Draper James & Eloquii: Size-Inclusive Southern Fashion

Reese Witherspoon brings Southern charm to sizes 12-28 with Eloquii partnership

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 3, 2025

Reese Witherspoon brings Southern charm to sizes 12-28 with Eloquii partnership

The Revolutionary Partnership Between Draper James and Eloquii

In March 2018, the fashion industry witnessed a groundbreaking collaboration that would redefine size-inclusive Southern style. Reese Witherspoon’s beloved lifestyle brand Draper James joined forces with Eloquii, a pioneering retailer specializing in sizes 12 through 28, to create an extraordinary capsule collection that brought Southern charm to women of all body types.

This partnership marked a significant milestone for Draper James, which had previously only offered clothing up to size 16 (XXL). The collaboration responded directly to customer feedback, demonstrating how consumer voices can drive meaningful change in the fashion industry. For many women who had long admired Draper James’ aesthetic from afar, this collection represented their first opportunity to wear the brand’s signature Southern-inspired designs.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. As the body positivity movement gained momentum and consumers increasingly demanded inclusive sizing, established brands were being challenged to expand their offerings. Draper James’ partnership with Eloquii showcased how traditional brands could successfully evolve to serve a broader customer base while maintaining their distinctive aesthetic identity.

Understanding the Draper James Brand Philosophy

Draper James, launched in 2015, embodies Reese Witherspoon’s personal connection to Southern culture and lifestyle. Named after her grandparents, the brand represents more than just clothing – it’s a celebration of Southern hospitality, charm, and joie de vivre. The brand’s philosophy centers around creating pieces that capture the essence of Southern living while maintaining a modern, wearable appeal.

Witherspoon has consistently emphasized that her brand aims to reflect the fun-loving, joke-telling spirit she shares with her mother and girlfriends. This philosophy translates into clothing designs that feature bright colors, playful patterns, and whimsical details that make women feel confident and joyful. The brand’s aesthetic draws inspiration from garden parties, front porch gatherings, and the warm, welcoming nature of Southern culture.

Before the Eloquii collaboration, Draper James had established itself as a destination for women seeking polished yet approachable Southern style. The brand’s portfolio included not only women’s clothing but also accessories and home accents such as candles, books, silver pieces, pillows, and stationery, creating a complete lifestyle brand experience.

The Eloquii Partnership: A Strategic Alliance

Eloquii emerged as the perfect partner for Draper James’ size expansion initiative. Founded in 2014, Eloquii had already established itself as a progressive force in plus-size fashion, offering fashion-forward designs for women in sizes 14-28. The brand’s commitment to creating stylish, well-fitted clothing for plus-size women aligned perfectly with Draper James’ goal of serving all customers who desired their aesthetic.

The partnership developed organically when Draper James reached out to potential collaborators. According to Mariah Chase, Eloquii’s CEO, the connection was immediate. The brands discovered shared values and complementary strengths that made the collaboration feel natural rather than forced. Particularly significant was the Southern connection – Eloquii’s creative director, Jodi Arnold, hailed from Alabama, bringing authentic regional understanding to the partnership.

This collaboration represented more than just a size extension; it was a meeting of two brands committed to serving women who had been underrepresented in fashion. Eloquii brought years of expertise in plus-size fit and construction, while Draper James contributed its distinctive aesthetic and loyal customer base eager for expanded sizing options.

The Complete Collection: Two Distinct Themes

The inaugural Draper James for Eloquii collection launched with 30 carefully curated pieces, organized into two distinct but complementary themes that showcased the versatility of Southern-inspired fashion.

Escape Route: Preppy Southern Charm

The “Escape Route” collection embodied classic preppy aesthetics with a distinctly Southern twist. This line featured gingham shirts that became instant favorites, capturing the timeless appeal of checked patterns in fresh, modern silhouettes. The collection included bright spring dresses perfect for garden parties or weekend brunches, and ruffled skirts that added feminine flair to any outfit.

Key elements of the Escape Route collection included strategic use of bows, stripes, and gingham patterns that created visual interest while maintaining wearability. The preppy vibe was softened with Southern touches, resulting in pieces that felt both polished and approachable. These designs proved that preppy fashion could be inclusive and accessible to women of all sizes without compromising style or sophistication.

West Coast Inspiration: Tropical and Floral Motifs

The second theme drew inspiration from West Coast aesthetics, incorporating tropical and floral patterns that brought a fresh, vacation-ready feel to the collection. These pieces featured bold botanical prints, sunny color palettes, and relaxed silhouettes that captured the laid-back luxury associated with California style.

