The Lament of the Plus-Size Corporate Woman - Why Can't I Find a Suit That Fits?

Have you ever wondered why you can't figure out what size you wear? This is certainly a very hot topic of conversation (and consternation!) with my daily clients and on my fashion and wardrobe blog.

Sadly, the answer is actually fairly simple...it's because there is little or no size standardization in the clothing industry. That problem is compounded by the fact that as clothes are sized up into plus sizes, construction issues become more complex because the fit becomes more complex. As a garment is sized up, each and every figure issue or anomaly becomes exponentially more challenging to the construction of a garment. When the fit of one aspect of a garment is changed, it effects all aspects of the garment. The larger the change, the greater the effect.

So as designers and manufacturers are faced with a less-than-healthy economy, how can they cut costs?

The Plus Size Industry

Nowadays, fashion designers start to take notice of the potential for plus size clothing to make money and at the same time showcase their talents in making gorgeous apparels for the larger population. Since PLUS size fashion pertains to the full figures, using plus size models for advertising campaigns and in catwalks makes it more appealing to the target population.

Actually, plus size models were used in campaigning for plus size fashion as early as 1940's but there was a bias against the bigger people and plus size modeling were kept out of the public's eye by the fashion industry until the early 90s as fashion in those times were focused on the "ideal body" shape which was the petite and skinny figure.

As per history, the trading began in the early 1920s for garments and by the middle of the 20s, clothing were sold under the category "For the Stout Women" by Lane Bryant. These garments had a bust line that ranged between 38 - 56 inches. 

What Is a Plus Size and Why Can't the Fashion Industry Deal With It Properly?

This is an area under debate at the moment and some people are clearly struggling with it. They know that plus size is popular and is a hot topic for discussion and they wish to participate and comment on the plus size market. But what is "Plus Size", what does it mean and how do we view it?

The words "Plus Size" are used to refer to clothing for larger people, there is a wide area of debate around what is considered to be large, where does it start? Size, 10, 12, 14 or 16?. The debate then also becomes associated with health issues as many people consider that larger people are automatically unhealthy (this is untrue). The Fashion Industry is totally focused on how people look and larger people do not figure on mainstream fashion's radar. This is regrettable as a lot of people are larger than the models generally used by the fashion industry (they are then expected to buy clothes modeled on thinner women). It is interesting that the fashion industry is associated with thinness which itself can also give rise to health issues.