Fashion has finally begun to speak to a truth we’ve felt for a long time: style belongs to everyone. If you’ve ever stood in front of a rack of clothes only to find sizes stop where your sense of self continues, you know how isolating that can feel. The good news is the industry is changing — not just with token gestures but with brands that center fit, representation, and real choice for people of all sizes. This article is your guide to those brands, why inclusive sizing matters, how to shop smarter, and how to advocate for a fashion landscape that truly fits us all. Read on: there’s something empowering about finding a label that was made to include you rather than make you an afterthought.
I’ll walk you through the who, what, and why of inclusive sizing, profile the brands that are doing it well, and offer practical tips for shopping and styling. Expect candid advice on fit, alterations, marketing, and the overlap between inclusivity and sustainability. Whether you’re a seasoned shopper in extended sizes or someone curious about the shift in the industry, you’ll find helpful context and concrete recommendations. Let’s get started.
Why Inclusive Sizing Matters
People talk about fashion as fun and frivolous, but the truth is clothing is deeply personal. The clothes we wear shape how we move through the world, how we see ourselves, and how others perceive us. When brands exclude a large portion of the population with limited or token size offerings, they send a message that some bodies are less worthy — and that has real emotional and cultural consequences. Inclusive sizing isn’t just a business opportunity; it’s a matter of dignity.
Beyond ethics, inclusivity is good design. Creating great clothing for a wide range of bodies forces brands to think more carefully about fit, construction, and fabric. It encourages innovation: adjustable features, stretch mixes, varied proportions, and design lines that flatter multiple silhouettes. When brands take inclusivity seriously, they often create clothes that are more comfortable, wearable, and flattering for everyone.
Finally, inclusivity matters because it’s what consumers want. Shoppers are increasingly vocal about representation and choice. Brands that respond by expanding size ranges, refining their fit models, and hiring diverse talent aren’t just doing the right thing — they’re listening to customers and building loyalty. That’s why the list of inclusive brands keeps growing and why this moment feels less like a trend and more like a meaningful shift.
What Does “Inclusive Size” Mean?
“Inclusive size” can mean different things depending on who you ask. At a basic level, it refers to brands that offer clothing across a broader range of sizes than the traditional “straight” or “misses” categories. But true inclusivity is about more than a number on a tag; it involves fit, proportion, marketing, product development, and customer experience.
Here are a few dimensions of inclusive sizing:
- Size range: Extending offerings beyond the standard 0–12 to include sizes labeled as plus, extended, or curve, and sometimes smaller or larger ranges than traditional brands.
- Proportion and fit: Designing patterns and grading so that clothing doesn’t just scale up or down mechanically but takes into account how shapes change at different sizes.
- Representation: Using models of various sizes, ages, and identities in campaigns and product imagery so customers can visualize how clothes might look on them.
- Product variety: Offering a full wardrobe — dresses, outerwear, denim, swim, activewear, lingerie — rather than a limited “plus” capsule.
- Accessibility in service: Inclusive return policies, fit guidance, and customer support that acknowledges diverse body needs.
When brands meet these criteria, shoppers experience a more respectful, useful, and empowering relationship with fashion.
How the Industry Shifted: A Brief History
In the past, inclusive sizing was mostly handled by specialty stores and catalogs. “Plus-size” labels often lived in separate sections, both physically and in marketing. For many mainstream brands, offering an extended range was rare and sometimes treated as an afterthought.
Over the last decade, multiple factors accelerated change. Social media gave consumers a louder voice and made representation demands visible and persistent. Data showed there was strong purchasing power in underserved size ranges. Designers and entrepreneurs recognized a market opportunity and started brands specifically focused on fit and inclusivity. Established retailers began expanding their size offerings, sometimes through dedicated lines and sometimes by simply widening their grading practices.
The result is a much broader ecosystem of brands and retailers today — from direct-to-consumer startups that center size diversity from launch, to legacy stores that have redesigned product development, to big-name collaborations and celebrity-backed labels that prioritize inclusivity. It’s not perfect and there’s still room to grow, but the momentum is real.
Categories of Inclusive Brands
Not all inclusive brands operate the same way. Understanding the categories can help you know where to shop depending on your needs and budget.
- Direct-to-consumer innovators: Brands built around extended size ranges with a strong online presence and a mission-driven approach.
- Mainstream retailers with expanded ranges: Big stores that now carry inclusive lines or extended sizes across departments.
- Specialty plus-size brands: Legacy plus-size retailers that offer a wide variety of styles and sizes by design.
- Activewear and intimates: Brands that focus on performance and fit across sizes, from bras and shapewear to leggings and sports bras.
- Fast-fashion plus collections: Trend-driven, lower-price options that increasingly include curve or plus ranges.
