Plus Size Apparel

If there’s any doubt about the level of opportunity which currently exists in teen plus size apparel (sizes 12 and up), let the facts speak for themselves. According to a U.S. government survey, 36% of all women less than 20 years of age are overweight, a percentage which has risen steadily over the past several years. For example, between 1973 and 1994, the number of obese 15 - 17 year olds doubled. While young women have been gradually growing larger, their choices for fashionable apparel have not kept pace. Data gathered by the Lifestyle shows that 27% of its female respondents in the 16-24 age groups wear sizes 12 and up. A whopping 56% of these women who wear plus size apparel could not find clothes they liked in their size, compared to 35% of young women in the same age group wearing size 11 and under. Furthermore, over two-thirds of the plus-size respondents claim that current styles don’t flatter their shape, against 41% of the smaller sized group. And these findings are echoed strongly by members of the industry.

                        It is most important for teenagers to fit in – they don’t want to be set apart wearing plus size apparel, or be forced to go to a special store or section within a store to find clothes they like that fit well. Instead of creating separate lines for larger sizes, manufacturers should expand and size up existing lines. A size 18 wants the same choices a size 8 wants – and buyers need to understand that.  These girls are proud of their bodies, and don’t want to wear clothes that cover them up. The vendors are selling a lot of short, pleated skirts and straight, long skirts with high slits. If you consider that 65% of all women are size 12 or better. The fact that this is a growth industry is pretty obvious. And, while the market has been untapped for some time, more and more companies are starting to jump on the bandwagon - including some of our favorites such as Junonia and Lane Bryant.

                                    But because a teen using plus size apparel can’t find clothes them like in their sizes, they often end up wearing boy’s clothes – oversized jeans and sweatshirts – and miss out on the feminine looks that they want. These girls don’t want to shop where their moms shop. Parents of this group have more control over buying decisions, and they don’t want their daughters in clothes that look either too grown-up or that are too girlish and revealing. I think many companies believe that tastes and styles change too fast in this group.

                         Sporty Capri pants, sexy plunging necklines and cool sleeveless shirts—these styles have long been off limits to women who wear plus size apparel. The fashion world is finally sitting up and taking notice of women with fuller figures.