When Size Really Matters
When Bernadette Brown goes shopping for a new outfit she usually finds herself in the same one or two stores. For her, and millions of other women like her, picking up a cute pair of jeans or flattering blouse isn’t as easy as shopping off the rack. For those who have a few extra curves, finding fashionable outfits requires time and lots of patience.
The multi-billion dollar plus-size fashion market has seen lots of changes over the past decade. More mainstream stores such as Old Navy and New York and Company have started offering clothing in larger sizes. Designers who specialize in plus sizes are gaining notoriety. Even fashion magazines like Essence feature and shows like America’s Next Top Model now include models with fuller figures. Despite these advancements, many full- figured women still feel they have very few choices.
“For someone who’s a size four, six or eight, they can find everything they need,” said Brown, a media executive in Atlanta. “For me, I have to go to one store for a top, then another store for the bottom. I have to piece outfits together. There’s not just one store for us. There’s not a trendy Gap for curvy girls.”
Even shopping for shoes can be a chore for women who wear larger sizes. When Brown couldn’t find a pair of knee-high boots that fit properly, she took her business abroad to Europe.
“I actually had to custom order boots from Europe. I had to go across the pond!” Brown said. “The boots look great and they don’t squeeze the meat from my legs.”
Another common complaint is that some stores offer clothes in extra-large sizes that aren’t crafted to flatter the figure of bigger women. Instead, the styles leave many women looking and feeling frumpy.
“These stores don’t cater to plus-sizes. It’s like they just take a smaller size and make it bigger by adding extra material instead of tailoring the clothes to fit our bodies,” said Brown. “Just because you’re holding on to some extra curves doesn’t mean you don’t want to be fashionable.”
Nnete Inyangumia has had similar experiences while shopping. She became so frustrated with her lack of fashion choices that she opened her own boutique that caters to plus size fashions. In 2008 Inyangumia opened her store, Strut, in Houston’s popular Galleria mall. She says the response has been tremendous.
“We’ve gotten so many ladies who come in and they’re like ‘Finally! Finally! Finally!’” said Inyangumia. “They’ve told me that they’ve never had this many options before. That’s what it’s really all about; it’s about having options. Women who wear other sizes, they can go to about 20 different stores. We’re limited to two or three departments that are in the back woods of the store.”
Since joining the business side of the fashion industry, Inyangumia has come face-to-face with some of the challenges of proving stylish wares for her clients.
“There are designers who only want to design for smaller sizes just like there are those who only want to design for full-figured women,” Inyangumia said. “I don’t know if the industry is changing or not, but what I’m doing is actively pursuing and seeking those people who are interested in the full figure market.”
Brown thinks the fashion industry still has some growing up to do. “Just because you’re over a certain size doesn’t mean you don’t want to feel beautiful.”
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I am stunned at some of the vicousness on this board. I guess some of the fat bashers would call me fat. I’m 5’7 and wear a 14/16. But dont act like I hoard food under my bed and keep cake and cookies stuffed in my purse. Truthfully, I hate sweets and fried foods, love salads and grilled fish. But my problem is I had three kids in seven years and I’m so busy that I never eat so my metabolism is shot to hell in a handbasket. I recognize that and am working on it. But it disgusts me when people automatically assume I’m my size because I can’t push myself away from the dinner table. You dont know my story so don’t judge me. That’s all I ask.
Some of the comments on this post are a little bit on the reckless side. It’s easy for people to sit back and judge until something happens to them. My only real gripe as a male with fashion for plus size women is when I see someone out who really squeezed into an article of clothing and it’s obvious, or tries to overstate her confidence by wearing something excessive. Different people find different things sexy, but I think there’s a general acceptable standard out there. The “if you’re over a certain size, you shouldn’t do x or y” is really relative to who you talk to. I’d venture to say that some of these comments probably come from people who attentively focus on others more than themselves. That’s a whole different topic though…
Excellent article, and interesting comments :)
wow… some of the posts i’ve just read is the reason why some sistas are dying to be thin. the viciousness if the comments surprises me. it’s not about how much you eat, or exercise. the article was about finding clothes that fit well for a larger woman. now as for myself, i’m losing weight (successfully after 28 years) and i’m currently a size 26, but the proportions of a woman, no matter the ethnicity are not being addressed by the fashion industry. the mannequins used are not larger mannequins or are proportioned out to fit women who have differently sized bodies. i feel your pain sistas, as i go thru the same thing. all i can say is find the designers who fit you best, and learn to sew or find a seamstress to alter your clothes. now to find accessories and shoes that fit…lol
Who is anyone to tell another person that just because they are harming their self by being overweight/over-eating, etc. means that they should be punished by not being allowed to be fashionable? People make their own choices for themselves. This is the ultimate “my body, my choice”. Think of what we may miss out on by not allowing people to create clothing for larger/thicker/”fatter” people. The real problem is when you start telling others what the can and can not do to themselves. It’s not your decision. It’s not like most people don’t realize that being larger isn’t healthy, and lecturing them doesn’t make them want to lose weight.
