A growing list of ethical Australian labels that cater to a size 16 and beyond
Image via Warmcore Clothing
Words by Maggie Zhou
Pieces for a range of bodies.
There are a growing number of Australians who are becoming more conscious shoppers and prioritising ethically-made and sustainable fashion. But what happens when the industry doesn’t serve you? There’s nothing groundbreaking in proclaiming that fashion has a serious problem with fatphobia and size-inclusivity. We know that op-shopping is made infinitely harder and navigating standardised sizing can often be a nightmare.
With the average Australian woman fitting into a size 14 to 16 and the plus-size clothing industry worth $1 billion in Australia, it’s shameful (and bad business) that plus-size people have largely been rendered invisible.
For more style suggestions, head to our Fashion category.
This list features brands that, at a minimum, cater to a size 16, but we acknowledge that this is not a full and accurate representation of the spectrum of bodies in our midst. This selection of labels is a starting point, and it serves as a reminder that size does not dictate style. We’re proud to share this extensive collection of clothing, intimates and activewear brands and hope you can find something you love.
Clothing
Size range: XS to 4XL and custom sizing options
If a sparkly unicorn could make clothes, it would make Dyspnea. A whirlpool of fluffy tulle, dreamy pinks and sequinned goodness combine to produce Dyspnea’s signature sexy styles. All pieces are made to order in Bali and come to a size 18 or can be crafted to any custom size.
Size range: 8 to 22 and S to XXL
Embody Women is an Australian denim and fashion label whose mantra is that size doesn’t define style. Catering up to a size 22, all clothing is manufactured entirely in Australia and ensures that its use and disposal of chemical dyes are compliant with Australian rules and regulations.
Size range: 8 to 22
Warmcore Clothing’s pieces are each handmade in founder and designer Eleanor Hutchison’s kitchen, and the brand stocks size 8 to 22. Its collection of boldly coloured singlets, tees, skivvies and jumpers will inject personality into even the most mundane outfit.
Size range: 6 to 22
Don’t worry, Grump is named after creator Kelly’s cat, and is not a reflection of the clothes she makes. In fact, Grump is happily a size-inclusive brand that focuses on colourful prints and patterns in comfy silhouettes. Her delicious selection of clothing is handmade by herself in Queensland and caters up to a size 30.
Size range: 12 to 26
Without compromising on ethics, Australian label Hope and Harvest is designed for modern urban living. With apparel that caters to a wide range of sizes (from 12 to 26), the brand aims to design functional, beautiful staple pieces. Widely recognised as being at the forefront of body positivity within the Australian fashion industry, Hope and Harvest also offer custom-designed wedding dresses, formal gowns and dress attire.
Size range: XXS to XL
New Zealand label Kowtow has been leading the sustainable fashion conversation since 2006. The internationally recognised label produces beautiful and timeless garments using only renewable and sustainable fibres and ethical manufacturing. Kowtow’s XL size translates to an Australian 16.
Size range: 6 to 20, XS to 4XL and custom sizing options
With a brand philosophy built around transforming the fashion industry and creating a label that’s transparent, circular, regenerative and inclusive, New Zealand label Maggie Marilyn caters to the high-end side of sustainable fashion. Stocking up to a size 20 in its latest collection Somewhere Sport, it also has the option of a ‘bespoke request service’ if you have custom requests around sizing.
Size range: S to L and custom sizing options
Inspired by Scandinavian powerhouse Marimekko, Maker and Mineral produce made-to-order and hand-printed frocks, smocks and other fun threads in Melbourne. Samantha Ives is the brains (and hands) behind the small label. Fabrics are either locally sourced, recycled or deadstock materials and Samantha patterns, prints, designs and sews everything herself, meaning all pieces are customisable.
Size range: 22 to 38 and XXS to XXL
Founded as a means to help women out of sex trafficking in Cambodia, Outland Denim now supports and empowers individuals from varying backgrounds of vulnerability through employment. With a size offering ranging from four to 16, this B Corp employs a holistic approach to supporting its staff through opportunity, a living wage, and education.
Size range: XS to XXL
Variety Hour is a print-focused label by textile designer Cassie Byrnes. Each season, a new collection of prints is designed, hand painted and adapted into pieces up to a size 2XL. The collections are made in small quantities in Melbourne by Ethical Clothing Australia accredited manufacturers.
