Plus Size Teen Clothing and The Media

One of the biggest industries is clothing fashion and it seems to be growing all the time. We are constantly bombarded by the media with runway shows featuring ultra-thin models prancing about like show-horses. True, this may sound like a harsh criticism although most of us have seen it before.

So in the big picture what does this mean? Are these thin models a true reflection of how most of us really look? The average size for women’s clothing in America is size 16. So why aren’t plus size women’s clothing featured more? Wouldn’t you expect to see more full-figured teen fashions in the stores?

Do not be alarmed, though. It is indeed possible to find plus size teen clothing as well as designer clothing for full-figured women. It may not be as publicized on TV or in the fashion magazines however. For some reason fashion designers tend to keep plus size teen fashions out of the mainstream media, which is really a disservice to those who want to wear plus sized clothing. It would better for the industry if the full-figured market were better addressed.

There’s an interesting article regarding problems with plus size teen clothing over at jezebel.com. The article cites a CNN report that says the rate of obesity has tripled among young teens aged 12-19 and that companies like Target and Forever 21 are starting to offer a plus sized teen section.

So what should you be looking for when shopping for plus size teen clothes? There are generally two approaches: The first method is to look for clothes that have a loose fit. The idea behind that is the looser fitting clothes will mask the shape of the person since larger teens may be sensitive to their size and wish to hide it more. The disadvantage to this idea is that while the overall size is masked, there is no shape to the clothes so it often lacks any sense of style.

Another approach to shopping for plus sized teen clothes is to select designs that are more snug and fitted. The nice part about this method is that there are a lot more stylish designs for fitted clothes and that the clothes will help to bring out the best look in the natural curves of the body. The downside to this approach is that for many teens who are sensitive about their bodies, they would rather not have clothes that accentuate any curves at all. They feel that kind of clothing can only point out their body flaws even more.

When selecting clothes with patterns, choose the ones that have a vertical look. The up and down bias will make a stout teen look taller and slimmer. Long scarves can also have a lengthening and additional slimming effect. Avoid thick belts if possible since the horizontal line will cut the look of the body, making it look wider.