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 are both attractive and comfortable!

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 And when it comes to plus size clothing, the options are often frumpy, outdated, and just plain ugly. Many stores do not carry bigger sizes in-store, forcing plus sized people to shop online or settle for limited choices in the plus size section, which is often small and poorly curated. 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 hope on the horizon. Brands such as Kiyonna, ASOS Curve, and Eloquii are making strides in getting plus size apparel right. They’re designing pieces that are both fashionable and well-made - which also means they’ll last longer than your typical run-of-the-mill dress or shirt. Plus these companies are expanding their sizes to include a range of numbers in addition to 2Xs and 3Xs (and so on).

It is important for any fashion brand to offer a comprehensive size range, including larger sizes beyond 3X, to truly serve the needs of sized women and sized people. Finally! After years of frustration and having to turn my nose up at everything I saw in store windows, I’m finally able to purchase items that actually make me happy. Shopping for clothes doesn’t feel like punishment anymore! Now if only more brands would get on board with this concept…

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. The cost disparity is often justified by brands, but the same price is frequently charged for similar designs, regardless of size.

Some brands are making real progress. Lane Bryant, for example, is a fashion brand that has long catered to plus sized women and offers a wide size range, setting an example for other brands to follow.

The Solution

There are a few companies out there that are trying to change the plus size clothing industry for the better. One such company is eShakti, which offers custom-made clothing for women sizes 0-36. eShakti allows customers to input their own measurements, so you can be sure that the clothes will actually fit. They also have a wide range of styles to choose from, so you’re bound to find something you like. Another company making waves in the plus size fashion world is Dia&Co. The company sends boxes of clothing (sizes 14-32) right to your door and lets you pick your favorites and send back the rest with free shipping both ways. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’ve been disappointed by other plus size options! Some brands are now using plus size models and size models in their marketing to better represent the diversity of sized women and sized people, making the shopping experience more inclusive for every size person and plus size person. No matter what style or price point you prefer, whether you’re on a tight budget or just looking for some new pieces to add to your wardrobe—there’s likely a solution out there that will work perfectly for you. Choosing between those solutions might come down to personal preference, but choosing not to try at all doesn’t really seem like an option anymore.

The Result

A recent study shows that the average American woman is a size 14, which is considered plus size. However, most 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. Fashion designers often fail to consider the needs of fat women and fat people, leading to poor sizing and style choices that do not 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. If you’re one of these people, you’re not alone. In fact, you may need to go down one or two sizes before you find something that fits right.

There are some designers trying to make a change, but there needs to be more progress in this area if we want all people of all shapes and sizes to feel comfortable wearing whatever they want! Here at “Body Image Movement”, (Dempster, 2022) we think it’s time to demand better from mainstream clothing companies. We deserve beautiful designs that flatter our figures and help us feel great about ourselves. We believe everyone should have access to stylish clothes that allow them to feel confident and happy with themselves. The plus size section in many stores is often small, poorly curated, and does not reflect the same brands or marketing efforts as the rest of the store, making it even harder for plus sized people to shop for fashionable options. Thankfully, there are plenty of small companies creating fashionable apparel specifically for curvy women–and they’re doing an amazing job with their designs! We can all benefit from better quality options

We can all benefit from better quality options

It’s a common complaint among plus size people that the clothing options available to them are often of poor quality. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including the stereotype that plus size people are lazy and don’t care about their appearance, and the fact that plus size clothing is often made with cheaper materials in order to keep costs down. As a result, many plus size people are forced to either settle for clothing that doesn’t fit well or clothing that falls apart after a few wears. For example, I recently bought some new clothes from Old Navy. After one wear (and one wash), my sweater has already unraveled on the bottom. I’m not sure if this was just an isolated incident or if all Old Navy clothes are poorly made like this but it’s really disappointing because I loved this sweater and now I can’t wear it anymore without looking ridiculous! And what’s worse is that when I contacted customer service, they didn’t seem to care. They told me they would send me a coupon for 10% off my next purchase but they didn’t seem interested in hearing what had happened. The cost of plus size clothes is often justified by brands due to the supposed extra fabric, but in reality, the same price is often charged for similar designs, and the higher price is not always warranted by actual cost differences.

If you think it’s bad now...it’s about to get worse

The average American woman is a size 14, yet the majority of clothing retailers cater to sizes 0-12. This leaves many women feeling frustrated and left out. And things are only getting worse- according to recent studies, the average American woman is now a size 16. But don’t worry! Brands like ModCloth and ASOS offer plus-size lines that are inclusive. Still, I find myself shopping in my own closet more often than not because it seems like every other retailer has forgotten about me. Many stores do not carry a full line of plus sizes, and the market for plus size fashion is underserved, leaving fat people and plus sized individuals with limited options. Plus size fashion is just awful. It’s hard to know what’s good when everything you see looks bad on you. Every piece of clothing can feel so much better if it was made for your body type! I’m sure they’re all just as beautiful on someone else as they would be on me…except they’re not. Why does it have to be so difficult? Maybe someday we’ll have clothes that fit us perfectly, but until then I’ll keep wearing old t-shirtsleggings (or perhaps start sewing).

But there is hope!

There are a few companies out there that are changing the plus size clothing game and proving that fashion for larger bodies can be both stylish and affordable. A few of our favorites include ELOQUII, Universal Standard, and ModCloth. These brands offer on-trend pieces that will make you look and feel your best without breaking the bank. We’ve rounded up a few more of our favorite finds below. – Swimwear - You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars at a department store or sit in an uncomfortable fitting room just because you’re over a size 12. SwimsuitsForAll has been serving plus size customers since 1983 with high quality bikinis, one pieces, tankinis, and more in sizes 12-32 (US). – Dresses - Whether you’re going out on the town or need something chic for work, we’ve got dress options! Need a new work dress? Try Jenny Yoo’s In The Sky style in black velvet. Or how about the Petal gown from Dearfoams that comes in several colors including white and champagne for under $50. And if all else fails, a LBD is always appropriate ;) Some fashion brands are now including shoes and accessories in their plus size lines, and are using more inclusive marketing to reach the plus size person and better serve the needs of every size person.

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].