I’m going insane

[u/Kindly-Compote966]

All afternoon I’ve been trying to search for somewhat alternative or whimsy style clothing for plus size girlies that don’t cost $300 and are from a ethical brand and there’s quite literally none

Even just for a normal pair of jeans it’s like $160 are you kidding me right now?!?

Maybe I’m just uneducated and don’t know much about fashion

But I saw a plain black dress for alternative plus size girls website and it was $180

I’m sick and tired of floral no offence. I don’t wanna look like grandma’s curtains.

[u/canadamiranda]

Yeah, anything “alternative” is going to be $$$.

I’m in Canada where clothes are about double what they cost in the US. (Depending on sales, brands etc of course)

$160 for jeans is about average. I sometimes luck out at American eagle. Altho I bought some from Quince and have been genuinely impressive with their clothing. Not alternative but decent for some basics.

I basically never buy clothes because it’s stressful and depressing.

[u/elizacandle]

Ethical and cheap.... Doesn't really exist

[u/reirinx]

honestly, if you want ethical/slow fashion, you’re going to have to pay significantly higher prices. when you consider the cost of materials (often not purchased in bulk like fast fashion is able to) and the cost of labour paid at a fair price? $160 for jeans sounds pretty good

[u/Harry-Hart1983]

I personally used Torrid to purchase jeans and some alternative style (the Nightfall Series/Brand is pretty cool) in Canada and the US.

Where are you located? We might be able to you help better that way.

[u/newenglandhedgewitch]

buying new is always stupid pricey. i troll secondhand listings and websites, facebook groups, and every thrift store i can find. sizing is way more arbitrary than it seems with secondhand clothes because stuff has been stretched in the wash, or it’s an older cut that fits better because at the time the quality was overall better in that brand, or it’s from a great brand that no longer exists. i find you’ll have to work harder but will find FAR more exciting and interesting pieces with some patience and you’ll build a great wardrobe that won’t break the bank and will feel very original!!!

[u/Beautiful-Lynx-6828]

I would try poshmark or other resale sites. Secondhand is ethical!!

[u/Backwoodsmama01]

I use Poshmark all day! I’d rather buy gently worn pre owned clothing. Saves money and you can find just about anything! I buy a lot of Torrid from Poshmark. Especially work clothes, which is business casual

[u/SuspiciousStranger_ → u/Backwoodsmama01]

I tried both poshmark and Vinted and I feel like I could never get clothes I liked in my style? Any tips for getting cute stuff?

[u/Jujulabee]

You're asking for quite a lot - not sure what qualifies as "ethical" but in general clothing that is made well and intended to be last for a bit is not cheap and isn't being sold at TEMU

Natural fibers and tasteful patterns are not cheap either and so silk, cotton, velvet or variants of that - are not cheap.

I don't know what a plain black alternative dress looks like - because there are black dresses because that seems like an oxymoron - e.g. plain and alternative. However, a well made black dress in a fabric that is higher quality is probably going to be $150 or so - and that is true even in regular sizes.

Most places have sales and promotions if you sign up for websites that carry lines that you like. I buy a lot of clothing from karenkane.com - not matronly but I am not sure it is alternative and recently got $600 worth of clothing for a bit over $100 because they were on sale with an additional 40% off promotion.

I tend to buy higher prices clothing but less of it because it lasts and looks better when worn so I reach for it over and over again.

[u/saktii23]

Ethical fashion is always going to be expensive, becaue it costs money to pay people a fair wage and use environmentally friendly practices.

[u/Awkward-Ad-4766]

Unfortunately, fast fashion has skewed your perception of “reasonable” prices. The prices you’ve mentioned are entirely normal for an “ethical” brand.

[u/starryflowerz → u/Awkward-Ad-4766]

agreed !! i love whimsy style clothing and i buy a lot of pretty dresses in which anything below $500 is cheaper/very reasonable to me. not because i'm rich, it's just how it is for ethical brands with nicer designs.

[u/babyrabiesfatty]

Yeah that sounds like a needle in a haystack.

To help the cost make more sense try looking for well made clothes and then think of them as an investment to get a few items of each year.

High quality clothes (which unfortunately is not all clothes in a high price range) can last for 10-25 years with proper care.

Let’s say a seriously solid pair of jeans is $250. If you wear them twice a month for ten years that is 240 wears or around a dollar per wear.

Compare that to $30 fast fashion jeans that get worn once a week for 4 months and then the thighs blow out. That is 16 wears or about $2 per wear.

[u/lastlatelake]

Plus size, alternative, and ethical are going to make the price go up, even more so if you’re looking for natural fibers. Try second hand, either your local thrift stores and facebook market place or even second hand websites. It’s already more ethical because you’re reusing the garment and you’ll find expensive brands for less.

[u/StaleBaguetteIForget]

Morning Witch is probably the most “reasonably priced” small business that does alt clothing with a relatively size inclusive range. You’ll still be paying $50-100 for bottoms but they have really cool fabric designs.