It was supposed to be a fun outing—I rallied three friends, ditched the kids with our partners, and made it a girls’ night. But after two hours of scouring store after store for formal dresses in my size, I was on the brink of tears. My friends tried their best to keep my spirits up, but when we finally stumbled upon a gigantic black sequined monstrosity that looked like it belonged on a ’80s soap opera, I snapped it up. I squeezed myself into it, and as my friend zipped up the back, the mirror mercifully revealed that I didn’t look like a sausage in a sparkly casing. I reluctantly forked over $200 for a dress I despised and would wear once. I couldn’t wait to escape.
I was only a size 14/16.
But according to Today, backed by a study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, the average American woman is a size 16. Yet, with each passing season, store racks seem to shrink, offering increasingly unrealistic, tiny sizes. The friends I was with knew just how I felt; they had traversed the frustrating landscape of plus-size fashion, which is often demeaning, exorbitantly priced, and scarce.
After a prescription medication caused me to gain 50 pounds, I found myself at a size 16/18 and ready to give up on traditional shopping. Online became my haven, where I could search for pre-loved designer pieces that accommodated my body. Target’s options were dismal, shoving me into the dreaded XXL, which often felt like a standard size with a few inches added—definitely not designed for a plus-size figure. Their Ava & Viv line hadn’t launched yet, and even when it did, it mostly catered to sizes up to 3X, leaving many of us in the lurch.
Meet Sarah
Meet Sarah, 30, who wears a size larger than 4X. She’s an absolute gem—kind, radiant, and wonderfully confident. Unfortunately, the fashion world has largely ignored her. “It’s easier to stick to a uniform,” she says, opting for a simple skirt and tank top. While she doesn’t feel abandoned by the fashion industry, she does feel misunderstood. “Most stores just size up everything without considering how a curvier body actually fits,” she laments. And let’s get real—”fat” isn’t a dirty word, so let’s not act like it is.
Claire’s Perspective
Then we have Claire, 34, who echoes Sarah’s sentiments. “Many brands used to add plus-size, but they merely made straight sizes bigger instead of tailoring them for plus-size bodies. Thankfully, brands like Torrid are making strides with various fit models.”
But there’s another beast lurking in the world of plus-size fashion: price gouging. “Plus-size clothes are EXPENSIVE!” Sarah exclaims, and Claire concurs. “If I find something I like, it’s usually outrageously priced.” Mallory, 32, bluntly states, “They overcharge for fat people clothes.” Even second-hand options online often carry higher price tags than their straight-size counterparts, preying on our desperation to feel fabulous in our attire. “Nothing fits, or if it does, it looks like a tent. I want my curves to be celebrated!” Claire passionately states.
Sure, there are retailers like Lane Bryant that go up to a U.S. size 28, as highlighted by Living ~400lbs, but many options remain limited to online shopping. Claire shares the disappointment of her local Torrid, where if the seasonal collection doesn’t appeal to her, she’s left with few alternatives. Lane Bryant and its sister store, Cacique, claim to go up to size 32, but they might just be the only brick-and-mortar options available.
Shopping Struggles
Last year, for her birthday, Claire’s husband searched high and low for clothing locally. “He found one set of capri leggings and a matching top,” she recounts. “The top swallowed me whole, but at least it fit my chest.” Sportswear? A total nightmare, usually requiring online orders where the fit and quality are hit or miss. It’s as if society thinks curvy folks don’t work out or run. A decent sports bra can cost upwards of $70, and finding a running jacket or pants? Pure guesswork.
Sadly, many women are still left out in the cold. “Even though ‘plus-size’ clothing is becoming more accessible, those of us who need larger sizes are often still overlooked,” Sarah mentions. Mallory adds that not all plus-size individuals want to look like they just raided a discount bin. The worst part? The demoralizing feeling of being sidelined. The preference for thin bodies can leave many women feeling sad, confused, and out of place in their own skin. “Shopping is hell,” Claire admits. “All my body insecurities flare up when I try to find clothes. I know I’m ‘normal,’ but the fashion industry clearly doesn’t think so.”
Exactly.
Every time I step into a store, even as an XL, and see racks of cute dresses that don’t accommodate my size, I feel inadequate. Too big to be stylish? It’s a horrible feeling. When I realize my body has changed due to health issues (thanks, genetics!), and I can’t fit into certain pants, it’s crushing. I start to resent my body—a feeling no one should endure.
Industry Change Needed
As Susan Dunn, a lead researcher on that pivotal study, states, by acknowledging that a size 16 is normal, “We hope this information can reach the industry and consumers alike. Knowing the average size can help many women with their self-image.” She emphasizes, “The apparel industry should recognize that these women aren’t going anywhere; they deserve stylish clothing that fits well and is available in more than just obscure corners of stores or solely online.” So, why the resistance?
Why should fabulous women like Sarah, Claire, Mallory, and others have to shop in the shadows? They are loud, beautiful, and deserve to shine in clothes that celebrate their bodies—not draped in muumuus from their grandmothers’ closets. These amazing women know how to dress well, but the struggle to find, afford, and feel good in their clothing is all too real.
And it shouldn’t be this way.
Fashion industry, take note: we’re here, ready to spend our money on stylish pieces. Let’s make it happen!
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In summary, the fashion industry needs to wake up and cater to the diverse sizes and shapes of women. Plus-size individuals deserve flattering, trendy clothing that fits well and is accessible, both in-store and online. The struggle is real, and it’s time for change.