Plus-size blogger exposes the problem with Topshop's new half size denim

A plus-size blogger has called out Topshop for making half sizes while refusing to cater to plus-size women.

Earlier this month, high street fashion brand Topshop announced that it would be introducing in-between sizes in its denim range – a move that many considered to be revolutionary.

However, one woman is here to remind us why this is a problem.

At a size 22, fashion blogger Callie Thorpe implores women to celebrate the joys of fashion no matter their size, but it can be difficult to practice what you preach when brands outright refuse to cater for you.

The body positivity campaigner says that because of this she does most of her shopping online.

“There are very few brick and mortar stores that cater to above a size 18 and it’s frustrating. As a woman I just want to look and feel as stylish as my friends who are smaller than me,” Thorpe told The Independent.

“For this reason I’ve always found the actual experience of shopping uncomfortable, it just makes you feel bad about yourself.”

Case in point, Topshop’s decision to introduce half sizes is only within the same range of sizes that it already offers, UK four to UK 16 – a move that Thorpe openly criticised online by sharing an image from a magazine praising the launch with the sub-head “Size Does Matter.”

“Brands are wild. They will go as far to make ‘half sizes’ to cater to people that can already find clothes in their size across the entire high street BUT won’t make plus size clothes above a 16,” she wrote.

“I guess size doesn’t matter if you are plus size then.”

Yes, believe it or not, in 2018 the stigma surrounding plus-sized fashion is alive and well.

But, why are so many fashion brands unwilling to expand their size range despite the obvious lack of options available to larger women and the potential growth it could offer them financially?

Currently, the average dress size in the UK is a size 16 meaning that Topshop, and so many other retailers, are missing out on an entire consumer base that’s willing to splash its cash.

In fact, the UK plus size market was estimated to be worth £6.6bn last year and, according to Price Waterhouse Coopers - a multinational professional services network – it’s only going to grow with an forecasted rise of five to six per cent over the next four years.

You would think that designers and businesses would be jumping at the chance to reach out to this practically untapped market, however clearly that’s not the case, but why?

“I think it comes down to upholding a brand image and quite honestly it seems as though they are ashamed to associate with something that society still deems as unacceptable,” Thorpe explains.

“The market for plus size fashion is huge and is growing so I just don’t understand why other than bias.

"I’m not saying that making in-between sizes is bad but why not cater to all women? Why exclude a certain body type if you are so concerned with fit being important?

“All of us who are ‘different’ or perhaps I should say average (as actually the average woman in the UK is now above a 16) just want to feel included and we have money to spend.”

The Independent has contacted Topshop for comment.