I have been thinking about how I was going to sum up what I feel is on the horizon for the plus size fashion community but not sure how I was going to do it.
With the help of a group writing project sponsored by Darren Rowse of Problogger I have decided to blog about my thoughts on the direction of plus size fashion for 2007.
- The most obvious reason that plus size fashion will grow next year will be that just like all the merchants that brought there businesses to the internet in 2006 there will be even more doing so in 2007.
- Merchants go where the money is. $32 billion dollars was spent by plus size women in 2005. Merchants like Macy’s will continue to scale back on there petite clothing lines and increase there plus size sections.
- Demand for trendy plus size fashions is on the rise with both men and women feeling empowered to speak out to retail shops worldwide and will continue next year.
- Plus size men are shopping more. I will be paying particular attention to the trend among men, because men are shopping more and stores that cater to them are for sure taking note.
- Modeling for plus sizes is growing at the same rate as the fashion side. As more trendy clothing for plus sizes hits the market the demand for models that look like the consumers that are purchasing the products will rise as well.
- Designers will continue to soften up to larger sizes. There will be more names added to the list that already include Jean Paul Gualtier and DeSentino.
- Prices will start to drop for plus size clothing because there will be more than just a few brick and mortar specialty shops carrying plus sizes.
- Plus size fashion leader Lane Bryant will continue pushing forward like they did in 2006 with there Cacique Lingerie stores.
- The gap between plus size fashion retailers in the United States and in other countries will continue get smaller making it easier for consumers to shop beyond the borders of there native country.
- MySpace.com will give a voice to those that want to promote there plus size fashion designs. They will be taking full advantage of the networking power of MySpace while they are getting there business footing.
- Best of all there will be more plus size bloggers to emerge talking about fashion more which will cause the fashion industry to take things more serious.
When I started blogging in 2004 about plus size fashion for men and women. I expected growth, but not so much in such a short time. Though there is still a lot of room for improvement 2007 will be a banner year for the entire world of plus size fashion.
Glen,
I think you’re absolutely right about why 2007 will be the year for plus-size fashion. I also believe that MySpace will play a major role in helping new designers gain more exposure… as you pointed out.
My daughter, Anna Nicole, and I have a fashion company called Jahqoi. We manufacture trendy plus-size clothing for women. It’s been a struggle getting our name out there, but we’re making headway, inch-by-inch.
One thing I hope will change in terms of the major department stores…the buyers seem to be stuck in a rut. Ordering the same outdated, dull, ill-fitting merchandise year after year. And they haven’t shown any eagerness to give unknown designers a chance. Fashion, like the entertainment industry, seems to be a who-you-know business. So, if you don’t have connections, the going is tough. However, we’re not letting any of that deter us. We have gotten excellent feedback from our customers. So, we know we are on the right track. We care about BBWs and we understand the unique challenges faced by being full-figured in a fat-hating world. So, we’re trying to help our plus-size sisters look as beautiful and sexy on the outside and they are on the inside.
I’m so glad I found your blog. I love the thoughts you’ve shared so far. Eventually, as our financial situation improves, I hope we can start a plus-size line for men.
Thanks,
- Dorez
http://www.jahqoi.com
Great writing Glen. Keep doing your thing.
Dorez,
Jahqoi is one of the sites that I have been looking at and will for sure be keeping my eye on in the upcoming year.
Great post. I definitely agree with you and I really hope that plus sizes see more “love”.
Did you see this article about label warnings on clothes for “obese” people?
http://www.wyff4.com/health/10546326/detail.html
I found you on the problogger predictions and reviews participant list.
Cheers!
As an over-50 baby boomer, I have been avoiding the fact that I am also over-sized. I never thought to look for websites or blogs that would help me look at the real, present, me. Your post and blog roll are a great find.
For people who spent their life in under size 14s and then, as we age, move into new sizes, thus, different departments in the places we’ve always shopped, it can be very demoralizing to find nothing stylish that looks good, and be left with matronly crap!
By the way, found your blog through participation in the ProBlogger Group Writing Project.
Its because most people don’t normally look to the internet for plus sizes that I decided to make my home here.
I hope that you will be able to find somethings that are helpful to you, Thank you for stopping by.