It shouldn't come as a shock to anyone that size inclusivity has yet to be realized. We don't exactly live in a society that breeds body positivity, after all. Between the popularity of the diet industry (I mean, it's a multi-billion-dollar industry) to the fact that we still don't have more than a dozen or so positive plus-size role models on our television screens, "beauty" remains a pretty linear construct — and one that many of us strive for. And yet, the simple reality — the reality that should (and hopefully one day will) be portrayed and personified everywhere from the media to the retailers we all know and love — is that everybody is beautiful. Every shape. Every size. Every ethnicity. Every woman. All that being said, there are people and corporations making vast strides to change the way things are done, and amongst them is ModCloth.
Back in June, the vintage-inspired e-retailer (who provides an epic platform for indie designers and models/customers of all sizes) celebrated the one year anniversary of its plus-size line. In only a year, they managed to double their plus range and successfully cater to a marginalized group of women who previously didn't have a brand producing the high-quality, high-fashion clothing options that MC produces. Come September of this year, ModCloth co-founder Susan Gregg Koger penned an open letter to the fashion industry, in which she called for positive changes across the board — whilst committing to personally casting a variety of women to model their clothing; sourcing, making and selling apparel in a wide range of sizes; and listening to the customer community, keeping them at the focal point of all major decisions. Pair all of this with the brand's No Photoshopping Pledge, and, well, we've basically got ourselves a game-changer.
In her letter to the industry, Susan wrote:
"The message we hear time and again is that only 'aspirational' imagery sells, and over time, the industry has converged on a very narrow definition of the word. A definition that makes many women and girls feel like they are not and cannot ever be good enough."
But the thing is, we're all good enough. Every single one of us. So when ModCloth announced they'd been spearheading a one-year open casting call for ALL by asking users to post a selfie hashtagged #fashiontruth, well, the Bustle team wanted to jump on board. So seven editors teamed up with the brand to show our own body diversity, desire for size inclusivity and passion for all things ModCloth. Passion for all things true. Check out our own #fashiontruths, and please, please, please join in this campaign. It's important. And we all need it.
BUSTLE EDITORS GO MODCLOTH
HARD AT WORK — EVEN AT A PHOTO SHOOT
YOUR FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITORS
KARA MCGRATH — FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
"I want everyone to give up the phrase 'I could never pull that off,' for good. Of course you can! You're beautiful, and shouldn't let stupid societal constructs tell you you can't wear something because of your body."
JENNY HOLLANDER — SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
"To me, fashion is about wearing something you feel like yourself in. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll feel."
JORDAN RUBIN — ASSISTANT SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
"I think fashion should be about making yourself happy — I feel most excited about my day when my outfit makes me feel like me. That could be an old Hanes sweatshirt (which I also probably slept in) or it could be a new cocktail dress — if I'm happy in it, it makes a difference in how I carry myself that day and ultimately the day itself."
CHRISTINE DISTASIO — EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
"My #fashiontruth is that I dress for who I want to be, whether or not it's on trend is irrelevant."
LIA BECK — ASSOCIATE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
"My friend Jamie jokingly said the phrase 'If you can work it, you can wear it,' years ago, and while it sounds silly, it stuck with me because that’s really the truth when it comes to clothes. If you choose items you love, you’ll always feel good wearing them — even if at first you might think people will find a fluffy pink tutu skirt 'weird.'"
JULIE ALVIN — SENIOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR
"I think fashion should always be easy, comfortable, and expressive — but I reserve the right to break those first two rules when I feel like wearing my leather pants."
MARIE SOUTHARD OSPINA — ASSOCIATE FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
"My #fashiontruth will be fulfilled the day we discard every single fashion no-no in the book — the day these rules and regulations are thrown out the window, and we choose instead to wear what we want and what we love, regardless of our body shape or size. The day we learn that everybody is beautiful."
We'd love to hear your #fashiontruth! So please take to social media with the hashtag, and help ModCloth spread the positive body politics that we're all craving to see more of in this crazy world of fashion!
Images: Paddy McClave; Clothing: ModCloth
