Lingerie Market Fall/Winter 2017: 14 Size-Inclusive and Plus Size Lingerie Brands to Know

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links.

In late February, I attended my first CURVEXPO New York to report on trends for plus size lingerie. Previously, I've attended CURVEXPO Las Vegas and other major retail tradeshows as a buyer. Therefore, I was familiar with what to expect as a plus size woman: lots of pretty things not made in my size.

Armed with that awareness, I set out to find the brands making plus sizes. I wanted to talk with them about their brand’s ethos and see their new designs. In total, I spoke with 14 different brands at CURVEXPO and The Lingerie Selection, all of which offered at least up to a size 20.

While this article isn't a completely exhaustive list of plus size brands at lingerie market, excluding the shapewear companies, it’s close. Though there are hundreds of exhibitors at CURVEXPO, when you focus on the plus size brands, that number shrinks significantly.

However, in good news, the brands making plus sizes are listening to their customers. To illustrate, I saw a shift in focus from strictly foundation garments to fashion pieces with support. Even so, because this is a tradeshow, and these items have not yet been produced, please remember there's always a possibility some styles won't make it to stores.

At market, buyers (boutiques, department stores, online stores, etc.) choose the styles and colors they believe will sell best. That said, from a design perspective, retailers are making more fashion-forward options for the plus size community. I saw bold prints, lace details, and caged straps...in addition to pieces plus size women can wear comfortably for everyday.

1. Curvy Couture

Curvy Couture is my go-to brand for plus size lingerie basics. Their Flawless Contour Wire-Free and Multi-Way Push Up Strapless transformed the way I felt about wearing bras. Curvy Couture's upcoming designs take the impeccable construction the brand is known for and adds more fashion.

At market, Curvy Couture showcased their soon-to-be released Curvy Couture Sport collection, which includes a zip front underwire, high impact, and a wire free sports bra. They also released their very first bra available up to a 46 band size: the Everyday Glamour Lacey Unlined. This bra is a cut-and-sew style and is currently available in black and beige.

As expected, Curvy Couture did not disappoint with their fashion looks. In fact, they blew me out of the water with one of their upcoming styles for Holiday 2017. Shown above, it’s a high neck mesh lace bralette with a hidden underwire. It's genius. Plus, the fabrication is gorgeous! With the increase in band size and the addition of more fashion elements, Curvy Couture is definitely a brand listening to the plus community.

2. Mayana Genevière

Mayana Genevière is the first brand I stumbled upon with plus sizes when I asked about their size range. Their luxury lingerie is ethically made in Canada and designed to blend fashion lingerie with maternity undergarments. The pieces are available in sizes S to 3XL, and the brand offers what they call “parallel sizing,” which is a bra made with the same band size but a larger cup size. So, for example, instead of the medium accommodating just up to a DD cup, they also offer a "medium II" fitting up to an H cup.

3. Playful Promises

Playful Promises is a UK-based brand covering sizes US 4–US 20, 28DD-G, and 32-42 A-G. They first ventured into plus sizes last summer, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting a peek at what styles will be offered for the upcoming season. I saw a continued emphasis on giving customers the same styles in core, full bust, and plus sizing.

Their ruched gold mesh sequin bra and briefs, available now only in core sizes, will be released in a mermaid sequin colorway later this year. Even better, they will include plus sizes. My excitement was REAL!

Though Playful Promises did not mention any further size extensions beyond a US 20 and a 42G, the brand continues to take risks with colors and cuts rarely seen in plus size lingerie. It’s playful, and that’s a promise I can get behind!

4. Elila

It pains me to say, but plus size intimates powerhouse Elila is a totally new brand to me. Since 2004, they've designed lingerie focusing on comfort and support. Elila's concentration isn’t necessarily on fashion, but on well-being. They focus on creating timeless pieces, and they do it well. Every bra is cut-and-sew and many feature a ¾ or full cup sling for support.

Elila's styles feature design details like lace and bows, but also include structural elements needed to support a plus size body, including the aforementioned full cup sling as well as side and back support. Many items are available up to 46F and a 5XL, but that’s not the end of their size range. Elila’s classic Jacquard Softcup Bra is available up to a 52N, and the matching panty is available up to a 10XL.

One of the sets I am excited about for Fall/Winter is the Glamour Embroidery Underwire and Panty (with matching garter belt) in the new colorway, Burgundy. The embroidery has a delicateness rarely seen in extended plus sizes. Furthermore, a garter belt up to a 5XL is a major deal.

5. Dorina

Since 1968, Dorina has built a reputation as a lingerie brand known for support and function. Now the company brings fashion to their collections with the same goals of quality and affordability. 

Prices vary, but it's common to see a Dorina bra retail for $22-$24 and their panties for $10-$12. Select styles in Dorina’s Curve collection are available at ASOS. 

