TikTok has never been more popular. But the app isn’t only good for useless, mind-numbing content. It has also become a place where everyday people have launched important campaigns. In particular, TikTok fashion influencers have been using the app as an alternative to the careful curation of an Instagram feed. In the last few months, users of all shapes and sizes have been using the platform to hold brands accountable for their lack of size-inclusive clothing options.
We probably all relate to having bad experiences when trying on clothes. The harsh lighting and tiny dressing rooms make even the most confident people a little wary. Add the fact that retailers often have inconsistent sizing and even exclude larger sizes altogether can make the task of shopping for clothes impossible for a majority of the population. The size-inclusive movement is aiming to change this experience for consumers everywhere.
What is Inclusive Sizing?
Today, the average American woman wears a size 16 or 18. In other words, “plus-size” is now the norm. When people are asking for inclusive sizing, they’re asking for brands to meet the needs of customers that are a size 24 or greater, while also not forgetting other body types, like petite.
When a brand truly adopts inclusive sizing, it guarantees a fun shopping experience for all, especially when people of different sizes shop together. The goal should be to offer the same pleasant experience to every customer, no matter what their size is. Plus-size women do not want to have a separate section of the store that they have to go to to find their size. They also want to see mannequins and models of all shapes and sizes in stores and marketing materials. Doing so gives all women an idea of what the product will look like on them.
The Best Influencers Changing the Dialogue on Size-Inclusivity
Many TikTok fashion influencers are taking to the platform recording themselves through the good, the bad, and even the ugly try-ons. Remi Bader and Diana Dare were two of the first to give their honest opinions on brands’ size-inclusive offerings. These influencers waste no time calling out unflattering fabrics, strange silhouettes, or size 16s that feel more like size eights. Not only are these videos entertaining - and often hilarious - but they also invite viewers who may not be familiar into the conversation about size-inclusive fashion. After all, the average plus-size woman has a very different body type than what is typically seen on brands’ websites or mannequins in stores. It is invaluable to be able to see someone with your body shape trying on something you are interested in buying.
Diana Di Poce
Diana Di Poce has accumulated over 100,000 followers through her try-on hauls. She has talked about blaming herself for clothes not fitting rather than the brand for their lack of sizing. However, seeing other influencers share their struggles has reminded her that she is not alone. In fact, these struggles are more common than most would think.
Maria Castellanos and Denis Mercedes
These best friends and TikTok fashion influencers went viral for wearing the same outfits. But the difference? Mercedes is a size 14, while Castellanos is a size two. They started a campaign they call “style, not size” on TikTok which has amassed millions of views and likes. The “style, not size” campaign aims to promote all body types wearing fashionable clothing. By wearing the same outfits, it showcases that something like a crop top can be fashionable no matter what size you are. At the end of the day, it’s all about the confidence you have while wearing it that makes an outfit great.
Dexter Mayfield
Curvy men are often minimized or forgotten about altogether in discussions about size inclusivity, which is why Dexter Mayfield has become an outspoken advocate for plus-size men in fashion. As a dancer and runway model, he still gets told he needs to lose weight. However, he is adamant that there is more than one way to represent male beauty and that includes plus-size men.
Ms. Kristine
A business owner and plus-size fashion blogger, Ms. Kristine aims to show that curvy women can be just as stylish as everyone else. She uses her TikTok account to bust myths about what curvy women can and cannot wear. The bottom line: they can wear whatever they want!
Raeann Langas and Kristina Zias
This pair of women are models, podcasters, and influencers are behind the body-positive podcast called The Confidence Collective. One particular piece of content they produce related to size-inclusivity is recreations of celebrity outfits. For example, they’ve recreated looks from Taylor Swift to model Elsa Hosk. While they are likely size 12-14, which is considered mid-size (the smaller end of plus-size), it shows that you can look good no matter what size you wear. You can rock fashionable looks just like women in the size 2-4 range can.
Is It Time for a Size-Inclusive Social Media Cleanse?
With social media, we are constantly inundated with images of the “perfect” woman, who is likely a size zero. Even if you do not consciously recognize it, these consistent reminders of what looks good can be damaging to our mental health. If you close out of your social media platforms feeling worse than when you opened them, it might be time for a social media cleanse.
Go through your social media feeds and notice what kinds of people you follow and how they make you feel. Is seeing that Victoria’s Secret model flaunting their abs every day leading to damaging thoughts about yourself? Unfollow her! Get rid of all the accounts that do not lift you up or inspire you. Then, you can add more versatility to your feeds. Follow women with bodies of all shapes and sizes, with all different types of styles. Only follow accounts that leave you empowered or inspired to experiment with your style. That small change on your social media feed can lead to a big change in your state of mind.
Embrace the Revolution
No matter your size, shape, or style, it is time to embrace the size-inclusive revolution. Because at the end of the day, we all want to look and feel our best. That’s why Pretty and All’s goal is to provide inspiration to dreamers who want to crush their goals and look amazing while doing so. We are a size-inclusive boutique offering a hand-picked, curated collection of pretty things. Society’s struggle with size inclusivity is real. For far too long, women who didn’t fit into “standard” clothing sizes had difficulty walking into a store and leaving with something they could actually wear and love.
