“Inclusive sizing” has become a buzzword over the last few years. Used as a marketing tool to convey to customers you offer sizing past the XS-XXL range offered by the majority of retailers, it’s shorthand for “we fit more people”. Which is great!

However, I do think “inclusive sizing” is a myth. More a concept or a hope than a reality. Some recent internet interactions (though likely in bad faith) got me thinking about this topic.

When I began Gloomth in 2007 almost no alternative shops offered sizes past XL – that was a big reason for starting the brand to begin with! I’ve always been a larger person, I’m tall and qualified as plus size for nearly all of my adult life. It sucks to be in love with a subculture style that you can’t personally wear. Dieting statistically doesn’t work and you shouldn’t feel you have to stop participating in a subculture until your body “conforms”. That’s not really the point of subcultures.

Inclusive to me means for EVERYONE. I wish that was possible for Gloomth. Without offering custom sizing the pieces I design simply won’t fit every body that exists. It costs thousands to add another size to each design, from pattern development to producing stock. We don’t have the manpower or time to offer custom sizing anymore (if you got a custom sized item from us pre 2018 it’s a rarity now).

Larger bodies have traditionally been excluded from fashion, whereas XS and XXS have always had access to almost every designer, store, and mall option on the planet. With the rise in medical weight loss drugs and extreme deliberate thinness being part of the fascist aesthetic – we are fighting the same battle we were when this started.

Gloomth will continue to add sizes and expand our range as we are able to afford to! With our latest “Grave” and “Ossuary” dresses our new size range steps can be seen. Our commitment to maximizing our ability to share unique style with as many people as we can remains our guiding force.

-Taeden