Whether or not retailers—online and high street—should be embracing plus-size fashion and championing size inclusivity is no longer a question. It’s a necessity.
The body positivity movement continues to expand and evolve through everything from social media platforms and billboards right down to how we perceive ourselves in the mirror and the words we use about ourselves.
Body positivity is an incredibly important topic in the fashion industry and beyond as consumers call for more diversity and socially-aware brands that look beyond the business bottom line.
So, with that in mind, let’s explore perspectives on plus-size wholesale fashion from high street retail to luxury design and why retailers need to embrace a more inclusive approach to fashion.
What does size inclusivity actually mean?
In a nutshell, size inclusivity acknowledges that people (customers) come in a whole range of diverse shapes and sizes.
In practice, it means that everybody should be able to buy fashion items (clothes, accessories, etc.) that fit them properly, make them feel confident, and also don’t mean a compromise on selection or style.
So, somebody who shops as a size 18, XL, and anything above (the sizes typically classed as ‘plus-size’), should still find the same freedom and functionality in fashion that a person who shops as a size 8, for example.
Size inclusivity is all about breaking through the barriers of traditional, mainstream sizes to start providing products more inclusively for a more diverse consumer base. It also encompasses the marketing and promotion of these products, calling for more diverse representation on social media and other advertising platforms too.
It’s worth noting that the concept of size inclusivity quite literally means all types of bodies and every single size, which means petite as well as plus-size! However, here, we’re going to focus on the plus-size part of the market as this is where, historically, fashion brands (high street to high end) have been neglectful.
The state of inclusivity in fashion
Before we explore why fashion brands should be leveraging the body positivity movement and embracing size inclusivity, let’s take a quick look at what the landscape looks like right now.
We’ve come a long way from ‘Size Zero’, that’s for sure. Plus-size clothing is now more prominent on high streets and online fast fashion outlets than ever before, no longer just reserved for specialist retailers and specific plus-size brands.
However, there is still some serious work to be done. A study carried out by British hosiery brand Snag, which is a size inclusivity trailblazer, revealed the following statistics that demonstrate just why it’s so important that retailers embrace plus-size fashion:
- 67% of women are being deterred from shopping on the high street due to a lack of size inclusivity.
- 60% find high street changing rooms unwelcoming.
- 85% said more size-inclusive ranges would encourage them to buy more.
Premium fashion sizing statistics
Designers and the luxury fashion market still have a way to go when it comes to size inclusivity and plus-size clothing too.
According to research published by Vogue Business, less than 1% of the FW23 shows and presentations were plus-size (defined as UK 16 and above by Vogue Business). Almost 4% were mid-size (UK 10-16) and nearly all (96%) were shown as sizes UK 4-8. The survey was of 9,137 looks across 219 shows and presentations.
Of all Fashion Week events, London was the most size-inclusive, but even then, a mere 7% of shows and presentations included mid-size and plus-size looks.
Allied Market Research found that the global plus-size market is expected to grow to $697 billion by 2027, though, which is positive news.
Why fashion brands should be embracing size inclusivity
Below are just five of the top reasons why retailers around the world should be championing size inclusivity and leveraging it for both themselves and their (new and existing) customers.
To shape the future, literally.
Clothes sizing sends out a social message. If clothing and accessories aren’t made readily available in larger, more inclusive sizes, that tells future generations that not all bodies are acceptable. If more retailers embrace plus-size fashion and more inclusive marketing and promotion, this starts to change that narrative.
Customers deserve to feel confident.
Everybody deserves to feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves in the clothes and accessories they wear. More retailers need to therefore embrace plus-size fashion so that this is possible for more people across more retail outlets.
Fashion and style should be a fun way to express an identity for everybody, not just those in the mainstream size bracket.
It makes total commercial sense.
The comfort and confidence of customers who fit into the plus-size bracket is the top priority here, that goes without saying. However, embracing a more diverse spectrum of sizes is also a great commercial move for businesses too—more sizes, more customers, more sales, more profit.
Keep up with the competition.
With the global plus-size market predicted to reach $697 billion by 2027, many fashion and retail brands are going to want a slice of the pie and will embrace size inclusivity in order to do so. If retailers don’t jump on the bandwagon, they’ll end up falling behind and watching their competitors steam ahead.
Oversized silhouettes are a resilient trend.
Another important factor worth considering is that oversized silhouettes are as popular as ever and showing so signs of slowing down. In order for people of all shapes and sizes to experiment with this trend freely, brands need to offer an expanded scope of sizes.
This is the perfect example of where size inclusivity helps remove the limitations and barriers to fashion that plus-size customers have long been forced to endure.
Why the best plus size brands love Nova of London
We’re proud to be the UK’s top wholesaler of ladies’ fashion in the trendy areas of East London and Manchester—so what is it our customers love so much about Nova of London?
Well, first and foremost, we dedicate ourselves to providing the ultimate one-stop-shop solution with outstanding customer service, second-to-none reliability, and an incredibly diverse product range.
Our collection has expanded even further with our new Curve plus-size ladies’ clothing collection. So, let us tell you a bit about Curve…
Nova of London Curve - wholesale collection
Available in sizes 18 to 28, our Curve plus-size clothing range is designed for the woman who refuses to compromise her style. It’s size-inclusive, practical, and flattering but still every inch trend-led and fashion-forward.
Featuring styles for every occasion and all seasons, Curve is made with the modern woman in mind. When curating the collection, we strove for diversity, on a mission to cater to all body types with sophisticated, high-fashion pieces to make sure no customer is ever left with a limited choice.
We provide wholesale ladies’ fashion to some of the best plus-size brands in the business—if you’d like to be the next, just let us know.
Shop wholesale ladies’ plus-size fashion at Nova of London
For more information on how to purchase plus-size ladies' clothing wholesale with Nova of London, don’t hesitate to Contact Us. You could always check out our Wholesale Clothing FAQs and the Wholesale Clothing Blog, where you’ll find all the latest news and product info.
Ready to skip straight to the shopping? Browse our wide selection of clothing collections to get started. We offer direct shipping at wholesale prices for your brand-new (or already flourishing) fashion business so we’ll have you well-stocked in no time.
Discover Nova of London Plus Size Wholesale Clothing.
