Historically, plus-size fashion has always been synonymous with phrases like ‘slimming’ and ‘tummy control’, which suggests that wearing a larger clothing size is inherently bad and something to be ashamed of. Clothing bigger than a size UK 16 is also often siphoned off into a separate ‘Curve’ or ‘Plus’ collection, which can be very othering to consumers.
Thankfully, the fashion industry is gradually coming to realise how damaging and unnecessary this style of marketing is.
Consumers today have much higher expectations when it comes to diversity and representation – and many fashion brands are (rightly) being pressured to offer a far greater range of sizes. This means not simply offering a size 16 or even 18, but going up to size 24 minimum, to ensure that all customers, no matter their shape or size, feel represented and valued.
Whilst there is a long way to go until the fashion industry as a whole sees inclusive sizing as a standard requirement, there are some brilliant brands out there already working hard to achieve genuine size inclusivity. Here, we’ve cherry-picked our favourite size-inclusive fashion brands.
London-based fashion label Birdsong are not just size inclusive – with an incredible size offering of 6-30 across all of their clothing and underwear – but ethical and sustainable, too.
Working to an ethos of ‘fashion as an ally for change’, Birdsong are a social enterprise challenging the fast nature of the fashion industry.
Founded in the US by Ellie and Quang Dinh, Girlfriend Collective is an eco-conscious clothing brand with transparency at the heart of everything they do; down to listing the gallons of water used to create each garment. Alongside their sustainability credentials, Girlfriend Collective offer sizes XXS – 6XL (a UK 24) across their extensive range, including activewear, swimwear and Maternity.
Loud Bodies size offering is hard to beat, covering sizes XXS – 10XL as standard. Petite? Tall? Atypical body? If you can’t see your size on the website or are not sure which size would fit you best, they offer a counselling service and free of charge custom orders.
If that wasn’t enough, many of their clothes also give you the option of adding pockets and are ethically made with non-toxic dyes. Loud Bodies’ ethos is “a curated experience of clothing, made for everybody”.
Born with both sustainability and comfort in mind, Ohne’s size inclusive period pants come in sizes 4-30, are made with luxuriously soft material for silky smoothness and breathable elasticity, as well as being ultra-absorbent and odour-eliminating — the ultimate period pants.
More than that, their underwear, made from plant-based modal, is completely biodegradable and compostable in home, industrial or marine conditions. Not only is it 50% more absorbent than cotton, it also uses 20x less water to manufacture!
Founded by Miranda Haston, Girl Got Curves was born from a love of bikinis and a serious lack of fun swimwear options for plus-size women.
Their bikinis come in sizes 14-30, designed using high quality fabric which doesn’t chafe or roll down, to empower, fit and flatter curvy bodies.
If you would like to hear more about how a PR strategy could help drive more awareness for your brand in the UK media, get in touch with us today.