Another issue is that many people are overweight for reasons they can not control – disease, medications, and conditions for example. This has sadly been overlooked in this conversation! All SORTS of things cause women to gain weight: pregnancy, hormones, simply things like yeast infections and birth control (hormones again!), thyroid issues, tumors, both cancerous and not, and medication for depressions and anxiety. If anything these people need fashion even more!
As a note, I want to point out that I am not claiming that bigger women are necessarily harming themselves! Just realized my post might have sounded that way.
Its tricky…I agree with the idea that women need to get over the whole “big and beautiful” thing when they are a walking heartache, but the health thing is more complicated.
Im a 4 and my friend is a 2 and we both have high cholesterol levels from a metabolism that means that we never have to say no to a triple chocolate anything. When Im gorging on anything considered a treat I get smiles and winks but when my friend who is a 14 is even SITTING on a table with fried chicken or cake she gets disgusted looks. Which leads me to my next comment which might be a little…..erm…….harsh, but
Sha king…I DONT BELIEVE YOU! My friend who I mentioned has a similar diet to you, VERY HEALTHY! What she DOESNT tell you is that in the middle of the night when she thinks nobody is looking (and judging), she creeps into the kitchen and inhales the contents of the fridge.
Fat doesnt creep up in the middle of the night and slap itself on your arse. You might have a thyroid problem……
or be in denial?
@Brownbelle- A woman your height with a reasonably active lifestyle only needs 2000cals a day so what you consider deprivation is a normal diet, which probably explains……
I meant heart attack!
By the way…I dont think the woman in the picture is fat. Everything seems toned and in proportion and is sitting well on her larger frame, so she gets my vote for thick.
Everyone deserves to be fabulous. However, it is up to the individual to make healthier choices. Unfortunately, certain Fashion retailers will never cater to the plus sized community. It would be great if they did, but they don’t. So I truly believe that in order to get the clothing you desire you must work towards it. That means working out and dropping a few pounds. You don’t have to be skinny, just at a healthy size. Obesity is one the biggest problems we face in America and catering to those individuals is pretty much saying “it’s okay to be over weight”.
Everyone deserves fashionable, easily accessible clothing options.
It is so sad when some women attack others be it based on, complexion, weight, relationships, fashion choices, life style choices and educational differences.
Hello everyone. I used to be a size 6 and looked at plus size people with disgust…..until I became one of them. Due to stress and medication , I gained weight and now is a size 16. I think back at how insensitive I used to be to those around me who were plus size and say things like “Well, why don’t you just exercise or stop eating so much food!” Truth is they were exercising and eating rightmore than I was. It’s just they had different body types. You know, not everyone out here is plus size due to lack of exercise or poor diet. Many are on medication that cause weight gain. While others might lose weight or get headaches when they are stressed, many gain wieght b/c of it. Basically, not all plus size women are in the predicament they’re in b/c of poor habits, many have other circumstances led us to that point. You mean to tell me that we don’t deserve to look out best as well? That’s crazy! So, don’t comment about a person’s size until you walk a mile in their shoes.
WOW! I really enjoyed the article, but I am really disappointed in ALL of the very rude comments.
Im sitting here and thinking to myself self be glad this is the internet and not a social gathering where this was an open topic of discussion cause its a possibility that i would have slapped a few people. Now I read the article and I totally understand where she is coming from. Now what I didnt get is how this turned into a health topic cause its clearly about fashion. Now all the nasty comments that were left were un-called for. Who are you to say that being big isnt beautiful thats just like saying you cant say black is beautiful. Now im not going to say that some of you didnt make valid points in regards to eating right and exercising but what you dont understand obviously is its not easy I have been up and down on my weight for years and right now im up again and working my way down. But if you dont know what its like to be overweight you can judge me or anyother overweight female. You think its easy to walk into a gym NO ITS NOT we get judged for not going and we get judging when going there too people stare and make comments there as well and if someone isnt strong enough that will make them not want to go so where are they safe ?. And yup im a size 18 but you cant tell me im not fly I keep myself together always so if you think i dont deserve to be able to go shopping and come out feeling great about what i just brought oh well thats on you but to my big ladies keep your head up stay strong and dont let the hateful words of others get you down.