Curve collection items are available up to a 44E bra and a 3XL panty. The collection of black and beige lace mixed with moody florals and forest greens lends itself seamlessly to a Fall/Winter mood.

6. Parfait

From petites to plus sizes, Parfait covers a wide range of sizes and styles. The brand's main range includes sizes 32A-44G with select bras up to a K cup. Their panties range from XS-4XL.

The Ava Padded Bra, Unlined Underwire Bra, and Bikini easily stand out in Parfait's Autumn/Winter collection. The Floral print is romantic, but not shy, and the fabric buttons on the padded bra are a nice touch.

Meanwhile, this stormy blue-grey color is definitely trending for Fall/Winter. As an added bonus, the delicate lace longline has boning for extra support.

The Charlotte is one of Parfait’s most popular bras and also features the brand’s biggest size range with cup sizes up to a K. A new classic, the Charlotte comes in a range of colors. It's safe to say this vintage-inspired style doesn’t appear to be losing its popularity anytime soon.

7. Oh La La Cheri

You can count on Oh La La Cheri to provide on-trend plus size lingerie at a reasonable price, and the styles I saw at CURVEXPO for Spring/Summer 2017 did not disappoint. 

Since these items will hit retailers in April/May 2017, Oh La La Cheri sent over a few editorial shots of my favorites from the show.

With colorful mesh and black bandage-style paneling, Oh La La Cheri is far from boring. Their plus size pieces go up to a 4XL.

8. Glamory Hosiery

I have long bemoaned the lack of thigh high options for plus size folks over a 3X. The industry standard “Queen” size doesn't cut it for everyone who wants to wear thigh high stockings. That’s why Glamory Hosiery is so important. They make hosiery in sizes medium through 4X (which they’ve fit on dress sizes 4-32).

With this in mind, their thigh highs feature silicone bands which help them stay up on their own. While I was there, I tested a pair and much to my delight, they came over my knees and stayed up!

Glamory plans to release their first garter belt within the next few months. Important to note, it will features six metal closures, rather than the four. This addition to the Glamory Hosiery family shows a continued commitment to filling a need in an underserved market.

9. Suzy Black

I took a break from CURVEXPO to visit the more intimate gathering of designers at The Lingerie Selection where I was to introduced to Suzy Black. Many of Suzy Black's luxurious pieces go up to 3XL and all are available up to a 2XL.

Suzy Black's Autumn/Winter collection features delicate lace bodysuits and sexy lace sleep pants with cutouts. My favorite piece was the printed Laila Sleep Shirt. It gave me total high fashion resort vibes!

10. Elomi

Elomi is a lingerie staple for many fuller busted plus size women. Sizing varies by style, but many styles are available up to an N cup with panties available up to a 4XL.

Elomi is trend-driven and turning their focus to a younger plus size customer, which shows in the playful styles they offer. The lingerie is supportive, but also comes in fun prints and designs.

Many styles offer both a plunge and half cup option without sacrificing style. I believe that shows a dedication to fit and comfort, but an understanding of fashion and trends too.

For Fall/Winter, they’ve taken many of their already-successful styles and expanded them with more current trend elements. For example, the cheetah lace Nicole set, based on the Soraya/Matilda shape, is a great example of taking something that works and making an even bigger statement.

11. Goddess

Goddess is a sister brand to Elomi with a focus on foundations. Their designs are everyday essentials in a variety of styles. Like Elomi, Goddess' panties are available up to a 4XL but their bras have select styles up to a 44O.

12. Paloma Casile

Paloma Casile is a French luxury lingerie brand with stunning editorial designs up to a 3XL. When I spoke with the designer, Paloma Casile, she stressed wanting her pieces to be worn by all bodies and that was a refreshing sentiment.

All the patterning and sizing is done by hand at Casile’s studio in Paris with designs utilizing traditional corsetry techniques. If you want plus size luxury lingerie, Paloma Casile would be a good investment.

13. Tia Lyn

Founded in 2001, Tia Lyn is an innovator in size inclusive lingerie and a plus size favorite because of their focus on the everyday customer. Notably, Tia Lyn offers every style they make in sizes S-3X. Not surprisingly, I found this to be incredibly rare among the lingerie brands I talked to at CURVEXPO.

In particular, Tia Lyn solicits feedback on their products straight from the source, and it shows in their designs. They have everything from lace bralettes to vintage inspired gowns, all in sophisticated colorways.

14. Rougette

Launching in July 2017, Rougette is a plus size sister brand to UK-based full bust label Tutti Rouge. Rougette is expected to cover sizes 32-42 D-J in the budget-friendly, trendy styles Tutti Rouge is known for. I know I'll look for their launch this summer!

For Fall/Winter 2017, plus size lingerie is far from basic. While plenty of brands still ignore the plus size market, others have made a commitment to including plus size customers.

What plus size friendly brand are you loving for Fall/Winter? What styles or trends are you still waiting to see in plus size?

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