During my studies, I have taken a particular interest in learning about the lack of size inclusivity within the fashion industry; particularly the lack of representation and fashion for those above a size 16. It begs me to question....... "but what's available for mid-size?"
Below are a couple of excerpts from my larger essay, detailing specific examples of how the plus-size demographic (size 16 and larger) has been descriminated against.
Plus-size fashion often holds a higher price tag, especially compared to fashions in the regular size categories. It is argued that this price discrepancy could be explained via a controversial “fat tax'' that fashion brands are imposing on plus-size clothing (1).
The fat tax is not an official or enforced levy but is a frequent practice by fashion brands who carry a large range of sizes. The brand imposes higher prices on items of clothing that are offered in both the general size bracket, as well as the plus-size department, but the price of the plus-size option is higher by a few dollars (2). Sometimes the price margin can be as much as 3 fifteen percent more for the larger size offerings (3).
I further question the notion of brands only offering their plus size ranges online.
Many brands are offering their larger sizes online only, thus making it hard for the plus-size customer to feel accepted by the brand. This option leaves plus-size women feeling like brands are only including the larger range out of necessity, but are wanting to keep larger people out of their stores so that they don't have to deal with them personally on a daily basis (1). The blatant size prejudice that is so often shown towards plus-size women has been known to lead to cases of poor mental health within the demographic (4).
And what about those brands who tuck us in the back of the store?
Segregation is another major problem for the plus size subculture; where brands either section off or hide the extended size category out of view and at a distance from the standard sized clothing range. In a survey by business editorial, Fast Company, they discovered that eighty-five percent of participants were unable to easily locate the plus-size section in the stores that they visited (5).
The whole idea behind sectioning the store into size ranges is problematic in itself. More often than not, larger women are forced to find their clothing in department stores, where the plus-size section is separated by floor levels, with the general sized clothing on the main floor, in clear site and easily accessible (6)
I'd love to hear about your experiences with shopping in the plus-size sector?
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