In Reality, How Inclusive Is The Fashion World?

Throughout the years, plus-size women have created a society where they can exist and express themselves. Within this space, western beauty standards and the fatphobia that lies within them are actively rebelled against. These beauty standards work to promote low self-esteem, eating disorders, and the idea that thin equals beautiful, which can be highly destructive. In addition to breaking bigger people down internally, they are left not feeling safe or comfortable in the outside world because of the high chance that they will be looked down upon due to their size and, further, treated differently. This constant feeling of not being accepted and the blatant fatphobia perpetuated by society leaks into the fashion of plus-size people. This can be seen in the limited and more conservative options offered to plus-size people in stores. And while plus-size people have created this space where they demand to no longer be left out, especially in fashion, why are brands not making the necessary changes to be more inclusive? The answer is quite simple: By not offering many plus-size options besides either poor quality items or conservative items that aren't fashionable, there is a need to change and lose weight so that the beauty standard can be upheld—making it seem almost acceptable to exclude plus-size people. However, when plus-size people are included, some brands have been doing a great job of doing, the brand is heavily criticized. For example, the brand Shein has caused an uproar in the fashion world. On top of the brand being that of a fast-fashion one and promoting micro-trends, they sell very cheap clothes that are wide in the size range. However, many people have begun to shop more sustainably (i.e., thrifting). And as an environmentalist, I do appreciate it, but not everyone has the option due to the more fashionable clothes or clothes, in general, being sold in smaller sizes. And as a midsize person, I've experienced this: where I've thrifted and not been able to find the style of clothes I like in my size. But within my personal experience, there is a privilege because at the end of the day, I may have to search harder than a smaller person, but I'm still able to find a few items while plus-size people cannot find these items at all. This exclusion leaves plus-size people in a corner because they are sometimes unable to participate, leaving them to shop from brands like Shein. After all, it feels like the only and best option for some of them, where they can find affordable clothes that fit them and that highlight and promote their self-expression boldly and beautifully. So instead of criticizing the next person you see, do a Shein haul on Tik-Tok, especially if they're plus size, realize that the fashion world is not at a place where it needs to be. And while it has evolved from the ever-so skinny modeling standard of earlier times, plus-size people right now only have their foot in the door. And what I mean by this is that they have gained the representation that they need in terms of plus-size models and influencers; however, this doesn't mean that brands or trends will follow suit and include them. But I'm not as pessimistic as I sound for the future of the fashion world, where plus-size models will become the icons of our generation, have access to a plethora of styles and clothing types, and where the world as a whole will rid ourselves of the mindset that thin equals beautiful. So no, the fashion world isn't as inclusive as it needs to be, but only time will tell.

Written by Kyla Zeinieh,

DWF Writer and Contributor