Size range: XS to XXL and custom sizing options
This mother and daughter duo create handmade, luxe tracksuits in the most joyful colours. Each garment is made to order using Australian-made fabric, locally sourced in Melbourne. It stocks up to a size 18, but also provides a custom sizing option for those who find standard sizing a real pain.
Size range: S to XL
PQ Collection is stock full of bold, modern and colourful clothing and prides itself on being size-inclusive with a curve range that caters to plus-size people. PQ Collection also aims to ethically produce their affordable collections and states that their garment workers are paid above a living wage.
Size range: XL to 4XL
You don’t need to squint to spot this Scottish ready-to-wear fashion brand’s playful and funky pieces from far away. Based and handmade in Melbourne, Squint’s Lazy Oaf aesthetic combines feminine prints with tomboy silhouettes and are made up to 4XL aka an Australian 26.
Size range: 8 to 24
Ever wanted to rock a tradie’s ‘fit? Now’s your chance. Sük Workwear is a culmination of what founder Mimosa Schmidt describes as “function, sexuality, fluidity, integrity and fierceness”. Ethically manufactured in Pakistan, you can nab a pair of their boilersuits or other garments that are available up to a size 24.
Size range: 4 to 16
Created in 2013, this Australian label is best known for its feminine yet modern designs with a slight bohemian twist. We are Kindred’s collections are unwavering from their signature floral, floaty and flirty pieces. The brand has sustainability initiatives in place and manufacture under the Ethical Trading Initiative code. We Are Kindred offers up to a size 20 in most garments.
Size range: 14 to 24
With a whimsical and vibrant aesthetic, Vagary The Label stocks bohemian wears in sizes 14 to 24. Its patterns are designed with all different body shapes in mind, rather than trying to fit all our unique shapes into the same straight size designs. Part of the slow fashion movement, the brand’s clothes are are sustainably sourced and ethically made in Indonesia by a family-run manufacturer.
Size range: 14 to 24
Designed with love and care in Tweed, Australia, fashion label Ada + Lou – founded by two like-minded friends – offers a selection of boho-inspired everyday wear with flattering classic prints (think dreamy flowy dresses and chic blouses). The brand was a long-held dream for owners Chantelle and Rebel, who wanted to make bohemian fashion that was inclusive of all body types. This is why they have made it their mission to ensure Ada + Lou caters for sizes up to 24.
Size range: 8 to 22
Isle of Summer is an Australian fashion label that is serious about its ethical practices. The brand, which stocks size eight to 22, is all about summery inspired pieces that help women feel comfortable in their own skin. It created its own vertically integrated manufacturing model, which allows it to provide flexible employment opportunities for women as well as radical transparency about its manufacturing process. Isle of Summer uses plant-based biodegradable garment and parcel bags and recycles all residual plastics that can’t be eliminated, as well as minimal packaging and 100 per cent recycled paper. It also tries to make use of fabric offcuts to reduce waste, which might mean you find a complimentary hair scrunchy in your order.
Size range: Custom fit
Sydney’s Citizen Wolf is on a mission to revolutionise the way we think about staple clothing, to get us to invest in quality pieces that are literally made for us. The brand uses your magic fit – a fit made specifically based on your weight, height and date of birth – to cut your perfectly sized T-shirt out with laser technology. The tees are sewn together in Sydney and its manufacturing is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia. And if the fit isn’t spot on the first time, the label will tweak it for you. Once you have your fit sorted, you can invest in a few of your favourite colours, cuts and fabrics.
Size range: 8 to 18
Australian-owned and made slow fashion brand Woolerina has your merino staples sorted for all seasons in sizes eight to 18. The brand’s wool is hand-picked and comes from non-mulesed sheep that grow their fleeces in the best living conditions. Woolerina’s garment manufacturing is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.
Size range: 6 to 18
Founded in 2004, this Melbourne based independent label not only offers on-trend items from sizes six to 18, but it has a social conscience too. Elk only works with small manufacturers who meet its ethical values and are also involved in several charities. You can expect breathable and comfort-focused designs and product lines including all-occasion clothing, accessories and footwear.
