We do plus size preloved too!

Here at Willow & Eve we want everyone to be able to buy from our curated range of preloved clothing. That’s why we stock sizes from 6 to 24. We try and showcase as many sizes as we can on the shop floor and organize clothes in sizes in our stock room; do always ask the team if you can’t find your size as we may have just the thing behind the scenes!

Those customers on our request list will get a call when consignments of particular sizes come in and for those of you that wear size 18 or above, we have a Plus Size collection on our website with a selection between 18-24.

According to Ibis the industry definition for Plus size women’s clothing market is ranges for women that wear size 14 and above. However, the fact is that the average size of women in the UK is now a 16.

Dawn French and Helen Teague set up ‘Sixteen47’ plus size clothing brand in 1991; the name came about because 47% of British women wore a size 16 or above. Unfortunately, the business ceased trading in 2019.

We’ve also noticed that depending on the brand actual sizing can differ dramatically. Brands struggle to keep to a standardised sizing system (to help find out what size you are, visit Dark Greener.)

http://sizes.darkgreener.com

No surprise then that the media and fashion industry still under represent the average shape and size of real women. An interesting article by was published in Glamour magazine last October, giving the stats on how few plus sized models walked the runway last year.

Here we’ve put together a list of some of the brands we currently stock in store that are a size 18 plus:

Anna Scholz- Anna was raised in Germany and went on to study fashion design in London, at the prestigious Central Saint Martins. She herself was over 6 foot and size 16 when she went into plus size modelling. Understanding the market from personal experience she was frustrated at the ranges for plus size women and so created her own label ‘Anna Scholz’; to offer a more fashionable and flattering collection designed specifically for curvier women. In 2016 the decision was made to sell the label exclusively at  www.annascholz.com

Frank Lyman- the eponymous range was launched in 2001in Montreal by Canadian designer Frank Lyman. It has become an international premium women’s clothing brand stocked in UK boutiques and in over 65 countries.

Gina Bacconi-a UK brand that was launched as a premium label in 1976 by business Shubette. The fashion house, formerly J.Offenbach, was started in East London in 1913 by husband and wife team Jack and Sara. Specialising in occasion or formal wear most styles go up to size 22.

Marina Rinaldi and Persona by Marina Rinaldi-this ready to wear plus size brand is from Italian fashion group Max Mara, so expect good quality fit and fabrications as well as a more expensive price point!

Masai-even though the name doesn’t suggest it this brand hails from Copenhagen. The brand designs for all kinds of women, ‘real women of all cultures, all ages and all body types.

Interestingly Masai was the first fashion brand in the world to be FSC-certified. To read more click on the link. So, as well as making clothing in XXL which fits size 18-20, it also has great eco credentials!

Michele Hope- this label from QVC is renowned for simple styles in fabulous prints and fashionable colours.  

Ruth Langsford- Another brand available at QVC the popular presenter has created her eponymous clothing range up to a size 22. Inspired by her own classic style customers love the flattering shapes, colours and prints available.

Seasalt Cornwall- Known for their signature prints and natural fabrics the stylish and comfortable styles are flattering whatever your size. Dan Chadwick opened his first shop, the General Clothing store, in 1981 in Penzance Cornwall, selling traditional workwear for farmers & fisherman. The family got involved and the Seasalt Cornwall brand was born. They stock a plus size collection of 203 items up to size 28. Did you also know they sell menswear?

Obviously, our range of plus size changes all the time but whatever you wear and no matter your size the one thing that will transform any outfit is confidence.

If you’re happy and relaxed in what you’re wearing then that will shine through. Wearing a warm, inviting smile is so infectious. It’s the easiest accessory to add to any look and what’s more completely free!

If you focus on the parts that you love and make the most of your best features you automatically disguise what you perceive to be your more challenging areas.

Body confidence and being comfortable in your own skin is something that we all could probably work on!

Karen & Yvette x