Fashion Short-Changes Plus-Size Bodies: Report

The majority (54.4%) of American women are considered “plus-size” (wearing a size 14 or above), a new study from Mys Tyler has found. That figure is based on data gathered by the social commerce platform over a four-year-period from more than 42,000 American women aged 18-plus.

By contrast, only 0.8% of looks at the recent New York Fashion Week AW24 were plus-size. This is a clear example of just how unrepresentative the fashion industry is, when it comes to reflecting the bodies of most American women, say Mys Tyler executives.

“As a ‘plus-size’ woman, this data confirms what I’ve known for years – the majority of American women are being neglected by the fashion industry,” said Brianna Siciliano, Mys Tyler’s U.S.-based Brand & Community Manager. “Despite making up a significant portion of the population, ‘plus-size’ women are still overlooked by most brands, and even in 2024, size-inclusive representation is heavily lacking on runways and in advertising.”

Adds Mys Tyler Founder Sarah Neill, “Underrepresentation in the fashion industry not only has a negative impact on how women feel about their bodies, but it directly translates to an inefficient shopping experience, poor fit and high return rates – negatively impacting profits and environmental sustainability. We hope the industry sees this data and uses it as a call to action to help increase representation and size-inclusivity.”

Click here for more from the study.