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Athletic-wear giant Nike just added plus sizes to its women’s wear line — because it’s 2017, and about time strong women with bodies of all forms have the available athletic options they have long deserved. 

The new plus-size line includes sizes 1X-3X and is an effort to further diversity in both ethnicity and body shape, according to Nike. 

“Nike recognizes that women are stronger, bolder, and more outspoken than ever. In today’s world, sport is no longer something that she does, it’s who she is. The days where we have to add ‘female’ before ‘athlete’ are over,” Nike said.

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“‘She is an athlete, period. And having helped fuel this cultural shift, we celebrate these athletes’ diversity, from ethnicity to body shape.’” 

Nike has been gearing up to release its additional sizes since the company shared a sneak-peek of the line via Instagram featuring plus-size model Paloma Elsesser.  

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The brand is now offering more than 200 products in sizes larger than an XL. Sports bras will also now include sizes up to a 38E.  

Apparently it’s not really about size: 

"Strong is the keyword for us; size doesn’t matter," said Helen Boucher, vice president of women's training apparel, said. 

Customers, however, disagree. Because for millions of women excluded for years who face even more hardship from shrinking clothing thanks to a history of “vanity sizing” — it has been about size.

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Elsesser, who Nike featured, had trouble finding jeans in her size as a young girl. Nike competitor Puma, doesn’t even have sizes larger than a 10, which cuts out a majority of women as the average woman in the US is between a size 16 and 18. 

The new line comes after an Nike released a campaign with a message on equality with this ad. And another ad featuring Muslim women in a powerful light. 

The sportswear addition has been well-received after a long-wait. 

And though it seems late in the game to acknowledge that, yes, women with curves workout and need athletic gear options too, other large athletic brands such as Puma, Adidas, LuluLemon, and Athleta still need to literally, follow suit. 

For now, it looks like Nike is leading the way in equality advertising, and following through with a promise to include all.

TopicsDiversityNikegirls and womenInclusiveness

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Nike Finally Adds Plus Sizes to Its Clothing Line Because It's 2017

By Meghan Werft