15 Brands Making The Best Plus-Size Clothing Right Now
Best Plus-Size Travel Clothing Brand
Mara HoffmanBest Plus-Size Travel Clothing Brand
Mara Hoffman Credit: ShopbopAbout the brand: Eco-conscious designer Mara Hoffman carries many of her dresses, matching separates, and swimwear in extended sizes. These pieces have an elevated, resort vibe for your summer travels—and they're made to last.
Size range: XXS–3XL
Price range: $$$
What reviewers are saying: "Good quality, nice fabric, very comfortable to wear. A perfect choice for summer vacation."
Best Plus-Size Travel Clothing Brand
Mara Hoffman Laura Printed DressBest Plus-Size Travel Clothing Brand
Mara Hoffman Laura Printed DressBest Sustainable Plus-Size Store
GanniBest Sustainable Plus-Size Store
Ganni Credit: GanniAbout the brand: The styles that made Ganni the most recognizable brand at Copenhagen Fashion Week finally became available in plus sizes in 2021. Each collection stays true to Ganni's signature look—whimsical, colorful, and ever-so-slightly off-kilter—with the added benefit of responsibly sourced materials. (Ganni is a certified B Corporation.) The label also includes plus sizes in its buzzy collaborations, whether it's a team-up with outerwear label 66 North or Belgian-based designer Esther Manas.
Size range: 0–22
Price range: $–$$$
What reviewers are saying: "Adorable, great material, fun to dress up or keep casual."
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Best Sustainable Plus-Size Store
Ganni Silk V-neck Mini DressBest Sustainable Plus-Size Store
Ganni Silk V-neck Mini Dress Credit: GanniBest Plus-Size Wardrobe Essentials Brand
J.CrewBest Plus-Size Wardrobe Essentials Brand
J.Crew Credit: J.CrewAbout the brand: Under womenswear director Olympia Gayot, J.Crew is excelling at modern essentials at every size. Come for the tailoring and matching sets; stay for the roster of insider-approved collaborations and long-lasting accessories.
Size range: 000–24
Price range: $–$$
What reviewers are saying: "At least 20 people approached me to tell me how much they loved the color and the outfit in general. Paired with a simple white tank underneath, it was perfectly chic."
Best Plus-Size Wardrobe Essentials Brand
J.Crew Gwenyth Slip SkirtBest Plus-Size Wardrobe Essentials Brand
J.Crew Gwenyth Slip SkirtNow 40% Off
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Best Plus-Size Knitwear Brand
La LigneBest Plus-Size Knitwear Brand
La LigneAbout the brand: There's nowhere better than La Ligne to find classic sweaters in every cut and color. The brand is especially beloved among Bazaar editors for its numerous takes on the classic stripe.
Size range: XS–3XL
Price range: $$
Best Plus-Size Knitwear Brand
La Ligne Mini Marina SweaterBest Plus-Size Knitwear Brand
La Ligne Mini Marina SweaterBest Plus-Size Workwear Brand
Tanya TaylorBest Plus-Size Workwear Brand
Tanya TaylorAbout the brand: Tanya Taylor has spent the past decade perfecting the daytime dress. While many shoppers know her for the Blair, a flutter-sleeved wrap found in a range of handpainted hues, shoppers should get acquainted with her label's more structured workwear pieces. From a shirt dress cinched with a silver pin to leather maxi skirt, the designer has cracked the code on items that imbue 9-to-5 classics with a sense of personality.
Size range: 00–22
Price range: $$$
What reviewers are saying: "[Dresses are] beautiful in the picture, but even more so in person. Ordered it on a whim and I'm so glad I did. It could easily be worn with heels to a wedding, flats to work, or sneakers for a backyard party. Very versatile, easy, and feminine."
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Best Plus-Size Workwear Brand
Tanya Taylor Hudson SkirtBest Plus-Size Workwear Brand
Tanya Taylor Hudson SkirtBest Store for Vintage-Inspired Clothing
RixoBest Store for Vintage-Inspired Clothing
Rixo Credit: RixoAbout the brand: London-based Rixo is known for hand-painted prints and 1940s-inspired shapes. Even when you're wearing its most casual pieces, like a tailored linen waistcoat or a floral jacquard midi dress, you'll feel refined.
Size range: 2–20
Price range: $$–$$$
What reviewers are saying: "Beautiful dress, looked just like photograph on website if not better. Received many compliments."
