Fashion
How Draper James is Sending a Powerful Message with Its Size Expansion into Plus Sizes
Draper James just made a statement, sending a major message to the fashion industry.
Plus sizes do sell AND plus size women should not have to pay more for their size.
The Southern inspired lifestyle brand by Reese Witherspoon announced on February 1st that they will be extending their sizing into plus sizes, offering 0 to 24 (XS to 3X) in Draper James stores and DraperJames.com.
While some brands who extend into plus sizes only offer it online, Draper James is taking it a step further and also offering plus sizes in-store.
Launching with their new spring 2019 collection, the official press release explains how this size expansion came into fruition:
“The size expansion launch was inspired by the brand’s continuous goal to make Draper James more inclusive and to continue to promote Reese’s motto, ‘make pretty easy’ with prices ranging from $38 to $175.”
We can’t help but think the brand’s past collaborations with plus size contemporary brand Eloquii is what made this move possible.
Read more: Eloquii Partners with Actress Reese Witherspoon’s Lifestyle Brand on New Collection
Reese Witherspoon, Founder and Creative Director of Draper James, said:
“This is a launch that is so close to my heart. We learn so much from communicating with our customers on social media, and this is something they were asking for. We were able to take the positive feedback from our shoppers and women who wanted to wear our clothes and work to create these new inclusive pieces for them.”
The brand will feature plus size styles in the same prints, patterns, fabrics and price. Draper James also wants their customer to have a “cohesive” shopping experience, where all the sizes will be on the same rack and space together in-store. On their website, they aim to make shopping seamless by having a section to showcase plus sizes.
Draper James also plans to revamp their campaign and ecommerce imagery, to feature women of diverse body types to promote the size expansion.
We think plus size model Sara Smith (below) who is signed to Bicoastal Models, who we named one of the 10 models to watch this year, would be perfect for Draper James and she’s visibly plus, which will resonate with customers. Just sayin’.
We’d also LOVE to see Anita Marshall or Philomena Kwao modeling for Draper James to offer some race diversity as well.
Taylor Rettig, CEO of Draper James said:
“This first spring delivery [hitting retail today] is an exciting first step in our journey to create a more inclusive brand for our existing and hopefully new customers alike. I am proud that our team developed these products entirely in house and we will continue to gather feedback from the community and evolve, with a goal of offering all styles in a full size-range in the near future.”
We hope this means more sizes above a size 24 — their collaboration with Eloquii was available up to a size 28.
However, this is a step in the right direction and sending a strong message to the retail industry that offering plus sizes is not a bad thing. Plus size women are women, period, and they shop, too.
Kudos to Draper James for not only offering plus sizes at the same price in the same styles but also offering the styles in-store and using their imagery to reflect that. We can’t wait to see what they do next.
Click here to shop the new Spring collection in plus sizes at Draper James.
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@tonsablush
@loralyee
@schmoalert
@sabrinastyled
@ikoniknikole
@wagyu_beff
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@panamakish
@felicityhayward
@nizzymacc
@danielle_nekole
@whatkaliwears
@tiffythefashionslayer
Feature
SwimStar All Stars Partnership With Renowned Plus-size Model and Swimsuits For All Ambassador, Denise Bidot
Inclusive Swimwear Brand Collaborates with Prominent Plus-Size Model Denise Bidot to Empower Aspiring Models…
Swimsuits For All, a pioneer in inclusive swimwear, proudly introduces its inaugural SwimStar All Stars campaign in partnership with renowned plus-size model and Swimsuits For All ambassador, Denise Bidot. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, nearly a decade following Denise’s groundbreaking “Beach Body, Not Sorry” campaign with Swimsuits For All in 2015, which showcased unretouched imagery aimed at promoting unapologetic confidence.
Denise Bidot and Swimsuits For All have jointly unveiled the SwimStar All Stars nationwide search, dedicated to discovering emerging talent in the realm of swimsuit modeling. Encouraging aspiring models to share their personal narratives, the initiative aims to inspire women of all backgrounds, shapes, and sizes. Following a rigorous selection process, Brittany Wilborn, Camryn Henry, and Sharon Clawson emerged as the chosen winners. In January 2024, these models embarked on a transformative journey to Harbour Island, where they had the unparalleled opportunity to shoot alongside Denise under the expert direction of internationally acclaimed photographer and director, Ben Watts.
Reflecting on the initiative, Denise Bidot remarked, “This was a truly exceptional opportunity to celebrate the diversity of plus-size models and cultivate an atmosphere of support, empowerment, and knowledge sharing. The camaraderie on set was palpable, and I am deeply honored to impart the wisdom and insights I’ve garnered throughout my career. Opportunities like these are scarce for plus-size models in the industry, and it has been a privilege to collaborate with the exceptional team at Swimsuits for All to bring this campaign to fruition.”
The models showcased the latest swimwear offerings from the Swimsuits for All 2024 collection, featuring innovative designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of women, including:
Feel-good Fits: Addressing common concerns such as tummy bulges and fit issues, Swimsuits for All offers a range of fits designed to instill confidence and comfort in every body. Incorporating features like Power Mesh for a smooth, flattering silhouette, and adjustable straps for customizable support, the collection caters to various body types.
Bold Prints & Colors for Summer: The summer swimwear collection boasts vibrant colors and captivating prints, injecting excitement and personality into beach and poolside attire. From vivid neon hues to tropical motifs, the collection encourages self-expression and style experimentation.
Liquid Shine: Introducing Liquid Shine, a striking swim fabrication characterized by a glossy, liquid-like finish, adding an edgy allure to beachwear. Available in multiple silhouettes, including bikinis, Liquid Shine ensures you stand out with confidence.
Bikinis that Suit You Best: The Mix & Match Bikini collection offers a personalized approach to swimwear, allowing individuals to mix and match colors and silhouettes for a bespoke look tailored to their preferences.
Beyond showcasing inclusive swimwear designs, the SwimStar All Stars campaign embodies a celebration of women uplifting one another in an industry often marked by competitiveness. Throughout the week-long shoot, models engaged in one-on-one sessions with Denise, fostering meaningful dialogue about the evolving representation of plus-size bodies in swim and fashion.
Jordan Hauser, Senior Director of E-Commerce & Marketing, expressed, “This campaign transcends conventional notions of body positivity and representation in the swim and fashion industries. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and authenticity in reflecting the diverse experiences of our customer base. We are committed to fostering a movement where women find strength in unity, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey alongside Denise Bidot, one of the industry’s foremost advocates for inclusivity.”
The summer 2024 swimwear collection is now available. For further details about Swimsuits For All and the SwimStar All Stars campaign, please visit www.swimsuitsforall.com.
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@plussizewildflower
@msgigggles
@talitakate
@valeriemaroneyy
@curvy_ambassador
@nativeactress
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@pridantas93
@shunitawynne
@nostalgic_nayok
@dlovecurve
@ariwearsthings
@thickfitdee
Plus Size Fashion Inspiration from YOU! Our fabulous readers share plus size fashion inspo on Instagram!
…Want to share your style inspo? Click here to follow us on Instagram and hashtag your pictures with #CelebrateMySize. You may be featured on our Instagram page or website.
@amandaneumanoficial
@aaliyahrenaa
@iheartcandyboo
@organiccurves_
@annemanyi
@johanamaya81
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