Heat Wave: Keep Cool in These Plus Size Made in USA/Ethical Styles
If there's one thing I've learned since moving to LA from the Bay, it's that the Summer heat in the valley is not playing around. Much as I tried to prepare my wardrobe for the steep temperature shift from the foggy cool of San Francisco to the blazing sunshine of LA, I admit I was not prepared. Combine that with my car break-in and theft of a good third of my closet right before the move, and it's safe to say I needed to seek the light and airy like nobody's business.
Luckily, there is no shortage of plus size shopping LA, and there are tons of local* and/or ethical designers producing locally. Here's what I've found to love so far!
Essie Golden's legendary Golden Confidence Pool Party was the perfect opportunity to break out this epic, ethically made swimsuit from Brooklyn designer Nakimuli. Made right in the Nakimuli Brooklyn studio, you can find their swimsuits in sizes S-3XL.
The 90s are back and I am suddenly *all about* high-waist, wide-leg pants. I picked up these Made in USA classics by Laura Byrnes at the Pinup Girl Clothing flagship store in Burbank. They're airy, comfy, and flattering, and while they're no substitution for shorts per se, they're great in the Summer heat.
The top is from Synergy Organic, picked up during another happenstance shopping trip in San Francisco. Their sizes range from XS - 2XL and they wear their ethics on their sleeves. Their garment makers in Nepal are paid a living wage with annual bonuses, they use low-impact dyes (meaning it's not as harsh on the environment) on their certified-organic cottons and eco-friendly fibers (like bamboo!). Basically, when you wear Synergy, you're doing the right thing.
When it's too hot to forego AC, some go to the movies, but when my mom and stepdad visited from Maryland last week, we played tourist at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. My Made in California jersey dress from Nooworks kept me comfortable under the sun and next to wax celebs. Milled in LA and assembled in Oakland, this woman-owned business is as California local as it gets! Even better: Their garments range in size XS - 4XL, and they carry fun clothing for kids, too!
A fun bonus of the Golden Confidence party (besides meeting a ton of awesome people and getting featured in Cosmo after!) was the shopping cabanas, where I discovered this amazing Made in USA skort/romper from Chic & Curvy. I wish I had this in seven styles so I could wear one every day! It was the perfect choice for working on wardrobe styling and creative direction for a photo shoot with model Tinder Badhesha.
Want more? Don't worry; it'll still be hot in the Valley for a few more weeks (ugh, Global Warming is real, y'all – and it suuuucks). I'll have more looks to share next week ;p.
IMPORTANT NOTE: US-made does not necessarily mean ethically made, it just means it was made locally. I cannot endorse US-made brands as inherently ethical without proof from these companies. Though US labor laws are stricter than many countries abroad, that does not mean that the US is sweatshop-free. Sucks. Let's fix that!