Let’s get into it, shall we?
Aside from it being my birthday month, it is also Fashion Month. The runways are lit, the fashion folks are jet-setting from New York to Paris, and our feeds are filled with “diverse” lineups and celebratory campaigns.
But can we talk about how much of it still feels… hollow? We are talking about plus size fashion inclusion. All of it.
Because while the fashion world is patting itself on the back for representation, those of us in plus size bodies see the same patterns playing out.
A size 14 model here. A curated front row moment there. A single, extended-size sample made for one shoot—and then poof, gone.
Let’s be real. It’s not enough.
Because after “Fat Girls in Fendi” cracked open the conversation about luxury access for plus size bodies, it’s time we take a step back and *really* look at what plus size fashion still gets wrong. Not just in haute couture, but across the board.
We’ve Been Here Before
Every September, it’s the same dance: brands throw a bone to inclusion just long enough to ride the Fashion Week PR wave, only to go back to business as usual by October. And year after year, fat folks are left asking: is this all we get?
The answer? Not anymore.
Because visibility without real access isn’t progress. It’s performance. Seriously… Where is the true plus size fashion inclusion?
Tokenism ≠ Inclusion
Having one plus size model in a show isn’t the win you think it is—especially if the clothes don’t go past a size 16 or 18 if we are being for real. Or if fat influencers are front row at your presentation but can’t actually shop the look. That’s not inclusion. That’s tokenism.
We see it. And we’re calling it out.
Because when we talk about plus size fashion inclusion, we’re not just talking about who you show… we’re talking about who you design for. Who you cast. Who you hire behind the scenes. Who you pay. Who you truly consider as a fashion consumer.
Inclusion means consistent size offerings. Thoughtful fit. Fat stylists. Fat editors. Fat designers. Not just a “moment” for a press release. A movement in how you operate.
Fat Fashion Deserves Investment, Not Just Hype
Let’s not forget: we’ve built a whole ecosystem around plus size style, because for years, it was the only way to affect change and all we could do. And while some brands are finally “catching on,” they’re still missing the mark when it comes to long-term investment in our community.
This isn’t about optics. This is about infrastructure.
We want to see brands doing the real work:
✔️ Offering full size ranges beyond 3X.
✔️ Investing in proper fit across those sizes.
✔️ Featuring plus bodies of all shapes, shades, and sizes—not just the hourglass 14s.
✔️ Hiring plus size experts to help lead those efforts.
Because plus size fashion isn’t a seasonal storyline—it’s a year-round, billion-dollar opportunity. The question is: are you taking us seriously?
What’s Next for Plus Size Fashion?
As we enter another round of Fashion Month, The Curvy Fashionista is watching. We are going to be tracking who’s walking the walk and who’s still stuck in performative cycles.
Because we’re not here to be the token. We’re here to shift the table.
Fat fashion is real fashion. Fat shoppers are real consumers. And fat visibility without access? That’s not enough… not anymore.
PS. Shout out to the brands who have been consistent in showing plus size models on the runway as shown above!
