'Plus size' clothing....bugbears and wishes?

[stumblymonkey]

I'm a regular on MN and thinking (very early stages) of starting a business selling 'plus sized' clothing because I'm a size 18 and have a number of bug bears about finding clothes.

I guess I'm doing a little bit of market research as to whether I'm the only one that feels this way because that would make my market pretty limited!

My personal bugbears are:

• A lot of the chains I like don't go above a size 16, I haven't suddenly wanted to wear different clothes because I've put one more stone on

• A lot of the clothes are either (a) frumpy and unattractive or (b) just bigger versions of clothes that were really made for slim people, which does not do much for my body shape

• I'm not sure I actually like the term 'plus size' even though I've used it in this post, is there a better term that's more relatable and gets around being the 'other' IYSWIM

• I feel like a lot of the current online retailers that cater for size 16+ happen to use quite cheap materials, they're not very luxury

I'd be aiming for the sort of higher end high street target market...people who would normally shop at Monsoon, Coast, Jigsaw, Mint Velvet, Hobbs, etc.

What are your bug bears if you have any? What do you wish you could find?

I'm a regular MN btw not a corporate trying to do free market research(!)

Yy to all of this.
I'm also going to reiterate:

SLEEvES PLEASE

Proper ones. Please.

I agree with so much on here:

Sleeves - I can't wear sleeveless things, because I hate my upper arms.

Good, breathable fabrics.

Adjustable waists would be a brilliant idea.

Garments that are designed for larger ladies, not just sized up designs for slim women.

But my biggest plea is for super size tights which are big enough to come up to my waist and STAY there. Even Evans ones won't stay up for me.

Yes nice natural cotton fabrics/stretchy cotton, like fat face/white stuff. No horrible synthetic crap.
Tights I gave up a long time ago.
Nice leggings.
Bras that have modded/shaped cups to them. My big breasts look good in them, but all the G+ sizes are just shapeless material and make them look like triangular frog eyes. I still want preformed cups please.

I think the body shape thing is key. I see loads of plus sized ranges that actually seem to mean hourglass and I'm not that shape at all. And I don't want to dress like a 50s pinup for a quick trip to the supermarket!
Sizing is also key. I'm a 16/18 but in many high street ranges I find their 16 is too neat but if I go up to the "plus size" range I'm swimming in it.
Proportion is also important. So if you are a bigger size, chances are your arms and legs are also bigger. No point making the waist bigger on a pair of jeans if the calves are still matchstick thin.

Hmm, yes I think it's really hard to get the shape right. I actually am hourglass shaped, but still lots of things don't suit me or sit right - it's almost a lottery. Many times as many spotty Boden parcels get returned as are kept ( thank goodness for their excellent returns service).
Also, see what you mean about arms and legs but my legs are fairly slim and I have a constant battle to find trousers that fit round my waist and hips but aren't unflatteringly baggy and flappy on my legs.

Very hard to design something that suits all of us - but surely that must also be true of smaller sizes?

I think it's harder on bigger sizes because we are, erm, less smooth...

A size 10 hourglass will probably look very good in a fitted pencil skirt and tucked in shirt, but unless it's been made to fit - so skims over lumps- then in most cases that same style won't work for a size 18, even if they're still hourglass shaped.

YES PLEASE TO:

bracelets & necklaces made for larger wrists/necks
variety of styles in wide calf boots
adjustable waist (exactly like the toddlers wear!)
sleeves. Long or bracelet length (but not TOOOO long)
pockets in dresses
armholes that are not as big as the head hole please
lovely fabrics
petite sizing for larger sized short woman.

Happy to pay money for the above!

Yes, that makes sense.

yes to natural fabrics

plain everyday bras ..dont want bright pink embroidery thanks

I have big boobs , small shoulders and bit tummy..A line with v neck works well for me.

Oh please, decent well made properly fitted clothes. Sleeves that are roomy enough for fat arms like mine and jeans that actually have a waist. I am a classic hourglass and the plus size jeans fit my hips but are too big around my waist and gape.

I would like plus sizing where it's not just about women with fat tummies/big boobs. Cater for women like me who have fat bums/hips/thighs but are 'regular' sized everywhere else.

