Why do the shops not design clothes for the average sized woman?

Question

Why do shops design clothes for women sized 6/8/10? They may stock them in a size 12/14/16 but the styles look awful on a bigger woman. Anybody else fed up of skinny jeans and hot pants?

Answer 1

I'm a 4/6(uk). I usually have to buy 8s and alter them. I know I'm not average either, but there are much more larger women out there than smaller. And yeah, maybe skinny jeans and hot pants look better on thinner girls, but do you know the h**l I go through trying to buy a dress or a skirt?

A lot of shops do realize that women come in all shapes and sizes, and that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. They don't chose what's in style, but in the design process they tend to try and make things that will sort of suit every body type, instead of different designs for different shapes and sizes. They might start with a design that looks good for just skinny people or just average people or just fat people, but then they compromise and it ends up looking just sort of ok on everybody.

I think the only thing any of us can do is to shop around just pray that when we try something on it won't make us gag.  

Answer 2

Firstly to Lucy, I am a size 14 and 5'10 and I have to say I'm d**n hot and I haven't met anyone who disagrees yet.  I would rather chew off my own arm than be thin and not have my s**y womanly curves and no I'm not using that as a euphamism for fat coz I'm nothing like fat.  Secondly I found the problem to be that I was shopping in the wrong shops.  I'm an extra large in Zara and even that's tight and just doesn't fit right but in River Island the clothes fit me perfectly, so I'm pretty happy shopping there.  Only problem now is that my answer to where did you get that is always the same!

Was at a fashion show recently, with lots of rich ladies who lunch, and all that was heard was gasps of disgust at how emaciated the size 6 and 8 models were.  I doubt a single garment was sold on the foot of that show.  Be proud of your size and just look for a way around it.  Vintage is always fantastic, better sizes and guaranteed no-one will arrive out wearing the same as you!

Answer 3

I feel your frustration, for everywhere i look i don't see the clothes a size 30/32 woman should see ... which for me is thankful as i'm a 16/18 at smallest and 18/20 when going through certain monthly phases. And it is annoying when your choices are severely restricted.

If you go to high street shops such as "Yours" and "Bon Marche" you can find things pretty good in there. "New Look" and "Select" tend to go up to size 18, so maybe try those and if you really can't find anything do what most people do - go online!

Answer 4

I think it depends very much on were you shop.  I'm 5'4" and just over 9 and 1/2 stone, a size 10/12 so I think I am about average (though at one point I was nearer 12/14) and in my 30's.  I have long learned that the TopShops, Miss Selfridges, New Looks and Primarks shops of the world are not for me. If you want clothes that fit properly you have to be a bit more selective where you go and, I hate to say, spend more money.  

Try heading to more 'grown up' shops like Reiss, Zara, French Connection, M&S - they're Autograph collection is fab and Wallis - they are much more stylish, have better cuts, use better fabrics and more of it.  I doubt very much that you'll skinny jeans or hot pants in any of those stores.

Oh, and the comment about vintage stores - I shop a lot in vintage stores and find that actually the clothes tend to be a lot smaller because people were generally smaller 20 - 30 years ago so they are probably not the best places to shop if you are a little on the large side.

Answer 5

I'm fed up with skinny jeans and hot pants. I say, Loose frocks that blow up in the wind, Small but s**y knickers, Red finger nails and stockings with a seam.

Answer 6

I hear that. I'm 5'8" and 145 pounds and nothing fits me, and what does fit me, looks awful. It's because it's all designed in China for the asian figure.  

Answer 7

im a 8-10 love it

whats with the thumbs down jealous much fat biacths

firstly sarah stop getting tips of gok wan your fat !!! not s**y

and i bet the men you been are begging you to stop but you cant hear them when they are under your flab and yes id rather be skinny than a fat cow at least i dont have to squeeze into size 22 jeans like you and the best bit is i can eat loads of junk food an don't gain anything unlike you

Answer 8

The clothes don't look good on the racks.

Answer 9

i think they marked for the un average woman and keep you guessing until you find a brand and a style of jeans that fits and feels most comfortable in, other answers to your questions, i have none

Answer 10

if you don't like skinny jeans and hotpants...simple, don't wear them. there has been clothes designed for bigger people too. such as smock tops/dresses, which slim down a larger womens figure, high waisted shorts, jeans, which also slim a figure. you can find clothes that complement any figure as long as you know what to look for. your obviously picking the wrong things. it's just the things that are in fashion at the time, for example, skinny jeans do look better on slimmer people i agree but the designers can't help that there are bigger people out there that might not suit them as much. flared jeans look ridiculous on slim people as they just hang off and have any shape and body to them, however look fabulous on larger women and emphasise their figures and curves etc, so i don't exactly agree with your statement, there is clothes out there for every shape, colour size.

Answer 11

At least you are astute enough to realise that these styles simply don't look good on the vast majority of women!

I've found that the only way to get decent clothes is to pay more, the cheap end high street stores just cater for those who are determined to wear what they see as the latest fashion even if it looks awful on them!

Answer 12

i understand, i am a size 10 but some of the styles look awful on me because i'm 5'2, i recently bought a skirt suit, the skirt is suppose to be knee length but on me it's nearer my ankles than my knees!! i have to tailor everything

Answer 13

I ALWAYS GO TO A SHOP THAT SELLS TENTS   THEY ALL FIT ME

Answer 14

i never get tired of looking at skinny clothes as long as there on skinny women. no i'm not fed up to answer your question.

Answer 15

I find that there all sold out when the new season comes in there are more in big sizes and at the end the smaller sizes are all left.

May try ordering clothes of the internet from the website or asking staff or you may even have to try other shops.

Answer 16

Shopping is a pain in the ***! I have to shop online and only buy certain brands that I know fit me well. I'm not average, but I'm petite and young - I can't shop petites because they are ugly older-lady styles and women's clothes are too long and juniors are too small and too young. I shop only a few brands that I know well. Good luck finding someone who actually makes things "average" - they have plenty of stuff too small or too big for you!