Small Business Gift Guide

The holiday season is always an important time to small business. It can really make or break the year. This year, more than ever, it’s important to show our support for small business by shopping small. You can find so many wonderful gifts that were thoughtfully curated or designed in the plethora of small businesses. Some you can find through social media, word of mouth, or randomly tucked away as your explore. 

I wanted to put together a small business guide of businesses to make it easy to find new shops or be reminded of ones you may have shopped with long ago. These shops and brands range from very small to moderate in size. We tried to give priority to smaller shops in this guide. 

If you have or know of  a small business to add, please shoot us an email with a description, links and any notes to include. We will do our best to update.

*There may be a couple of affiliate links included. We will not include any brands we do not stand by.

Indie Designer Apparel:

*Designed by Indie Artists. Each of these brands will offer up to at least 3X. Check each description for specific size ranges offered.

Pictured above are models for Zelie for She, Proud Mary Fashion and Copper Union.

Copper Union- Based in Portland and run by designer Claire Doody, this brand focuses on quality design and fabric. You will find clean lines, high-end details and pops of fun prints. We’re loving their Esther overalls and new sweatpant overalls. Check out their full site here. Price point: $$

Zelie for She- This indie brand has been around for years and is designed and made in Los Angeles. What we love: their whimsical and romantic designs along with cozy and chic loungewear. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

Proud Mary Fashion- Yes, I may be biased here! Our brand has been around for 10 years now, shifting to add modern designs about 5 years ago. Our clothing is designed and made in Los Angeles. We also work with a local production team that includes indie screen printers. We try to focus on using recycled and remnant fabrics for the bulk of our designs. We also offer vintage still as we believe in the sustainability, uniqueness and offering things that are hard to find. Aside from clothing, shop our accessories, prints, totes, and puzzles! Check out our website here. Price point: $

Chubby Cartwheels (closing this year)- Chubby Cartwheels has been around for over 10 years and become a favorite. Based in Portland and one of the first brands to include truly inclusive sizing. Shawna announced a closure at the end of this year, so snag a piece before it’s too late! Thank you for your work in the indie plus size space, Shawna! Check out their website here. Prince point: $$

Loud Bodies- Loud Bodies is a UK based brand that has emerged in recent years. We love their romantic dresses for details like statement necklines and sleeves. They are a great sustainable option, and you can read more about that on their website. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$ 

Jibri- Jibri is an absolute pioneer in the indie design space, having been around for over 10 years. Her designs are beautifully designed and very well-made. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$

Alice Alexander- A Pennsylvania-based ethically made and sustaible brand. They offer sizes up to 30, with the option for custom sizing beyond their current size chart. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$

Melanin Apparel- A Black owned and operated apparel brand based in Vegas, with tons of great tees, sweatshirts, bags and more celebrating Black culture. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Fat Mermaids- Fat Mermaids is an apparel brand that celebrates body positivity with super cute tees, dresses and leggings. You may have coveted their “IDGAF about your diet, Susan” tee. Their tees go up to 5X with some other pieces up to 6X. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Ungra8tful- This indie brand comes from seasoned fashion designer Liesl Binx. Currently, most of the clothing pieces are out of stock but you can shop her accessories and follow them for up to date news on their next restock. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

Tamara Malas- Tamara Malas emerged a couple of years ago with designer pieces that were truly innovative. Their luxe pieces are beautifully designed in some really great fabrics and prints. Their clothing goes up to 30/32 and they also have really fun accessories that make great gifts. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$

Smart Glamour- Smart Glamour is a NYC based made to order brand that offers sizing from XXS to 15X. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

Tuesday of California- This brand from illustrator Tuesday Bassen offers beautiful vintage inspired designs like capes and satin lined plaid skirts. They also have a great gift offering from other small brand’s that include skincare, nail polish and more! Their clothing line ranges from XXS to 6X, making it a nice option for everyone on your list. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

And I Get Dressed- This apparel line is designed by style blogger Kellie Brown (from her blog of the same name.) This line ranges from Small to 5X and includes the popular Fat Icon tee! Snag a tee, sweatshirt, or mug for your fave icon. Check out the website here. Prince point: $

The Wendy S Collection- Beautiful and romantic maxi dresses that are great for special occasions and beachside life all in the same. Check out their website here. Prince point: $$

Bella-dona LA- “Co-founded by best friends LaLa Romero and Natalia Durazo, with its roots in Chicano and LA culture, Bella Doña is proud to celebrate the spirit of sisterhood.” An LA based brand with sizing from Small - 3X in apparel along with accessories like totes, jewelry, pins, and more! Check out their website here. Prince point: $

