What Happened to Size Inclusivity in Women’s Fashion?
Image by RDNE Stock project via pexels.com, Image by Laura Tancredi via pexels.com, Image by Roberto Hund via pexels.com
For a while, fashion seemed to be changing. We started to see more body shapes on runways, in ads, and in stores. It felt like everyone was finally being included, no matter their size.
But now, in 2025, things look a little different. Fashion is starting to go backward. The runways are full of very slim models again. The bigger, curvier bodies we saw before are disappearing.
Let’s talk about what’s happening, why it’s happening, and why it matters.
What Does Size Inclusivity Mean?
Size inclusivity means people of all sizes are included. It’s about making sure clothing fits many body types, from very small to very large, and that all people feel seen.
For many years, fashion only showed very thin models because that was the ideal beauty standard at the time.
Then, around the late 2010s and early 2020s, something amazing happened. The world started talking more about body positivity and self-love.
Brands began showing models who looked different — tall, short, curvy, plus-size, and more. Stores began offering more sizes. People who had been previously underrepresented were happy to see people that looked like themselves in fashion for the first time.
But sadly, in 2025, that change seems to be slowing down — or even potentially going away.
What’s Happening in 2025
Recent reports from fashion shows and magazines show that there was a decline in plus-sized models on the runway this year.
Here’s what the numbers show:
Only 0.8% of models were plus-size (US size 14 and up).
Only 4.3% were mid-size (US sizes 6 – 12).
That means almost 95% of the models were very slim — sizes 0 – 4.
Another study for 2026 found that 97% of the models were between sizes 0 – 4.
That’s a big change from a few years ago, when fashion weeks were praised for showing more size diversity.
So, why is this happening? Why are brands going back to showing mostly very thin bodies?
1. Runway Rules and “Sample Sizes”
In the fashion world, designers make clothes called samples to show at fashion week. These samples are almost always made in very small sizes, like 0, 2, or 4.
Designers say it’s easier and cheaper to make and fit clothes in one size. They can reuse the same patterns and don’t have to make extra pieces for different body types.
Because of that, most runway models are picked to fit those sample clothes. If the clothes are small, the models have to be small too.
This makes the process faster for designers — but it leaves out almost everyone else.
Even though there are millions of women who wear bigger sizes, their body shapes are not often represented on the runway.
2. The Return of the “Slim Look”
The fashion industry is very powerful. It doesn’t just sell clothes, it sells beauty ideals.
In the late 2010s, fashion started to celebrate curves and fuller figures. But now, many fashion shows are going back to what we saw in the 1990s and early 2000s — super-slim bodies.
Designers are bringing back tiny waists, low rise bottoms, and very fitted clothes.
We see it not only in runway shows but also on social media. Many celebrities and influencers have started glamorizing these styles and that influences what people want to wear — and what brands think will sell.
Image via betterweightcenter.com
3. The Rise of Weight-Loss Trends
Another reason could be the new weight-loss GLP-1 drugs that have become popular.
In 2025, medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy became famous because many people, including celebrities, were using them to lose weight quickly.
This changed how “normal” bodies looked in the media. Many famous people appeared much thinner in a short amount of time, and that created pressure for others to look the same.
Some fashion insiders call this the “Ozempic Effect.” They say it has pushed the fashion industry back toward thinner beauty ideals.
When celebrities and influencers look smaller, brands may follow that image — using slimmer models to match the trend.
4. The Cost of Making Many Sizes
Making clothes in many sizes takes more time, more fabric, and more fit testing.
For example:
A brand has to design patterns for every size range.
They need to hire fit models for each body type.
They have to buy more fabric and make more samples.
Some brands think that’s too expensive. So, when they try to save money, the first thing they cut is often the extended sizes.
But that means fewer clothes for plus-size shoppers and fewer models who represent them, which in turn will limit clothing options and make them feel poorly about themselves.
Instead of seeing inclusive fashion as a necessity, many brands treat it as an “extra”.
5. Treating Inclusivity as a Trend
When size inclusivity first became popular, many brands jumped on board quickly.
They showed curvier models, launched plus-size lines, and posted about body positivity. But for some companies, it wasn’t real — it was just to maintain a positive image.
As soon as the spotlight moved, those same brands quietly went back to only showing slim models.
This shows that for some, inclusivity was treated like a trend, not a real change.
Fashion shouldn’t treat people’s bodies like trends. Everyone deserves to feel seen all the time, not just when it’s “in.”
