Mary LeShane
Unlabeled
Every body is different, but major clothing retailers want us to think otherwise. There is no mandatory clothing size or labeling standard in the U.S. and clothing companies are allowed to make their own rules for the products that fit us. Unlabeled is a brand that promotes size inclusivity in the clothing industry by sharing resources, stories, and exposing bad business practices.
Artist/Thesis Statement
I’ve always been naturally thin, but growing up I struggled with an eating disorder, and its something that I have to be mindful of every day. As I’ve gotten older, I noticed that my pants size was reaching towards the upper limit of what most brands carried and it made me feel like something was wrong with me. I recognized that if I’m struggling with this issue, then who are these companies really catering their products to? The average women’s pants size in 2023 is a size 12, and in my research I discovered that most retailers only carried a size 14 and under. In recent years there’s been a rise in companies promoting body positivity and more inclusion of plus-sized models, but it doesn’t seem to be translating to the products on the shelves.
There is significant evidence that correlates the ultra-thin ideal body type with development of mental illnesses and eating disorders. The goal behind Unlabeled is to raise awareness behind sizing inconsistencies within the clothing industry and to show how we got here, where it’s going, and how shoppers can make more mindful clothing purchases to show these companies that real people control their profits.
