Why are plus-size bodies continuing to struggle when looking for athletic wear to purchase? This sounds like a silly question to still be asking but it’s one that clothing brands are recently beginning to face. As a college student wanting to be comfortable and stylish at the gym, finding a brand that offers both should be the least of your worries. Lucky for us, brands recognize that societal standards are shifting and inclusivity is in. Companies are extending size ranges, representing all body types in the media, and recognizing that curvy figures exist. What was once deemed unnecessary is now beginning to take over the clothing industry as body positivity becomes a hot topic. 

The Importance of Inclusivity

TikTok and Instagram have recently supported the popularity of fashion trends in the gym industry. People are being influenced to buy pieces that are durable, functional, or bring out their confidence. You can’t blame the trends either- who could scroll past that cute matching set without adding it to their cart immediately? The promotion of clothing is not always negative but can be disheartening when you see their sizing only ranges up to an XL. We see brands constantly creating new apparel to keep up with the craze but are still learning about what being inclusive truly means.  

The Ticker states, “Body positivity was one of the first aspects of fashion inclusivity to be highlighted in the public eye, largely because traditional modeling agencies wanted white, skinny, young, and female.” Body positivity is a movement that values loving yourself no matter your shape, size, gender, etc. Society is not tolerating brands that fail to keep up with the times. It's become common knowledge to recognize curvier shapes and communicate a positive self-image when connecting to customers. Media that are heavily flooded with (what’s claimed as) the “ideal body type” can be extremely harmful to the minds of viewers. According to Russel B. Clayton, an Associate Professor and Director of the Cognition and Emotion Lab at Florida State University, “Exposure to unrealistically sized media models results in women reporting less satisfaction with their overall appearance, experiencing greater body dissatisfaction.”

Companies that are claiming inclusivity through expanding their sizing range are still missing the mark. We expect to see plus-size models through social media pages, websites, or advertisements. It can make you feel like you don’t belong when a company doesn’t portray a variety of physiques. There’s nothing wrong with looking different than what a business may put on display. Although, not seeing your body type can certainly be discouraging and steer you away from purchasing. Luckily for us, companies are listening to our feedback and beginning to realize the impact they have on consumers.

Companies Taking Initiative

Brands such as Old Navy have worked to crush the stereotypical image placed on the clothing industry. Their brand has taken initiative to democratize style by creating, “mannequins in sizes 4, 12, and 18, and virtual shoppers can use a new toggle feature online to select their preferred default model display size.” The company had also expanded its range of sizes from 0-28 in all storefronts and up to 30 online.

Old Navy is working to build a future that makes you and I feel welcome in their store every time we walk in. This business transformation, BODEQUALITY, is a partnership with Dr. Susan Sokolowski working to reinvent size standards. They understand not everybody is shaped as an hourglass and that sizing fits differently for everyone. Old Navy reinventing its brand shows an amazing example of listening to consumer wants and needs and then acting upon them. 

Nike was next to take action on the movement of inclusivity. The company had stated in a press release that adding curvy mannequins were done in hopes of, “highlighting a full range of athletic figures.” Small differences like seeing their clothing on multiple body types can make a huge impact on welcoming athletes of all sizes. Nike also promotes plus-size bodies through advertisements and social media posts on platforms such as Instagram. Their account has a following of over 250 million, a huge number of people with different needs to be catered to. Being one of the leading brands in the clothing industry, we expect Nike to acknowledge that not all bodies looking for athletic wear are size two or six.

When it comes to extended-sized clothing, the quality and durability can often be overlooked. In their buying guide, Nike states, “Plus-size garments in sizes 0X to 4X are specially designed for curvier bodies and are informed by data. Each garment—from tank tops to sports bras to leggings—goes through rigorous testing to ensure it is comfortable and non-constricting on a wide range of body types and for different variations of movement.” The company highlights empowering your body through movement no matter what size you wear.

Six Inclusive Brands

• Superfit Hero

Sizes: Large-7X

SuperFit Hero specifically caters to the plus-size community. The brand focuses on creating high-quality materials and designing fashionable yet functional clothes. Listening to their customers and having a reliable sizing chart is what keeps their company on top.

• Athleta

Sizes: XXS-3X

Athleta was created to empower women by encouraging confidence and healthy lifestyles. They are known for their durability and have even been compared to Lululemon by consumers!

• Girlfriend Collective

Sizes: XXS-6XL

Not only is Girlfriend Collective an inclusive brand, but they also prioritize ethical manufacturing. Their clothes are made from recycled plastics because being eco-friendly is one of their top priorities. Along with saving the planet, the company holds value in representation. Health and fitness aren’t limited to a certain shape or size so why should they be?

• Universal Standard

Sizes: 4XS-4XL

Universal Standard strives to do more than offer premium fabrics for bodies of all sizes. The company aims to change the clothing industry as a whole by setting an example of what inclusion should look like. All pieces are tested and engineered to perfectly fit your body!

• Fabletics

Sizes: XXS-4XL

The prices that Fabletics offers may be the first thing that attracts you to their brand. This company creates fashionable and performable activewear while continuing to keep its pricing down. They create on-trend pieces and always outperform with their color options.

• Target- All in Motion

Sizes: XS- 4XL

Anybody who already loves Target is going to love them even more. Inclusivity has always been a priority for the company and is now shown through its very own athletic-wear line. The focus is to be affordable yet durable and integrate quality in each and every piece.

A Friendly Reminder

Although most brands are pushing toward an inclusive future, some may not be fully caught up. Living in a technological age, we constantly view advertisements and commercials that companies push out into the media. You’ve probably seen a model and begun to wonder why that workout shirt doesn’t look as good on you as it does on them. We’ve all been there! It can be hard to feel like your body doesn’t necessarily look like the people you see on screen. Truth is, everyone is facing insecurities and you have to remind yourself that you hold worth. Don’t feel discouraged because your fitness journey looks different than someone else or begin to compare looks. You are strong, you are radiating confidence, and you are building a better you! Everyone deserves to feel confident in the clothes they wear to the gym so don’t let your mind play tricks on you.

Concluding Remarks

As college students, we shouldn’t have to worry about finding reliable gym wear when we already face multiple stressors. Homework assignments, tests, and studying are enough! We are seeing a shift in brands’ efforts to acknowledge the existence of curvier body types. Everyone deserves to have a brand they can depend on for athleisure or workout clothes. Companies are beginning to focus on inclusivity and diversifying their range of sizes, which is an important factor considering every athlete's body type is different. Brands that offer durable and stylish plus-size athletic clothing are becoming easier to find as the industry grows. Remember, there is always something out there that will cater to your needs, so never settle when searching.