Plus Size Clothing: It Is Time For The Fashion To Realize The Changing Size
A little discussed subject within the fashion designer world is obesity. Models who strut on the catwalks are notoriously skinny. They look like a good hearty meal would benefit them. When the truth is known, woman who are actually buying those clothes are not the super skinny models but a group of woman who need larger sizes. The fashion industry must wake up and take notice of this.
The obesity epidemic is increasingly hard for anyone to ignore. Over half of all women are overweight or obese. This proportion is even larger for middle-aged women, where closer to two thirds are overweight. In addition, the number of obese teenage girls is rapidly increasing. The result of these trends is an equally rapid increase in demand for clothing plus size and larger.
Indeed, the fastest growing market segment in the business is for plus size clothing. However, the fashion industry has yet to fully meet this demand. There is consistently a lag in fashion trends before they reach the plus size market, and even when they do they are merely sized up or scaled versions of clothes designed for skinny bodies.
The fashion industry has adjusted to the growing size of the population by inflating the size of items. What used to be a size 14 may today be a size 14. This gives the customer the idea that they are wearing a small size, without them having to face their larger figure. The result of this change is unhappy customers shopping for plus size fashion clothing.
The good news is that changes are on the way. For the first time since World War II, a consortium of clothes manufacturers, led by American plus size clothing makers, has conducted a huge sizing study for women. This way, they can be sure that clothing that they make will fit the women of today. There are some plus size only fashion shows and plus size models, but their numbers are still limited.
The obesity epidemic shows no signs of abating. Instead, it appears that for the near future at least, an even greater percentage of people will be overweight. The fashion industry is aware of this trend, but not to the extent the number of obese people would suggest. Indeed, instead of plus size clothing being a niche market, it is rapidly becoming the standard size sold to the majority of consumers. This new realty should be reflected by the fashion houses, with clothes that designed primarily for this demographic.
Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Find plus size deals at Woman’s Plus Size Clothing Discounts
- Andrea Dilea
:: Aug.28.2008 :: 1252 ::
