I can’t believe I haven’t talked about this before, well, dedicated an entire blog to it. I'm talking about the importance of inclusivity in fashion! I’m in my 30’s, which means I grew up in the 90’s boom of stick thin, super model figures at every turn. Super skinny was popular across all genres. From scene and emo stick thin skinny jeans to Paris Hilton types, "thin was in" at every turn. I remember the media labeling Jessica Simpson “fat” when she couldn’t have been more than a size 8? Likely a 6 even! It did A LOT to a growing mind; it did a lot to a growing mind interested in fashion. As someone who’s always been drawn to different styles and fashions, for years I felt like I wouldn’t be able to ever figure out where I fit into the world of fashion. Literally fit in. Sizing didn’t go past a 12, maybe 14 in most stores. Hours at the mall spent not being able to get a single thing, maybe one thing? But you didn’t even like it, you just got it because it fit. Oh how things have changed.
I can’t believe for years we spent such a long time not catering to an entire group of people just due to sizing differences. Being able to shop at so many different brands now is such an insane feeling! But where does inclusivity start? Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to get clothes from different brands now! But some clearly don’t understand how to size things properly to fit larger bodies and larger proportions. They just took what they had going on and sized it up, which lots of us life long bigger fashion girlies, gays, and they’s know the difference. Fashion inclusivity means showcasing and thinking of different body types from the ground floor. This includes testing the design on different sizes, making sure that it will fit larger proportions, and making sure that the designs are featured on an array of body types, skin colors, and sizes. I have a hard time imagining what something will look like on a larger body if it’s only being displayed on smaller bodies at every marketing opportunity. Now some will send out inventory to larger bodies to get brownie points, but are they really making the effort to cater to the plus size community when it comes to production?
It was so hard to find models and people in the public eye who weren’t stick thin at every turn.
Ashley Ghram began to pave the way for more body type representation and now we have so many more sizes on the runway.
Don’t get me wrong, fashion is still wildly toxic: The super skinny trend is peaking its way back into the world. Unachievable curves are becoming the new normal. It’s hard to navigate, and always will be! Capitalism and the diet industry will always love to volley off of one another and make us feel like we can’t ever keep up. The important thing is to not fill your shopping time with brands like that. Look for brands that showcase more than one body type, realistic body types, different gender expressions, and skin tones. Knowing a brand actually wants to sell to EVERYBODY is hard to find, but man! It feels good once you do find it.
Some of my favorite Béte Noire pieces in 4X/5X
One of my favorite parts of Bete Noire is the production side of things that caters to its customers. The care that goes into the consideration of body types, skin tone matching, gender expression, and making sure everyone feels included in the collections is bar none. The sizing for collections goes up to a 5X, and the custom gowns are made to measure. The research and care for more than just one small group of body types is clearly thought of at all levels of production. I just can’t believe we live in a fashion forward world where this is becoming a more common practice! Don’t get me wrong, so many brands have such a long way to come, but hey. It’s happening slowly and surely! Every glamour ghoul should feel represented and cared for! Next time you know of a spooky bride who’s worried about sizing options when coming to getting the perfect gown-don’t even hesitate. We got you. No one should ever have to worry about that! I’m so glad that Béte Noire is always there for them. The bottom line is everyone should have access to clothes, express themselves in fashion and to feel good about themselves!
To send feedback or suggestions for upcoming posts contact ally@shopbetenoire.com
