Plus Size Teen Clothing Gaining Support
There’s an article here regarding plus size teen clothing and I wanted to follow up with some more information regarding how the media and fashion industry are approaching the topic of designing clothes for the full-figured teen as well as how the media portrays what they consider to be the ideal look.
This CNN report says that some stores are starting to carry larger sized clothes for teens. Forever 21 is starting to carry sizes XL-2X and Target now has a fashion line called Pure Energy which will carry sizes up to 30.
The article says that while the average size for women is 14, traditionally many designers only create for sizes 10 and under. This goes against the growing trend of obesity in teens which has tripled in the last 20 years.
One interesting comment regarding designing clothes for plus sized teens is that some people feel that it is helping to promote obesity. They seem to be implying that by giving larger teens nicer fashions then that is condoning their obesity. The argument against that notion is teens of all sizes simply want to look good in their clothes.
Another designer who is seeing the potential market for plus sized clothing is Tadashi Shoji. This Wall Street Journal article called Dressing Women Of a Certain Size. Plus sized clothing accounts for about $5 million dollars of Shoji’s $60 million in annual revenue.
He employs a size 18 model for fittings and his plus-size gowns are among the most popular in the industry having been worn by celebrities like Queen Latifah’s who wore a gown designed by Shoji to the American Music Awards. That particular gown was based on a regular sized version.