Plus Size Clothing: Why Does it have to be So Awful?

"Plus Size Clothing: Why Does it Have to Be So Awful?" — it's a question many women find themselves asking each time they walk into a store or browse online, only to be met with limited options that feel more like compromises than choices.

However, this doesn't have to be the case. Plus size clothing doesn't have to be boring or frumpy — it can also be stylish and trendy. This article will give you tips on how to find stylish plus size clothing in your budget that is both attractive and comfortable.

The Problem

There's no denying that the fashion industry has a plus size problem. The average American woman is a size 14, but most designers stop at size 8. This leaves many women feeling frustrated and left out. And when it comes to plus size clothing, the options are often frumpy, outdated, and just plain unflattering. Many stores do not carry bigger sizes in-store, forcing plus size shoppers online or into a small, poorly curated plus size section. It's no wonder that many plus size women feel like they can't find clothes that fit both their bodies and their personal style.

But there is progress. More brands are designing pieces that are both fashionable and well-made, and expanding their size runs well beyond 2X and 3X.

It is important for any fashion brand to offer a comprehensive size range — including sizes beyond 3X — to truly serve plus size customers. Shopping for clothes shouldn't feel like punishment.

When it comes to pricing and quality, plus size clothes are often sold at a higher price than standard sizes, even though the cost of fabric is not significantly different. That disparity is frequently justified by brands, but the same price is often charged for similar designs regardless of size.

What actually makes plus size clothing work

After years of hearing the same frustrations from our own customers, a few things consistently separate plus size pieces that work from ones that don't:

• True size runs, not stretched straight sizes. A garment graded properly for a size 18 fits differently than a size 8 scaled up. Our Judy Blue denim runs 0 through 24W with the same fit logic throughout.
• Room through hip and thigh. This is where most plus size bottoms fail. It's why wide leg cuts have become the most requested silhouette in plus size dressing.
• Waistbands that hold instead of dig. High-rise with real tummy control does the work shapewear used to.
• The same price as straight sizes. Paying more for more fabric is a practice worth questioning.

The Result

The average American woman is a size 14, which is considered plus size. However, much plus size clothing is made for women who are a size 18 or above. This leaves many women who are in between sizes feeling left out and frustrated. Plus size clothing is often ill-fitting, poorly made, and unflattering. Designers frequently fail to consider the needs of plus size women, leading to sizing and style choices that don't reflect the diversity of plus sizes. It's no wonder that so many women feel bad about their bodies when they can't even find clothes that fit them properly.

There needs to be more progress if we want people of all shapes and sizes to feel comfortable wearing whatever they want. It's time to demand better from mainstream clothing companies. Everyone deserves designs that flatter and clothes that help them feel great. The plus size section in many stores is still small, poorly curated, and doesn't reflect the same brands or marketing effort as the rest of the store — which makes shopping for fashionable options even harder than it should be.

We can all benefit from better quality options

It's a common complaint among plus size shoppers that the clothing available to them is of poorer quality — often made with cheaper materials to keep costs down. As a result, many plus size customers are forced to either settle for clothing that doesn't fit well or clothing that falls apart after a few wears. A sweater that unravels after one wash isn't a size problem; it's a manufacturing decision. And when the same design costs more in a larger size without a corresponding cost difference, that's worth naming too.

Where to go from here

The market is underserved, but it is improving — and you have more options than the mall would suggest. If you've been disappointed by fit, start with pieces built around the parts that usually fail: the waistband, the hip, and the thigh.

• Plus size jeans & denim — tummy control and true full-size runs.
• Plus size wide leg pants & jeans — the most forgiving cut, with room where you need it.
• Plus size tops & sets
• Plus size dresses
• Swimwear

Dempster, A., 2022. Libby picked up a camera to take empowering photos of women and never looked back. [online] Abc.net.au. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-27/she-is-seen-body-image-movement-empowers-women/100861516 [Accessed 14 July 2022].