- Luxury and designer labels: High-end houses that are experimenting with broader size offerings and custom work.
Each category offers different strengths — affordability, trendiness, technical fit, or tailored craftsmanship — so consider what matters most to you when choosing where to shop.
Top Inclusive Size Brands to Know
Below are profiles of brands that have earned attention for their commitment to inclusive sizing. These summaries focus on why each brand stands out and what they offer. Note that size ranges and policies can change, so it’s always a good idea to check current details on brands’ websites.
Universal Standard
What they offer
Universal Standard made a splash by promising a single collection that spans a very large size range, often marketed as one brand for sizes across the spectrum. They focus on timeless staples — blazers, jeans, tees, and the kind of wardrobe pieces that anchor a closet.
Why they stand out
They invest in fit, using real patternmaking to ensure proportions work across sizes. Their marketing routinely features models of many sizes and ages, and their product descriptions are candid about fit and fabric. Universal Standard also launched membership models and shop features intended to make shopping simpler for those seeking quality basics in inclusive sizes.
Eloquii
What they offer
Eloquii is beloved for its contemporary, fashion-forward plus-size clothing. The brand focuses on bold prints, eveningwear, workwear, and on-trend pieces designed exclusively for sizes typically labeled plus.
Why they stand out
Eloquii builds garments specifically for curvier shapes rather than simply grading up straight sizes. Their product range speaks to customers who want current, stylish options and enjoy seeing themselves reflected in the brand’s imagery.
Good American
What they offer
Co-founded by a well-known figure in pop culture, Good American began with a mission to create denim that fits many bodies, then expanded into ready-to-wear, activewear, and curated collections.
Why they stand out
The brand emphasizes sizing inclusivity and transparency in fit. Their jeans are known for stretch, thoughtful patterning, and detailed size guidance. They champion designers with a goal of disrupting traditional denim grading that often fails larger sizes.
Torrid
What they offer
Torrid is a specialty retailer focused on plus sizes, offering everything from casual tees to lingerie, swim, hosiery, and occasionwear. They carry a broad size range and have a strong physical-store presence in addition to online shopping.
Why they stand out
Torrid is a one-stop brand for many plus-size shoppers. Their price points are accessible, and they collaborate with influencers and pop-culture partners to bring personality to their collections.
Lane Bryant
What they offer
As one of the longest-standing plus-size retailers in the U.S., Lane Bryant covers lingerie, dresses, pants, and professional attire. They’ve been a reliable source of fit-forward essentials for decades.
Why they stand out
Lane Bryant combines legacy expertise with modern updates to product offerings and marketing. Their bras and intimates lines are noted for technical fit in larger cup sizes, and their stores often provide personalized service.
ASOS Curve and ASOS
What they offer
ASOS Curve is the dedicated plus-size arm of the broader ASOS marketplace, offering trend-driven styles that mirror what’s available in straight sizing. ASOS as a platform also integrates many independent brands that carry extended sizes.
Why they stand out
ASOS makes trend-led fashion accessible in inclusive sizes at a faster pace and lower price point than many specialty shops. Their easy site navigation, customer reviews with photos, and strong returns policy make trying new styles easier.
Aerie
What they offer
Aerie, part of American Eagle, focuses on lingerie, loungewear, swim, and casual clothing. The brand has been vocal about body positivity and expanded its size offerings notably in recent years.
Why they stand out
Aerie’s “Real” campaign and refusal to retouch models created a strong identity around authenticity. Their extended sizing and regular campaigns featuring diverse models make them a comfortable, accessible brand for many shoppers.
Savage X Fenty
What they offer
Rihanna’s lingerie line redefined expectations for celebrity brands by offering a wide size range and bold, fashion-forward underwear and loungewear.
Why they stand out
Savage X Fenty mixes fashion and practicality in intimate apparel and uses inclusive marketing as a core brand pillar. Their sizing and representation approach helped shift industry standards in lingerie.
ThirdLove
What they offer
ThirdLove specializes in bras and panties with a strong focus on fit, offering half-cup sizes and a Fit Finder tool that helps customers identify precise sizes.
Why they stand out
Their technical approach to sizing — including many half sizes, different cup shapes, and fit diagnostics — addresses a real problem in intimate apparel, where size differences can dramatically affect comfort and support.
Girlfriend Collective
What they offer
An activewear brand known for sustainable fabrics, Girlfriend Collective offers leggings, sports bras, and tops in a wide size range and often produces inclusive campaigns.
Why they stand out
They combine eco-friendly production with an inclusive size philosophy, showing that sustainability and size diversity can go hand in hand. Their neutral color palette and quality fabrics make activewear feel like a considered purchase.
