15 Places To Find Secondhand Plus-Sized Clothing Online
By Stella Hertantyo
When it comes to working toward a more just future for fashion, we constantly need to be asking ourselves: How do we make the slow fashion movement more inclusive and accessible? Slow fashion, in all of its iterations, should be accessible to anyone who wants to be a part of the movement.
Unfortunately, this is not yet the case. While the number of size-inclusive sustainable fashion brands is growing, for many plus-sized people, the opportunities to engage with sustainable fashion are limited. This is not an issue that is specifically tied to the slow fashion industry. Rather, the entire fashion system has historically had a lack of size inclusivity that both stems from and perpetuates fatphobia.
This echoes through to the secondhand industry too. Buying secondhand is one of the more accessible ways to engage with slow fashion, as it is often more affordable than buying new. And, shopping secondhand caters to a variety of personal styles.
But, since there are fewer new plus-sized garments produced, this also means that there are fewer plus-sized secondhand items available. (Plus, thanks to trends like thrift flipping, many straight-sized individuals shop for larger sizes than they need in secondhand shops just to cut up and modify those garments.)
So, plus-sized people are limited when it comes to thrifting too.
And, sourcing plus-sized clothing for resale also comes with its own challenges.
“As a vendor of vintage clothing, I find it harder to source quality, trendy plus-size pieces. This requires me to go out of my way and consider alternate ways of sourcing to ensure that there is enough variety for my plus-size customers.
I’ve had several plus-size customers tell me ‘I didn’t expect to find anything today,’ after buying something from my brand, and that warms my heart every time,” says Elena Dunn-Barcelona who runs Mighty Thrift, a size-inclusive online resale store selling secondhand and vintage clothing from sizes XS-5XL.
With this in mind, this article aims to share a few places where you can find secondhand plus-size clothing online.
These secondhand plus-size clothing online businesses are mostly small, independent online stores. But, if you are short on time, you can also check out more established online secondhand market places, like ThredUP, Depop, and Poshmark, which also have plus-sized offerings.
More Than Your Average
More Than Your Average is a bold and bright vintage boutique, carefully curated by founder Mya Price, that sells secondhand plus-size clothing online. Mya is on a mission to provide a vintage offering for plus-sized women who are often unable to find their sizes in a typical vintage store, but still want to look and feel good while doing good for the planet at the same time.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage clothing for sizes 12+
Country: United States (Washington DC)
Sell Trade Plus
Sell Trade Plus is an online curated consignment store with a focus on sustainability and slow fashion. If you are looking for some new-to-you, plus-sized, preloved gems you can browse through the virtual rails of their Instagram grid.
Or, if you are looking for a place to sell plus-sized clothes that you no longer wear, Sell Trade Plus has got you covered too!
Preloved plus-sized perks: Buys and sells clothing from a size XL+
Country: United States
Found For Us Plus
Following the ethos of “buy good things, use for a long time”, Found For Us Plus offers a dreamy offering of lovingly selected vintage and secondhand plus-sized clothing online for plus-sized sustainable fashionistas.
Found For Us Plus founder, Nicole, grew up shopping secondhand out of necessity, and it has remained one of her great loves. Knowing the struggles of trying to find plus-sized preloved items, Nicole started Found For Us Plus to make thrifting more accessible for plus-sized people with a range of personal styles.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Secondhand clothing from size L+
Country: Canada
Mighty Thrift
When it comes to looking for secondhand plus-size clothing online, Mighty Thrift provides a truly inclusive online thrifting experience. They make an effort to showcase their clothing on all genders and bodies, because everybody’s body should be celebrated and affirmed.
Mighty Thrift is here to share affordable, inclusive vintage that caters to a range of different personal styles. You can also find Mighty Thrift on Galaxy, a fashion resale platform powered by video.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage clothing from size XS-5XL
Country: United States (New York)
The Plus Bus
Built on their three core pillars of careful curation, fashion freedom, and community-driven, The Plus Bus offers brand new, consignment, and gently used secondhand clothing and accessories. Plus Bus also offers styling services that aim to help plus-sized fashionistas look and feel their best.
And, if you find yourself in Los Angeles – Highland Park to be specific – you can pop into The Plus Bus Boutique to take a look at their fabulous plus-sized offering in real-time!
Preloved plus-sized perks: Preloved and vintage clothes for sizes 12+
Country: United States (Los Angeles)
Plus Babes Vintage
Scrolling through Plus Babes Vintage’s Instagram will make you feel so nostalgic with their funky prints and styles from the 70s to the 00s. Started in April 2020, Plus Babes Vintage sells a range of vintage clothing with the vision of giving preloved clothing a second lease on life while helping mid and plus-sized people to feel like the most stylish, self-confident versions of themselves.
