The Need For Size Inclusivity

By Rebeca Funes

When talking about size inclusivity, most tend to think about brands including larger sizes in stores. However, in this day and age, smaller sizes tend to get overlooked. Clothing stores, regardless of whether it’s in a mall or at your school’s local supplier, forget all about people who can’t wear bigger sizes without it being unappealing or uncomfortable. Inclusivity should include people of all sizes.

Although suppliers do carry small sizes, such as small or extra-small, you don’t usually find them in stores. This takes away the true experience that comes with shopping for new clothes. Think about the people who aren’t tech-savvy or those who prefer trying on clothes before buying. Why should brands take away from this immersive experience?

“I’m never able to find the right sizes, it’s like I’m not able to express myself the way I want, and it leads to me not feeling as confident as I normally would if I were able to find the sizes I want,” said a sophomore at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, Ella Hermannsson. 

While it is true that not all clothing stores carry larger sizes such as 3XL and up, there are stores made exclusively for people with larger frames, while nothing like this has existed for slimmer people. Still, some hold opposing beliefs.

“When it comes to bigger sizes, it’s different and it varies in different stores. For example, a size in American Eagle can be different from a size in Old Navy. So it kind of depends where you’re shopping, that I feel like it’s hard to find, plus I think with today’s day and age and individual body types, they tend to aim to be smaller than bigger,” said an FSU graduate, Ashley Mejia.

This problem doesn’t just exist within store shelves; unfortunately, some brands don’t even carry smaller sizes or don’t accurately represent the proportions of the item with the size. Take, for example, MLEC’s uniform supplier, Chai Tees. Polo shirts only go as small as extra-small; however, they’re able to supply extra-extra large shirts. This causes problems as students who are extra-extra small no longer have an option to get a polo that fits them.

Additionally, their shirts are also aimed at taller students, causing them to look extremely long on shorter ones. Consequently, students with smaller, shorter frames end up paying more in total fees–this includes the buying of the actual polo shirt and getting it tailored to fit them properly. Brands like these that provide school uniforms should have a wider variety of sizes and an option for a shorter length.

What our community needs is true size inclusivity for all sizes, not just for some. Whether this change is in large, recognized brands or in your local thrift stores, every person deserves clothes that fit them properly–without the need to pay extra.