Magic Society- “Magic Society is an independent Los Angeles based clothing and accessories brand inspired by pop culture, underground comics, childlike wonder, and surrealism. Magic Society is designed and run by artist, comedian, fashion designer, and filmmaker Nicole Daddona, better known as Friday.” Some of the most tongue-in-cheek designs you will find. Most tees up to 3X, some up to 5X. They also offer bags, earrings and more. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

Wray NY- A Contemporary brand based in NYC with high design and vintage details. What we love: Their vintage and watercolor inspired prints. High end clothing available from Small - 5X. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$$

La Sirena- Designed and Printed in Long Beach, they offer tees, sweatshirts, stickers, and beanies. Tees available from Small to 3X. Our fave product? The Selena onesie for the new parent in your life! Check out their website here. Price point: $

Bobby Larson Art (shesbobbylynn) - “A menagerie of cowgirls created by Bobby  Lynn. Heavily influenced by female crooners of the 1960's , llaneros of her youth, queer pioneers, nudie magazines, neon moons, rodeo queens, and her grandmothers Rita y Rosa.” Tees available from Small to 4X or snag an iconic print. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Jack and Bec- “a female founded and family operated from a studio in San Antonio, Texas. Some key topics reflected in our art include the promotion of body positivity, normalization of reproductive health, and mental health awareness. When you purchase anything from Jack&Bec you are supporting a small business that values original art and ethical consumerism.” Super cute 70’s inspired tees, sweatshirts, masks and more! Apparel from Small to 5X. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Jordan Pantediosi- Starry-eyed pieces that fall somewhere between celestial and Versace offered by the artist in sizes ranging from S - 3X. Check out their website here. Price point: $$$

Mermaid Hex- This woman-owned business is designed and printed in LA. Their tees range in size offerings from Small - 3X. Check out their website here. Price point: $ 

Secondhand Contemporary:

*Why we love: Sustainable options that keep clothing out of landfills and are often barely worn or brand new!

Cake Plus Size Retail- A Minnesota based store-front that has a lot of offerings on their website and social media as well. Pre-quarantine, they offered in person shopping and events as well. Snag clothing, accessories, or a gift card for your bestie. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Curve Conscious- A Philly-based consignment shop that has pivoted to offer their clothing through facebook live sales. Snag a gift card for the perfect stocking stuffer to support small business! Check out the website here and their facebook here. Price point: $

FatFancy- A Portland staple that offers consignment and some other brands as well. We’re proud to have partnered with them as a stockist. They have a website and also do facebook live sales. They offer gift cards as well. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Plus BKLYN- As the name suggests, this consignment shop is based in Brooklyn, NY. They offer consignment that often includes super stylish blogger closets. They also have vintage and accessories. Shop their site or their instagram story sales. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

Plus Bus- LA based consignment shop. Check out their poshmark or facebook live sales for the latest offerings. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Plus Size Activewear:

SuperFit Hero- Activewear that goes up to size 7XL, being one of the most inclusively sized activewear brands we’ve found. They’re having aslo having big Black Friday sale! Why we love? Aside from inclusive sizing, they use visibly fat models and specifically address hiring folks involved in fat liberation on their website.  Check them out here. Price point: $$

Girlfriend- An activewear brand that goes up to sizes 6X. Why we love? Each piece is made using recycled plastic, keeping bottles out of landfills. Notes: Check sizing, some of their plus sizes run small and we suggest sizing up 1 size (2 if you’re very busty.) Check them out here. Price point: $$

Rainbeau Curves- Another activewear brand with a pretty wide range of sizing that goes from 14 to 32. They’re also having a big Black Friday sale. Check them out here. Price point: $$

Designer Bags:

*Higher end bags ranging from $90 - $350

Brandon Blackwood- “The namesake brand was founded by Jamaican / Chinese designer Brandon Blackwood. Blackwood grew up in both New York and Tokyo, with shorter stays around Southern Asia.  After completing school at Bard College, Brandon launched a four piece collection of leather handbags, spring of 2015. The brand garnered immediate attention with press coverage in ELLE, Vogue, WWD, amongst other fashion publications.” Snag a coveted bag on their site. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

Respiro Studio- Definitely a splurge for someone special, these bags are beautiful statement pieces that work with a gown just as well as jeans. Check out the website here. Price point: $$$$

Prime Cut Bags- This bag brand is based in Portland Oregon with high-end touches. Their shearling tote looks like something you’d want to crawl inside of to take a nap but also kind of want to hang on the wall to look at. Check out the website here. Price point: $$$

