Clothing has long served a practical purpose, but fashion’s impact extends to the personal and societal, changing perceptions of the self and the body. Style is often used for self-expression, but popular aesthetics are frequently dictated by what’s on the runway, screens, or magazines, which can look far different from the reality many people live in, especially in terms of weight. As such, calls for size inclusivity have been louder than ever, with more people being outspoken about the need for fashion to accommodate plus-sized people, creating an accurate representation of the diversity of bodies in real life. More brands and designers have responded by increasing mid and plus-size models in their shows or campaigns and expanding their size ranges. However, conversations on weight and fashion are constantly changing and influencing each other, impacting how people manage their weight or express their style.
The demand for inclusivity
Representation and accessibility in the fashion industry have long been sought after, especially with the landscape having a history of exclusivity. While these discussions aren’t new, they have become much more prominent in the digital age, with people being outspoken about these issues online. In turn, the fashion world has seen a need for growth and evolution, and many brands have become more inclusive in various ways. Aging, which has often been shunned in fashion, is being increasingly embraced in fashion, whether on red carpets, fashion campaigns, runways, and more. Body inclusivity has been one of the major areas of change in fashion with this new wave of culture around weight.
Weight has often been a touchy subject in fashion, and the industry has not been very accommodating to larger bodies in the past. Fad diets were often a go-to to achieve rapid weight loss to fit into smaller sizes and participate in the trends of the time. Now, the focus has shifted towards wellness and healthy habits for weight management rather than weight loss. People are no longer changing themselves to fit into fashion; instead, they have urged the industry to accommodate people and meet them where they are.
The rise of medical weight loss
Weight and fashion are forever evolving, and new advancements in weight management have also shifted both landscapes. Weight loss medications like glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) have surged in popularity at a massive scale, allowing people to lose weight effectively along with lifestyle changes. With the rise of weight loss drugs, fashion retail is having to adapt to the population’s shifting weight. Compared to 2022, sales of women’s button-down shirts in small sizes increased by 12% in 2024, while sales of large sizes decreased by almost 11%. Many people undergoing weight loss journeys with medications are also buying new clothes to adjust and experiment with style, increasing demand for certain sizes or pieces, which the retail industry has to adapt to.
Weight loss drugs have garnered much attention for their effectiveness, allowing patients to lose weight and show visible results with regular use. Using GLP-1 for weight loss allows people to feel fuller for longer, suppressing appetite and managing food cravings to facilitate weight loss. Patients can lose an average of 15% body weight. Effective weight loss due to consuming less food from the medication and managing lifestyle necessitates a huge wardrobe shift, which people do by buying new clothes in smaller sizes. Weight fluctuations are also being considered in fashion with these new developments, and many people are shopping with these constant weight changes in mind. The demand for size inclusivity and body positivity is also still prominent. Brands are now facing the challenge of creating an accommodating size range and catering to people’s changing shopping habits due to weight loss or fluctuations, which is increasing with the popularity of weight loss medications.
The future of weight management and fashion
While the fashion world has a long way to go to truly embrace inclusivity, many brands are showing that it’s possible. Inclusive brand Universal Standard offers an extensive size range, allowing women to shop for 400 styles in sizes 00 to 40. The Fit Liberty program gives consumers a year to exchange the pieces from the brand for a different size at no cost, accommodating weight fluctuations without compromising style and comfort. Selkie, which has made appearances at Fashion Week, stunned with size-inclusive looks in its fashion shows, showcasing how weight doesn’t have to limit style options. Its unapologetically feminine silhouettes can be worn by anyone, no matter where they are in their weight journey. Selkie’s commitment to size inclusivity has made them one to watch on the runway.
The link between weight management and fashion can’t be easily severed. What’s trending in style is often shifting, changing how people express themselves or perceive their self-image. A less inclusive industry may pressure more people to conform to its standards, while a landscape that represents more shapes and sizes can allow for more freedom with fashion, regardless of weight or appearance. The fashion industry is slowly but surely ensuring weight and size inclusivity to adapt to changing perceptions.
