Everyone knows what it’s like to love something that doesn’t love you back. For plus-size women, it’s the fashion industry. This disconnect is evident in stores that hide plus-size clothing in hard-to-find sections or brands that cut extended sizes from their lines altogether. TikTok influencer Samyra highlighted this issue in a viral video, sharing her shopping experience for plus-size clothing, where she had to travel to the 7th floor to shop for clothes her size. Unfortunately, her experience isn’t as unique as it should be. The struggle for representation and inclusion in fashion has been a long-standing battle for the plus-size community.
Change appeared to be on the horizon in 2021 when brands began acknowledging the demand for larger sizes with initiatives like Old Navy’s BODEQUALITY, which offered sizes 0 to 30 at the same price. However, as is frequently the case, progress can be short-lived. By 2023, brands like Nordstrom and Old Navy announced plans to scale back on extended sizes or eliminate them due to inventory challenges. Adding to the setback, a 2022 Plunkett Research survey found that over 50% of U.S. clothing retailers had reduced or eliminated in-store plus-size sections, pushing larger sizes exclusively online. This shift further isolated plus-size customers, reducing their enjoyment of shopping and feeling of inclusion in fashion.
This regression is deeply felt by the community. “The past year or so has been especially disappointing, as body diversity and size inclusivity seem to have taken a backseat for many brands as trends shift,” Gabi Fresh, OG plus-size fashion blogger and designer, tells GU. “There’s an undeniable need for plus-size voices to keep demanding better.”
The decrease in plus-size options has been evident, with even New York Fashion Week reflecting a drop in plus-size representation.This scarcity often leads to frustration among shoppers.Fresh understands the exclusion all too well saying, “Most mainstream department stores have a minimal selection regarding plus sizes. The options available tend to be more matronly and less trend-forward. It can definitely lead to a disheartening and lackluster shopping experience.”
For those unfamiliar, shopping in the plus-size section often means sifting through graphic tees and outdated fabrics that feel like they were pulled straight from an ’80s grandma’s tablecloth. Samyra, another voice pushing for change, echoes this sentiment: “It’s hard for plus-size women to discover their style when their options are so limited.” Fashion is a primary form of self-expression for millennials. Still, for those wearing sizes above 12, it often means making the most of the limited choices available. Samyra and Gabi are dedicated to urging brands to offer more sizing options for the plus-size community. Samyra highlights the issue by visiting stores like Aerie, Aeropostale, and Forever 21, searching for plus-size options. The results? It is often disappointing, with most items either unavailable in-store or relegated to online-only shopping.
The fashion industry’s response is often slower than other industries when criticized for their lack of representation. For instance, when beauty influencers called out brands like Youthforia for failing to offer shade inclusivity, many beauty brands addressed these concerns and made changes within weeks. If only the fashion industry would show the same urgency.
Still, some brands get it right. Savage X Fenty by Rihanna has been a standout, offering sizes up to 4X in stores, with a range that includes lingerie, loungewear, and everyday apparel for all genders. Similarly, Akira provides sizes up to 2X, giving fashion enthusiasts access to trend-forward pieces, from mini skirts to must-have styles.
We must see more plus-size bodies on runways, campaigns, and social media. Seeing ourselves celebrated is just as crucial as being catered to. The demand is there, the community is ready, and it’s time for the industry to catch up.
“What I want to see is for people [and brands] to stop treating plus-size customers like ‘the other’ or ‘the outcast’ and to put us top of mind,” says Samyra.
Jerri Harper is a freelance writer, working on all things fashion,beauty and pop culture. As a freelance writer, She’s known for her fresh take on beauty and fashion topics, Jerri’s readers look to her for relatable insights and unapologetic storytelling.