Plus-Size Clothing At Forever 21
Did you know that the average American woman weighs 162.9 lbs, and is a size 14? I sure didn’t. I have to really focus to recall a woman I know under 200 lbs.
I was just reading an interesting article recently published by the L.A. Times, about the uneasy relationship between the fashion industry and plus-sized women.
Why are larger sizes only available at disproportionally fewer stores, and why does the selection of styles leave so much to be desired? This is clearly a goldmine of a niche, as the article explains: “Full-figured women still spent $18.6 billion on apparel in stores and online from December 2007 to November 2008″, this in spite of significantly fewer options.
There are a number of factors to explain the lopsidedness, ranging from development costs to fitting issues with bodies of different proportions and sizes. Perhaps most vexing was the suggestion of discrimination from within the industry itself. Is the disdain for overweight women so great that designers would purposely avoid aligning themselves with the plus-size demographic, despite the potential to make billions?
In a separate article, it was revealed that Forever 21 was debuting a plus-size line, called Faith 21, on May 1st, 2009 with sizes up to 2X.
(Photo by DK. Model: Kim)
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Here in South Africa, clothing for woman larger than 'normal' is limited and usually frumpy.
South Africa is a place that I know so little about. I wonder how I, a tubby middle-aged guy, would go about finding clothing there. It must be especially difficult for 'women of size.' I'd like to know more….
I have that bra! It's one of my favorites
At least America is a bit more conscious of the market out there for us normal girls, I find it absolutely impossible to shop for myself living in Ireland now, there is only one plus-size chain here and cute stuff is nowhere to be seen. and the sizes over here run one size bigger than American sizes, so my 22 becomes a size 24 here, which is not carried in ANY shop, save the aforementioned plus-size boutique. The women here are so ridiculously tiny! Thank you so much for starting this blog and taking on these issues!
Hi Sarah,
That is really unfortunate. I hate hearing these stories, and I marvel at the notion that someone isn't scurrying to fill the void.
Thanks for reading, and for your kind support!
DK
I echo everything here. Especialy the racks of prints my grandma wouldn't even wear…not to mention all the bejeweled crap. Who wear's that stuf? Can I also point out that stores that are for larger women are SOOOO expensive!!! Hello? 45 bucks for a nice shirt to wear to work, or 60 bukcs for a nice summer dress? Please!!!! I don't make a lot of money. I just want nice, modern clothes that don't cost a million bucks.
OMG Manda! I was just in a Lane Bryant doing a little field research, and I found a garment that was the epitome of what you're talking about. I only wish I could have gotten a picture. The garment in question defies description, but let me just say that I had no idea Lane Bryant catered to septuagenarian sorceresses. DK
And somehow it's even harder to shot in Canada. Ridiculous.
With the handful of chains and clothing lines in the U.S., most people I know shop online. Which I can only imagine to be very frustrating.
Oy vey. Please do not even get me started on this topic. I have long scratched my head over the minuscule options for women of size and style. Even in stores exclusive to larger women, you will find countless racks of shapeless sacks covered in HUGE floral prints, as well as numerous Winnie the Pooh or Mickey Mouse appliques. WTF? I DID know that the average woman was a size 14, which is why I am flabbergasted that most clothing sizes STOP at that number. Sometimes, just shy of it. I suppose fashion designers assume that fat people are all schlubs who couldn't be bothered with modern, and *gasp* flattering, choices. There are a few, and I do mean a few, stores and online catalogs that I am willing to hand over my money to. And you are right. The fashion industry is missing out on the potential to make billions. Big girls like to look cute.
You're right, big girls do like to look cute. Nothing is prettier than a big girl all decked out in an out fit that she knows she's rockin', with meticulous hair, nails and so on. I always shudder when I see an otherwise attractive young lady wearing clothing designed with her grandmother in mind.
If I knew anything at all about fashion design and manufacturing, I'd jump on this. It blows my mind. Seriously.