Old Navy
What they offer
Old Navy is a mass-market retailer that has invested in offering a wide range of sizes across their stores and online. They provide affordable basics, jeans, seasonal trends, and family-oriented styling.
Why they stand out
For budget-conscious shoppers who want variety, Old Navy’s broad size offerings and frequent promotions make it a go-to for everyday essentials in inclusive sizes.
Nordstrom
What they offer
As a department store, Nordstrom carries multiple brands with inclusive ranges and has its own private labels with extended sizes. They also provide in-store tailoring and personal styling services.
Why they stand out
Nordstrom’s customer service and variety across price points make it a helpful resource for shoppers looking to mix accessible labels with higher-end pieces in inclusive sizes.
Reformation (Extended and Curvy Offerings)
What they offer
Reformation, known for its sustainable practices and feminine aesthetic, has been expanding its size offerings and releasing curated “curvy” fits for some styles.
Why they stand out
The brand’s commitment to sustainability paired with broader size ranges speaks to shoppers who prioritize eco-conscious choices without sacrificing trendiness and fit.
Brand Comparison Table
| Brand | Typical Size Range | Price Level | Category | Inclusive Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Standard | Broad range across small to large plus | Mid–High | Direct-to-consumer | Wide size spectrum, real-fit development, diverse models |
| Eloquii | Plus-focused | Mid | Specialty plus | Trend-forward plus designs, dedicated patternmaking |
| Good American | Inclusive denim sizes | Mid–High | Denim + ready-to-wear | Emphasis on denim fit, size-inclusive marketing |
| Torrid | Focus on plus ranges | Low–Mid | Specialty plus | Full wardrobe options, accessible prices |
| ASOS Curve | Trend sizes plus | Low–Mid | Fast-fashion / marketplace | Trend-driven pieces, many brands in one place |
| Aerie | Extended lingerie & clothes | Low–Mid | Intimates / casual | Body-positive campaigns, unretouched ads |
| ThirdLove | Wide bra sizing including half cups | Mid | Intimates | Fit technology, broad cup and band options |
| Girlfriend Collective | Inclusive active sizes | Mid | Activewear | Sustainable fabrics, inclusive models |
| Old Navy | Wide range in basics | Low | Mass-market | Affordable staples in extended sizing |
| Nordstrom | Many brands & sizes | Varies | Department retail | Wide brand selection, tailoring services |
How to Shop Inclusive Sizes: Practical Tips
Shopping in extended sizes can be rewarding, but there are a few strategies that make the process easier and more likely to end in pieces you love rather than returns.
- Know your measurements. A tape measure and an accurate size chart are your best friends. Bust, waist, hip, and inseam measurements are the baseline for better online fit decisions.
- Read product descriptions carefully. Fabric composition and construction details (like lining, stretch content, and closure type) give huge clues to how a garment will behave.
- Use customer reviews and photos. Other buyers can give insight into whether something runs big, small, or fits true to size — and how it looks on real bodies.
- Start with brands you trust and explore slowly. If a brand nails fit for a tee, lean on them for bottoms — but be open to trying new labels for variety.
- Don’t fear tailoring. A simple hem, dart, or waist adjustment can transform an off-the-rack piece. Some brands and department stores offer tailoring or recommend local tailors.
- Mix price points. Consider investing in staples like jeans and outerwear from brands known for fit while trying trend pieces from lower-cost inclusive lines.
- Sign up for size alerts and waitlists. Popular inclusive pieces can sell out; notifications can help you snag restocks.
Alterations, Fit, and Styling Advice for Different Bodies
Great styling starts with the right fit. Here are approachable tips that center comfort and confidence.
- Embrace proportion: If you’re wearing a voluminous top, balance it with a streamlined bottom, and vice versa. That doesn’t mean hiding — it’s about visual harmony.
- Invest in good denim: Jeans are a wardrobe cornerstone. Look for brands with multiple rises and leg shapes to find what complements your proportions.
- Use tailoring strategically: A hem, nip at the waist, or tapered sleeve can make a mid-priced garment look custom. Keep a go-to tailor for quick fixes.
- Layer with intention: Lightweight layers can add structure and elongation — a longline blazer, a structured cardigan, or a belt can define shape.
- Support matters: The right undergarments—well-fitting bras and seamless foundations—change how clothes fit and feel.
- Experiment with proportion play: Try tucking a blouse, half-tucking a tee, or knotting a button-up to create waist definition.
The Role of Representation and Marketing
Representation is a powerful tool for both fashion and culture. When brands include models of varied sizes and identities, they expand who can imagine themselves in those clothes. This impact goes beyond sales: it shapes social norms and self-acceptance.
However, representation must be genuine. Token shoots with inclusive models but no product development to match can feel performative. The most meaningful brands pair diverse imagery with real investment in fit, customer service, and product variety. Look for brands that hire diverse talent across design, marketing, and leadership — that’s how inclusivity becomes baked into the product, not just layered on top.
