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Where Are the Fashionable Plus-Size Clothes?

Plus-size models are in, but fashions are struggling

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2010 12:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ever since Glamour published Lizzie Miller’s stomach paunch, plus-size models have found themselves in the pages of more and more magazines. Even so, the plus-size clothing market is struggling to catch up: It still represents just 18% of total women’s clothing revenue (even though 64% of American women are overweight), and sales declined an alarming 10% between 2008 and 2009. It’s just one part of the larger confusion over attitudes toward larger women in America, writes Ginia Bellafante in the New York Times magazine.

A big part of the problem is that once you get into plus sizes, the typical sizing chart no longer applies: “If a woman goes from a size 16 to a 20, you just can’t say with any certainty how her dimensions will change,” says a pattern maker. “As someone getting into plus-size, you can either make clothing that is shapeless and avoid the question altogether or target a segment of the market. You really have to narrow down your customer.” Click here to read the complete article.

Gabi Gregg, organizer of the Young Fat and Fabulous Conference, second from right, tries on some jeans at the plus-size fashion retailer Torrid in New York, Thursday, July 8, 2010.
Gabi Gregg, organizer of the Young Fat and Fabulous Conference, second from right, tries on some jeans at the plus-size fashion retailer Torrid in New York, Thursday, July 8, 2010.   (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
hopeandchange
Aug 1, 2010 3:42 PM CDT
"You really have to narrow down your customer.” hahahaa too funny.
opheliaglass
Aug 1, 2010 3:39 PM CDT
Many styles that look good on rail-thin models look tacky on the medium person, let alone the plus-sized woman. The silhouette and balance get messed up. This is a very good point that there need to be more size-specific styles that aren't just a shapeless cloak.
JGirl
Jul 29, 2010 2:11 PM CDT
fashionable can only go so far. i have a friend who is plus-sized, and she finds very nice clothing in several shops here in town. however, if you're the size of a house, you may as well go to the building center and get yourself some siding, because, really, who's checking out your style at that point?

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