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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think clothes shops should have more plus sizes available?

135 replies

somekindoflife · 29/04/2014 20:38

I am going shopping soon with one of my friends and she is plus sized (about a size 26.)

It's going to be difficult as she has to get most of her clothes online which means a normal activity most people enjoy is in a sense denied to her.

Most shops only go up to an 18. AIBU to think they should introduce a range of plus sizes?

OP posts:

ShadowFall · 29/04/2014 21:05

Agree it's mostly down to supply and demand.

If the shops you name felt that they could easily and profitably sell size 26 clothes in their shops, then they'd stock them there. There's a fair number of high street shops that go up to at least a 20 or 22.

But on the whole, I think there's more plus size clothing available in shops than there was 10 years ago (at least round where I live).

BillyBanter · 29/04/2014 21:08

You were lucky to see a 16 when I were a lass.

Famzilla · 29/04/2014 21:13

Agree with korma. Clothes aren't even true to size nowadays, how much bigger are people planning to get!?

TimeForAnotherNameChange · 29/04/2014 21:16

With vanity sizing over the past decade a 26 is more like a size 30. I've been overweight almost my entire adult life and was obese at one point, but I try superhard to not let myself get above a current 14, but frankly I have ten year old size 18 trousers that are smaller than some of my current 14's. I have to say that I'm with Korma too, there are plenty of places to buy online, I'm not sure normalising morbid obesity in high street stores is the way to go.

backwardpossom · 29/04/2014 21:18

YABU - when I shop in the sales and the only sizes available are either reeeeeeally tiny or massive and there's never anything in the size I need. It's because more people are size 10-16 than size 26. Supply and demand. That's why they don't stock such large sizes. Sorry to be blunt.

Noodledoodledoo · 29/04/2014 21:26

I half agree and half disagree! I am a size 18/20 so feel her pain - I have spent many a girls day with my friends who have children wanting to go shopping as they never get a chance to go without the little ones and I get dragged into shops which go nowhere near my size. I spend a lot of time looking at cardigans, scarves (I never wear!), shoes and bags. I have a lot of them except the scarves!!! It is demoralising especially when I have been dieting for the last 10 years with varying effects, even been to see the doctor for help to work out what I am doing wrong - nothing it is just a slow process.

What I have found really really upsetting in the past few weeks is trying to find Maternity clothes. People larger than a 16/18 obviously aren't supposed to get pregnant! I have lost a lot prior to getting pregnant but no change in dress size - would love to know where it has gone from! But the frustrating thing is I am unable to change my size at this point in time as I can't diet/exercise too much but I am seriously struggling to get a basic wardrobe together. Apparently as a size 20 trouser all I want is to wear skinny jeans - didn't when I wasn't pregnant and don't want to now!!!

I agree as it has made me try to lose weight a bit more but now hate clothes shopping!

WorraLiberty · 29/04/2014 21:31

Size 26 is a specialist size, therefore you can't expect mainstream shops to stock them.

They'd go out of business if they had to stock for every possible size out there.

As has been said, it's about supply and demand.

Original poster

somekindoflife · 29/04/2014 21:34

Well, you can't really lose weight when you're pregnant Noodle - poor you x

OP posts:

Kormachameleon · 29/04/2014 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 29/04/2014 21:38

I agree Korma

Every September I see more and more 'generous fit' school trousers and skirts.

I'm not saying people shouldn't have clothes to fit them, but it's becoming more and more normalised...whereas just a few years ago the generous fit uniforms took up just a tiny rack in the shops.

EyelinerQueen · 29/04/2014 21:40

Completely and utterly agree with Korma.

I'm not skinny and even I'm fed up of vanity sizing. I'm usually a 12-14 and even at 7 months pregnant was able to get into loads of non-maternity clothes in town today. It's getting ridiculous.

WandaDoff · 29/04/2014 21:47

I agree with Korma too.

& I say that as a size 18 with ridiculously short legs.

Kormachameleon · 29/04/2014 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Suzannewithaplan · 29/04/2014 21:52

Clothing retailers aren't in the business of making public health policy, it's not their responsibility to normalize or condone obesity.

Furthermore it doesn't make sense to say they should cater for larger sizes, they are private companies not public services

Sleepyhoglet · 29/04/2014 22:13

I'm with korma. Those sizes are not normal and should not be in demand as much. I do get annoyed at lack of maternity clothes though

funkybuddah · 29/04/2014 22:15

New look do sizs that big. Wortha look in there

Louise1956 · 29/04/2014 22:16

most ordinary shops do have sizes above eighteen. but frankly i think there is probably a limited demand for size 26 clothing - that is larger than most ordinary people. has she considered losing some weight?

JonesRipley · 29/04/2014 22:20

I agree with korma

Kormachameleon · 29/04/2014 22:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 29/04/2014 22:30

At size 26 I would say it's more of a specialist size and shops shouldn't be expected to cater towards it.

Objection · 29/04/2014 22:31

I agree with Korma too. well said.

travailtotravel · 29/04/2014 22:32

OP - rather than the merits or not of losing weight or being judy pants about what size we all should be buying.

Where are you planning on going shopping? Can we come up with some recommendations for independent stores?

You sound like a lovely friend to be planning this with her as it can be quite stressful for anyone never mind those of us who are "not normal" or are "specialist" as others have so eloquently described it.

Original poster

somekindoflife · 29/04/2014 22:35

It's not really my business Louise

OP posts:

whois · 29/04/2014 23:01

26 it absolutely massive! How many people do you really see out and about that big?

It is obviously not worth shops stocking such huge sizes as there is little demand for them and the shops would have lots of stock left over. Shops are there to, un, make money you know. Not to provide a 'shopping experience'.

Just like shops don't often sell women's shoes in anything over an 8. Sure, some people have larger feet but not enough to justify stocking them.

Clothes for mega far people generally need to be engineered a bit differently too... What looks and feels great in a size 10 potentially isn't going to be good on a 26 ( hello chafing and industrial boob/fat roll support.

Tell you friend to get interested in buying cushions or candles if she wants a 'shopping hobby'. Or to loose weight and get into a size 18 which is stocked most places.

WorraLiberty · 29/04/2014 23:16

I'm quite surprised your friend doesn't know exactly where to shop for her specialist size though?

Why would it be difficult? Surely she's done her homework/research?

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