J.Crew launches collection with plus-size fashion brand Universal Standard

A lot has gone down since the legendary Jenna Lyons left J.Crew a little over a year ago, with an expansion in denim sizes, an affordable swimsuit line, and more. And now, J.Crew has announced a partnership with cult-favorite plus-sized brand Universal Standard. This revolutionary inclusive fashion brand is changing the game thanks to its beautiful minimalist designs. You’ll be able to get an exclusive capsule collection at your friendly neighborhood J.Crew, which is fantastic news for fashion lovers.

The Universal Standard x J.Crew collection is now available online and in 12 select J.Crew stores, ranging from $50 to $150. It includes 37 summer and fall pieces made to fit women along the size spectrum, including many who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to shop at J.Crew before. J.Crew’s choice marks a shift in the fashion industry as a whole: we’ve been seeing mainstream brands expand their sizing here and there, but this is a leap forward in terms of creating an accessible, high-quality clothing line that is also inclusive of all people.

If you’ve been itching to get your hands on some Universal Standard pieces, this is the perfect opportunity to shop the exciting and groundbreaking fashion brand.

The Universal Standard x J.Crew collection brings modern, elevated essentials to women sizes 0-32.

We spoke to Universal Standard’s co-founder and creative director Alexandra Waldman about what she hopes to accomplish with the J.Crew collaboration. Waldman told HelloGiggles:

"This is the beginning of an authentic change in the apparel industry and the start of true inclusivity. Through this partnership we are able to reach a larger audience, typically marginalized by the traditional retailer, and make clothing available to all women – regardless of style."

It’s not enough that brands just throw in a couple extra sizes at the end of the size spectrum to call themselves inclusive. As Waldman explained, in order to truly expand one’s audience in a way that is authentic, it’s imperative to work with a brand that understands the needs of its customers and makes cool, well-made, great-fitting clothes for all bodies.

This is a great move for J.Crew as the brand continues to pave a path in a new direction. Designer Christian Siriano mentioned a while back that when he added plus-sizes to his collection, his business tripled, and who wouldn’t want that? We hope this means that more brands will be jumping on the bandwagon the right way.

We asked Lisa Greenwald, J.Crew’s Chief Merchandising Officer, why it was important that J.Crew partner with Universal Standard. Greenwald said:

"Great style and great fit are important to all of our customers, thoughtful sizing and attention to fit are at the center of our design process. We're honored to have partnered with Universal Standard, experts in the field, on this collection which kicks off a much larger roll out of extended sizes, new fits and fabrications across the brand. We're on a mission to make great style available to everyone."

These clothes look absolutely dreamy. Shop the collection at J.Crew now.