Universal Standard takes a different approach to building a modern women's wardrobe. Founded in New York in 2015 by Polina Veksler and Alexandra Waldman, the company was established with size access at the center of its design process. Instead of treating larger sizes as a separate extension, Universal Standard describes its model as one collection spanning sizes 00 through 40.
Its wardrobe is deliberately broad. Shoppers can find polished workwear, relaxed basics, contemporary dresses, denim, tailored pants, skirts, shirts, T-shirts, sweaters, jackets and coats, as well as athleisure and intimate apparel. The current assortment includes everyday pieces such as Breton-striped tees, V-neck tops, ribbed T-shirts and long-sleeve styles, all displayed across the brand's size range.
Universal Standard's philosophy extends beyond simply putting more numbers on a size chart. The company says its garments are engineered for individual sizes and tested across the range before release. This approach focuses on proportion, construction, movement and fit rather than treating larger or smaller bodies as mathematical versions of one sample.
Materials are another part of the brand's proposition. Universal Standard highlights premium Peruvian cotton, stretch linen, wool, satin-back crepe and engineered denim, while its current collections include fabrics ranging from cotton and ribbed jersey to liquid jersey and other performance-oriented blends. The result is a wardrobe centered on versatile silhouettes, considered materials and broad size availability.