An Overview Of The Plus Size Fashion Retail Industry

The term "inclusive sizing" encompasses various phrases like "plus size", "extended sizing", and "size inclusive". Yet, it lacks a precise definition regarding which sizes it includes.

Often, these terms apply to clothing above a U.S. size 12 - the largest size typically offered by many mainstream retailers. This terminology suggests that larger sizes are an exception, even though many people wear them and should not need to feel "included" as if they’re an outlier. Yet, larger sizes remain underrepresented in the fashion industry, especially in high fashion.

For example, during the Fall/Winter 2023 shows in fashion capitals like New York, London, Paris, and Milan, nearly all of the 9,000+ looks showcased were in U.S. sizes 0 to 4, with only 0.6 percent of the looks featuring size 14 and above.

Despite these, the plus-size fashion retail industry has seen significant growth and transformation in recent years, driven by changing consumer attitudes, increased demand for inclusivity, and the rise of e-commerce.

The Inclusive Sizing Fashion Market Size

The global plus-size clothing market was valued at approximately USD 114.1 billion in 2023, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2024 to 2032, potentially reaching USD 178.2 billion by 2032.

A different analysis suggests that the market reached a value of about USD 251.77 billion in 2023, with expectations to grow at a CAGR of 5.30%, reaching around USD 400.74 billion by 2032.

Consumer Insights Stats About The Plus Size Fashion Industry

E-commerce plays a crucial role in the expansion of the plus-size market, providing consumers with greater access to diverse styles and sizes, thus driving sales growth.

The average American woman now wears a size 16-18, highlighting the importance of inclusive sizing in fashion.

The casual wear segment dominates the plus-size clothing market, generating approximately USD 38 billion in revenue in 2023, with an anticipated growth rate of 5.9%.

Regional Dynamics In The Plus Size Fashion Market

North America holds a substantial share of the global plus-size clothing market, accounting for about 38.8% in 2023, with expectations for continued growth driven by demand for trendy and comfortable clothing.

The Asia Pacific region is also emerging as a significant market, with a projected CAGR of around 6.5%, fueled by urbanization and changing lifestyles in countries like China and India.

Emerging Trends In Plus Size Fashion

Influential figures like Ashley Graham, Lizzo and Tess Holliday have played a pivotal role in reshaping perceptions, driving trends, and advocating for inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry.

The Body Positivity Movement has significantly influenced the plus-size fashion landscape, with more brands increasingly promoting inclusivity through marketing campaigns featuring diverse body types and sizes.

There is a growing trend among high-end designers to enter the plus-size market, offering fashionable options that were previously limited or unavailable.

Innovations in fabric technology are prevalent, with synthetic materials like polyester and spandex dominating the market due to their durability and comfort. Synthetic fabrics accounted for around 64.3% of the total market share in 2023.

Challenges Faced By The Plus Size Fashion Industry

The plus-size fashion industry has indeed made notable strides in embracing inclusivity and diversity, yet it still faces various challenges impacting both consumers and the businesses that serve them.

Challenges for Consumers

1. Limited Style and Variety Options: Despite some progress, plus-size shoppers have far fewer fashion-forward options compared to standard sizes. Research shows that plus-size clothing accounts for about 19% of total women’s apparel sales, despite 67% of American women wearing a size 14 or above. High-fashion options are particularly limited, which leaves consumers with fewer choices for trendy or designer styles. Also, there are very few brands that cater to market segments like Swimwear, Activewear, Luxury, and even Fast Fashion.
2. Sizing Issues: Finding the right fit remains one of the most frustrating aspects for plus-size consumers. Plus-size clothing often fails to reflect the diversity of body shapes, resulting in poorly fitting garments, especially around areas like the bust, hips, and thighs. There is also the issue of significant variations in sizing between brands, which lead to a high rate of returns. Nearly 80% of plus-size consumers report challenges in finding clothes that fit properly, highlighting the need for better design to accommodate varied body shapes.
3. Higher Costs: The cost of plus-size clothing is often higher than that of standard sizes, commonly attributed to the additional fabric and unique production processes required. Yet, this price disparity can be a barrier for many consumers. A study found that 72% of plus-size shoppers felt that they were unfairly charged more for similar items available in smaller sizes.
4. Limited Accessibility To Retail Stores: Many retailers offer plus-size lines exclusively online, limiting the opportunity for consumers to try on items in-store. According to Huffpost, while plus-size clothing is (relatively) plentiful online, it can be nearly impossible to find in stores. This means fewer physical store options for plus-size shoppers, which adds to the inconvenience and risk of fit issues .

Challenges & Opportunities for Designers and Retailers

1. Design Complexity: Plus-size fashion requires specialized design approaches rather than simple scaling up of standard sizes. Traditional fashion education often falls short in preparing designers for this, leaving many unprepared to address the unique design requirements. Leading Inclusive Sizing brands like Universal Standard and Lane Bryant pay particular attention to creating flattering cuts for different body shapes, however resource-intensive it might be.
2. Higher Production Costs: Producing plus size clothing incurs additional expenses due to the need for extra fabric and unique patterns. Lower economies of scale for extended sizes further drive up costs. While brands like Ashley Stewart and ASOS work to maintain consistent pricing across all sizes, production costs for plus-size apparel can be 10–20% higher than standard sizing, according to Vogue Fashion.
3. Market Understanding: Many brands still lack a thorough understanding of the plus-size market and its diverse needs. As a result, few brands consider plus-size consumers in their core strategy, often leading to poor market fit in both product design, inventory and marketing efforts.

Solutions like Woven Insights provide an opportunity for brands and retailers to take advantage of fashion retail market and consumer insights to better understand the plus-size market.

With these insights, inclusive sizing brands can further tailor their design, merchandising, marketing, and competitive strategies to align with their target markets and consumers.

Conclusion

The plus-size fashion industry has certainly made strides in recognizing the demand for inclusivity and diversity. Yet, while retailers and designers are beginning to acknowledge the vast potential of this market, the journey towards true representation and accessibility is far from over. Challenges like limited style options, inconsistent sizing, and price disparities continue to underscore an industry that still predominantly caters to a narrow standard.

Ultimately, True inclusivity will mean reshaping not only clothing but the very definitions of fashion and beauty to be more inclusive. For the industry, this is a huge opportunity for growth, and an even bigger chance to reshape fashion culture and create a space where everyone can see themselves represented.