Sustainability in plus size fashion - why we do what we do

The fashion industry has been under scrutiny for its environmental impact for some time, and it is no secret that it produces a significant proportion of global emissions (Nicola Davis, The Guardian). In this context, sustainability in the fashion industry has become an important topic of conversation. But despite growing awareness and demand, finding eco-friendly plus size clothing can often be a challenge.

The reasons for this gap in the market are varied, but they are not always convincing. One argument goes that the offer of plus size fashion is relatively new in the fast fashion sector and simply needs time to establish itself in the slow fashion sector. The fact that the sustainable segment is smaller overall also supposedly leads to less choice for larger sizes (Olivia Muenter, Refinery29).

Another often-mentioned argument is that there is not enough demand, but this does not correspond to reality. Many people wear size 42 or larger and are willing to invest in sustainable fashion (Marielle Elizabeth, Vogue).

The cost factor is also often cited as a reason not to produce larger sizes. Developing a plus size collection undoubtedly requires investment. Patterns need to be adjusted and redesigned, branding needs to be revised and tested (Sara Brown, Cosmopolitan). But in the end, every new collection requires money. And fat phobia also plays a significant role in the area of ​​sustainable fashion, which limits the variety of products on offer.

But we at Les Soeurs Shop believe there is another way and set an inspiring example with our own brand “Loved by Les Soeurs Shop”. We present a cross-season main collection with capsule updates designed in Berlin and produced in Europe. We also rely on sustainable fabrics from Overstocks from European fabric retailers in order to minimize the ecological footprint. And all of this without compromising on design and quality. The demand for sustainable plus size fashion is constantly growing and, not least because of our close contact with our customers and our willingness to include direct feedback in our offering, we can constantly improve our offering.

Short distances, avoiding packaging (wherever possible) or recycled packaging material as well as the opportunity to try on clothes directly in our stores in Hamburg and Berlin in order to minimize unnecessary online orders and returns and the associated shipping are other means that we use use it to do our part.

We want to show that sustainability is possible in all sizes and can shape the future of the fashion industry. It's up to the entire industry to follow suit and ensure sustainable fashion is accessible to everyone.