Im sitting here and thinking to myself self be glad this is the internet and not a social gathering where this was an open topic of discussion cause its a possibility that i would have slapped a few people. Now I read the article and I totally understand where she is coming from. Now what I didnt get is how this turned into a health topic cause its clearly about fashion. Now all the nasty comments that were left were un-called for. Who are you to say that being big isnt beautiful thats just like saying you cant say black is beautiful. Now im not going to say that some of you didnt make valid points in regards to eating right and exercising but what you dont understand obviously is its not easy I have been up and down on my weight for years and right now im up again and working my way down. But if you dont know what its like to be overweight you cant judge me or anyother overweight female. You think its easy to walk into a gym NO ITS NOT we get judged for not going and we get judging when going there too people stare and make comments there as well and if someone isnt strong enough that will make them not want to go so where are they safe ?. And yup im a size 18 but you cant tell me im not fly I keep myself together always so if you think i dont deserve to be able to go shopping and come out feeling great about what i just brought oh well thats on you but to my big ladies keep your head up stay strong and dont let the hateful words of others get you down.
I’ve worked in the fashion industry for over 10yrs and I’m still not sure what the answer is.
Any designer that can count to 4 knows that there is major moola to be made in that ever expanding segment (pardon the pun), but plus size brings a whole lot of issues.
From a technical point of view, the idiosyncrasies of womens shapes become more apparent the larger they get. Some are broad with flat chests, some have skinny legs and big bellies and others have perfect hourglasses. The designers solution to this is to produce a shapeless sack and hope for the best.
In terms of business, a lot of the companies who produce fashion forward plus size clothing target the highest earning group in the segment to make up for the the additional time and costs of plus size product development so those clothes tend to be expensive.
The psyche of fashion complicates things even further. Fashion is aspirational and producing clothing in sizes only a small percentage of women can fit into, fuels the desire. I know slim women who would put down a dress if they saw a heavy woman wearing it, and heavy women who will not go into a shop that caters exclusively for large sizes. So for the business person, plus size is a minefield.
Im not heavy, so I didnt find any of the comments rude or vicious, only somewhat insensitive. The only somewhat nasty comment came from duvalstatus…
” all you misinformed, paranoid afro-socialites out there, bless your heart. eat a sandwich, boo boo.”
I might be wrong but Im assuming from your “research” that you are big and like a lot of big women (NOT ALL!) have a bunch of reasons why you are fat but its never to do with eating a hell of a lot and moving very little. But being fat seems to have made you angry. Can I suggest you DONT eat a sandwich boo boo. x
@Illchick- I appreciate your honesty and I believe big can be very beautiful. You sound very confident in yourself which is the most attractive thing in a woman. If you cant find what you need in shops, go to dressmakers or try designers on etsy who will custom make. The industry will catch up eventually but you just have to be patient.
I think its sad that the black community is its worst foe.As back in history the issue of skin tone and hair blacks were the ones downing one another.This is just a modern day beating.The white community has its issues but within the black community if you dont look like a European black woman your not seen as beautiful.I pray that one day black people as a whole will wake and see the utter devastion which has been left not be whites but by our own hands.Im a fat girl or what ever you want to call me but you know what I love me and that that.I encourge some of you who have soo much to say to look in the mirror and see yourself as you really are without the weave make up and fancy clothes who are you.And when you realize your not God or anybody for that matter of importance to knock someone else because their confident will be the better for the black community as a unit
@christian ohonba- Are you saying that people who arent overweight are trying to be white!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to say that that is the most imaginative excuse for having a third helping that I’ve ever heard. LMAO!
to Krianne,
for your information the average clothing size for a woman in this country is 18. And, it’s not as easy as just losing weight. there are psychological, biological/genetic, emotional, socioeconomic, food supply, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the obesity epidemic taking hold in this country. Much revolves around stress, our sedentary yet busy life, and crime rates that are producing bigger and bigger Americans.
Fat prejudice is one of the last hurdles we have to overcome, and unfortunately I think you need to reexamine your feelings about the matter.
PBS has some great shows featuring scholars, doctors, social service workers and various other programming that is very informative on the matter.
So, before you go insulting people who are trying very hard to improve their life, inform yourself and take action.
I am a curvy black woman who loves fashion , so much I have my own websire . Come visit me lol. It is very hard to find fashionable well made clothes for people with hips butt and thighs. Especially if you like labels its virtually impossible. Finding jeans for me is the hardest thing , so when I find a brand and pair I like I buy in bulk. Its not fair that we are looked over in all aspects of fashion. But that is no excuse to not look extra hard and shine.