Today, RunwayRiot honors the best in size-inclusive fashion from the past year. Our very own managing editor Iskra Lawrence ruminated over the brands that served up the most exciting, fashion forward, high-quality looks over the past year. Of course we wish there were MORE brands in more sizes, but these are the labels that made us excited to get dressed. People might be buzzing about the Oscars, but it’s much more important that you have access to the best threads. You know, so all women can raise street-level awareness about how cool they look.
So it is our distinct pleasure to present RunwayRiot’s awards for the very best in fashion from the best campaign and best runway show to the best rookie brand and best “What Young People Actually Want to Wear Out,” these are the labels that actually nailed it. Let’s jump right in.
Best Rookie brand: Universal Standard
Universal Standard, thank goodness you’re here. We needed beautifully minimalist fabrication, construction, and design. It’s a good look on so many women, and these are the most sexually appearing turtlenecks we’ve seen.
Just a chill time dripping with sexually appealing winterwear is all.
Best Runway Show: Chromat
Chromat is still the future of fashion week and life. We respect that Chromat is known for including curvier women, trans women, and women of different ethnicities. We also love that it’s the most ferocious, fearless, structured, technically advanced, killer showdown ever. Check out our video of the show and our interview with Denise Bidot on personifying the powerful brand here.
Chromat Fall 2016 fashion show.
Best Campaign: Aerie
Here’s Aerie girl Iskra Lawrence on why: “Aerie did something no other clothing brand has ever done, they did not retouch and they used a diverse range of girls.”
Best Going Out Clothes: Boohoo
Fire looks that are just so so sexy. The dresses and the matching sets are so in tune with what women Of Our Time want to wear today. Keep your eyes peeled for more Boohoo soon..
Best Outerwear: Asos Curve
Coat game strong, like this topper for example. Texturally, it’s working for us because it’s three panels of yes. It’s just too glam for words. It’s lined with satin, it’s “oversized,” and has a soft hand. You’ll look like three different kinds of carpet covered in strawberry milkshake. Thank you ASOS and ASOS Curve, for making these glorious soft shades of pink available sizes 4 through 24 so most people can wear something that makes them look like the rarest of ponies. (Duh, it’s faux.)
This coat makes winter O.K.
Best Independent Designer: La Quan Smith
Here’s Iskra talking about her favorite collection of NYFW this season, “Laquan Smith’s show was the most wearable, sexy and feminine I saw this season. This was all stuff you would wear tomorrow including that quilted jumpsuit. I loved the nudes and the rich color palettes. Everyone looked really strong, and really fierce including the Dobermans. Even more interesting, this was the only show I went to that offered people the opportunity to buy the things in the collection immediately on-site with iPads, which I think you’ll see a lot more of next season. Check out the video of the presentation here.”
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Models pose at SheaMoisture at Laquan Smith F/W 2016 NYFW at Jack Studios on February 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for SheaMoisture)
Best Activewear: Forever 21
Forever’s activewear line.
Forever’s new activewear line available in in sizes extra large, to 1x, 2x, and 3x, and for the cost of $15 (an Uber joy ride for a whole block,) you can buy sheer paneled leggings that look a lot like Rihanna’s matching Alexander Wang X H&M. We are loving what we are seeing from this collection and it’s not just because Anita, Ashley, and Denise are showing us how to wear things. It’s because we swoon over a paneled thing that’s black, so we’re pleased to see so much of it. Best of all, the sexy leggings and the black mesh top are very #healthgoth dungeon-themed yoga retreat, which is a vibe we aspire to achieve, yet fail to recreate daily.
Best Swimwear: Aerie
See anyone you know?
Look how happy Aerie’s no retouching because we’re totes good thanks policy makes us.
Best Skirts: City Chic
Show up to your ex-boyfriend’s funeral like.
Perfect for top-optional parties. Those ankles though.
Best What Young People Actually Want to Wear to a Party: Lavish Alice
Appropriately fire looks sized appropriately for most women.
So. Good.
Best Uniforms: Dorothy Perkins
All day, every day. One of the strongest recent additions.
Best Athleisure: adidas
Strong collabos, and all the best prints trending hard.
All day we dream about wearing adidas and looking out of windows.
Best Lingerie: Agent Provocateur
Simply the most delicate but devastatingly hot embroidered lace bras and underthings (from sizes A through E.)
Tangerine tulle, get ready for springtime world.
Best Jeans: Violeta Mango
All kinds of comfortable styles that fit like a dream and they have denim for days.
Do it to us Robyn.
Best Boots: Steve Madden
Marry us and let us borrow all your shoes. Cool shoutout over here.
Best Overall Footwear: Public Desire
Strappy sandals and ankles get out of our winter dreams and into our lives already.
That’s an entrance