Best Store for Vintage-Inspired Clothing
Rixo RosheenBest Store for Vintage-Inspired Clothing
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Best Plus-Size Activewear Brand
Girlfriend CollectiveBest Plus-Size Activewear Brand
Girlfriend Collective Credit: Girlfriend CollectiveAbout the brand: Whichever way you prefer to move, you'll find your best activewear at Girlfriend Collective. The label's soft-yet-compressive fabrics wick away moisture and feel comfortable enough to wear all day. Longtime fans are obsessed with its exercise dresses, seen here, and its leggings (with pockets!).
Size range: XXS–6XL
Price range: $
What reviewers are saying: "High quality, true to size."
Best Plus-Size Activewear Brand
Girlfriend Collective Citrine Compressive Pocket LeggingBest Plus-Size Activewear Brand
Girlfriend Collective Citrine Compressive Pocket Legging Credit: Girlfriend CollectiveBest Store for Plus-Size Summer Clothes
AnthropologieBest Store for Plus-Size Summer Clothes
Anthropologie Credit: AnthropologieAbout the brand: The whimsical, slightly bohemian energy of Anthropologie's best pieces finally come in extended sizes. This is a range filled with tiered eyelet dresses, colorful cropped pants, and flowy tops fit for summer.
Size range: 1X–3X
Price range: $–$$
What reviewers are saying: "Well made and fits amazing."
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Best Store for Plus-Size Summer Clothes
Maeve Colette Cropped PantsBest Store for Plus-Size Summer Clothes
Maeve Colette Cropped PantsBest Store for Plus-Size Denim
Good AmericanBest Store for Plus-Size Denim
Good American Credit: Good AmericanAbout the brand: Good American's hero product is its made-for-you denim that fit like a glove in high-stretch, medium-stretch, and no-stretch. The brand's swim and ready-to-wear essentials deserve a moment in the sun, too.
Size range: 0–26
Price range: $–$$
What reviewers are saying: "Fits great, I'm a mom and l want to feel comfortable and also cool! Great details on the jeans and very flattering."
Best Store for Plus-Size Denim
Good American Good Waist Palazzo JeansBest Store for Plus-Size Denim
Good American Good Waist Palazzo Jeans Credit: Good AmericanAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Store for Plus-Size Dresses
ReformationBest Store for Plus-Size Dresses
Reformation Credit: ReformationAbout the brand: You already know that Reformation works hard to reduce its environmental impact while designing a range of vintage-inspired dresses, bags, and shoes. You may not know that its linen midis and wedding guest maxis go up to a size 24. For summer, the label is full of bright florals and breathable fabrics fit for a trip to Tuscany; when the weather cools down, its velvet and knit dresses can't be missed.
Size range: 14–24
Price range: $$
Best Store for Plus-Size Dresses
Reformation Lacey Dress EsBest Store for Plus-Size Dresses
Reformation Lacey Dress Es Credit: ReformationFashion Commerce Editor
Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.
The Best Plus-Size Clothing Brands For Women, According To Fashion Experts
After decades of being underrepresented in fashion, finding the best plus-size clothing isn't as tricky as it once was. The plus-size apparel market is thriving; according to Statista, it's worth an estimated $24 billion. With this explosion of demand comes more options, obviously, which means shopping for plus-size fashion is no longer limiting. Instead, everyone from retail giants like Nike to fashion-forward labels like Reformation have embraced more inclusive sizing. The issue now is not so much a lack of options, but finding the very best places to shop for plus-size clothing in what's become a very crowded market.
Reformation is one of our expert's favorite places to shop for plus-size dresses and day-to-night ... [+] pieces.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERSAs a plus-size fashion influencer, Katrina Nichole knows the market well. "I have been a lover of all things fashion since I was a little girl, and have lived in a bigger body my entire life," she says. "My number one priority when I am shopping is finding clothes that actually fit my ultra-curvy body well and look stylish." Fashion influencer Bonnie Wyrick has a similar point of view. She specializes in the mid-size market (sizes 12 through 16), which she defines as "the space between straight sizes and plus." It's category that speaks to "a quickly growing and highly engaging community who, until recently, didn't feel represented in the fashion or social space."
Here, Nichole, Wyrick, and a few other experts share their go-to retailers and the fashion labels they like best, so you can shop and bookmark them. And for more inspiration, check out our guides to the best plus-size leggings and plus-size bras.
GOOD AMERICAN
Always Fits Good Legs Jeans
Sizes: 00-24Average price point: $99-$175
"Good American is one of my favorite places to shop for any kind of plus-size pieces, especially for jeans," says Nichole. "They come in so many different fits based on your body type and size, and they are one of the few places that create trendy jeans for all sizes. Right now, I am in love with their Good '90s jeans, and their Always Fits jeans are perfection for those who fluctuate in size since there's built-in stretch."