How This Affects People
When fashion stops showing different body types, it doesn’t just affect what we see — it affects how we feel.
Here’s how:
Confidence: People who don’t see their body type in fashion might feel like they’re not beautiful or “normal”.
Shopping: If stores stop offering bigger sizes, it becomes harder for many women to find clothes that fit and flatter them.
When we stop seeing diversity in fashion, we start to forget that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
Image by Pavel Danilyuk via pexels.com
Why Size Inclusivity Matters
Size inclusivity isn’t just a nice idea — it’s important for real people and for the fashion business.
Here’s why it matters so much:
Real Representation: The average woman is not a size 0 – 4. Fashion should show real people who look like real shoppers.
Better Business: Studies show that when brands offer more sizes, they gain more loyal customers. Inclusivity can actually boost profits.
Mental Health: When people see bodies like theirs in the media, it helps them feel better about themselves.
Social Change: Fashion has power. What it shows can influence how people think about beauty, health, and worth.
The Return of the “Thin Ideal”
The “thin ideal”, the idea that thinner is always better, is coming back fast.
This can be seen in how clothes are being designed now. Many new collections focus on small waists, crop tops, and body-hugging looks.
When this happens, many people feel pressure to change their bodies to fit the trend. But bodies are not trends. They are part of who we are.
This return to the thin ideal can cause harm. It can lead to:
Body image issues
Unhealthy eating habits
Low self-esteem
Everyone deserves to feel good about their body, not pressured to shrink it to fit into fashion’s narrow idea of beauty.
Who Is Still Doing It Right?
Even though many big brands are stepping back, there are still some who are pushing forward with size inclusivity.
Here are a few examples:
Aerie: The brand’s #AerieREAL campaign still shows models of all sizes and doesn’t retouch photos.
Skims: Kim Kardashian’s brand continues to offer extended sizes and uses a diverse group of models.
Universal Standard: This company makes clothes in sizes 00 through 40 and fits them on real bodies.
Savage x Fenty: Rihanna’s lingerie line is known for including many body types and celebrating them.
These brands prove that size inclusivity is possible and that people want it.
What Can We Do?
Even if fashion is moving backward, regular people can still make a difference.
Here’s how you can help:
Support inclusive brands. Shop with companies that care about real bodies.
Speak up. Use your voice online to ask brands for more size options and diverse models.
Celebrate all bodies. Post and share photos that show beauty in many forms.
Be kind to yourself. Don’t compare your body to others. You are not less because of your size.
Teach others. Talk about how fashion affects body image and confidence.
Change starts with small steps, and many small steps can make a big difference.
Why Some Say It’s Just a Cycle
Some fashion experts say this isn’t new, it’s part of a cycle.
They explain that fashion often swings between extremes.
In one decade, curves are celebrated. In the next, thinness comes back. Then maybe curves again.
The 1990s had what was called “heroin chic,” which was a look that included being very slim, pale and almost sickly looking, like a heroin user. The 2010s had the rise of curvy and plus-size influencers. Now, the 2020s seem to be heading back to smaller bodies.
If fashion keeps cycling like this, we might see inclusivity return again in the future. But that doesn’t mean we should wait, we can demand it now.
Image by Nicholas Andrew via Flickr.com
The Bigger Picture
When we talk about fashion, we’re also talking about culture.
Fashion doesn’t exist on its own — it reflects what society thinks is beautiful, powerful, or desirable.
If fashion shows only thin bodies, it tells the world that being thin is better.
If fashion celebrates all bodies, it tells the world that beauty has no size.
The kind of fashion we see affects how we treat ourselves and others. It can either lift people up or bring people down.
That’s why size inclusivity matters. It’s not just about clothes, it’s about being seen.
References:
OpenAI.2025.ChatGPT.Oct 21 Version[Large language model].https://chatgpt.com
Shoaib, M. (2025, October 13). The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2026 size inclusivity report. Vogue Business. https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/the-vogue-business-spring-summer-2026-size-inclusivity-report
Mac Donnell, C. (2025, October 17). “A 360 turn”: Concern as fashion shows feature fewer plus-size models. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/oct/17/fashion-shows-fewer-plus-size-models-vogue-business?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Guéron-Gabrielle, J. (2025, September 13). “they want us to be big but without any fat”: Plus-size models face return of thinness in the fashion industry. Le Monde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2025/09/13/they-want-us-to-be-big-but-without-any-fat-plus-size-models-face-return-of-thinness-in-the-fashion-industry_6745350_117.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
