Lizzo, the 33-year-old superstar artist and activist, is reclaiming power for plus-size women by launching her new, all-inclusive shapewear line. “We play by our own rules. We celebrate all bodies” Lizzo states on her brand’s Instagram post, and she is not backing down from creating a brand that “celebrates, hugs, and loves every single body.” Named “Yitty,” the brand’s first release features three collections: “Nearly Naked,” a line of comfy pieces to accentuate your natural curves; “Mesh Me,” a line of bold silhouettes to smooth, tone, and show off your curves; and “Major Label,” a line of everyday wear that fit perfectly in the right places. Her shapewear is designed for all body types from size 6X to XS that can be worn according to how you want to feel: hugged, snugged, snatched or loved. With pieces from bodysuits, leggings, hoodies, briefs, bras, bralettes, and shorts, Yitty features a wide collection of innovative fabrics, bold colors, and stylish silhouettes to choose from. The products are carbon neutral with sustainable packaging and eco-friendly styles, and prices ranging from $19.95 to $89.95.
Lizzo set out to reinvent fashion and what is redefining every beauty standard with her brand. “I’m tired of discomfort being synonymous with sexy, If it’s uncomfortable TAKE IT OFF. And if it feels good PUT IT ON”, Lizzo explains on Instagram. The singer is no stranger to being body-shamed and the challenges that accompany being larger-sized. In a recent interview, she said, “I was constantly being told through TV and magazines that my body wasn’t good enough” which is something she mentions in a recent bust magazine article on calling out body shamers as she mentions “I’m a body icon.” which she certainly is. She explains her motivation for starting Yitty on the Yitty website. “I was tired of seeing this sad, restrictive shapewear that literally no one wanted to wear. I had an epiphany like, ‘who can actually do something about this?’ I decided to take on the challenge of allowing women to feel unapologetically good about themselves again.”
The term “plus-size” was first used in a 1920 ad for Lane Bryant, the first all-exclusive plus-size store in New York. But until recently, few companies or designers bothered to incorporate plus-sized clothing. In their lines Today, plus-sized women are walking runway shows, appearing in magazines and tv shows, and brands like Yitty are creating clothing that puts the needs and desires of plus-sized customers first.
Here are 10 other plus-size clothing designers and brands to check out that will make you feel comfortable and confident in your curves :
Tamara Malas
Tamara Malas was founded on the idea that fashion should be for everyone. With inclusivity at its core for plus-sized women, this brand strives for women to know that “No one is you” and “What you seek is seeking you” Their sizes range from 6 to 32 with each piece handmade and ethical, creating small batches of limited-run collections made from high-quality fabrics, thus creating slow fashion as opposed to the fast-fashion we are used to seeing in the fashion industry. What’s better when for every purchase, Tamara Malas plants a tree and gives back to nature, hence creating a sustainable fashion brand. Their pieces include overcoats, jackets, shirt dresses, pants, camis, dresses, shorts and so much more with the most colorful and unique patterns for you to try on. Some of their pieces include: Yasmine shirt dress ($145), Tess dress ($125), Pilot pants ($155), Karma cami ($50) and Ruby cropped tee ($68).
Ange Sloan
Ange Sloan, who is featured in the spring 2022 issue of BUST magazine, is the New Zealand-brand designer of Sloan, a size-inclusive and eco-friendly brand. She loves to customize pieces for each person, where the fabric is chosen by them for them to feel seen and appreciated “because all bodies are wonderful”. Every piece has no size on the tag, instead, it would say “made in your size”. She believes that “Clothes are meant to serve us, to make us feel beautiful, confident and comfortable” and wants anyone who wears a piece made by her to feel worthy of wearing it. Her pieces range from dresses, tops, skirts, and sets and she hopes to extend her line with custom shorts and crops to fit everybody.
Curvature Clothing
A size-inclusive clothing brand in sizes 6 to 30 ethically made in Radelaide, South Australia. Curvature clothing is founded by Lisa who mentions how “I have been so incredibly bored, frustrated and fed up with the rubbish offerings of fashion for women considered plus-sized” as she found them to be shapeless and boring. Curvature is rooted in “body positivity and female empowerment” and the pieces include dresses, skirts, tops, and tights that do not disappoint. Their pieces include bright colors and bold patterns such as the black and white gingham frock ($140), Black and Dramatic Tulle Peplum Top ($110), mega dot frock ($160), petrol linen skirt ($130) and the retro shapes tee ( $110).