Jewelry:

Obnoxious Plastic- Whimsical clay jewelry from the owner from Copperhive Vintage out of Salt Lake City. Her fun designs are inspired by vintage patterns and quilts and add a statement to any look. She offers some customization if you have a loved one that needs a clip-on or other adjustment. Check out their designs via Copperhive here. Price point: $

Brownie Points- “Aesthetic and Equal Rights.” An LA based brand with a 70’s aesthetic that carries through their artwork, apparel and jewelry that celebrates Black excellence and intersectionality. Grab one of their best selling ‘intersectional’ necklaces. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

WhileOdinSleeps- WOS in a NC based brand that offers jewelry inspired by mythical tales, the stars and beyond. They have been around for about a decade and have worked with other artists for collaborative collections. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

KettleBlackSilver- “Kettle Black is a small business founded and operated by Lisa Lauren. She specializes in creating jewelry through silversmithing. She often uses stones, crystals, bones, fur, leather, silver, copper, and a variety of other natural/found materials.” Check out the website here. Price point: $$

Ohme_shop- “OHME began in the fall of 2014, over the course of many late nights and with a few simple tools, ideas, and glasses of wine.  Since then the tools have gotten a bit more complex and the ideas have gotten a little bigger, but at its core OHME is still the product of our dedication and love for the work we do.” This fat-owned brand is based in Seattle and has really beautiful statement pieces available. My personal pick is their “no” earrings. Sign up for their newsletter for a store credit. Grab a necklace, earrings, or gift card for your loved one. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

Automic Gold- A Queer trans-owned fine jewelry line available in inclusive sizing. What we love? In their own words: “We don’t photoshop models. We hire size-inclusive, non-cis and non-white models all year round, not just for awareness months. All pieces are made from reclaimed gold, and arrive in a packaging that is recyclable.” Their rings come in sizes up to a 16, which is hard to find. Grab a piece of fine jewelry or a gift card for your loved one. My pick? The Butch ring. Check out the full website here. Prince point: $$$

Studio Sophia Sophia- A statement jewelry line that feels sculptural, like wearable art. My pick? The saponarias earrings. Check out the website here. Price point: $$$

Tiny Deer Studio- “Tiny Deer Studio features the work of Jessica Watkins, a Texas-born Chicana artist.” Tiny Deer offers jewelry, pins and prints. Our fave are the super cute earrings like their strawberry oval drop earrings. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Vinca- Vinca’s jewelry is designed and manufactured in Austin. Their kitschy designs add a pop of fun to any look and range from meat cleaver earrings to a ham necklace. Check out the website here. Price point: $

BRWN GRLZ - "BRWNGRLZ was created in a dorm room in 2013. Its sole mission was to create representation of women of color in the accessory world by having Black and Brown models wearing culturally inspired earrings. Ever since 2013 it has become a laser cut jewelry company that has donated thousands to organizations in the United States and Philippines for the safety and wellbeing of Black, indigenous, and marginalized communities, while sparking joy upon the people who wear our pieces." Our pick? Their star sign earrings! Where are my cancer babies? Check out their website here. Price point: $

Skincare:

Foxie Cosmetics- Foxie Cosmetics is on hiatus but we suggest signing up for their newsletter or adding to your bookmarks as their products are perfect for yourself or a loved one. Check out the website here. 

Beladoce Skin- “Beladoce Botanicals was created in 2017 by Elena Marques, a seasoned skincare professional of over 10 years, and established life long painter, and artist.” Beladoce has everything from serums, cleansers, lip oil to creams and more. Their packaging is lovely and they are made in San Diego with all natural ingredients. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Pink Light Botanicals- Created by a licensed aesthetician, Pink Light Botanicals is hand-made in New Mexico. They offer individual products or gift sets. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

Fat and the Moon- “Continuing a family legacy of herbalists and natural healers, Fat and the Moon founder Rachel Budde has built her company around providing handcrafted, herbal body care products to those seeking natural and effective alternatives to chemical-filled products.” They have a vast product list with luxe salves, balms and more. Grab a gift set or gift card as well. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Magic Mama Co- Magic Mama Co is a San Diego based company run by owner-operator, Hanah. She offers healing services along with products like pain sprays and home goods like room and linen sprays. Our favorites are the self-love spray and the sage spray. Check out the website here. Price point: 

Authors/Bookstores:

Bookshow LA - LA-based Indie book shop with sales available through instagram. Find one of a kind books at affordable prices. Books always make such a great gift but are even more precious as we are stuck inside! Their collection is seriously perfect for everyone on your list. Check out the instagram here. Price point: $

