Features – The Covet File

I was taking a trip recently and envisioned my voyage with a casual flowy dress as my travel companion. I scoured sites from every corner of the internet to try and find my perfect match with no luck. What I did find, however, was a deluge of false advertising for “size-inclusive” brands that dashed my high hopes. To be perfectly clear, I am in the cohort of straight-sized women with a curvier body type and I want to acknowledge that I am privileged to be able to easily find clothes that fit, even if the fit is unflattering, unlike many plus-sized women. That said, this doesn’t change a pervasive problem in brands eagerly attempting to throw around the buzzword “size-inclusive.”

What was arguably the most egregious of the Wizard of Oz-level hoodwinking that ran rampant across a number of brands? Clothing companies that were advertising themselves as offering extended sizing were telling a half-truth. While a number of these brands offered plus options, I noticed that many pieces that were given the same style names and were being passed off as the same dress/top/pants/etc. were, in fact, entirely different styles. Perhaps the color or pattern was the same, but that is where the similarities stopped.

Some might not see a problem with this and yes, providing larger sizing is a step in the right direction, but it’s not good enough. Not only does this kind of false advertising leave curvier, “in-between” bodies behind, half-truth marketing creates a narrative that what is intended to look beautiful on a straight-sized body wouldn’t on a larger body. Why is it egregious for a larger body to show more skin or wear a certain shape simply for the fact that larger bodies don’t fit into a ridiculous narrative of what is “ideal?”

I have no problem with plus-size brands (there need to be more!), or even companies having plus-size sections, but the distinction is whether it is clear to the customer that extended sizing means that someone’s selections are limited by their size. What exacerbates this? The inequality in how much money someone is asked to spend on straight versus plus sized options. In theory, if you advertise your brand as being inclusive that should mean everyone is getting the same thing – both when it comes to the design and the pricing.

According to Vogue Business, on average, larger sizing is statistically marked at higher prices than smaller sizes. Not only that, but there is a gender gap, as this price variation typically only affects women’s clothing. From a pragmatic perspective, yes more sizes means more skews and having more skews is more expensive for brands; but, if this issue is really only permeating the womenswear market, surely this isn’t the only reason. Couldn’t one argue that this size-inclusivity issue is indicative of brands and designers, perhaps even the market at large, placing more value on our societal obsession with unrealistic body standards than on the reality of customer demand?

As disheartening as this may seem, it doesn’t mean that this can’t change. This also doesn’t mean that there aren’t some brands that are making strides in the right direction, companies such Good American, Eileen Fisher, Girlfriend Collective, Universal Standard and Summersalt are standout brands when it comes to making progress in inclusive sizing. We can only hope that more brands will follow suit, but in the meantime read on to learn more about the aforementioned brands that are ahead of the size-inclusive fashion game.

Good American

Co-founded by Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede, Good American is a contemporary women’s denim brand offering sizes from 00-24 (and in some cases up to size 30). Good American offers chic, minimalistic styles designed to live in your wardrobe forever as staple pieces. The denim brand is also B Corp certified and is increasingly making efforts to become more sustainable – they have already eliminated plastic from their packaging and are committed to incorporate more sustainable materials and dyes into their pieces.

Bombshell Short ($129) | Lettuce Edge Cardi ($95) | Good ’90s ($149)

Eileen Fisher

A recognized pioneer in sustainable fashion, it should be no surprise that Eileen Fisher also is a pioneer in size inclusivity. Eileen Fisher’s sizing extends from XXS – 3X and the designs tend to run a little large, making styles more accessible. The brand offers classic, versatile pieces that marry comfort and style.

Traceable Organic Cotton Jersey Jumpsuit ($198) | Textured Stretch Rib Crew Neck Dress ($218) | Organic Handkerchief Linen Short-Sleeve Shirt ($128)

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable and ethically made leisure and activewear brand offering sizing from XXS-6XL. Girlfriend Collective offers styles that prove that simple design doesn’t have to be boring. In addition to being size-inclusive, the brand also prides itself on being committed to sustainability and is extremely transparent with the materials and processes they use to make their products.

Tarot Classic Sweatshirt ($68) | Fig FLOAT High-Rise Bike Short ($48) | Ivy Scoop Unitard ($88)

Universal Standard

Universal Standard is a contemporary womenswear brand dedicated to doing inclusive sizing right. From its foundation the brand’s mission has been to provide women accessibility to fashion regardless of size. Founded in 2015 by Alex Waldman and Polina Veksler, Universal Standard offers a range of sizes from 00 – 40. Universal Standard’s pieces are modern style essentials that are designed with every woman in mind as part of the brand’s commitment to bring fashion for all women up to a universal standard.

Kara Luxe Satin Slip Dress ($118) | Myrtle Denim Jumpsuit ($198) | Polished Patchwork Outfit ($266)

Summersalt

Last, but certainly not least, Summersalt is a brand that has size-inclusivity embedded into their DNA. Offering most styles in sizes 2-22, this adorable swim, loungewear and activewear brand vocally advocates the importance of body positivity in the fashion industry and wider society. Not only is Summersalt putting into practice what they preach when it comes to inclusivity, the brand is also eco-conscious and uses recycled materials in their styles.