Anthropologie has finally released a plus-size line. A+nthropologie, or APlus by Anthropologie, features clothing in sizes 00 to 26. This is great for lots of reasons, but not everyone is crazy about it.
When you think about it, it's pretty silly that the brand just now feels "confident" enough to launch this line when plenty of other clothing brands have had plus-size collections for years. Anthropologie's sister brand Urban Outfitters is no different — in recent years, it took to featuring plus-size models in its ads despite not carrying plus-size clothing. However, plenty of women are just glad to have more options than before and share the shopping experience with others.
Anthropologie is expanding its sizes at last!
The new plus-size collection from the brand is called A+nthropologie, or APlus by Anthropologie. It will come with 120 pieces that range from sizes 00 to 26. It will also include petite and wide options. The plus-size options are available online and at 10 Anthropologie stores.
You can shop the collection online and in select stores right now.
The clothes just hit select stores, but everything is currently available online. Items range in price from $48 to $260. The collection includes sweaters and jeans, but there is also a section for shapewear.
The launch was introduced with a short film about three women who designed its items.
The new line is modeled by Paloma Elesser, Candice Huffine, and Ali Tate. The three women show off the new collection as they make their way through Mexico City. The film shows the women rushing to meet up and spend the evening together. Each of these women has been known to use their platforms toward inclusivity in beauty, fashion, and wellness.
The brand now feels "confident" to launch a plus-size line.
Anthropologie's managing director of design said the brand felt confident within the past year that it could give customers a plus-size line that "would suit her wants and needs — and ultimately bring her joy." Its chief merchandising officer Anu Narayanan said the goal is to bring all kinds of women options and an "experience that exceeds her expectations."
This all sounds very nice, but plus-size options are more than overdue.
Body-positive influencer Rosey Beeme shared her excitement about finally getting to shop alongside her sister.
She posted a picture of herself and her sister in the same outfit from the brand and thanked Anthropologie for giving them the option to shop together. Beeme is a 3X and her sister is straight size — this was their first time being able to shop together.
"Thank you @Anthropologie for letting a size S sister and a size 3X sister shop for the first time together," she shared.
This user was also very excited about the new line.
"Me ( middle )when I got the email about #Aplus from @Anthropologie you guys made my year. I have shopped with you guys for years being able to fit a few things but now im buying my size. I have no more words," she wrote.
One commenter lamented about the small selection and its apparent basic-ness.
One person who commented on the brand's short film wasn't that thrilled with the new clothes selection. They said the options are "real basic and real boring." People aren't looking for "another run of the mill plus selection," they wrote. This person says people want the same kind of clothes Anthropologie always has, not a separate line with fewer options.
Another person rightfully clarified that plus-size collections such as this one does little but further separate fat women from others.
This person says that fat people don't want to be put into a separate plus-size section. They don't want different clothes from everyone else. They want the same thing as everyone else just different sizes.
The tweet reads, "Today @Anthropologie launched “APlus by Anthropologie.” Ask literally any fat person—we do not want a cutesy name, a separate tab, or to be treated differently than any other person. Our money spends the same. A little market research wouldn’t hurt you. Do better. #Anthropologie."
Anthropologie has had a petite line for a long, long time — like many other mainstream retailers.
Petite sizes have been available at Anthropologie since 2012, and they range from 00 to 16. Obviously, shorter women deserve to have clothing options as much as any other, but the preference of brands who launch petite lines without plus sizes says a lot about what kinds of bodies they find "acceptable" to wear their clothes.
Frankly, we could have seen this coming, given the behavior of sister brand Urban Outfitters.
Anthropologie is the big sister brand to Urban Outfitters, and back in 2017, UO had its own issue after featuring a plus-sized model in its ad campaigns. Plus-size model Barbie Ferreira starred in the brands ads that boasted body acceptance and confidence — but the brand still fails to create plus-size clothing options.
Let's pray that APlus continues to thrive and learn from its flaws that are already apparent.