Intimates
Size range: 6 to 16
Camp Cove Swim creates retro-inspired swimwear, activewear and loungewear that’s ethically and locally manufactured on the South Coast of New South Wales in Jervis Bay. Not just using regenerated nylon from rescued fishing nets and nylon waste, Camp Cove Swim also employs a digital printing method called sublimation which eliminates water entirely from the dyeing process.
Size range: XS to 5XL
Hara, meaning green in Hindi, constructs sustainable, soft, dreamy bamboo intimates and loungewear. Founded by Allie Cameron, Hara aims to bring change and awareness to the human and environmental issues within the fashion industry. The pieces are available in sizes XS to 5XL and are naturally dyed, cut, sewn, packaged and shipped in Melbourne.
Size range: XXS to 5XL
“Dark, modern and romantic lingerie for bad-ass women.” Hopeless Lingerie cut, handmake and wrap all lingerie from their Melbourne office. Its flirty pieces are made to order, meaning while they stock between XXS and 5XL on hand, they can also accommodate all sizes while minimising waste.
Size range: 6 to 26
Jackfruit the Label is a Byron Shire intimates brand that seeks to be “big on comfort” and “low on environmental impact”. Its staple and no-fuss pieces are all handmade and hand-dyed from organic cotton and bamboo in small batches using solar power. Run by a one-woman team, Jackfruit the Label is truly size-inclusive, accommodating up to a size 26 with the option of custom sizing too.
Size range: 6 to 20/XS to XXL band size and A to H cup sizes
The name doesn’t lie, JBC is for every busty and non-busty babe. Catering up to a size 20 and H-cup with the option of free custom sizing, JBC is a body-positive lingerie brand. Sheer, lace, strappy and satin, JBC’s sexy undergarments are made to order and handmade in Australia.
Size range: 6 to 16
Female-founded Melbourne brand Le Buns is a staple for sustainable swimwear and intimates. With a focus on the timeless, its designs are enduring, meaning they become longer-lasting wardrobe-essentials. Catering up to a size 16, Le Buns consciously uses organic GOTS-certified cotton and regenerated nylon.
Size range: 8 to 16 band size and A to E cup sizes
Having committed to moving to 100 per cent traceable and sustainable materials in January, Lonely is a front runner in the sexy and sustainable lingerie and loungewear market. Grade-A goddess lingerie sets and lockdown-approved loungewear will make you glad you can’t leave the house.
Activewear
Size range: 6 to 18
Straight outta Byron comes sustainable activewear label Bay Active. Using only organic cotton and natural or regenerated fibres and boycotting plastic packaging where possible, the label is doing one for the planet. With sizes up to 18, one for the curvy gals too. Hit up the site and you’ll find unfussy yet flattering garms made for getting out and about. Who doesn’t love slow fashion made for a high-impact life?
Size range: XS to 3XL
Active Truth founders Stevie and Nadia set out to create a brand that not only serviced the activewear needs of women of all different sizes and shapes, but celebrated them too. Active Truth is committed to supporting a diverse range of women and their bodies by prioritising quality and functionality in their activewear range. Stocking up to 3XL, Active Truth also offers an extensive range of products for maternity, post-partum and petite body types.
Size range: XS to XXL
Dharma Bums is committed to creating sustainable and practical yoga gear. Bright and patterned activewear that empower women is at the core of this brand, as well as a commitment to greener fabrics. The brand caters to sizes 6 to 18, leaving room for more body types.
Size range: XS to 6XL
Brisbane-based Dk Active creates Australian-made activewear from its solar-powered HQ. Director Danielle Kay’s idea behind the brand is to promote inner wellbeing, self-love and body positivity, seen through its collections specifically designed for curvy and pregnant customers. Using regenerated nylon, organic cotton, bamboo and modal, its activewear ranges cover sizes 6 to 24.
Size range: XXS to XL
Move over The North Face (sorry, Dan), this woman-founded and -ran activewear brand is the epitome of dressing for Mother Nature. Not only are Team Timbuktu’s clothes made for enjoying the outdoors, but they are also made for us to enjoy forever. Recycled plastic waste is the main ingredient in these tights, tops and jackets, which are super sleek yet supportive and sized up to 16.
For more sustainable size-inclusive brand suggestions, head here.
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