Place marking . Will return later.

Ah yes. Giant sleeve holes and awkward necklines which are completely incompatible with a properly fitting bra.

And while I'm at it, cut out details which take a nice dress and render it unwearable for swathes of people. If you want to make random cut outs in the size 8 then fine but seriously, don't bother in the size 16. Just tweak the pattern. You'll sell more.

I have had some success with these guys - bit pricey, but if you sign up, you get good discounts.

Wall London

Although their stuff seems a bit unstructured, the dresses Ive had and the trousers too, are made of fabulous natural fabrics (with a bit of lycra here and there) and hang beautifully.

I agree with so much that has already been said, and would like to add the suggestion of sports wear please.

Finding sports gear over a size 14 is rare. People of all sizes would like to take part in activities and be comfortably attired. PLEASE be the company that sort this out!

Ideal sports gear list would be:

• nice thick lycra leggings (that won't go see through when you bend over) in full and crop length. Black and a lairy pattern option. Drawstring waist and a small pocket at the back for a key.
• long tops that cover your bum. Sleeved (maybe elbow length) and sleeveless options. Cotton or sports fabric that is not form fitting.
• swimming costume that doesn't look like your nan would wear it. Nork support.

That's all. Virtually impossible to find at the mo. George at asda do some okay bits, but the jogger bottoms tend to be cotton and loose, which can lead to chafing. The tops tend to be too cutesy or form fitting.

I say all of this as a size 12 who used to be a size 26. I am still miffed about it, even though I am smaller now. Everyone deserves comfortable and practical activity wear.

I started to read this thread this morning but was waylaid, so sorry if this has come up since.

I would say please consider a maternity range! So hard to find ok plus sized maternity and nursing clothes.

Agree with PP comment that we don't all have massive boobs (mine might seem big on paper but in reality they aren't).

I like clothes that are semi-fitted but skim the lumps and bumps.

I like my trousers to have a mid-rise waist (around or just below belly button) to help hold everything in.

In general, I find the current ranges of plus size to be frumpy or too young. Not many classic or sophisticated choices. Too much pointe! And cheap fabrics.

Tips do need to be a bit longer, because I don't want to reveal my belly when I lift my arms up.

Skirts/shorts not too short.

I realise that it uses more fabric, but the price is often a lot higher compared to standard sizes, which I resent.

Yup to clothes for short plump people. I have basically given up and Wear jeans and t shirts. Petite stops at a 16 most places.

I gave up shopping on the high street donkeys years ago. (screw you Evans! Screw you and your rubbish range!)

Now I just shop online with Simply Be. Thank frack for them!!

I can pick and choose and send it back for free if it doesn't fit or looks crap. No more weeping and sweating in a sodding dressing room!! Bliss! And they do some lovely undies and shoes for wide tubby feet and some boots for chunky calves as well. They also do some posh clothes and Joe Browns do some lovely quirky stuff.

I'm a short arse and have managed to get some jeans in "shor"t sizes as well.

I used to shop in New Look as well, they had some lovely jeans but not looked in there for a while.

I actually think you would need to have petite, regular and tall ranges within the "plus size" range and have everything in proportion accordingly. Quite a big undertaking which I guess is why no-one seems to do it already.

Primark have great sportswear up to a size 22 i think. Really good quality. I like usa pro too but only appropriate for fat bottom girls with smaller waists as they really dig in.

Tights! Woolly winter tights! I bought a pair of XL 100den from M&S. I am 5'5" and size 18-20. They were far too tight round my arse and about 6" too long. Please make tights for shorter, wider people

I'd kill for a good brand that's made out of soft cotton with no sequins, lace or anything scratchy. I'm a 40h which isn't even that massive and you just can't find them.

Tops tend to be shapeless tents which just drown me and look shite.

My biggest bugbear is the lack of v neck tops and dresses. Everything seems to be round necked. And sleeves are never long enough or tops long enough in the body.

Those are my biggest issues but I second everything else already said.

I too want classic, fitted pieces. I love Mint Velvet which as an 18 U can sometimes get in to but I'd love more choice. Also, being a size 18 doesn't mean I want to dress in 50's style dresses and have a 'quirky' look.