieces that drape, frame and flatter the fuller colour.’ Hear, hear. Its dressy collection is available in sizes 14 – 26 and caters to women with fuller figures looking for smart clothing.
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Our Top Picks:
Egg Trading
Maureen Doherty, who previously worked with Issey Miyake, is the genius – and we use the word advisedly – behind Egg Trading, a beautiful clothing boutique on Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge, which was founded in 1994. Not a plus size brand per se, its creations are generous and created in one-size, cleverly working on all kinds of figures. They are undoubtedly expensive, but so beautifully cut and made that if you’re looking for a special outfit, this could be the place to find it.
Our Top Picks:
Our Top Picks:
Boden
Boden – so called after its founder, Johnnie Boden – began life around his west London kitchen table in 1991. It soon became known for its smart, wearable and reliably well-made clothing featuring bright pops of popular, and gained popularity particularly with the yummiest of mummies around south-west London and, these days, well beyond. What is less well known is that its whole women’s collection comes in sizes ranging from 6 – 22, making the entirety of it inclusive and available, rather than just a dedicated subsection of the brand. Bravo Boden!
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Our Top Picks:
Off On Clothing
Nine years ago, when co-founder of Simona married Paulius (the other half of Off On), she made her own wedding dress. That was the beginning of the brand’s story, inspiring the duo to go on to create a label would make each of its creations by hand for customers – and in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL. We love the loose-fitting style and the simplicity of the pieces, which are as wearable for the everyday as they are chic.
Our Top Picks:
Our Top Picks:
Anna Scholz
Anna Scholz’s mission to create stylish clothes for women who fall outside the standard sizing brackets was informed by her own lived experience. By the age of thirteen, she was six foot and a size 16, and struggled to find clothes that hadn’t been designed with much older women in mind. She began to sew and, in her later teens, worked as a plus-size model before opening a small shop in Portobello Market. The big break came when she retailer Lane Bryant ordered from her first collection and sold it as a premium brand. Since then, she has dressed the likes of Ashley Graham, Adele and Aretha Franklin. A shining light in the world of inclusive sizing.
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Our Top Picks:
Monki
Monki began life because, well, as its founders say, there was no Monki. The foundation blocks of the sisterhood-focused brand were to address body positivity, sustainability, affordability and, really, just to make women and girls feel good about themselves. Sizes go up to an XL (the equivalent of a 20) and most items come in under £50. Cool, casual wallet-friendly stuff.
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Our Top Picks:
Mary Benson
‘MARY was born out of my love of beautiful dresses, timeless vintage patterns and magical prints. I have spent years experimenting with different textiles, illustration, dress making and vintage sourcing,’ says founder and CEO Mary Benson. ‘My dresses are made to order using deadstock fabric to minimise waste and use what we have already. Each item is handmade by my lovely team in my London studio. I truly love the idea of having special dresses made to keep forever - looking back at a time when people used to only buy dresses on very special occasions.’ We adore the romance of her dresses, which she can create up to a size 30.
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Our Top Picks:
By
Nancy Alsop
·
Published March 2021
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.