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Sizes: 14W–28W and 1X–4XAverage price Point: $98-$148
"Madewell has invested in being more size-inclusive with a large collection of petite, curvy and plus styles," says Wyrick. "Their curvy collection caters to body types who need a couple extra inches in their hips and thighs but don't want that dreadful waist gap. The line is contemporary and the quality is on point with more high end, buttery fabrications."
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Nordstrom
Reformation Mara Dress
Sizes: 0-24Average price point: $128-$328
"Reformation is a sustainable brand that makes some of the most stunning dresses for upscale and formal events. I fell in love with their Michaela dress so much that I actually hiked with it up to the top of the Arches in Moab just to take photos in it," says Nichole. "They have great basics as well, such as skirts, pants and tops."
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Sizes: 0-16Average price point: $70-$100
"One of my favorite things to say is 'show up and show off' because style isn't a size and I truly believe everyone can wear what they want and should have accessibility to do so," says Wyrick. "Want to wear a crop top? Do it. Nervous to wear a tank? Bare those arms. Brands like Showpo make affordable, trendy clothing in sizes 0-18 and can help make that happen. Each item of clothing is often shown on two different body types, to give you a better idea of what it may look like on you."
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ELOQUII
Eloquii Sweetheart Cropped Blouse
Sizes: 14-28Average price point: $50-$170
"Eloquii is a staple store in the plus-size community," says professional stylist and personal shopper McKenzie Crouch. Outside of its wide selection, "it's hip, it's modern, and it has a little bit of everything for every style. Not to mention, the price point and quality is really incredible."
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Sizes: 12-26Price Point: $24-$135
Finding modern tops in plus or extended sizing can be especially difficult. Crouch recommends Asos Curve for stylish additions to your wardrobe. "If you are looking for affordable trendy styles, Asos curve has some of the best discounted pieces," Crouch says. "They also have the edgy looks that you want for a vacation or fun event."
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MOST POPULAR
Sizes: 12-24Average price point: $150-$2,500
11 Honoré, which is now available at Dia and Co, has luxury and quality pieces for mid-size and plus-size figures. "It's nice to shop for luxury plus-size pieces in one space; I don't have to guess if the brands offer my size," say Raena Loper, an editor at Forbes Vetted. Dozens of luxury designer styles are available, from Tanya Taylor to Minnie Rose to Ganni. 11 Honoré also has its own collection with similar luxury styles at a slightly lower price point.
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Revolve
Le Ore Andria Legging
Sizes: 3XS-3XLAverage price point: $45-$255
Nichole finds it hard to choose a favorite among plus-size activewear brands. "Choosing just one brand when it comes to fitness and workout clothing is hard for me since I like so many," she says. "The site that I am currently obsessing over is Bandier. They offer an array of athletic brands, and their selection of colors, patterns and trends are so unique when it comes to the world of plus-size fashion."
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Sizes: 32A-42DD; XXXS-3XAverage price point: $60-$138
"J.Crew's bikinis are my favorite for full coverage, and they have lots of family-friendly one-pieces as well," says Nichole. "If you are looking for bikinis and one-pieces for vacation and sultry getaways, I would also recommend a peek at Good American's swimsuits."
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Sizes: 0-26Average price point: $65-$125
"Just because you may a little belly, doesn't mean you have to rock an outdated tankini," says Wyrick. "We want our curves to be supported yet also want to feel snatched, too. Summersalt swimwear is offers slight compression, is made from sustainable materials and provides designer quality, all for under $100. I've done my time with cheaper swimwear brands in the past and they just don't compare to the quality and fit of this one."
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Save X Fenty
Savage X Fenty Going Platinum Long Robe
Sizes: XS-4XLAverage price point: $15-$100
"I feel cozy yet luxurious in my Savage X Fenty robes," says Loper. The brand offers loungewear, sleepwear, lingerie and more, "I've purchased so many items over the years, I look forward to using my $50 credit each month with my VIP rewards." As a subscriber or VIP, members pay a monthly fee, which goes toward new purchases, and you also get special deals and promotions.
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Sizes: 4XS-4XLAverage price point: $46-$188
"Universal Standard is an amazing brand to shop for basics and they are one of the most inclusive brands on the market with clothing that goes up to a size 40," says Nichole. "I'd also recommend Target for wardrobe basics with solid quality at a great price point. I've worked with them on sponsorships and some of the in-house brands I like best are Ava & Viv and Universal Thread."
