News

Fashion industry gets bigger with more plus-size options

August 27, 2012

Fashion-forward and plus-size have long been separated within the female fashion industry. With most traditional retailers offering up to a size 12, full-figured women have had few options when it came to stylistic self-expression.

But a recent article in the Chicago Tribune points toward a new trend in plus-size retail, one that shows clothiers are adapting to the growing size of many Americans.

Clothing stores now aiming at the plus-size demographic include H&M, Lucky Brand, The Limited and even the Kardashian sisters—whose Kardashian Kurves line launched in Sears.

According to recent data, retailers who do not adhere to the needs of the plus-size customer will miss out on a formidable chunk of market profits. The average dress size has increased since 1960, from size 8 to 14, creating a market for larger clothing and underwear that equals roughly $19.4 billion, or 18 percent of the $108 billion women's clothing market, according to statistics from the market research firm NPD Group Inc.

"We have outgrown the traditional definition of plus-size, old-(looking) muumuus and loose-fitting clothes," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst NPD Group.

Read more about specialty retail.