See ROSE Go
As the name goes, See ROSE Go is a brand that is all about the recognition of women and seeks to See: take notice, recognize, Rose: Feminine, beauty and Go: accomplish. “You have no idea what it is like to shop for my body.” is the statement that catalyzed the formation of the brand and made its primary focus to see plus-sized women embrace their power, chase ambition and make their impact in the world. Their signature collection comes in a wide range of powerful tunics ($148), button down shirts($108), woven shorts ($78). Other products are trailblazer crew sweatshirts ($78), gentlewoman turtleneck ($78), multitasker pants ($118), riverter jumpsuit ($178), the coolest t-shirt ($48), tailored track pant ($140) from sizes 10 to 28. All of these are so classy and comfortable that will truly make you feel so confident about your body.
C’est D
C’est D is a brand based in NYC that is providing choices that the fashion industry is missing for plus-sized women. Their designs are unapologetically designed fashion for all types of bodies promoting body positivity for plus-size women. Their goal is to empower you to love yourself, celebrate body equality and overcome all the negative projections of fatphobia in society. Their clothes range from XXS to 6XL. Their products range from $51 to $111 making all of their clothes very affordable. Some of their products include: Satin lace top ($51), Jewel ruched dress ($63), satin jogger ($57), Lovestruck hoddie ($66) and skye slip dress ($63) Their pieces are so colorful and cool and will definitely leave you feeling happy wearing them.
SmartGlamour
A brand dedicated to creating clothes you need, empowering you through your clothes and on your journey to accepting your body. SmartGlamour is here to help you move from any shame of your body or any bad experiences of shopping for your size as a plus-sized woman. They include sizes from XXS-15X and beyond, based in NYC it has pieces that are affordable, fashionable and customizable. The founder Mallorie Dunn is an NYC-based fashion designer, business owner, and professor who hopes Smart Glamour to continue growing into a fully realized movement of body liberation and community for women, femme presenting and identifying individuals, and nonbinary folks. You can shop pieces by category such as tops, skirts, pants, overalls, dresses, bodysuits, activewear and style such as style staples, workwear, date night, and wedding occasions.
Christian Omeshun
Founded by A’shontay Hubbard, whose journey to starting the brand began with her struggle to find clothes as a full-figure tall woman. She created the go-to place for all your plus-size garment needs with bold and colorful yet sophisticated plus-sized garments. Regardless of whether you value quality, durability, and timelessness, or whether you prefer staple pieces over trends, Christian Omeshum has it all. Their mission is to provide sophisticated and specialty clothing to women who feel at odds with the dressing room and with the motive that fashion should be inclusive when it comes to curves. Their sizes range from 12 to 32 with collections ranging from Urbane Chic, Sophisticated Minimalist, Persevere, Stunner collection with all of your essentials: dresses, pants, jumpsuits, skirts, swimwear and tops, Christian Omeshum has got you all covered. Some of their pieces include Velvet Neema Essential set ($300), Co pin stripe set ($160), Bella maxi ($150), Co bell bottom pant ($150) and Valentina maxi – abstract ($160).
Loud Bodies
Loud Bodies was founded by Patricia Luiza Blaj, who set out to prove that style has no size by creating ethically sustainable clothing in all sizes available to people everywhere. “Real style has no size, and everybody deserves stylish and comfortable clothes in their size,” is the brand’s mission. Her story ties into the brand when she was discouraged with the plain and baggy clothes she found for her size. Hence her mission since then was to show people embrace their bodies and their insecurities which is something we all have. Respect and empowerment are core values that Loud Bodies run on. Something important about them is that all of their packaging don’t come wrapped in plastic but instead is packed in recycled paper. They have a range of pieces in sizes XXS to 10X with blazers, dresses, jumpsuits, pants, scarfs, shirts and skirts in collections for fall, spring, summer, leisurewear and affordable wear. Some of they’re pieces include: Veronica dress red organic cotton ($265), Flora skirt kale linen ($180), Frida dress floral organic cotton ($170) and Joan skirt lavender ecovero ($66).
Zelie for She
Designed and produced in Los Angeles by designer Elann Zelie, Zelie for She stands for authenticity and individuality. All of their pieces and designs are made in a limited run where each of their collection tells a different story of travel, friendship, women, and empowerment. Elann Zelie found it difficult to express her individuality in the fashion world where there was a limited option for plus-sized women, That was when she fell in love with designing as an art of expressing herself and her identity and allowing other women who wear her pieces to feel safe in themselves and who they are. Zelie for she is a brand from Los Angeles with sizes from 14 – 24. Some of their collections include: Desert daydreams, LUXE, FUNKADELIC, Bad gal and Spring is in the air.
Opener photo: Yitty, See ROSE go, & Tamara Malas