When It Comes To Sustainable Plus Size Clothing, Sante Grace Is A Game Changer

Picture it: you’re a plus size babe in search of THE PERFECT outfit for an upcoming special event. Where do you go? You can probably name a few fast fashion options off the top of your head. But, what if you’re looking for something different? What if you’re looking for sustainable plus size clothing? The options shrink quite a bit.

In my experience, plus size fast fashion is typically made for a very specific plus size body type. If your body deviates, even a little, from that body type, you may be out of luck. You might end up tugging, yanking, or permanently modifying a piece to fit you. But what happened to clothing that looks great and makes you feel fabulous right off the hanger? I’m talking about styles that flatter and inspire you rather than make you say, “I guess this will work”.

Enter sustainable plus size clothing brand, Sante Grace. I recently chatted with owner and designer, Tracy Christian about her mission to help plus size look and feel amazing with quality, stylish wear-forever pieces that make a statement.

By the way, did you know Sante Grace is my November Black-owned Business of The Month? You can read more about my commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses. And, if you decide to check them out, make sure to use code ALLDAY to save 15% on your order!

DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, when you make a purchase. Read more about it HERE.

Creating A Blueprint For Sustainable Plus Size Clothing

Sante Grace was born when Tracy found herself returning over and over to her seamstress for bespoke pieces for different events and occasions. She realized there was not a lot to choose from for plus size women looking to elevate their wardrobes, so she decided to create a brand to fill that need.

But, running a sustainable plus size fashion brand has not been without it’s challenges. When Tracy first came up with the idea for Sante Grace, she worked with seamstresses and manufacturers that she could trust, bringing them her favorite vintage designs for inspiration. Many of today’s fashion industry workers lack knowledge about the plus size body, so Tracy had to educate her contractors on things like cut, sizing, and fabric, while educating herself on the process of getting a garment manufactured. And, when she launched at the height of the pandemic in 2020, she had to do so with a totally wonky supply chain and all of the delays and drama that come from that.

Today, Sante Grace proves beautiful, sustainable plus size clothing designed to make you feel good RIGHT NOW (not after Spanx, or 5-10 pounds from now).

The pieces you’ll find at Sante Grace are inspired by Tracy’s glamourous life as a successful talent agent; you can shop silk joggers that go easily from day to night and sexy two piece sets that are as perfect for traveling as they are for a party at Jimmy Iovine’s house.

No, seriously.

Tracy designed her Something The Lord Made Set specifically so she would have something nice to wear to a function at Jimmy Iovine’s.

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What Makes Sante Grace Sustainable?

You may be wondering what exactly makes a fashion brand sustainable? Well, sustainable clothing is ethically sourced and manufactured with reduced environmental impact. On the manufacturing side, Tracy is committing to paying her contractors a fair wage worthy of their exceptional skill. Many industry workers are minorities; they’re women, people of color, and immigrants from other countries. This means they’re more likely to be treated unfairly and taken advantage of. Tracy aims to break that cycle by paying a living wage so those workers can help support their families.

You can also expect quality, sustainable materials at Sante Grace. Breathable, all-weather fabrics like silk and cotton fall beautifully and last FOREVER. Tracy’s selection of well-constructed staple pieces are multi-functional and much less likely to end up in a landfill somewhere.

Tracy’s Tips For Updating Your Plus Size Wardrobe

So, are you ready to shop? Here are some of Tracy’s best tips for upgrading your plus size wardobe.

EMBRACE COLOR

As Tracy mentions in our podcast episode (listen above) your body is your body, whether you’re wearing all Black or not. If that’s your favorite color, rock it with confidence. But, if you want to play with color, don’t be afraid to do so because of some false, outdated notion that plus size girls should always wear Black, Brown, or Navy to appear slimmer.

BUY WHAT YOU LIKE, NOT WHAT’S TRENDY

Trends aren’t inherently bad. They’re great for inspiration and they can be a fun way to step outside of your comfort zone. However, you don’t want them to completely dictate your fashion choices. At the end of the day, if you can see yourself loving and wearing a piece for years to come, snag it!

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL IS KEY

Look for styles that you know you’ll get a lot of use out of. For example, this beautiful, classic Chambray Top that’s so easy to dress up or down. And, the Silk Joggers I mentioned earlier are fancy enough for a dressy event, yet comfy (and sturdy!) enough for lounging. These are the kind of well-rounded pieces you want for a chic, effortless wardrobe.

Don’t forget to use code ALLDAY to save 15% on your order!

LOOK FOR QUALITY CONSTUCTION

There’s a difference between a garment that simply fits and one that really flatters your body and makes you feel good. A well-constructed piece will stand the test of time AND make you feel amazing. Look for quality fabrics that feel good against your skin.

ASK YOURSELF WHILE SHOPPING

• Will it launder well?
• How does the garment fit?
• What statement do I want to make?

My biggest takeaway from my chat with Tracy?

There’s no need to wait for “the perfect day” to wear your favorite perfume (or in this case a gorgeous sweater) because every single day is special. A huge part of sustainable fashion is getting as much use out of your clothing as possible.

Designed with that idea in mind, Sante Grace pieces are meant to toggle easily between fancy events and every day life because, hello, YOU are the special occasion! If you’re reading this, I hope Tracy and I have inspired you to take the leap into stylish, sustainable plus size clothing!

Sante Grace is all about affordable luxury and fashion to make you feel good. I think we can agree, there’s nothing better than that.

If you’ve made it this far, I know you’re as passionate about supporting Black owned businesses and brands as I am. If you’ve had a good experience with Sante Grace (or any Black owned business), consider shouting them out in my Facebook group.