Fashion Week is currently in full swing across New York, London, Milan, and Paris, and if you’ve been paying attention, the message is loud and clear: we still aren’t where we need to be. Despite years of advocacy, investment, and community pressure, size inclusivity on the runways is once again nearly nonexistent. Once again, plus size bodies are nearly invisible, reminding us that the plus size fashion industry has made progress, but not nearly enough.
For decades, plus size folks have had to fight for fashion that fits, literally and figuratively. And while there’s no denying that progress has been made, let’s not crown the industry just yet. True size inclusivity means being able to walk into any store, browse any website, and shop with confidence knowing your size is just there. That’s still not our reality.
It’s a frustrating reminder that while plus size fashion has made real progress, we still haven’t crossed the finish line. Not even close.
This time of the season is a good moment to check in on the state of the plus size fashion industry; where we’ve grown, what’s still missing, and why our fight for inclusivity is far from over.
The Democratization of Fashion
Let’s be real. The plus size fashion industry didn’t evolve because brands suddenly got progressive. This shift happened because we pushed for it, especially plus size women, Black femmes, and fat activists… who all demanded better. We used our voices, our wallets, and our platforms to say, loud and clear, that we weren’t going to be ignored.
Social media completely changed the game. For the first time, style wasn’t just dictated by magazine editors or high fashion gatekeepers. In the beginning, platforms like FaceBook, and Twitter democratized fashion, giving plus size creators a direct line to their communities. From there, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube further pushed the envelope in inclusion. We didn’t need to wait for permission to show up in bold looks, build style followings, or move entire trends.
From hashtags like #effyourbeautystandards to viral outfit hauls, plus size fashion flourished outside of traditional systems and the industry had no choice but to pay attention. That pressure didn’t come from runways. It came from plus size people claiming space online, proving we were always here, always stylish, and always worth designing for.
Inclusion Is Still Too Conditional
More mainstream retailers are starting to expand their offerings, bringing plus sizes into their core collections instead of pushing them to the back. Target, Nordstrom, and Walmart have made noticeable strides. A few luxury houses are finally dipping into extended sizing. This is a big deal, it shows that the plus size fashion industry is no longer being ignored.
But don’t get it twisted. Most malls still feel like deserts when you’re shopping for a size 24. In-store inventory is limited. Online drops sell out in extended sizes first. And many brands still stop at a 3X (who decided that?). Access to plus size fashion is improving, but it’s far from universal.
Post-Pandemic Priorities Shifted Fashion
One bright spot? The pandemic transformed how we dress, and the fashion industry finally started catching on. Comfort became a non-negotiable, and that demand spilled over into plus size fashion. Stretchy fabrics, soft tailoring, and plus size loungewear with actual style started showing up in extended sizes, and we’re not mad at it.
Did you know that the global casualwear market hit $39.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double by 2034? That growth includes plus size, because we deserve cute and comfy too. But this shift also highlights a deeper truth. It took a global crisis for the industry to meet us where we’ve always been.
Fit Tech Is Progress, Not a Pass
Inconsistent sizing is still one of the biggest barriers for plus size shoppers. Fit has always been one of the biggest frustrations in plus size fashion. Too long here. Too tight there. Armholes that don’t make sense. Waistbands that roll. Shopping shouldn’t be this complicated.
Thankfully, tech is stepping in. AI fit tools, virtual try-ons, and personalized recommendations are making it easier to shop online without the dreaded guesswork. According to McKinsey, over 50% of fashion execs believe generative AI will be essential for product discovery by 2025.
But fit equity starts with design, not just digital fixes. Until brands invest in patternmaking and fit testing specifically for plus size bodies, tech alone won’t save the day. Proper fit requires proper investment in plus bodies; not just better tools. And AI can’t fix poor design.
The Runway Is Still Playing Catch-Up
Let’s talk about the elephant on the catwalk. Fashion still treats plus size as a novelty. If you are anything like us, we are watching Fashion Week unfold with anticipation and disappointment. The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2025 size inclusivity report showed that out of over 8,700 runway looks, only 0.8% were plus size US 14 and up. Mid-size models made up 4.3%, while 94.9% were straight-size US 0 to 4.
Let that sink in.
That’s not reflective of the real world. That’s not reflective of our spending power. That’s not reflective of what fashion is supposed to stand for in 2025. Designers like Sinéad O’Dwyer and Karoline Vitto are pushing against this norm, showing what true size-inclusive luxury can look like. But they are still the exception. Not the rule. And that has to change.
Even with all the social media campaigns and billion-dollar sales potential, fashion’s elite spaces continue to treat size diversity as optional. That’s not progress.
Influencers Are Carrying the Culture
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Plus size bloggers and influencers have moved mountains. They’ve helped normalize fat joy, bold style, and confident living on their own terms. And yes, their influence drives serious sales. From styling tips to full try-on hauls, these influencers are doing the work of showing us what’s possible. They move product. They shift culture. And they’re doing it with authenticity the plus size fashion industry still struggles to match.
But it shouldn’t be on influencers alone to carry the weight of representation. Brands need to put plus size folks on billboards, in stores, and on the runway, not just in sponsored posts. We need brands to meet us halfway; by reflecting that same energy in their casting, campaigns, and commitment to extended sizing.
Sustainable Fashion Still Excludes Us
The sustainability conversation has often excluded plus size. Why? Because many eco-conscious brands either don’t carry extended sizes or stop at a size 16. As demand grows for ethical, long-lasting clothing, plus size consumers are still left with fewer options. The irony? We’re just as conscious, just as stylish, and just as fed up with fast fashion waste as anyone else.
Luckily, a few brands are making headway, blending sustainability and size inclusivity. But this needs to become the norm, not the niche.
The Plus Size Fashion Industry Is Growing, But It Still Has Work to Do
Let’s give credit where it’s due. The plus size fashion industry is no longer invisible. There are more brands, more choices, more innovation, more segmentation, and more voices than ever before. The market is growing, and designers are paying attention.
True size inclusivity means more than having a 3X online. It means seeing plus bodies represented at every level of fashion from plus size streetwear to couture, in-store and on the runway, in every campaign, catalog, and collection.
This isn’t about begging to be included. It’s about demanding the access we’ve always deserved. Until we can shop any brand, in any store, at any time, and find options in our size that fit, feel good, and look amazing, the work isn’t over. Visibility on the runway. Stock in-store. Representation in luxury. That’s the future we’re still building toward.
We’ve seen what progress looks like. Now we want permanence.
Keep the Pressure On
The plus size fashion industry is moving, but only because we keep pushing. So let’s keep the energy up.
Drop a comment. Share where you’re seeing progress. Call out where you’re still being left out. Because this isn’t just fashion. It’s access. It’s identity. It’s culture. And we deserve it all.