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Sizes: 00-26Average price point: $44-$129
"In my twenties, I struggled finding a pair of dress pants that also made me feel confident. They always gapped or pulled across my hips, or bunched when I sat down," says Wyrick. "Slacks tend to be more of an investment, so it was hard to make a purchase that I didn't feel good in. Athleta has a variety of pants that take you to from work to happy hour, from workouts to brunch, in sizes from 00-26." The look and fit, she says, "is chic comfort in one."
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Editor's Pick
GIA/irl
Gia/irl Alaia Top
Sizes: 10-28Average price point: $84-$164
Created by plus-size model Gia Sinatra, the newly launched mid-size to plus-size range offers stylish formal wear, including two-piece sets and dresses that you can wear day or night. "I always reach for my GIA/irl pieces whenever I have a special event—they make an elegant statement," says Loper.
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Material: The best advice for any type of garment is to look for high-quality fabrics that will last. Cotton and denim hold up well and come in a variety of weights and weaves for different levels of breathability. If you'd like pieces with a bit more stretch, consider lyrca, a synthetic fabric with elastane. For durability, polyester has incredibly strong fibers and helps create structure to retain the shape of your garments.
Fit: The best way to optimize the fit of your garment is to know your measurements, says professional stylist McKenzie Crouch. "Definitely keep a tape measure around for online purchases," she says. But, she adds, it's sometimes more important to focus on the fit of the item. "Many women, regardless of size, get caught up in the numerical size of a garment and won't even consider a style if it requires them to go up in size," she says. "I always encourage women to improve the fit regardless of the number."
Return Policy: Mid- or plus-sizes at one brand can vary greatly among brands. A size 20 in one store may fit you perfectly, but it may be too tight in another one. With this in mind, it's always a good idea to confirm the return policy before you click to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mid- And Plus-Size Clothing What is the difference between mid-size and plus-size clothing?Mid-size labels are relatively new, but Crouch categorizes "mid-size" as sizes between 10-16. For plus-size clothing, most brands categorize sizes 18-24 or 1X-6X.
Which brand is good for plus-size?All plus-size and mid-size bodies are different—like with any clothing store, sizes vary from place to place. Shopping with brands that carry two sizes smaller and larger than your standard size is best, just in case you have to size up or down. That said, sizing up and down will only sometimes be an option—when you can't, look for items that have some stretch, this allows you to have more wiggle room when it comes to finding the right size for you.
What's flattering for plus-size and mid-size women?The term flattering can be associated with attempting to look smaller, so wear what makes you feel good on the inside and out, not what makes you look like something or someone else. Search for pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident; you will look and feel the same way.
Do luxury brands make plus-size clothing?Yes, several luxury brands make plus-size clothing. One retailer offering a mix of plus-size luxury designers is 11 Honoré, which is featured above, and includes pieces from Roland Mouret, Baacal and Tanya Taylor. Another luxury brand is Henning, which specializes in elevated closet staples like soft cashmere sweaters and heavyweight leather jackets. Unfortunately, the large majority of European luxury brands don't offer sizes above 46, which is equivalent to a US size 14.
What are the hardest items to find in extended sizing?Crouch has found while working with plus-size clients and listening to their shopping challenges, the biggest issue is having access to stylish clothing. Many plus-size brands offer basics or staples, but on-trend options are much more difficult to get your hands on. "Additionally, many brands don't keep plus-size options in store for easy try on," Crouch explains.
More Size-Inclusive Clothing Brands For WomenFullBeauty Brands Acquires Cuup, Joining Eloquii In Its Portfolio Of Size-Inclusive Brands
Group of females with different body size standing on white background and laughing. Multi-ethnic ... [+] women in white t-shirt and blue jeans hugging each other.
gettyFullBeauty Brands, a champion of size-inclusive fashion with over 100 brands, just announced the acquisition of intimates brand Cuup. This comes on the heels of adding Eloquii to its brand portfolio in April. FullBeauty didn't disclose the amount of either acquisition.
Digital-native Cuup was founded in 2017, and its claim to fame was offering an extended range of size-inclusive bras and panties fitted to real women.
Now with a range of 53 sizes from bandwidths 30 to 58 and cups from A to O, it solved customers' paradox of choice problem by simplifying her style choices to five basic bra designs and four panties in natural skin colorways. It also offers swimwear with the same simplified approach in selected one-piece and two-piece mix-and-match ranges.
