Ah, shopping. Fun for some, a chore for others, and straight-up traumatizing for a few — especially the few who don’t fit the “industry standard” sizes for clothing.
Fashion blogger Katie Sturino got so tired of not having clothing in her size that she started a hashtag campaign, called #MakeMySize.
Katie got tired of brands not including her in their limited size ranges.
Many high-end brands don’t go higher than an XL, which excludes many plus-size people. It also cuts these brands off from a large money-making audience, which is just bananas to me.
Here’s how it works.
Katie chooses a brand and looks for something in her size. In this instance, she chose Tory Burch. She demonstrates how their current sizing is too small, then politely asks them to expand their size range!
Everything she does is with an air of helpfulness, not condemnation.
“Over 12,000 options on the site for a size small… but 54 for a XXL,” she wrote on Instagram. Revolve carries some brands that offer plus sizes, but those brands don’t offer the plus sizes on Revolve’s site. WOW.
As it turns out, a lot of brands don’t go above a 12.
She addressed the brand, And Other Stories, in her post:
“So many women would love to wear your clothes! Please consider making at least the average size in the country, a 16.”
Paige denim has a long way to go.
“I love this female founded company and the fact that they produce their denim in Los Angeles, but I’m standing in the store in the largest size I could find(32). I love that you offer a 33/34 online but I’m not sure that would be much better.”
Not to mention the fact that all companies size differently.
Like Ganni, who opened up more stores, but didn’t open their sizes to anyone above a size 12. Ganni actually got back to Katie about her request for more sizes and said they were working on it!
She even took on the notorious Artizia.
“Your styles are all sorts of cute but your sizing is all sorts of messed up. I checked the web to see if maybe you had offered more online but if you filter the sizing…it’s even more apparent that larger girls are not considered.”
I live in Canada, where Artizia was founded and is the most popular.
“I find this troubling because your customer is so young! Please #makemysize,” Katie finished.
I can personally attest that not fitting in Aritizia’s “standard” sizes (their 12 fits like a 10) really messed with my self-esteem. growing up. It’s FAR past time they do better.
Love Shack Fancy doesn’t have extended sizing, either — even in Target.
“I was so hopeful when the @target collab came out this summer that LSF was going to get on board and welcome more women into their clothes…but no. Not yet!”
This is an issue for men, too, even with “inclusive” brands like Abercrombie.
“[…] @extraextrastyle is wearing your XXL which is far from fitting him. But at least dudes have an XXL! Unclear why that wasn’t added for women? I’m wearing the largest size offered in store.”
Kate Middleton’s favorite brand doesn’t have extended sizes, either.
I love the way Katie so politely worded this to L.K. Bennett London:
“The largest size you make is a US14 and I think women who exceed that limit would really look good in your prints and simple silhouettes!”
It’s hard out here for a plus size fashionista.
As a kid who grew up “chubby” (looking back, I was so far from it), I knew I would never be able to wear anything from Club Monaco. That store was for skinny people, and as Katie pointed out: it still is.
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Other influencers shared their own struggles to use “standard” size clothing.
“Not sure what’s worse on the ego: robes at a spa not covering enough of your body to walk the halls OR needing 3 of the tiny towels at gym to cover your body,” @streetsbeatseats said.
BEEN THERE. It’s awful.
What do you think of this online movement? Should more stores start expanding their size offerings?
What brands would you like to see extend their sizing?
So many brands don’t offer anything above a size 12, and we all know how “flexible” that size 12 can be. What brands would you like to see offer better sizing options?