In a world increasingly focused on diversity and representation, one glaring omission remains in the luxury fashion industry: size inclusion in designer shoes. While strides have been made in ready-to-wear clothing, the luxury shoe market continues to overlook a significant need of a segment of its consumers. Let’s explore the need for size inclusion in designer luxury footwear, the challenges faced, and the brands that are leading the charge for change by already implementing size inclusion.
The Current Landscape of Luxury Shoes
Traditionally, luxury shoe sizes have catered to a narrow spectrum, often limited to sizes 5-11 in women’s and 7-13 in men’s. This leaves out a considerable number of individuals who fall outside these ranges. For women, the average shoe size has shifted over the years, with many women now wearing sizes 12 and up. For men, size 14 and beyond is becoming increasingly common. Despite this evolution, many luxury brands have not adapted their offerings, effectively alienating potential customers.
This mod de operandum creates a gap in the fashion market that both excludes a sector of consumers and reinforces a narrow definition of beauty and desirability. The message conveyed is clear: luxury is not for everyone. A poor message to the fashion world that could do nothing but benefit from a widened consumer base. I had to grow to understand that despite exclusion practice the truth was that fashion is for everyone.
High Stepping Demand
As society becomes more aware of the importance of inclusivity, consumers are demanding change. Years of rallying crys of equality and representation in a market that has always been based on strict exclusion, brands have begun to listen. The call for size inclusion in luxury footwear isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s about dignity and respect. When a consumer can’t find shoes that fit, they are often forced to compromise on their style and self-expression.
Luxury shoes are often seen as status symbols, and when a brand does not cater to a diverse range of sizes, it sends a message that not everyone deserves access to luxury. As consumers increasingly value brands that align with their ethics, the failure of diversity in sizing could lead to harm to brand identity and reputation and loss of market share. Cancel culture is a real consequence of not slighting consumers what they demand and garnering a culture of disrespect to a select group.
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Foothold of Size Inclusion
Creating inclusive size ranges is not without its challenges. For one, the production of luxury shoes typically involves meticulous craftsmanship and design. Extending size ranges often requires a significant investment in research and development to ensure that the aesthetics, comfort, and quality remain uncompromised. There are shoe designs that aren’t flattering on a larger foot and some toe box shapes make the foot look even larger, but this shouldn’t be a difficult obstacle for any of these experience fashion houses to tackle.
Additionally, many brands still work under the outdated belief that larger sizes will hurt their image or diminish the allure of exclusivity. This belief is rooted in the fashion industry’s historical emphasis on narrow ideals of beauty, where slenderness equated to desirability. This antiquated belief system ignores the science that the sector of women that are tall and have wider frame has grown extensively over the years. The average height, build and weight of the average women by country no longer resembles the stats of the 90s or earlier. However, this set of ideas is shifting, and brands that resist change may find themselves left behind in a consistently evolving marketplace.
The Role of Social Media and Consumer Activism
Social media has become a powerful platform for advocacy, allowing consumers to voice their concerns and demand change by rallying support for brands that prioritize inclusivity. Influencers and activists are increasingly using their platforms to spotlight brands that offer diverse size ranges, while calling out those that fall short.
Here are some brands that offer, what I call, a full range of shoe sizes:
This collective voice has a tangible impact. Brands are now more aware than ever that consumers are not just looking for beautiful products; they want brands that reflect their values. Social media campaigns can make or break a brand’s reputation, further pushing the conversation around size inclusion into the spotlight. Here is where my newly chosen profession intersects with this issue. Working with brands and building relationships with them is very important to me in my influencer journey. But when a brand that resonates with my personal style and speaks to my audience has a limit on the sizes that they offer, that limits rooms that I am allowed in and shuts out a portion of my audience. I hope to soon see a fashion industry gain more class and excellence from those that have long been excluded.
The Future of Luxury Shoes
The future of luxury footwear hinges on brands’ ability to adapt to changing consumer wants and needs which translates into demand. As we move forward, size inclusion should not be an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of brand identity. By offering diverse sizes, brands can expand their market reach and build a loyal customer base that feels seen and valued.
Innovative technologies, such as 3D printing, could also play a role in revolutionizing the industry. This technology allows for greater customization and can reduce the risks associated with producing extended size ranges. Better production management would save on production cost by analyzing spoilage data to identify those sizes are usually left to be sold off to outlets or retailers that buy leftover product. I know that I always see multiple size 5.5 to 6 shoes left over or in outlet stores. The materials used to make consistently unsold product would be better purposed for creating larger shoe sizes with a demand that already exists. As designers experiment with new methods, the possibilities for inclusivity become endless.
Say It Loud, Be Heard
In an industry defined by creativity and self-expression, the exclusion of larger shoe sizes is a glaring oversight. As consumers, we have the power and should leverage that power to advocate for change. By supporting brands that prioritize size inclusion, we can contribute to a more level fashion landscape. Luxury should not be a privilege reserved for a select few; it should be accessible to everyone, regardless of size. Even though everyone is not financially able or even wants to participate in the consuming of luxury goods, a broader consumer base wouldn’t take away from the aura and alure of luxury. As the conversation around inclusivity continues to grow, the luxury footwear market must step up, ensuring that every foot has the opportunity to take a place in the world of high fashion. Size inclusion in designer luxury shoes should already be a fact and not just a future place that we are still attempting to step into.