Cuup became an overnight sensation after Kendall Jenner posted a selfie wearing a Cuup balconette bra, helping to build its Instagram loyal following to 235k. And in March, it was picked up by Bloomingdale's online and featured in its NYC flagship 59th Street store, where the brand's "Fit Therapists" provide personal fittings and a little body-positivity counseling on the side.
"We are thrilled to welcome Cuup and the Cuup team to FullBeauty Brands' family, as we continue to grow as the leading destination for great fitting, quality, on-trend and size-inclusive apparel," said CEO Jim Fogarty in a statement.
"As an innovative, high-growth brand seeking to disrupt the intimates category, Cuup enables us to further tap into the growing intimates addressable market, extends our reach among a new demographic of customers and expands our offerings to our existing customers," he continued, sharing in a followup interview, FullBeauty's customer base now totals about 5 million.
Over The YearsFogarty is fairly new to FullBeauty, having joined as CEO in June 2019 after the company's owners, Apax Partners and Charlesbank Capital Partners, filed for bankruptcy in February 2019 only to emerge 24 hours later restructured and short $900 million in debt.
But his bona fides in the fashion business are solid, including the plus-size market, having served as CFO for Warnaco and Levi Strauss, followed by CEO of Charming Shoppes, the home of plus-sized Lane Bryant and Catherines brands, and Orchard Brands.
FullBeauty traces its history to 1901 and has always served plus-sized women's needs, being part of Lane Bryant in its early days and operating its spinoff mail-order business after The Limited bought it.
It became FullBeauty Brands in 2015 with Roaman's, Jessica London, OneStop Plus, Swimsuits for All and Kingsize for men in its portfolio. Since then, it acquired Ellos and Catherines from Ascena Retail Group for $41 million, which held on to Ann Taylor, Loft and Lane Bryant.
He added, "We're always looking to find something that's going to build us, back us up and fill in the pieces."
Reaching Across DemographicsEloquii was a welcome addition to FullBeauty, giving it a foothold into the younger plus-sized women's market and now with Cuup, it expands its demographic reach further.
"All of our brands were founded by women to serve an underserved market," Fogarty said. "But our traditional portfolio was geared more toward Boomers. We were looking to do better with the GenZ and Millennial customers. I'd say our classic business is the Facebook generation, and now we are moving to the Instagram and TikTok customer."
To meet these two distinct customer demographics, FullBeauty is taking a digital-mall approach, where one digital-mall platform will give its traditional customers the ability to buy across all their brands. The other digital mall will aim toward the younger consumer, who will have full access to more youthfully vibrant styles, including Eloquii, Swimsuits for All and June + Vie, the company's private label brand. Cuup will join the mix later this year.
Despite its emphasis on DTC retail, wholesale into brick-and-mortar isn't off the table, and Fogarty noted back in his Levi Straus days that was the "whole game."
Currently, FullBeauty has a relationship with Nordstrom through Eloquii and a foothold in Bloomingdale's with Cuup. In addition, it sells to QVC QVCA , Amazon and its brands are represented on Walmart's WMT and Target's TGT marketplaces.
"We are not cloistered to only sell on our digital malls," he said. "We want to be where our customers shop, and our presence in other places brings us incremental customers we didn't have before."
And he also noted that Eloquii had success with popup shops in various markets to introduce new customers to the brand and a return to that approach is a strong possibility.
"The Eloquii team has a passion for that. We're still working through it, but we think it is a smart idea," he added.
Big OpportunityToday, FullBeauty Brands brings in about $1 billion in revenues, making it a big player in a global market estimated by Statista to reach $288 billion this year and grow to $500 billion over the next decade. Moreover, the plus-size market is expected to grow three times faster than the broader women's apparel market.
FullBeauty is meeting a critical need in the fashion market, since the average American woman now wears between a misses size 16–18, corresponding to a women's plus size 20W, according to a study published in the International Journal of Fashion DesignTechnology and Education.
But more than a need, FullBeauty satisfies a want – every woman wants and deserves to feel beautiful and well-dressed, no matter her size.
And it found its niche in a market that has challenged many other fashion brands. "Going from straight sizes to plus sizes is really hard to pull off, then add petite, medium and long, and it's more complicated," he explained.
Trying to feature all sizes on one clothing rack gets unwieldy, and neither the straight-sized customers or the plus-sized ones are happy having to cycle through so many choices to find something that fits.
Sourcing plus sizes is a challenge too, since factories may not have larger cutting tables to accommodate extended sizing. And then making the right calls on which sizes to stock adds another complication for retailers.
"Thankfully, it's a difficult problem for traditional fashion retailers to pull off successfully. But we know this customer and have a long history fitting her and serving her. That is our competitive moat."
