Sep 28, 2022

Why Inclusivity and Diversity Are Important in Fashion

Inclusivity and diversity have been buzzwords in many industries, with fashion consistently being at the forefront of that discussion. Although it’s not a newly-introduced term, it has become more relevant in recent years.

Here’s what being an inclusive brand means and how you can spot one when shopping for clothing, and fine and fashion jewelry.

What Does Inclusivity Mean?

Generally speaking, inclusivity refers to the practice of offering equal opportunities and resources to people who would otherwise be excluded or marginalized, e.g. those with mental or physical disabilities, or in other minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community.

In fashion, inclusivity primarily involves sizes as well as catering to customers who are racially diverse. Many fashion brands either don’t have any or, if they do, only offer distinct plus-size options, which excludes customers of larger body types from purchasing and wearing the clothes regular-sized people have access to.

Where regular brands create special plus-size collections, an inclusive brand simply extends its product range to large (or petite) sizes, thereby offering the same clothing to customers of all body shapes. Inclusivity is important because people want to feel welcome and included when they shop for a brand.

What Makes Brands Inclusive?

Here are three ways fashion brands can be more inclusive:

Diverse Models – When brands go beyond traditional marketing and advertise their products with diverse, instead of just tall, white and slim models, they signal that their inclusive fashion is made for customers of all ethnic backgrounds, body shapes, and skin tones.

Different Sizes – Creating products in various sizes is vital to invite customers of all body shapes to shop. That means brands shouldn’t just focus on plus-sized customers, but also include petite sizing.

Various styles – A wide range of options that suits people with different preferences is important, not just in clothing, but also in jewelry. For example, many from the LGBTQ community like wearing their pride on their sleeve, so offering rainbow-colored pieces (such as pendants for necklaces, beads for bracelets, or earrings), shows that they’re welcome and included.

Key Takeaways

Inclusivity creates a sense of belonging that invites everyone and excludes no one. If living with intention is important to you, paying attention to supporting inclusive brands is a step in the right direction.

When shopping, pay attention to what a brand’s message, including its vision and mission, is. A company that celebrates inclusivity and diversity will be open about it, and back it up with products that are made for all. Remember that you vote with your dollar, so vote for inclusivity to contribute to a world and future that is more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and preferences.