How is the Body Positivity Movement Changing Fashion?

The Body Positivity Movement started in 2016, and we’ve been riding the wave ever since. With all the attention and awareness being brought to size inclusivity and body positive, we have to ask, how is it changing fashion? Or, is it having any impact on society other than assuming the movement encourages obesity?

If you work in fashion or just have an eye for design, you know the body positivity movement is changing the way we see and shop fashion. Curious what caused this movement or where it came from, and how it is changing the future of fashion?

In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about the positivity movement, including its benefits, perceived shortcomings, and overall impact.

What is the Body Positivity Movement?

At its inception, the body positivity movement is about expanding our overall perception of beauty to include people of many different backgrounds. This movement has been around for decades, but regained popularity in more recent times as people have begun more increasingly aware of the toxicity of the fashion industry.

As more scandals surrounding extensive photo-shopping, unrealistic beauty standards, and eating disorders plaguing both models and those who aspire to be like them, consumers and fashion brands alike began to rally against the fashion institute.

Since then, plus-size models like Ashley Graham have risen to prominence, and many fashion houses have expanded their clothing lines and branding to be more inclusive of people with different body types.

It’s important to know, however, that body positivity is no longer just about size. It’s about being inclusive of people of all different backgrounds, including people of different races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities.

How Body Positivity is Changing the World of Fashion

Over the last few years, many fashion brands have joined the body positivity space and launched their own inclusive campaigns and plus-sized clothing lines. Aerie launched a “Photoshop-Free” campaign, and Dove launched their “Real Beauty” campaign which featured a variety of diverse women of different body types to reflect its typical buyers.

The Pros & Cons of Body Positivity

Like any major social movement, body positivity comes with its pros and cons. Here are some of the most popular elements (and most contested ones) of this movement:

Pros of Body Positivity

At its core, body positivity is good because it’s about making the fashion world more inclusive of everyone. It’s about unraveling the toxic thinking we’ve come to believe about ourselves and our bodies, and moving away from an industry that profits off of body-shame and self-hatred. It also makes people of all walks of life feel like they can find fashion that speaks to their unique style, body, and lifestyle.

Cons of Body Positivity

One of the main drawbacks of body positivity is that it’s sometimes seen as a movement that only favors a certain type of body positivity, specifically body positivity for white, cisgender, able-bodied women. And while it is a movement about body acceptance, it’s often wrongly believed to only be about body size, which isn’t true.

Critics of the movement have said that body positivity has a long way to go and that it won’t be a truly positive movement until it’s inclusive of people of all different backgrounds.

Final Thoughts on Body Positivity

Like any social movement, the body positivity movement isn’t perfect. But it is redefining the fashion world, and making it easier for women of all different backgrounds to find affordable clothing they can feel confident in.

Are you looking for adorable (and affordable) clothing? Want to feel truly great in your next outfit? Shop our collections of tops, dresses, and accessories to find something uniquely you.