The fashion industry’s long-standing struggle with size inclusivity continues, as shown by the findings of the Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2026 Size Inclusivity Report. Despite rising consumer demand and public calls for greater representation of diverse body types on the runway, the Spring/Summer 2026 season saw only modest improvements in size diversity on the catwalk. The figures remain largely unchanged from previous seasons, with straight-size models still dominating the runway.
The Numbers: Size Representation Breakdown
The Spring/Summer 2026 season featured 9,038 looks across 198 shows and presentations. Of those, 97.1% were straight-size (US 0-4), 2% were mid-size (US 6-12), and 0.9% were plus-size (US 14+). This marks a slight improvement in size inclusivity, with the proportion of straight-size looks dropping marginally from 97.7% last season, while mid-size and plus-size looks saw a slight increase. However, the improvement is minimal—less than 1%—and falls short of the growing demands for more size diversity on the runway.
In comparison to the previous Spring/Summer 2025 (SS25) season, the proportion of plus-size representation remains largely unchanged, while mid-size representation has halved. Last season, mid-size looks made up 2%, but this season, that figure dropped to 1.5% during New York Fashion Week, signaling a troubling reversal in size inclusivity progress.
Consumer and Industry Frustration
While incremental improvements may be seen as a step forward by some, the lack of real change has frustrated many industry insiders, consumers, and social media influencers. Writer, consultant, and content creator Brenda Weischer, a vocal advocate for size inclusivity, voiced her discontent after scrolling through the runway shows. Weischer remarked on the lack of body diversity, especially in Paris, and shared her disappointment with the representation—or lack thereof—on Instagram following fashion month. Her comments echo widespread frustration within the fashion community, as consumers and industry professionals continue to demand more equitable representation.
“I’ve been scrolling through Vogue Runway, and it’s been incredibly depressing this season, especially in Paris,” said Weischer. “It’s clear that the industry still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and representation of all body types.”
The calls for a broader definition of beauty on the runway have never been louder. In an era where body positivity and inclusivity are central to consumer expectations, it is becoming increasingly difficult for fashion brands to ignore the push for diverse representation. But despite the growing demand from consumers, including many fashion week attendees, the runway remains, for the most part, a representation of an unrealistic, narrow ideal of beauty.
Analysis of the Runway: Regional Variations
New York Fashion Week (NYFW)
At New York Fashion Week, the trend of minimal size inclusivity continued, albeit with some fluctuations in the breakdown of body types. Mid-size looks decreased from 2.8% last season to just 1.5% this year, and plus-size looks increased from 0.5% to 1%. While this marks an improvement in the plus-size category, the overall increase in diversity remains disappointingly small. Straight-size models still represented a dominant 97.5% of the looks, further underscoring the slow pace of change in size inclusivity in the industry.
Despite the minimal increase in plus-size representation, the fact that mid-size representation has dropped is particularly concerning. Mid-size bodies—those in the US 6-12 range—are often left out of discussions about body diversity, even though they represent a significant portion of the population. This reduction in mid-size representation raises questions about whether the industry is truly committed to inclusivity or if it is simply paying lip service to the idea of body diversity.
Milan Fashion Week
Milan, traditionally one of the most influential fashion capitals, showed particularly poor results in terms of size inclusivity. This season, only four brands included non-straight-size models on their runway, the lowest number since the inception of the Vogue Business size inclusivity report. Last season, eight brands had incorporated non-straight-size models, including major names like Marni, Fendi, Etro, and Ferragamo. This regression in Milan’s representation is especially alarming considering that Italy has been slow to embrace size diversity in fashion compared to other fashion capitals like New York and London.
In terms of percentages, straight-size models made up 99.1% of looks, with mid-size looks decreasing slightly from 0.9% to 0.7%. Plus-size representation increased marginally from 0% last season to 0.2% this season, but this number remains embarrassingly low for an industry that purports to celebrate diversity. Milan’s fashion week seems to be moving backward in terms of inclusivity, as even small steps taken in previous seasons are being undone.
London Fashion Week
While specific details on London Fashion Week were not provided in the report, the UK fashion scene has generally been more progressive than some of its European counterparts in terms of embracing diverse body types. The increase in diversity seen at London shows is in line with the broader cultural shift towards inclusivity. However, there remains a significant gap between the demand for more diverse runway representations and the reality of how brands are showcasing their collections.
The Push for Real Change: Consumer Expectations vs. Industry Response
The demand for greater size inclusivity on the runway is not only coming from consumers but also from within the fashion industry. Public outcry over the lack of diverse representation has been vocal, with many feeling that the industry is failing to reflect the diversity of its customer base. Consumers, particularly Gen Z, are increasingly turning to brands that align with their values, and body inclusivity is a key issue. Social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, have been instrumental in amplifying calls for greater diversity in the fashion industry.
Fashion brands are no longer able to simply rely on traditional models to sell products; they are being held accountable for their lack of inclusivity. Industry influencers and consumers alike are questioning why major fashion houses continue to prioritize straight-size models when a significant portion of the population falls outside that category.
At the same time, many brands are pushing back, arguing that the issue of size inclusivity is complicated and that their focus should remain on design and artistry. However, as the pressure for change mounts, it is clear that size inclusivity is becoming an important factor in the purchasing decisions of consumers worldwide.
The Road Ahead: A Call for More Action
While there has been some progress in the Spring/Summer 2026 season, it is evident that the fashion industry has a long way to go when it comes to size inclusivity. The small increases in mid-size and plus-size representation are encouraging, but they do not reflect the urgency of the demand for greater diversity in fashion.
For the industry to evolve, more substantial action is required from major brands, designers, and fashion houses. They must not only expand their sample size to accommodate a broader range of body types but also ensure that diverse models are integrated into their campaigns and runway shows. The industry must take decisive steps to reflect the realities of its consumer base and build a truly inclusive future for fashion.
Leave a Reply