Imagine a beautiful showroom full of light, bright colors, larger-than-life plus-sized art, and a full spectrum of fashion-forward options, from full-on femme to the most masc styles. All merchandised together to let your intuition guide you to whatever catches your eye. This dream became a reality the second I stepped into the newest boutique on the scene- Ethical Bodies x The Goodish.
Join me as I get to know the owners and how they chose community over competition and brought their shared vision to life. We’ll also explore their vision for the shopping experience that centers queer voices and supports not only self-expression but self-exploration.
Fair Warning: You’ll want to book a trip to the Gateway to the West once you meet the founders and get a taste of their impeccable style. Hopefully this story is just one of many that will shape the future as a more inclusive world.
Maura Hampton (she/her), Co-Owner of Ethical Bodies; K Scott (all pronouns), Co-Owner of The Goodish; Erica Hallman (all pronouns), Co-Owner of The Goodish; Tricia Stoecklin (she/her), Co-Owner of Ethical Bodies; Front: Bones aka “The Real Store Owner” resting on their laurels
A Market Vendor Meet Cute at Ethical Bodies x The Goodish
Ethical Bodies and The Goodish both started their journeys as vendors at local markets, passionately selling their second hand fashion pieces. Ethical Bodies, founded by Maura Hampton (She/Her) and Tricia Stoecklin (She/Her), began as a pop-up shop bringing plus size vintage and modern resale clothing to various markets. Maura recalls, “I love to support local and I remember going to all these wonderful markets, but I was only ever able to buy accessories.” Feeling left out inspired her to create Ethical Bodies, focusing on sizes XL-4X+ to provide sustainable options for mid-size and plus size consumers.
The Goodish, operated by Erica Hallman (all pronouns) and K Scott (all pronouns), centered their brand around body-inclusive, gender-euphoric, queer fashion and home goods. Through pop-ups and vendor markets, both brands frequently received inquiries about opening a brick-and-mortar store, prompting them to consider a more permanent presence.
“The amount of people who showed up and came out surpassed our wildest dreams. It worked so well between us.”
Maura on co-hosting the Big Body Bash – St Louis’s first exclusively plus size market in 2023
Through their interactions at markets, the owners formed a strong connection. They shared their stories and together they identified a gaping hole in the market. For a city of this size, there simply were not enough options for the plus size community. We needed an event that supported this community. Their first collaboration was the Big Body Bash, a market celebrating people living in larger bodies and creating a sense of liberation for the community. This event garnered local media coverage and was an overwhelming success. It was the first Exclusively Plus Size Market in St Louis. The event’s success sparked the idea of further collaboration.
In December of 2023, the four co-owners decided to officially join forces. Together, they created Ethical Bodies x The Goodish, seamlessly merging their personal brands and shared goals of creating a space for their community.
Ethical Bodies x The Goodish: Two Distinct Brands, One Seamless Shopping Experience
“Our goal is really to center the folx who have generally been left out, and make this space be about creating a space where everyone feels safe and like they belong here””
Erica of the Goodish on creating their brand for good
What you can expect:
Ethical Bodies X The Goodish offers a diverse range of products, including plus-size resale clothing, vintage styles, and curated masc forward fashion. Their commitment to inclusivity and sustainability ensures that every piece is thoughtfully selected to provide diverse and ethical fashion choices.
The boutique’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in the art, styling, and layout of the showroom. Their focus on offering fashion for plus, queer, masc, and femme nonbinary individuals is so refreshing. By providing sustainable clothing options and reducing waste, they ensure that every BODY has access to fashion-forward, eco-friendly choices.
Here’s an overview of some of the items you’ll find in store at Ethical Bodies x The Goodish:
- Sizes Large-6x+
- Vintage Apparel
- Modern Pre-owned apparel
- Vintage home furnishings
- Body Positive Art
- Accessories
- Necklace Extenders
- Gender Neutral Styles
- Masc Styles
- Femme Styles
- Opportunities for consignment
The boutique’s layout and curation support this vision by mixing masc, gender neutral, and femme styles seamlessly. The showroom is designed to guide customers intuitively, allowing them to explore and choose items that resonate with their personal style, free from societal constraints.
As I perused, I felt myself questioning whether I could try some masc leaning styles. It feels like a bit of an experiment in gender fluid shopping that completely removes confirmation bias when drawn to a piece. It was a very new feeling for me, and I cannot wait to see how this experience will evolve my personal wardrobe and preferences.
How you can experience Ethical Bodies x The Goodish
IRL – Visting the St Louis Showroom
We’re all very aware of how few IRL spaces exist for plus size and queer shopping options. For those lucky enough to live in or visit St. Louis, I urge you to add this to your must experience list. The showroom offers a unique, inclusive atmosphere that elevates this to a must-visit destination. Located in the heart of the Gateway to the West, the boutique invites plus, queer, masc, and femme nonbinary folx to experience their welcoming and stylish space in person.
As you shop, you’ll notice there are 2 different tag styles, each with their own brand. This is not something you need to worry about, when you have made your selections, anyone working will be able to ring you up, and you’ll just need to do 2 transactions if the styles you selected were from both Ethical Bodies and The Goodish. They’ll take care of everything for you and explain that up front.
If you are looking to develop your personal style, both sides of the house offer styling consultations. And did I mention the spacious and ventilated fitting room and cozy sofa? They really thought of everything.
Ethical Bodies X The Goodish is located at 2218 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Instagram Shopping
Ethical Bodies X The Goodish stands out for its unique collaboration story, diverse product offerings, and inclusive vision. By prioritizing community over competition, they have created a space that supports self-expression and self-exploration.
Ethical Bodies x The Goodish makes shopping easy through their Instagram feeds. Customers can browse the latest collections and make purchases by sending a direct message (DM) with their requests or inquiries. Be sure to share this article and follow both brands.
Learn more about the brands at EthicalBodies.com and TheGoodish.com
Visit the boutique in St. Louis or shop online via Instagram to support their mission. Whether you’re looking for plus size vintage, gender-euphoric styles, or sustainable fashion, Ethical Bodies x The Goodish has something for you.