Eso Won Bookstore- An LA-based independent Black-owned book store established in 1987. They have a vast collection of books, including signed copies. Our pick? Basquiat: A Graphic Novel. Check out the full website here. Price point: $

Sonya Renee Taylor - Author of “The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love.”  Check out the website here. Price point: $

Samantha Irby- Samantha Irby is the author of a few hilarious books of short stories, the writer of the blog bitches gotta eat, and a TV writer for Shrill. Reading her writing is like listening to your closest friend while they tell you about their ridiculous day. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Archive Six- Based in Seattle and run by Rachelle Abellar, this press offers everything from zines to coloring books to a coffee table book on fat style. Our pick? The Big Bellied Merbabes coloring book. Check out the website here. Price point: $

YR Fat Friend - What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat - The first book from anonymous essayist, who is stepping out of anonymity with this book,  is out Tuesday 12/31. Pre-order here.

Home Goods and Cozy vibes:

Moon Babe Shop- Designed and run by blogger Margot Meanie, this new shop is full of witchy trinkets that are perfect gifts. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Goodwares.la - An LA based shop selling pre-loved goods. Filipina-American Women owned. Check out the instagram here. Price point: $$

Shop Sometimes - Indigenous woman-owned business selling second-hand home goods. Shop via their instagram here. Price point: $

Rx Candles- An LA-based family run business that sells the loveliest smelling soy wax candles, diffusers and sprays. Our fame is their white tea scent! Check out the website here. Price point: $

Lastcraft- Chicago based goth brand. Our pick? Their roses in the forest scented loose incense. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Vintage:

*These shops range from clothing, accessories, to furniture and home goods.

Above are models wearing Hotbox Vintage (and Reesabobeesa), Proud Mary Fashion, and Shop Berriez.

Ten of Cups Vintage- Based in Long Beach, this family run shop offers clothing and housewares. They do have occasional plus size pieces. They sell on instagram stories, their website and through markets. Check out the website here. Price point: $

HotBox Vintage- This LA-based and woman-owned brand has a storefront and stocked website. They have clothing, accessories and housewares. We always love their jewelry and purse offerings for gifting! They will be having a big outdoor Black Friday sale this coming weekend so check out their socials for details. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Zoe’s Vintique- Another LA-based shop, Zoe’s combines unique vintage with contemporary styles. They offer accessories and while they carry all sizes, have a separate plus size section. Our pick? This sheer pink top. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Indian Summer Vintage- “TAINO/QUEER/NB/FAT owned shop. Specializing in unique vintage & pre worn gems in a wide range of styles $ sizes.” Seattle’s Indian Summer Vintage is known for their Fats and Femmes events as well as their wide range of sizes available. You can currently shop their pieces through instagram. Check out their instagram here. Price point: $

Copperhive Vintage- Salt Lake City based vintage shop, Copperhive is family run and offers everything from vintage clothing, housewares, furniture, art and handmade goods. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Proud Mary Fashion- Hello, it’s us again! Aside from our own line, we do offer vintage clothing, accessories and housewares. We will be focusing on adding our vintage pieces to the website throughout the holiday season, as they make great gifts. We also sell through instagram from time to time so be sure to follow us. Gift cards are available in a wide variety of amounts. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Heavy Duty Vintage- Based in Seattle and owned by Kim Selling. In their own words: “vintage and secondhand treasures for fats and queers and everyone else.” You may have caught them selling at Indian Summer Vintage in the past. Keep an eye on their instagram and shop page for updates. Price point: $

Blkmktvintage - “BLK MKT Vintage is a curated love story. Our motivation to build a collection that mirrors multifarious Black cultural expression is rooted in our love for Black people, Black culture and our own lived experiences. We approach our work as cultural historians and encourage you to join us in bringing history & antiquity into your everyday lives.” BLK MKT offers tons of vintage books, artworks, magazines, apparel, and more. Check out the website here. Price point: $+

Shop Berriez- A NY based vintage shop that specializes in plus size clothing. Their style is 90’s artsy kitsch with bold prints. Check out the website here. Price point: $$

TrashPaca- “A curated, non gender, fluid size focused, brand!” Salt Lake City based vintage brand that offers vintage apparel as well as original artwork and accessories. Check out the website here. Price point: $

Glam Factory - Vegas based vintage shop with eclectic and large inventory. Check out their instagram here. Price point: $

