Plus-size clothing

Plus-size clothing is a general term given to clothing sized specifically for men and women of large build. Plus-size refers specifically to clothing labelled size (US) 14 / (UK) 16 and upwards for women, and for sizes over XL for men. Also called Outsize in some countries (predominantly British), this term has been losing favour since the 1990s. A synonymous term for men's plus-size clothing is big and tall.

Garment size labelling

In North America, Australia and many European countries, plus-size clothing is labelled either numerically (14,16,18, etc); by using the letters 'X' and 'XL' and a numeral together (i.e. X, 1X, 2X, XL, 1XL, 2XL, etc); or with the designer's own system of sizing which is conceived with the philosophy of reducing stigma attached to body size. [i.e. 'Diva", 'Gorgeous', 'Extra Gorgeous', per Bodywise.com.au] The majority of brands employing the 'X' sizing policy produce garments up to size 3X/3XL. The 'XL' is an abbreviation of 'Extra Large'. Sometimes the letter 'W' appears after the numeral (i.e. 14W) as an abbreviation for 'Woman', denoting sizing for a more mature figure, however this is a trait of mainly U.S. designers and is not an internationally-adopted practice.

Extended sizes

Garments over a size 28 or 5x are often referred to as 'Extended Size' or 'Supersize'. This style of size labelling also prevails on garments for men.As many plus-size brands do not offer sizes above 3X in stores, catalogue and shopping via the internet is common for women (or men) who wear above that size.

Garment fit and construction

Plus-size clothing patterns have traditionally been graded up from a smaller construction pattern, however many retailers are using statistical data collected from their own measuring projects, and from specialized [http://www.ntcresearch.org/pdf-rpts/Bref0601/I00-S15.pdf Body Scan Data] collection projects to modernize the fit and construction of their garments. U.S. companies Lane Bryant and Catherines teamed up over a three-year period to source data to modernize the companies' garment construction. Fourteen thousand women were measured in what was the most extensive female sizing study in the U.S. in over 60 years.

Market

United States

Although statistical data suggests that the average women's size in the United States is size 14 with over 60% of the female population wearing that size or higher, American retailers continue to predominately cater to smaller-sized customers. This exclusive attitude is beginning to change as companies realize vast growth in profits in the plus-size garment sector, and in year 2000 plus-size items were 30% of the total women's retail market. The longest-established and therefore most recognizable plus-size brand is Lane Bryant, part of the Charming Shoppes group which has four plus size brands serving the national market. In addition to their retail stores, Charming Shoppes produces "Figure Magazine", available on newsstands and in stores, featuring the company's ranges in editorial spreads, and also related lifestyle articles in a standard women's magazine format.

The fastest growing sector of the plus-size garment industry is junior or youth designs, and many brands are seeking ways to evolve into a younger customer base from what is traditionally viewed as a rather conservative and old-fashioned aesthetic and clientele. Market-leader Torrid evolved from the Hot Topic company, and continues to sell products such as ironic slogan and musician t-shirts, and punk/goth/rock clothing that appeals to customers seeking to express themselves outside of mainstream popular culture.

The growing use of the internet for online apparel retailing is being explored by niche vendors of extended plus size fashions (sizes 4X and above) in the same sought-after styles that have been available to women in sizes 1X to 3X for years. Once considered an ignored sector within the plus-size market, the appeal and viability of extended sizing has become apparent via expansion into this market by high street retailers such as Old Navy.

Australia

The Australian plus-size clothing market has been growing since at least 1994, with major department stores such as David Jones, Myer, and Target producing their own brand ranges, and an increase in the number of individual boutiques and national chain store outlets across the country. Sizing in Australia is not syncronous with the US; plus size garments are considered to be size 14 and upward, which is the equivalent of a US size 12.

Major Australian brands for plus-size clothing include: Maggie T, My Size, City Chic (formerly Big City Chic), Sara, Autograph, Embody Denim, Taking Shape, Basque Woman, BeMe for Rockmans, and Free People.

United Kingdom

In the UK there are over sixty brands for plus-size women's clothing, with chain stores such as Elvi, Evans and Ann Harvey, and high street department stores carrying extended sizes in many of their brands. In the U.K. plus-size is generally thought of as beginning at size 16, which is roughly equivalent to a US14.

ee also

* Plus-size model
* Fit model

References