Introduction to Fashion Inclusivity
The Spring/Summer 2026 season has shown some improvements in terms of size inclusion on the runway. However, these improvements are gradual and do not meet the demand of consumers and the fashion audience.
Size Inclusion on the Runway
Of the 9,038 looks presented across 198 shows and presentations, the majority were regular size, with 97.1 percent falling into the US 0-4 category. Medium size, which corresponds to US 6-12, accounted for 2 percent of the looks, while plus size, which is US 14+, made up only 0.9 percent. Compared to the previous season, there was a slight improvement of less than 1 percent in terms of size inclusivity.
Comparison to Previous Seasons
When compared to the previous season, the results show that 97.7 percent of looks were straight-sized, 2 percent were medium-sized, and 0.3 percent were plus-sized. This indicates that while there has been some progress, the representation of plus sizes has remained roughly the same, and medium size representation has actually decreased by half compared to the Spring/Summer 2025 season.
Reactions to Lack of Diversity
The lack of diversity on the runway has been met with frustration from many in the fashion community. After fashion month ended, many took to social media to express their disappointment, pointing out the limited size range of models and talent featured in shows. The sentiment was that the season was particularly disappointing, especially in certain fashion capitals.
