The Growing Popularity and Trend of Plus Size Fashion

The fashion trends that we see commonly are mostly stereotyped and directed towards a particular audience. The clothing brands usually design and develop clothes and outfits for people who have a slim figure and may easily fit into the clothes as to those who are comparatively healthy.

Plus size clothing store has become quite a trend in the last few decades, and now even popular brands cater to the increased demand for plus-sized apparel. The size of the clothes, however, varies from country to country. But in most countries, any size over 18 is considered plus size. Apart from people who are healthy and fat, there are many women with a moderate physiques who put on weight during pregnancy.

Why the Need Plus Size Clothing

Traditionally, the choices when it came to plus-size apparel were very limited, and certain women had to custom special design outfits that could fit them easily. But modern trends have changed, and technology has influenced many famous local and international fashion brands to diversify their business and cater to women who want stylish and extravagant clothes in big sizes.

The market for plus-size clothing has increased in recent years, and studies show that most of the trend is linked to eating disorders and obesity even in young aged people. The shape and size change rapidly in adolescence and then gradually from adult to old age. However, the body size and shape of certain women change mostly during pregnancy and after having children.

Experienced and qualified fashion designers are also venturing into designing elaborate plus-sized outfits, which is still considered a niche market in the fashion industry. The whole purpose is to allow healthy women to showcase their true personalities and also wear high-end clothes as supermodels do.

Today, plus-sized clothes such as high-waisted pants and trumpet skirts are available in retail outlets, boutiques, and clothing stores, which were not seen a few years ago. Renowned fashion designers have also introduced a separate ‘Plus Size Clothing Line’ for customers looking for big sizes.

Previously, all the high-end fashion and glittery outfits were made for girls and women having a slim physique, but now those clothes are also made in bigger sizes. According to some studies, the plus-sized segment is among the fastest-growing segment in the fashion industry. Women of all ages are continuously building up steam on social media and demanding extravagant clothes for healthier women.

The Significance of Plus Size Fashion Designers

Most of the people, women, and men included, are complaining that there is a lack of diversity and pressure on clothing brands. We live in times where women are encouraged to be themselves and express their thoughts, opinions, and views without any restrictions. The fashion designers and brands usually advertise plus-sized clothes for ‘Curvy’ women instead of using terms such as big or fat.

Plus size high fashion designers first determine the popular trends and then use their skill to design a wide array of plus-sized outfits from dresses to skirts to tops to sweaters and pants. Two of the key factors to consider in designing plus-sized clothes are fabric and fitting. For most designers, fabric selection is quite essential and may include cotton, polyester, rayon, silk, and viscose.

The selection of fabric may still seem easy, but the process of fitting can be challenging as there is not one particular plus size, and it depends on how the fabric stretches, drapes, and covers the body. Most of the designers use models for showcasing their outfits, and the models can give useful feedback on the technical details of the design. Many of the brands advertise sizes 20, 22, and 24, but later on, many customers complain that the sizes were small than the mentioned size. In truth, a size 22 should fit easily to a customer having a size 22.

Once a designer gets the size and fabric details right, the next task is to form a grade rule and then use it for other sizes. There is a specific pattern that a designer follows when grading and includes measurements of the waist, hips, and then grading according to clothing types such as tops, pants, sweaters, and jackets. All the clothing categories have unique grade rules.

The Challenges in Designing Plus Sized Outfits

Many of the established designers find making plus-sized clothing difficult as they have to need to consider every little detail which they may not consider when designing straight sizes clothes. Designers pick a silhouette and then style the garments, but still, they need to pick a fabric, adjust the fit, and address elastic waists.

Fashion these days still has a stigma regarding plus sizes, and individual designers and clothing brands need to step up and address the plus-size issues.               For healthy females, mostly, the sophisticated trends, colorful patterns, and flattering silhouettes are non-existent. However, the trends are changing, and plus-size apparel is not only easily available but also affordable.

The cost of plus size clothes depends on the quality of the fabric and range of sizes. The young and aspiring fashion designers not only design the clothes but run successful businesses and know they have to focus on listening to customer’s preferences instead of experimenting with their ideas.

The top-notch plus size designers have to take help from social media to advertise their outfits and apparel. Many people advocating for plus size clothing are quite vocal on social media and can easily grab the opportunity and even share exquisite designed plus size clothes. Some of the trending plus size clothes include the shoulder blouse, shift dresses, wide-leg pants, maxi dresses, and evening dresses.

The designers use beautiful prints and colorful patterns to style amazing plus size dresses for all body shapes and occasions. Thanks to social media, even the styles that the designers thought would not get popular seem to attract a good amount of following. Some extravagant dresses include fit and flare dresses, high-waisted pants, trumpet skirts, boot-cut pants, boxy jackets, wrap tops, and A-line skirts. There is a wide mix of classic and modern prints with sophisticated silhouettes which the women, in particular, can wear for work or in their everyday routine.