Ethical Clothing in larger sizes?

[Ruthla]

The "ethical clothing" discussion comes up on MDC occasionally, and most of the "approved" companies don't make plus sized clothing.

Then sometimes the "plus sized clothing" discussion comes up on TAO and we're just talking about price and style, ethics never seems to come up at all.

So now I want to combine the two. I very rarely buy new clothing for myself, but when I do, I don't want to support sweatshop labor or other unethical business practices. I do know how to sew, but I don't want to sew all of my own clothes. I also shop at the thrift shop quite a bit.

But I'd like the option of buying something brand new once in a while and being able to feel really good about the purchase. I'm sure there are other plus-sized mamas who don't have my financial constraints, and who maybe don't have the time for thrift store shopping or the skills for home sewing, who would benefit from this discussion even more than I would.

So, what's the ethical rundown on places that sell clothing in 2X/ 20W on up? Lots of "regular sized" companies make an XL that works for some plus-sized mamas, but I'm not one of them!

[Leylla]

I'd like to know too, and if anyone knows of the super plus size manufactuers, i'd like to know. (Some 26w fit, but something I have to go to 28w)

Right now what I cannot find at goodwill or make, (pretty much I just make my own moomoos, and not very well) I end up buying at Catos or Lane Braynt. So if theres something else out there that is more ethical, please let me know.

Steph

[Jennisee]

:

[Ruthla]

Does anybody know anything about Lane Bryant's business practices?

When I see a skirt at Land's End for $60, and something very similar at Lane Bryant for about $25, (and then in the Clearance section for $10 a few months later) it makes me really suspicious- is it just poorer quality, or are they cutting corners elsewhere in production and distribution?

I don't even know how to go about researching companies. I once found a website that listed ethical companies, but it was very difficult to navigate and had almost nothing in plus-sized manufacturers.

Is Ulla Popkin any good, ethics wise? I know their clothes are extremely well made, as I bought some in their MD store about 10 years ago and some of the items are still in near mint condition (mostly the non-nursing friendly ones that spent a few years hibernating.)

[eco_mama]

i think eileen fisher has plus sizes? but jeez, that stuff is so expensive!

[Sustainer]

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47528.asp

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by Sustainer

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art47528.asp

Thanks!!

[*clementine*]

I checked out the Bellaonline link and I'm sick.
I LOVE some of the clothes at bluefish....I'm a size 16 and can't find organic or ethical clothing that fits well. At least not often.
Anyway, I'm meandering.
If I were rich I'd buy my clothing at bluefish. But my god. Those are some expensive clothes. I can't even afford one pair of pants. I REALLY want a pair of pants from there.: : :

[1growingsprout]

fwiw i avoid lane bryant like the plague. i just never had 'good customer service'
the staff seems to be rude, returns/exchanges are a hassle plus their coupons have too many stipulations on what they are not valid on...

lane bryant is just a headache i cant deal with... however the website does carry up to 30/32.... ive never used the website... gave up after too many hassles at the store.

[MelanieMC]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

fwiw i avoid lane bryant like the plague. i just never had 'good customer service'
the staff seems to be rude, returns/exchanges are a hassle plus their coupons have too many stipulations on what they are not valid on...

lane bryant is just a headache i cant deal with... however the website does carry up to 30/32.... ive never used the website... gave up after too many hassles at the store.

ITA. I've never had good service in a LB. I HATE the way the try to force you into getting their credit card everytime you shop there! Seriously, if I ask for a dressing room the lady will open it and ask me if I have a LB card. When I say no she tells me if I do I'll get x% of today and future purchases. Then, when I go to put something up I hear it again. Then, when I am paying for whatever I'm buying I hear it again, and when I say no they go on and on and on about it. Ugggghhhh. :

Anyway, all that and I still buy most of my clothing from them b/c its the only place here in town I can find plus sized clothes (unless you count walmart, which I don't). There was a thread a while back where we were talking about how you can't find a lot of ethical, organic/natural clothing in plus sizes. We sorta conclueded that the companies that do make organic clothing must assume that anyone who cares enough to buy all natural clothing would also be extremely healthy and thin, so they don't make it for anyone larger than a size 8 or so. : I just wish it was easier to find something nice, ethical, and natural to wear that wouldn't put me into severe debt!

