Size Inclusivity: More Than a Number
Recently, I attended a trunk show for a well-known clothing brand that specializes in inclusive sizing.
I was excited to get to know the brand better and looked forward to supporting their efforts. I invited along a friend, and we headed into Philly for a session with our very own stylist…or so we thought.
We arrived at the given location, a rented Air BnB in South Philly. A designer met us outside and ushered us into the space selected for the event. We expected a space suited for persons in bodies of all sizes and abilities from an inclusive brand. Instead, we entered a house with many steep stairs and no railings to help navigate those stairs.
Arriving at our first stop, the main living room, another challenge presented itself: the seating. Low sofas and small chairs with arms were a source of anxiety for those in large bodies and those who struggled with limited mobility. Another group was already present in the room, further limiting seating options.
I sensed the anxiety in others growing:
“I thought this was a private session - are we going to have to try on clothes around people we don’t know?”
“I’m crawling out of my skin.”
“I thought an inclusive brand would do a better job at finding an inclusive space.”
“I really want to leave, but I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself.”
Already feeling trapped and exposed, things quickly devolved when a stylist came in to get the process started.
She explained that all styles would be available in all sizes (yay!), though colors may be limited (understood – we weren’t able to purchase items directly on site and could preview colors on other pieces of clothing). I sensed a sigh of relief – no one would have to experience the deep disappointment of not having access to clothing in their size.
This relief was short-lived. “Ok, so I’m going to take down some information from each of you so we can get some things ready.”
I figured the stylist would speak with each of us individually – nope.
Without hesitation, she went around the room asking each of us to publicly tell her our name and size, though we had already shared that information via the online registration.
This was the point where I almost left.
I’ve done a lot of personal work around my own body image and acceptance and have a lot of good coping skills, but this was too much.
Perhaps the intent was to normalize all sizes. but, that’s a big risk to take with folks who encounter fatphobia on a daily basis.
So why didn’t I speak up?
I’m a fat-positive therapist who advocates for people in all bodies but found myself unable to move or speak.
A lifetime of shame associated with living in a larger body caused me to freeze.
My heart raced, my mouth was dry, and I felt myself tense up.
I could barely answer the question when the stylist turned to me to share first.
I hoped this was it. I hoped for redemption once we got to the styling part and my friend and I were able to work with our individual stylist for our private appointment.
Alas, this was not the case.
Instead of a private space with a dedicated stylist for the two of us, we were shown into a large, open space with makeshift, portable dressing spaces separated by curtains.
The individual spaces were small and cramped with curtains that barely closed. Getting dressed in such a space would be a challenge for a straight-sized person, let alone those of us in larger bodies or who needed something more accessible with a seat. One person did ask for a chair, and the stylist realized at that point that the space would not accommodate her comfortably. Fortunately, they did find her a more private space with seating, but the process of having to speak up would not be easily redeemed by access to clothing in her actual size.
Finally, it was time for the clothing.
This was certainly the best part of our time at the trunk show. No one had to worry about not having access to their size in an outfit. We were able to try on many different options, and stylists worked with us to listen to our desires and needs. While at times a challenge to be in a room with strangers while trying on clothes, having access to so many options was exciting and helped us to focus on the clothes, rather than our sizes.
Unfortunately, that accessibility did not extend to cost.
All items of clothing, while made well, were expensive.
I asked if there was any type of new customer discount offered, and was sad to hear there was not. In addition, discounts and sales are rarely offered. In other words, this is investment clothing for many. On one hand, the idea of spending money on quality items invited us to see ourselves in all of our sizes as worthy of such an investment. However, access to a variety of sizes within a more affordable price range would expand access even further.
My experience confirms that size inclusivity is so much more than having access to clothing in our size that we can try on in person.
Inclusive budgets and safe, accessible spaces also matter.
Any person or brand looking to be more body inclusive needs to consider more than just size. Doing so can better create a validating moment for those of us who encounter daily fatphobia, body judgment, and shame.
My name is Laura Gordon and I’m a fat-positive therapist specializing in trauma, disordered eating and recovering from body shame.
I am a white, cis, straight, fat, able-bodied woman from a middle-class family of origin. I offer trauma-informed, fat-positive, weight-inclusive therapy that is justice-oriented, spiritually inclusive, and guided by the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement and Intuitive Eating (IE) model.
Reclaim Therapy provides trauma treatment, body image counseling and eating disorder therapy in Pennsylvania.
We’re a group of trauma specialists who are passionate about helping people reclaim their lives from diet-culture, body shame and trauma. We believe that all bodies are worthy of respect and care in the here and now and are advocates for the inclusivity of all bodies and putting an end to weight-stigma.