Sustainability and Ethics in Inclusive Fashion
A question often asked is whether inclusivity and sustainability can coexist. The short answer is yes, but it requires intentional choices. Producing a large size range increases complexity and inventory demands. Brands that marry inclusivity with sustainability do so by:
- Using made-to-order or smaller batch runs to reduce waste.
- Choosing durable materials so pieces last longer across seasons.
- Offering repair services or promoting local tailoring to extend garment life.
- Designing timeless pieces rather than hyper-trendy items that are quickly discarded.
Brands like Girlfriend Collective show it’s possible to emphasize both environmental responsibility and inclusive sizing. Shoppers who value both can prioritize durable, versatile pieces and support brands that share transparent production practices.
How to Advocate for More Inclusivity as a Consumer
Consumers have influence. If you want more options, your voice and dollars matter. Here are practical actions:
- Buy from inclusive brands and small businesses to reward their efforts.
- Ask your favorite brands about their plans for size expansion via social media and customer service channels.
- Share honest feedback. Brands that hear directly from customers are more likely to change their practices.
- Support legislation and organizations that promote size diversity and anti-discrimination in advertising.
- Amplify inclusive campaigns by sharing them, tagging brands, and celebrating companies that do it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are inclusive brands more expensive?
A: It varies. Some inclusive brands are premium because they invest heavily in fit development and higher-quality fabrics. Others, especially mass-market retailers and fast-fashion players, offer accessible price points. Investing in quality basics can be more cost-effective over time, but there are options to suit many budgets.
Q: How can I tell if an inclusive brand really gets fit right?
A: Look at how they talk about fit in product descriptions, whether they use real fit models during development, and if they offer robust size guidance and customer photos. Brands that simply scale patterns without rethinking proportions tend to be less successful; those that emphasize grading and model diversity are more likely to offer better-fitting pieces.
Q: What is the difference between “plus-size” and “inclusive sizing”?
A: “Plus-size” traditionally refers to sizes above a certain number (like 14/16 and up) and has often been treated as a separate category. “Inclusive sizing” is broader: it implies a holistic approach to designing, marketing, and servicing a wide range of body types — not just segregating larger sizes into a single category.
Shopping Checklist: What to Look for When Choosing an Inclusive Brand
- Clear size charts with measurement guidance.
- Photos of garments on models with different body shapes and sizes.
- Product details that explain stretch, lining, and intended fit.
- Accessible customer service that can advise on fit and returns.
- Transparent policies on returns and exchanges — flexible policies reduce the risk of trying new pieces.
- Community feedback and reviews with photos from real customers.
Styling Ideas: Outfit Recipes from Inclusive Brands
It’s helpful to think in recipes — simple combinations that you can mix and match.
- Weekend casual: High-rise jeans from a fit-forward denim brand, a stretchy tee from an inclusive basics line, and a lightweight duster or cardigan for layering.
- Office-ready: Structured blazer in an extended size from a department store, tailored trousers with a bit of stretch, and classic pumps or loafers — add a belt to define the waist.
- Date night: A wrap dress or fitted midi from a fashion-forward plus brand; pair with ankle boots or strappy sandals, depending on the season.
- Athleisure: High-waist leggings from an inclusive activewear brand, a supportive sports bra, and an oversized hoodie for a balanced silhouette.
- Vacation-ready: A swim piece from a brand that offers broad cup and hip options, plus a breathable cover-up in a coordinated color.
The Future of Inclusive Fashion
The future is more inclusive, iterative, and customer-driven. Fit technology — including 3D scanning, virtual try-on, and smarter size recommendations — will continue to improve the shopping experience. Supply chains that allow for smaller, more flexible production runs will help brands offer a broader size range without waste. Representation will broaden even further, encompassing age, ability, gender identity, and more nuanced body diversity.
Perhaps most importantly, inclusivity will shift from marketing language to operational commitment: brands will have inclusive size ranges at launch, hire diverse teams, and integrate representation into product design, not just advertising. Consumers will keep pushing for these changes, and many brands will respond because it’s both the right thing and the smart business move.
Conclusion
Inclusive sizing in fashion is not a fleeting trend — it’s an essential correction toward a fairer, more creative, and more profitable industry. From direct-to-consumer innovators to mainstream retailers expanding their ranges, the brands highlighted here show multiple paths to inclusive design: technical fit solutions, diverse marketing, sustainable practices, and robust product offerings. As a shopper, you have the power to reward brands that do better and to demand more from those that don’t. By learning how to measure, shop, and advocate, you can build a wardrobe that fits your life and your values — because fashion should fit everyone.
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