[MelanieMC]

Originally Posted by jillkuster

I checked out the Bellaonline link and I'm sick.
I LOVE some of the clothes at bluefish....I'm a size 16 and can't find organic or ethical clothing that fits well. At least not often.
Anyway, I'm meandering.
If I were rich I'd buy my clothing at bluefish. But my god. Those are some expensive clothes. I can't even afford one pair of pants. I REALLY want a pair of pants from there.: : :

I know. I saw a cute sweater/shrug that was $198!!! There were some as much as $268 for a top! How can anyone afford to buy this stuff?

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

fwiw i avoid lane bryant like the plague. i just never had 'good customer service'
the staff seems to be rude, returns/exchanges are a hassle plus their coupons have too many stipulations on what they are not valid on...

lane bryant is just a headache i cant deal with... however the website does carry up to 30/32.... ive never used the website... gave up after too many hassles at the store.

Just so you know, Lane Bryant Stores and Lane Bryant Catalog are two completely separate companies. I mean, they're linked in that they both carry plus-sized clothing and they both accept the Lane Bryant credit card, but the merchandise, customer service, etc, are completely separate. In fact, the catalog recently changed its name to Woman Within (lanebryantcatalog.com still links to their online catalog though) so it would get less confused with the retail stores.

[gilleoin]

Originally Posted by jillkuster

I checked out the Bellaonline link and I'm sick.
I LOVE some of the clothes at bluefish....I'm a size 16 and can't find organic or ethical clothing that fits well. At least not often.
Anyway, I'm meandering.
If I were rich I'd buy my clothing at bluefish. But my god. Those are some expensive clothes. I can't even afford one pair of pants. I REALLY want a pair of pants from there.: : :

ITA...I LOVE the Bluefish line, but *ye gods* not at that price!!

[SleeplessMommy]

How about Marketplace India?

http://www.marketplaceindia.org/MP34...g&GEN6=Dresses

[Ruthla]

I just want to say that reading this thread (and re-reading my OP) has inspired me to do some sewing. I've been wanting a jumper ever since my denim jumper (purchased second hand) got completely worn out to the point of being unwearable. I've been checking the thrift store regularly with no luck.

I know exactly what style I want. I even have a pattern I purchased before getting pg with DS and never used. I have some fabric my Mom picked up at a bazzaar before Hanukkah last year. All I need is to buy some matching thread and some interfacing and get sewing! It might take me a month to get the whole project finished, but then for less than $5 I'll have exactly what I want, in exactly my size, with pockets where I want them! And I'll know it was ethically produced because I'll have sewn it myself!

[thismama]

OMG I'm in *love* with the bluefish stuff. In love.

Is there any way to sew stuff like that? Like, do patterns exist?

[*clementine*]

Screw you ladies who can sew.
I'm still high and dry in the bluefish department.
And yea.....how the hell can anyone afford that? Seriously. If the shrug is $300, the pants $100...the OUTFIT would be a mini fortune.
Still...I may beg dh for a pair of pants someday.
Once we're not in utter poverty.
ugh. It just makes me sick.
I hate wanting something I can't have, and I love the look of their line. I'd be so cute in it.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by jillkuster

Screw you ladies who can sew.

:

Ruthla, you should start a WAHM business making some clothing for us Plus Sized MDC Mommas. You know, just a few simple things. I, for one, would love a long, straight, stretchy cotton skirt to throw on with a t shirt and some flip flops.

[marybethorama]

Originally Posted by MommyErin

Ruthla, you should start a WAHM business making some clothing for us Plus Sized MDC Mommas. You know, just a few simple things. I, for one, would love a long, straight, stretchy cotton skirt to throw on with a t shirt and some flip flops.

hmmmm

I've started sewing my own clothes (I wear an 18/20) because I'm having a hard time finding stuff I like on sale.

I'd have to look into fabric though. I buy fabric on clearance but I'm sure it's not ethically produced or organic.

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by MommyErin

:

Ruthla, you should start a WAHM business making some clothing for us Plus Sized MDC Mommas. You know, just a few simple things. I, for one, would love a long, straight, stretchy cotton skirt to throw on with a t shirt and some flip flops.

Yeah right. I barely have the time, energy, and arm strength to make one item for myself!