I had the pleasure of trying two pieces from Universal Standard, a size inclusive brand with sizes from 00-40. A major component of their values is “revolutionary inclusivity”, making styles available to everyone which is slowly, but surely, making its way through the fashion industry.
I haven’t struggled too much finding clothing that fit throughout my life. My biggest concern was finding styles that were petite, i’m 5’3, but I can usually find clothing that fits in every store. Even when clothes are too long, I can usually work my magic with a few alterations to help them fit. I feel naive to admit I didn’t think about how this experience isn’t universal and upon further thought it really broke my heart that shopping is often a disappointing and even traumatic experience for others. This is why I want to help elevate brands that are making strides to make sizing more inclusive in particular.
“We’re committing to create the change we want to see in the world, so that access for all doesn’t end with US. We will work to empower the industry to embrace inclusion. We will work to build the future with partners who see it like we do. We will be the catalysts that spark the next fashion revolution.” ~Universal Standard
In addition to carrying clothes that fit different body types well, they’re also concerned about the ethical conditions in which their clothing is made. All of their clothes and fabrics are made in the USA, France, Peru and China and their founders have personally vetted all the factors they work in to ensure they meet and surpass all ethical standards of manufacturing and production.
I tried the Tee Rex shirt and The Seine High Rise Skinny Jeans in distressed black. I really like the t-shirt, it’s thick and made from good material. It’s a good basic to have and breathable. I like that it isn’t transparent in any way, so I don’t have to worry about layering.
The skinny jeans were also a winner. I struggle with high waisted jeans because I’m petite, so sometimes the proportions don’t line up properly with where my waist actually is. They fit well and didn’t make…the back side of my jeans…look flat so that’s always a plus (I’ve been doing squats so I appreciate when jeans can give me an extra love back there lol)! They’re stretchy, but not so much that they lost the shape over a couple of wears. I’ll probably add a belt later on to make the high waist even more dramatic. These are also a nice crop so I can wear my jeans without having to cuff and that’s great!
Overall, I really liked the items I tried from Universal Standard. I like their collection even more because of how dedicated they are to inclusivity for all body types, that’s not something I’ve seen enough of. I’m glad they’re leading the way to a more accessible future and hope their collection inspires other brands to take action!
I recommend checking them out! You can follow them on instagram @Universalstandard