This West Coast-inspired segment demonstrated Draper James’ ability to expand beyond purely Southern themes while maintaining brand coherence. The tropical patterns and floral motifs created pieces suitable for warm-weather occasions, from beach vacations to summer celebrations, proving that Southern charm could translate beautifully across different regional aesthetics.

The Shopping Experience: Multiple Retail Channels

The Draper James for Eloquii collection launched with a comprehensive retail strategy that maximized accessibility for customers. The line was available through multiple channels, including Eloquii stores and website, Draper James’ online platform, and Rent the Runway, providing flexibility for different shopping preferences and budgets.

This multi-channel approach was particularly significant for plus-size fashion, where customers often faced limited shopping options. By partnering with Rent the Runway, the collaboration also addressed the growing trend of rental fashion, allowing customers to experience luxury pieces for special occasions without the full purchase commitment.

The pricing strategy, ranging from $55 to $225, positioned the collection as accessible luxury – premium enough to maintain brand prestige while remaining attainable for the target demographic. This pricing reflected the quality construction and design expertise that both brands brought to the collaboration.

Customer Response and Market Impact

The market response to the Draper James for Eloquii collaboration was overwhelmingly positive, validating the brands’ decision to prioritize size inclusivity. Customers who had long admired Draper James from afar finally had access to the brand’s signature aesthetic in their sizes, leading to emotional responses from longtime fans.

The collaboration’s success demonstrated the significant untapped market for size-inclusive Southern fashion. Many customers expressed gratitude for finally having access to well-designed, regionally-inspired clothing that fit properly and reflected their personal style preferences. This response highlighted the importance of representation in fashion and the business case for inclusive sizing.

Fashion industry observers noted the collaboration as an example of how established brands could successfully expand their market reach while maintaining brand integrity. The partnership showed that size inclusivity didn’t require compromising on design quality or aesthetic vision – instead, it opened new opportunities for creative expression and customer service.

The Creative Process and Design Philosophy

Witherspoon emphasized the collaborative nature of the design process, highlighting how Eloquii’s expertise in plus-size fit and construction informed every aspect of the collection. Rather than simply scaling up existing designs, the teams worked together to create pieces specifically optimized for the size 12-28 range.

This approach recognized that plus-size fashion requires specialized knowledge about fit, proportion, and construction techniques. Eloquii’s years of experience working with their customer base provided valuable insights into preferences, fit issues, and styling needs that informed the design process from conception to final product.

The creative philosophy emphasized fun and wearability over trends, creating pieces that women could incorporate into their existing wardrobes while adding distinctive Southern flair. This approach resulted in versatile pieces suitable for various occasions, from casual weekend wear to more formal events.

Future Collections and Brand Evolution

The success of the initial collaboration led to the development of additional collections, including “Hello Darlin’,” which launched in April 2018. This follow-up collection continued the partnership’s momentum while introducing new elements such as Draper James’ signature magnolia print and denim separates.

These subsequent launches demonstrated the brands’ commitment to the partnership beyond a single seasonal offering. The ongoing collaboration allowed for deeper exploration of Southern themes while continuously refining the fit and styling based on customer feedback and sales performance.

The partnership’s evolution showcased how successful collaborations could grow beyond initial concepts, creating ongoing value for both brands and their shared customer base. Each new collection built upon lessons learned from previous launches while introducing fresh design elements and seasonal relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What sizes are available in the Draper James for Eloquii collection?

A: The collection is available in sizes 12 through 28, representing Draper James’ first expansion into true plus-size offerings beyond their previous XXL (size 16) limit.

Q: Where can I purchase items from this collaboration?

A: The collection is available through multiple channels: Eloquii stores and website, DraperJames.com, and Rent the Runway for customers interested in rental options.

Q: What is the price range for the collection?

A: Items in the Draper James for Eloquii collection are priced between $55 and $225, positioning the line as accessible luxury with quality construction and design.

Q: How many pieces are included in the collaboration?

A: The initial collection featured 30 pieces total, divided between two themes: “Escape Route” with preppy Southern elements and a West Coast-inspired line with tropical and floral patterns.

Q: Will there be future collections from this partnership?

A: Yes, the collaboration has continued beyond the initial launch, with additional collections like “Hello Darlin'” being released in subsequent seasons, indicating an ongoing partnership between the brands.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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