The NXC Vintage Shop - Nxcv is an east coast based online vintage shop sourcing mostly vintage wearables and accessories. Every item is handpicked, styled, and modeled by Avry. Our pick? These baby blue abstract earrings. Check out the full website here. Price point: $

Children’s:

Witching Hour Baby- “Casual Goth Kids Clothing and Pins for Goth Parents.” Check out the website here. Price point: $

Tiny Bangs- “Tiny Bangs is named after creator Kirsten Bosio and her kids’ trademark hairstyle. Our goal was to make an alternative to the big kids' clothing retailers that's both conscious and creative. Most of the collection is handmade in Los Angeles using both new and upcycled materials and the rest is carefully curated and hand picked with love.” Check out the website here. Price Point: $

Handwritten by God- Custom baby name blankets for the new parents in your life. Check out their website here. Price Point: $$$

Art (Prints, Drawings, Paintings and other wall hung artworks)

Gaudy Los Angeles- LA Based paintings by visual artist Renée Bever. Shop via her instagram for ready to purchase or commission options. Check out her instagram here. Price Point: Unknown

Ruff Enough- Stickers, prints and more by visual and tattoo artist. Check in on their socials for the next drop. Check out their instagram here. Price Point: $

Reesa Bo Beesa- LA based visual artist that offers prints, stickers, tees, jewelry and more promoting radical softness. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

ggggrimes- ggggrimes is a 25 year-old Black queer artist from NYC, now based in Philly. They have beautiful prints as well as stickers and keychains. Order quickly to receive before the holidays! Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Natalie O Decor- Beautiful prints by Chicago based artist, Natalie Osborne. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Shop Tara Joy- Lovely prints, stickers, note cards and more! Find stickers for the Animal Crossing Lover in your life in her shop. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Hannah Senger- "Queer artist from BC, Canada. community & creation, art for healing." Fat positive prints, stickers and more. Check out their website here.  Price Point: $

Squid Vishuss- Salt Lake based visual artist selling lovely prints. Currently in love with their astrological series. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

​Nora Rachel Art - Nora Rachel is a queer & genderqueer femme visual artist working and residing in Los Angeles, California. You can find prints, stickers, ceramics and more on their site. Check out their website here. Price point: $

Uzo Art - Beautiful prints offered as well as apparel and merch. Check out their website here.  Price Point: $

Stine Greve Illustration- Fat positive prints, tees, stickers and more! Check out their website here.  Price Point: $

Sex Toys:

Shop Enby- “We are a Black/Trans owned company run by 3 enby's and believe that all bodies deserve affirmation and pleasure. We strive to create a safer, and more comfortable sex-toy shopping experience for the Queer community and more specifically gender non-conforming, trans and non-binary people.” Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Early 2 Bed: “A feminist, sex-positive sex shop for everyone.” Based in Chicago. Check out their website here. Price point: $$

CantiqLA - This brand has a selection of sex toys as well as gender fluid lingerie that is offered up to 3X (with custom sizing available as well.) Designed and made in LA. Check out the full website here. Price Point: $$

Ceramics:

Make Good Choices - Currently sold out but follow their instagram for news on the next restock. Our fave? The nesting heart bowls. Check out their website here. Price Point: $$

Rose Milk Ceramics - Rosemilk is the collection of ceramic objects by Brooklyn based artist Malia Polsky. Each piece is hand formed with gentle imperfections and texture. Created with the intention to bring more joy into everyday vessels. Check out their website here. Price Point: $$

Plants/Flowers:

*LA Based due to the nature of shipping plants. Feel free to shout out your local plant stores and florists in the comments!

*Above shows bouquets from Lady Flores LA and Under New Management

Queen LA- Local LA shop selling plants and planters through their storefront and pop ups. Plants make perfect gifts especially during nesting season. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Latinx with Plants- Local LA shop with two locations selling plants, masks, and gift cards. Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Under New Management - LA based florists that design unique modern high end bouquets like you’ve never seen. They also just launched hot pink serving boards we are lusting after. Check out their website here. Price Point: $$

Lady Flores LA - Beautiful arrangements with fresh and dried flowers. Check out their instagram here. Price Point: $

Stationary, cards and wrapping:

Party Art Community - This LA - based store offers party supplies like balloons, stationary and more. They also carry some art from local artists, note pads and mugs. Contaft them for custom balloon installations as well! Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Shorthand - This LA - based store's motto is "for the love of your desk." They offer calendars, notebooks and writing utencils! Check out their website here. Price Point: $

Anchorless Prints- Based in Washington, this small press makes beautiful cards! Our fave? Their Pyrex inspired cards like this one. Check out their website here. Price Point: $