5 Size-Inclusive Brands You Need To Know, Because One Size Doesn't Fit All

It’s no secret that fashion has a size problem. For decades, the industry has shaped the standards of female beauty across cultures, and the ideal that has been widely promulgated is a woman who is tall, thin, and fair. A yardstick that is, sadly, far removed from reality.

Fortunately, though, attitudes are slowly starting to shift, and the homogeneous beauty ideal is gradually being dismantled (it’s about time, too). Thanks in large part to social media, women who fall outside the so-called size status quo have been empowered to speak up about their experiences of exclusion and to rightfully demand better from the industry. In turn, an increasing number of brands and designers – with small and independent labels leading the charge – have responded by featuring more diverse casting on their runways and in their campaigns and by creating more inclusive designs intended for a broader community of consumers.  

Make no mistake, the industry still has a very long way to go when it comes to diversity and inclusivity in size (as well as race, gender, age, and disabilities). But it is nevertheless heartening to know that there are designers out there willing to embrace all body types, shapes and sizes, and to push the boundaries in order to bring about a real change.

Get to know five brands doing just that below.

Universal Standard goes by the tagline of “the world’s most inclusive fashion brand”, and far from being hyperbole, it’s a statement that rings true. What started out in 2015 as an eight-item line in sizes 10 to 28 has since evolved into a sought-after destination for well-made wardrobe essentials ranging from classic denim to tailored separates to breezy wrap dresses, all available in sizes 00 through 40. The label also offers the innovative See It In Your Size tool on its website, which enables you to view your choice of clothing on a model closest to your actual size, in addition to the “fit liberty” initiative, which allows you to exchange an item for a new size should your weight fluctuate — free of charge.

Inclusivity lies at the core of 11 Honoré. Since its launch back in 2017, the revolutionary e-tailer has set itself apart with its dedication to the cause, partnering with brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Mary Katrantzou, and Christopher Kane to provide women of sizes 12 to 26 with access to runway styles that wouldn’t otherwise cater to this long-ignored demographic. This year, 11 Honoré takes its commitment a step further and introduces its own private label collection of timeless silhouettes in inclusive sizing, comprising style staples like satin slips and shirtdresses, athleisure items like sweatpants and jumpers, and tailored pieces like blazers and bodysuits, designed to fill those gaps in one’s wardrobe.

Designer Marissa Heyl founded her ethical and sustainable label Symbology with the desire to empower women through fashion and to free the industry from its size snobbery. Heyl partners with marginalised female artisans across the globe, from India to Mexico to the West Bank, to create elegantly feminine pieces that merge age-old techniques with fashion forward design. Awash in vibrant colours and heritage prints, every piece in the eye-catching array of dresses, jumpsuits, midi skirts, caftans and more is handmade by an expert craftswoman in eco-conscious materials such as modal and cotton, with sizes covering XS to 3XL.