To think clothes shops should have more plus sizes available?

[somekindoflife]

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?

sirzy Rhine is pointing it out because OP is asking for opinions on the subject of plus size clothing. I'm sure Rhine doesn't go out her way to terrorise fat people

Obviously people who aren't in the 'normal' range should just walk around naked!

But why does it need to be pointed out at all? If someone started a thread asking for advice of where to buy a certain type of car, or saying automatics should be easier to find would people start saying "driving is dangerous" we all know it is so it's not needed to point things out,

sigh nobody has actually said anyone should be walking around naked, people are saying it does not make any business sense to stock sizes outwith the 'normal' range.

Because the OP raised the subject! She's pointing out on a thread about larger people. Are we only allowed to say lovely things on MN now? It doesn't mean she goes round telling random people they're fat does it?

I'm 5 foot tall and mostly have to shop online to get a good fit. It's no biggie, I don't expect businesses to make a loss so I can have an entertaining day out.

Shoe retailers might as well just embroider 'frumpy old lady feet' on the wide shoes, or am I meant to walk about barefoot :(
I think all this wide feet shaming is disgusting

A couple of people have said that shops shouldn't encourage people to be overweight by stocking plus size clothes. I don't agree with this personally I think they should sell what people are willing to buy.

Everyone else has pointed out it's supply and demand and that the OPs friend is not a victim because the high street seldom caters outside the normal body shapes. Difference is larger people can make a change and fit in smaller clothes if they lost weight. Puts them at an advantage to talk people for example.

Rideyourbike said she doesn't think clothes should be made available in bigger sizes. So the only alternative to that is walking around naked surely?

Suzannewithaplan
Maybe you should walk around BARE FOOT you wide footed imbecile. You don't deserve lovely shoes!!

sirzy I agree with you there, shops shouldn't refuse to cater just because people are fat if the larger clothes make them a profit, it would never happen. That, IMO, is a stupid idea but wasn't remotely what rhine was trying to convey

But it wasn't responding to Rhine! My issue with Rhine was this idea that the fact that being obese is bad for you needs to be pointed out - I doubt anyone is unaware of the fact that obesity is bad for you, Unfortunatly knowing something is bad for you and changing that lifestyle are two very different things.

Obviously I am being facetious, I don't seriously imagine shoe shops are conspiring to make me feel ashamed of my feet.

Ditto clothes shops and obese people, it's just market forces

I agree with all those who say that anyone outside the "norm" is not catered for on the high street

I need long length jeans (just like them long, I'm not overly tall) and have to buy them online as they are very difficult to find on the high street

I also have long arms and most tops have sleeves that stop above my wrists.

What winds me up is the way that lengths change depending on size,
I was in a store and tried on a large, fit well on my arms and torso but much too big everywhere else. So I tried on the medium, at least 1.5 inches shorter on sleeves and torso..why!!!!!! When I was a size 8 I was the same height as I was at a size 14

Sorry I know that's nothing to do with the thread, but I need orang-utan length sleeves!!!!!

AIBU to think shoe retailers should introduce a range wider sizes?

Some stores do offer wider sizes though. I have long, narrow clown feet and no high street store offers narrow fitting. Which simply proves that a lot of people struggle to find clothing for opposite reasons and there's simply no easy way for a store to satisfy the needs of everyone.

I see threads like this and can predict the trajectory from - genuine question posed about lack of choice in plus size ranges - to various folk helpfully pointing out that being fat is unhealthy - to other folk pointing out that wasn't the point of the question - then mainly fruitless arguing about 'normalising obesity' and that people just want a range of clothes to choose from - why is that a sin?

I have large and wide feet - no matter how hard I try I end up wearing Doc's, Birkenstocks and converse cos nowt else is comfortable - when I go to a shoe shop I bemoan the lack of range in my size and look at pretty shoes a bit wistfully .... on the plus side I can borrow DH's shoes

I have come to terms with the fact my massive norks combined with braod shoulders mean I can't really wear shirts and button through dresses, without busting buttons like the incredible hulk if I make an expansive gesture. I accept that my long arms mean most jackets and cardigans are an inch or so too short in the sleeve. My long body turns many tee shirts into crop tops. My bum means I find jeans tight in the hip and baggy at the waist.

So yes I can sympathise with the lack of range at high street shops for anyone - fat, tall, large norked, big footed - god forbid all of the above - I wish I could afford a tailor/ dressmaker or make my own clothes.

Owl, it was a joke designed to make exactly your point.

I have very specific preferences when it comes to clothes, I have to alter most of my clothes before I feel comfortable wearing them. I don't get all offended that clothes shops don't cater for my needs.

I there are loads of plus size options in a lot of stores (New Look and M& Co spring to mind)and there are specialist stores like Yours and Evans.

Maybe it would be kinder to focus a shopping day around shoes,bags, jewellery and make-up that your friend can access anywhere or dispense with shopping and do something a bit more cultural.

Your friend might like the Lagenlook-which caterers to plus size in a layered look-but she will have to go online for it. Overweight people can still look great ( and feel good which can help them to address their weight issues as their confidence grows)if they have some flair.

Is there a reason she is a size 26? Is it medical, sudden gain,or has weight always been an issue?

Bigmouth, yes it's a pain but we don't take it as a personal slight in the way that the OP seems to.

bigmouth

Yes to the shirts!!

Although bravissamo apparently do shirts for bigger busts (not sure about the back)

I know Suzanne.

bigmouth I am short and big boobed was size 20 but now size 10 which makes it slightly easier but tops are either too big everywhere other than my boobs or too short becuse they pull the top up. Thankfully my mum is an expert at shortening trousers and skirts!

rufus - strangely enough I was looking at the Bravissimo shirts range yesterday - god they were boring though or prissy - I prefer a more relaxed or colourful shirt - but it is probably the best I can expect outside of employing a tailor.

You would think with lycra and elastane available a shirt / top could be produced that allowed for norkage and movement! - I am just tired of outfits that look great when you are standing still in front of the changing room mirror then a disaster after actually wearing them for a day [frustrated emoticon]

I have given up with even trying to wear shirts. Its impossible to find one which doesn't look a mess over big boobs!