Style at Any Size: Dudley Stephens

Hi, friends! We created Style at Any Size because, as two self-proclaimed fashion lovers with different takes on classic style and different body types, we want to show that everyone can live happily, confidently and stylishly, regardless of size! Truth be told, we love to coordinate our outfits – our passion for #twinning is not just for the ‘gram! So, in every volume of SAS, we try to style the same (or similar) pieces in complementary ways.

We believe that looking good is all about feeling good. When it comes to personal style, there is no “one size fits all” formula to follow. In fact, we believe the best way to find and develop your own personal style is to focus on pieces, cuts, colors and textures that you feel fantastic in. An old cozy flannel and new crisp oxford can be equally as stylish when the wearer feels comfortable, confident and true to themselves!

As we work to be more thoughtful about what we add to (and subtract from) our wardrobes, we’ve found the items that we both wear and love most are comfortable, classic and versatile. For us, comfort is key and rarely worth sacrificing. But we’re also drawn to classic silhouettes and timeless textures that feel (and look!) polished and put together. It’s a tall order, but we’ve finally found a brand that fits the bill: Dudley Stephens.

Y’all, the hype is real.

Launched by sisters Lauren Stephens and Katherine “Kaki” McGrath with the goal of re-imagining classic, cozy fleece in an elevated-for-everyday way, Dudley Stephens’ custom designs a range of silhouettes that are comfortable, classic, polished, size inclusive and – bonus – sustainable! Dudley carries XS (0-2) through XXL (18-20), most of their styles are sustainably spun from recycled yarn and everything is made in nearby Brooklyn, New York. It’s almost too good to be true!

A few more facts and favorites:

On sustainability: Both the classic and lightweight terry fleece is spun from recycled plastic bottles that would otherwise find their way into landfills and oceans, adding to the growing plastic problem facing our planet. To date, Dudley Stephens fleece pieces have redirected over 1,000,000 plastic bottles (and counting!) into sustainable style!

On the cost: Dudley Stephens are definitely an investment (prices start at $68, with turtlenecks being $158 and coats and specialty styles even higher) but at this point in our lives we feel good about investing in quality made products that we know will last a lifetime with proper care. Speaking of care, the traditional fleeces can be washed in a washing machine inside out with like colors and hung to dry. Easy, peasy!

On styling: We wear our fleeces day and night, for work and play, paired with pants, skirts, shorts and everything in between! Here, we styled them with white jeans. The pictures were taken oven the summer but we’d wear the same outfits (with different shoes of course) in January, too!

My go-to Dudley:

Nora: Hands down, the Park Slope in vello fleece (but I’ve heard great things about the terry fleece,too!). I love that this style is short enough to be tucked in to high waisted pants (you know I’m a big front-tuck fan!) but long enough to wear untucked, too! I’m tall and have a long torso but I don’t feel great in tunics –  finding something that hits just right can be a challenge and I never have that problem here. I also love that the turtleneck is wide so you get coverage and warmth without feeling constricted. I wear a size small, which is TTS for me!

Elsa: My favorite style has to be a tie between the the Cobble Hill and the Brighton Boatneck. I also have the Park Slope, but I find that the Cobble Hill is the most curve friendly option because of its length. A lot of the time, curves require longer length garments, so I find that it jives best with my body. But that is not to say the shorter options like the Brighton do not work, because they do. I just think the Cobble Hill works best. Plus, I love that it has POCKETS! I favor the Brighton because of the open neck, Dudley’s can be slim fit in the chest, and if you are busty like me, the open neck loosens things up a bit. But really, you can’t go wrong! Curve tip: If you are in between sizes and have a large chest, most definitely size up. I am a 1x and the XXL fits me perfectly, but its a touch snug across the chest.

My favorite thing about Dudley:

Nora: I love their emphasis on sustainability – most Dudley fleeces are made from recycled yarn that is made from recycled plastic bottles! And while I’m always heartbroken when a style sells out quickly, I appreciate that Dudley only makes what will sell to avoid over-production and waste. Fashion is one of – if not the most – wasteful industries. According to the Council for Textile Recycling, in the US we generate over 25 billion pounds of textile waste a year – that’s 82 pounds a person, 85% of which ends up in landfills. I’m grateful to companies like Dudley that are working to prevent that! Personally, I’m making an effort to support more companies with locally and ethically made products and if that means I have to be on a waitlist sometimes, then I’m all for it! Also, all Dudley’s are non-iron. BLESS. UP.

Elsa: I love that they are a sustainable company founded by sisters. Nora and I are sisters (in-law), so I find it especially cool that they started a booming business together. It is great to support small businesses, especially ones that have good intentions. I also love the simplicity and structure in design, not to mention, they are super soft! 

One word to describe my Dudley:

Nora: Versatile

Elsa: Classic

ALSO Dudley did a drop today of their DS Capsule – it includes tried and true basics plus several limited edition styles! Pop on over to their site to check it out!

Shop Nora’s Look

Shop Elsa’s Look