Fashion Week just concluded, and while there were several plus-size highlights, a lack of representation was (again) a dominant theme. the study Research shows that 81% of women feel they are not represented in fashion advertising in general, and a staggering 90% of women feel they are not represented by fashion models or runway shows.
Given that we all have to wear clothes, we should be able to find and buy clothes that suit not only our body type, but also our style, budget, and values. However, for many women, that’s not the case.
new US Physical StatisticsAccording to a study released by social shopping platform Mys Tyler, more than half of women in the United States (54.4%) wear clothing sizes above 14, which is considered “plus size” by the industry. Despite being the majority, plus sizes are the worst off when it comes to shopping, facing many more restrictions than straight and mid-size consumers experience.
If we can talk more about it, we can all affect the change we need. To kick-start the conversation, we asked three women in the fashion industry to talk about the gaps and opportunities in the plus-size market.
Three women discuss gaps and opportunities in the plus-size market
Alison Zupancic: “My Experience as a Plus-Size Model & Creator”
“The plus-size market remains underserved and is currently experiencing a steep decline due to a resurgence of the Y2K problem.”
I’m Alison Zupancic.Follow) is a DMV-based plus-size content creator who is passionate about advocating for size inclusivity, diverse representation, and women’s health. Living with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease, she’s learned to push boundaries in her personal life and in the fashion industry and encourages others to do the same.
Despite progress, the fashion industry still struggles with size inclusivity. The plus-size market remains underserved and is now experiencing a steep setback due to a resurgence of the Y2K crisis. As a model and creative, I have seen women feel excluded from the fashion that should celebrate them due to a lack of representation and size restrictions.
One of the biggest gaps is the lack of fashionable, sustainable clothing in larger sizes. While many brands claim to offer plus sizes, they fall short in providing trendy, high-quality clothing for those over a size 22. This issue is further exacerbated by the fast fashion industry, which tends to downplay sustainability in its plus-size designs. We would like to see more brands offer well-made, stylish clothing that fits all body types while prioritizing sustainable fashion.
Every fashion week, plus-size models are underrepresented in campaigns and on the runway. The industry continues to spotlight and reward thinner models while ignoring the majority of body types that exist in the real world. Representation isn’t just about fashion; it’s about empowerment and visibility. It’s time for the industry to embrace meaningful, constructive dialogue with the plus-size community and foster a space that reflects and celebrates everyone.
Chemi Ajibare: “Experience as a fashion stylist”
“Plus-size sections can be challenging as they are often limited to basics and lack the trendy items that many customers desire.”
I’m Kemi (Translator) is a personal stylist and image consultant who is passionate about helping everyday professionals elevate their style with modern, versatile wardrobe essentials. Fashion celebrates diversity in many ways, but there is room for improvement when it comes to size inclusivity. Many of my clients are plus size, but despite making up a significant portion of consumers, this category is often overlooked in the industry, which can leave clients feeling frustrated and alienated.
Limited selection is another frustration (this is the main reason why customers come to me for help, to point them in the right direction and save them time researching). The plus size section can be daunting as it is often limited to basics and lacks the trendy pieces that many customers desire.
The fit and quality of plus-size options can also be substandard. Many brands simply scale their designs without considering the unique proportions and needs of plus-size bodies, but this results in my clients going through multiple tries with ill-fitting clothing.
And finally, many brands are missing out by not featuring plus sizes in their advertising and merchandising (if they even carry them), sending the message to plus-size women that they are not their target customer.
Brands that don’t cater to plus-size women, or cater poorly to them, are missing out on a large portion of the market. Luckily, there are more brands wanting to do more for this market. For brands looking to make a difference in this area, here are some things to consider:
1. Work with plus size models and carefully expand your size range with larger size proportions and comfort in mind. A size-neutral collection should offer the same style, quality and attention to detail.
2. Include diversity of plus-size bodies in advertising, campaigns and runway shows.
3. Prices should be uniform across all sizes, and plus-size consumers should not have to bear higher prices.
4. Create an inclusive shopping experience by stocking all sizes online as well as in-store, and training staff to provide courteous, knowledgeable service to all customers. A welcoming atmosphere makes a big difference in the shopping experience for plus-size people.
Briana Siciliano: “My Experience as a Plus-Size Shopper”
“Plus size is not one size fits all, but if you look at fashion advertising, most people will still be wearing hourglass figures in 2024!”
I’m Brianna Siciliano. (Briana Maria 95), Brand & Community Manager at Mys Tyler. I’ve been focused on plus-size representation for most of my life. My honors thesis in college explored how plus-size bodies are represented in the media.
As a plus size early teen, late teen, and adult woman, fashion was always a struggle for me. I could never walk into a mall (or any store outside of a select few plus size brands) and find anything that fit my curvaceous, tall (6’1″) frame, let alone stylish, trendy options! As a result, I’ve primarily shopped at dedicated plus size brands like Torrid and Lane Bryant. While I appreciate that these brands cater to plus sizes (sizes small/medium and up), being limited to just two brands can be pretty boring.
Plus size is not one size fits all, but when I look at fashion advertisements, I still see mostly hourglass bodies, even in 2024. I have a big belly, wide hips, and a big butt, but I rarely see anyone with a body shape like mine. We make up the majority of the population, yet for so long we’ve been marginalized and marginalized.
There are a lot of things brands get wrong. Some brands advertise that they have size diversity, but they only offer sizes from XXL to XXXL, and their “plus sizes” are actually sizing up straight sizes and not designed for plus size bodies. The styles are pretty old-fashioned, boring, ugly, and totally different from their straight size items (which also have a much larger selection). It’s also frustrating when brands offer plus sizes but don’t use plus size models in their advertising.
Universal Standard is one of the few brands that is truly inclusive when it comes to sizing and fit. They host showroom pop-ups around the country where you can meet with stylists and try on products before ordering. I own several items from their collection and love supporting brands that support my community.
There are a few other brands that cater pretty well to the plus size market, like What Lo Wants, Wray NYC, Rebdolls, etc. I haven’t tried them yet but have seen good reviews online, but they still have a long way to go.
What are your thoughts on the current state of plus-size fashion? Do you share the same thoughts as these three about the gaps and opportunities in the plus-size market, or are we missing something that hasn’t been mentioned?
Do you relate to any of these women? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Author: Sarah Neal, Miss Tyler
Source: The Curvy Fashionista – thecurvyfashionista.com