When it comes to sustainability, Plus Babes Vintage is focused on providing an eco-friendly service down to the finest details with their plastic-free packaging, offsetting their transport emissions, and using green electricity to operate their business.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Mid and plus-sized vintage pieces in sizes 12–30 (UK)/40-58 (EU)
Country: Germany
BERRIEZ
Curated for people with curves who are looking for secondhand plus-size clothing online, BERRIEZ will welcome you with an offering of bold colors, fruity motifs, and statement designs for people that are not afraid to take risks when it comes to dressing for their best selves. BERRIEZ offers worldwide shipping and a quirky selection of vintage and reworked vintage, in addition to an expanding selection of independent designers for all people and all bodies.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage and reworked vintage from sizes S-4X+
Country: United States (New York)
Two Big Blondes
If you are looking for a place to buy and sell plus-sized preloved clothing and accessories in Seattle, Two Big Blondes has got you covered! Two Big Blondes has created a welcoming plus-size clothing resale place for people who often have difficulty finding quality items in their size and style at other retail and resale stores. You can decide if you want to pop into their brick-and-mortar store or shop online from the comfort of your home.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Preloved clothing and accessories from sizes L-5X
Country: United States (Seattle)
Estella’s Plus Closet
Latina-owned and operated small business Estella’s Plus Closet is here to ease the burden of shopping for secondhand plus-size clothing online. When you visit Estella’s online store, you will be greeted by a mix of vintage, bold prints and patterns, and colorful items. Estella’s Plus Closet is making plus-sized preloved fashion fun and funky, with worldwide shipping so that you can shop from anywhere in the world.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage, upcycled, and modern clothing for sizes L+
Country: United States
Cake Plus-Size Resale
Founded by Cat Polivoda, Cake Plus-Size Resale is a plus-size clothing resale business that aims to cater to all genders and bodies, while fostering an inclusive environment focused on size acceptance and radical self-love. From swimsuits to everyday basics and more formal outfits – Cake has got you covered for any occasion.
And, if you are in the mood for a preloved surprise, take a look at Cake Plus-Size Resale’s Mystery Bags! Choose your bag size, answer some quick questions about your size + style, and Cat will handpick goodies just for you.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Secondhand clothing in sizes XL-5XL
Country: United States (Minneapolis)
Ghost Flower Vintage
If you are a fan of styles from the 60s to the 80s, Ghost Flower Vintage will soon become your favorite mid- and plus-sized treasure trove. Browse through their Instagram grid if you are looking for secondhand plus-size clothing online and are in the mood for some eclectic prints or vintage cottagecore dresses. Ghost Flower Vintage’s themed drops are also perfect for style inspiration.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Primarily carry sizes, L-5XL, but occasionally have some smaller sizes
Country: United States (Fresno)
Wild Texas Thrifts
With their weekly shop updates and range of vintage and uniquely handmade garments, Wild Texas Thrifts is sure to make your preloved cottagecore dreams come true!
Wild Texas Thrifts prides themselves on being inclusive, and sustainable while giving new life to perfect things. Take a look at their virtual rails and you’re sure to find your ideal frolicking frock.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage garments from size XXS-4X
Country: United States (Houston)
Proud Mary Fashion
Proud Mary Fashion is a proudly plus-sized owned small business specializing in plus-size vintage clothing, creations from other small businesses, as well as their in-house line that is designed and made in Los Angeles.
If you are looking for some quirky new pieces to add to your vintage collection, take a browse through their online rails. And, if you are in Los Angeles, you can stop by their physical store and witness the magic of Proud Mary Fashion IRL!
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage clothing from size 12+
Country: United States (Los Angeles)
Goldies Vintage
Goldies Vintage offers a carefully curated array of garments with eccentric prints, textures, and colors.
You can shop their looks on Etsy, Depop, and Instagram. And, if you are looking for some style inspiration, take a look at their TikTok to discover loads of ways to style your vintage outfits.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Plus-size vintage from the 60s and 70s
Country: United States (Chicago)
FATTIES
At FATTIES, you will find a one-of-a-kind, hand-picked selection of “vintage clothing for fat bodies” and secondhand plus-size clothing online.
FATTIES aims to encourage people to wear whatever makes them feel good and like the best version of themselves. You can shop their weekly Instagram story sales, or take a look at their Etsy page.
Preloved plus-sized perks: Vintage clothing for fat bodies
Country: United States (Utah)
On Size Inclusivity in Slow Fashion
When it comes to working toward a more just fashion industry, size inclusivity must be an urgent priority instead of an afterthought.
“We can’t change the world but only offer opportunities to be a part of the change to a small percentage of people that fits into an unrealistic beauty standard. True change can only happen if everyone can be a part of that change,” says Dunn-Barcelona of Mighty Thrift.
So, we hope that this list will help you find a thrifted gem or two. This is also a reminder to people with size privilege – myself included – that we need to try and be more aware of this privilege while thrifting, be grateful for how easily we can find clothes that fit us and acknowledge that we shouldn’t unnecessarily buy clothing way out of our size range on a whim, or for a viral trend.
If you want to learn more about how we can push for better size inclusivity in secondhand, listen to this Conscious Life & Style podcast episode, featuring Mya Price of More Than Your Average. Being a part of the slow fashion movement, and being able to embrace a diversity of personal style choices, should be accessible to everyone!
About the Author:
Stella Hertantyo is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and is currently completing her PGDip in Sustainable Development to accompany her undergraduate in Multimedia journalism. She is a slow-living enthusiast and a lover of low-impact fashion.
She is passionate about encouraging an approach to sustainability that is inclusive, accessible, and fun as we try to figure out how to create a more sustainable and just world, together.
When Stella is not in front of her laptop doing uni work, you'll probably find her reading, writing, illustrating, or baking/cooking. A dip in the ocean, or a walk in the mountains, are the two things that bring her the most peace.
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Cover image credit: More Than Your Average