In a World of Shrinking Size Inclusivity, Eloquii Stands Larger Than Ever
In a slinky, moody bar in downtown Manhattan, models in tailored suits, pillbox hats, and cow-print pony-hair dresses moved to the thrum of croony jazz beats, suggesting a quiet, almost sexy defiance—a fitting soundtrack for a brand reborn. On paper, Eloquii's September fashion show was just another stop on the New York Fashion Week circuit. In practice, it was a quiet revolt, a runway where size inclusivity wasn't a token gesture. It was the entire point. Editors and influencers, nearly all of them plus-size, watched from crushed-velvet banquettes, celebrating a moment for a brand that shouldn't feel radical in 2025, yet during a runway season where size inclusivity has fallen off dramatically, it undoubtedly is.
After more than a decade in the business, American plus-size label Eloquii has been having a comeback that's equal parts revolutionary and refined. While the brand's master plan has been in the works for a while, it's only now that cool fashion people are starting to take notice.
In years' past, Eloquii was a name whispered with a shrug: dependable, sure, but never aspirational. Memories of early 2000s–style peplum tops and cold-shoulder sweaterdresses might still be linked to the label in some consumers' minds, but the current offerings are a far cry from the memes. Founded in 2011 as a side project within The Limited before relaunching as an independent brand three years later, Eloquii has spent more than a decade navigating the fickle currents of plus-size retail. With new capital and Creative Director Yesenia Torres allowed to finally design the label she's always dreamed of, Eloquii is finally hitting its stride.
The brand's debut runway show reads less like coincidence and more like defiance. Put against Vogue Business's Spring/Summer 2026 Size Inclusivity Report, the show feels even more timely. In 2025, the fashion industry is moving toward a post–body positivity movement world. Plus-size offerings are shrinking, and thinness is, once again, dominating the cultural mood board.
"Being able to see plus-size women walk down the runway is incredible, but then being able to see the looks and think, 'I would pay so much money for these pieces,'" explains Katie Bradshaw, a New York University master's student, journalist, and content creator. Bradshaw, who had loyally started buying the brand when she was in her senior year of college, feels like she's grown up alongside it. "Seeing how Eloquii has grown so much in these past four years—with now offering so many different styles that so many plus-size women love to wear—is something worth paying attention to," she says.
Eloquii is a rare success story in a moment when size inclusivity is sliding backward. Major brands have slowly pulled extended sizing, beloved indie labels have shuttered, and trend-driven options for plus-size shoppers remain frustratingly scarce. To some, including Bradshaw, Eloquii's resurgence is a glimmer of hope and socially validating. "Often, I'll wear something, and some of my straight-sized friends will say, 'Oh my gosh, where did you get that? I need the link,' and I'm like, 'Well, unfortunately, you can't shop here,'" Bradshaw coyly jokes. "It's something that, as a plus-size woman, I never thought I'd be able to say. Historically, it's always the other way around."
Under Torres's direction as the vice president of design, Eloquii has sharpened its aesthetic, modernized its fit, and reintroduced itself to a community that's long been underserved by mainstream fashion. There are no longer outdated peplum tops, drab oversize fits, and cold-shoulder blouses meant to "hide your problem areas." Instead, you'll now find dozens of garments that feel distinctly elevated and modern. Campaigns feature crafted aesthetics that can rival those of The Row and Khaite, and silhouettes, patterns, and palettes feel like they were plucked directly from the Parisian runways. The payoff may feel sudden, but Torres and her team have been orchestrating this transformation for years. After working in straight-size clothing development for years, Torres stumbled upon the brand and cold-emailed the founders, and the rest was history.
