ANTHROPOLOGIE x UNIVERSAL STANDARD: A BOLD STEP TOWARD INCLUSIVITY IN PLUS-SIZE FASHION

By: Prachi Khatri

The fashion industry has long struggled with inclusivity when it comes to diversity in size representation. Historically, women with plus sizes have had limited options for trending clothes and have struggled to find options that are stylish without compromising comfort.

“I don’t understand why plus-size women’s clothes are either overly sexual or different (uglier) fabric patterns. We have been asking for years to simply get what the regular-sized folks get.” - says Amanda, a plus-size woman, during an interview with AnnKm.

However, a collaboration that’s breaking this barrier is Anthropologie and Universal Standard. More than a business venture, Anthropologie x Universal Standard offers a promising, body-positive future and a shift in the fashion industry.

Founded in 2015, Universal Standard has been an industry leader in promoting size inclusivity. The brand mantra is simple: to ensure women of all sizes experience fashion without compromising style. The brand has always been known for its comfortable style and high-quality clothing.

Source: Anthropologie Website

Anthropologie opened its door for the first time in 1992 and since 2020 is known for its bohemian aesthetic and trendy style. Joining forces with Universal Standard, Anthropologie is not only championing inclusivity but also offering a range of fashionable pieces for women of all sizes. This collaboration is making all sizes accessible without compromising on style for women from petite to plus size.

The size range of the collab ranges from 00 to 40, ensuring every woman can find pieces they love in sizes that they comfortably wear. With ranges of size availability and trending bohemian designs, the Anthropology x Universal Standard has room for all. This partnership has provided a one-stop shop for women struggling to find stylish and flattering options for curvier women.

Challenging the traditional boundaries of the fashion industry, Anthropologie has taken a step forward for size inclusivity. The brand opened its Aplus by Anthropologie stores in Florida, California, and Toronto exclusively for inclusive sizes.

Anthropologie x Universal Standard has gained traction with pieces ranging from flattering gowns for plus-size, structured blazers, and floral dresses for a wide range of sizes and body types. A size of 16W-26W in the plus-size category is a major attraction factor for plus-size girlies to check out their selection.

Source: Anthropologie Website

This partnership is not only praised across the globe for its cozy and diverse designs but also didn’t compromise quality. The collaboration has brought out versatile pieces that can be styled in numerous ways. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, 67% of the participants said that they would like to see more diversity in fashion advertising.

The fashion industry for a long time showcased picture-perfect models with ideal curves, setting unrealistic expectations for the younger generation. A TikTok user, EmilyFizz, posted a video showcasing her Anthropologie x Universal Standard collection. “It’s so hard to find clothes in my size, as a plus-size woman, that are trendy. I love how every piece makes me feel confident in my body without being self-conscious. Another user, @ChicCurves on Instagram, said, “This is not about adding a couple of sizes; it’s about offering the same fashion for everyone.”

The lack of plus-size clothes still remains a constant battle for those many. Even though brands like ASOS and H&M have followed suit in promoting size inclusivity, there is still a lot of gap in size-inclusive fashion, for example, in activewear, formalwear, etc. Size should be a limitation but a celebration of individuality and diversity. Let’s normalize the plus-size section and not treat it as a special section but just another section. Growth happens when we grow our thinking first before anything else.