I constantly find myself frustrated by the lack of thought which goes into plus size design. I’m a proud plus size, just because I’m larger than the UK average size this doesn’t mean I don’t want to look good, nor does it mean I want to hide.
[clickToTweet tweet=”I constantly find myself frustrated by the lack of thought which goes into plus size design” quote=”I constantly find myself frustrated by the lack of thought which goes into plus size design”]
I rock a particular vintage style, It’s super flattering to my figure. This means I go through stockings like water. This is one of my major points of frustration. I can buy stockings in a plus size range and still be absolutely astounded at the size of them when I open them. I have thick thighs, I need decent stretch and deep bands around the top. Even plus size, or Queen Size, stockings only have a success rate of around 50% in terms of fit. I’ve been known to stuff stockings with pillows for a week to stretch to fit! And don’t even think about asking for patterns.
Why is plus size fashion so poorly treated?
Oh, how I longingly look at the polka dots and bows on some of the base size ranges. Even my much beloved back seamed staples I can only reliably buy from one specialist retailer, and don’t even start me on the cost. Why should this be the way?
The average dress size in the UK is a size 16. I am in fact an 18. I’m just above the UK average. So why are designers not catering for me? 1 in 4 British women are plus sized, why are we still woefully under represented? Some shops have a tiny Plus Size concession with restricted choice and minimal accessories.
[clickToTweet tweet=”The average dress size in the UK is a size 16” quote=”The average dress size in the UK is a size 16”]
I love lingerie and fetish wear. This is yet another plus size minefield. When selecting lingerie, I have to buy much larger than my actual dress size, often a 20/22. I look for adjustment options, corset lacing or multiple hook and eye settings to adjust it in. I do this simply to cater for my boobs. Buying lingerie is a “does it tick the boxes” situation. Are the straps thick enough to support without cutting in? Are the cups moulded and underwired? Are they generously cut? Is the back strap wide enough?
I review lingerie and one of my constant lamentations when buying sets is “Not all women want thongs or G strings!” This is the default option for knickers with a lingerie set. Now I can wear a thong quite happily but without doubt I’d feel more at home in something a bit more full bottomed. Even plus size sets continually offer a G string with Basques and cami sets. Why not offer two options? A G string or a French knicker?
Disheartening
It’s little things like this which make plus size women reluctant to buy lingerie. It’s disheartening when you go to the many gorgeous lingerie sites and click the plus size selection and find maybe 15 - 20 options compared to the myriad in base size. This is insanity. Lingerie is made for curves. Give me decent support and my boobs are weapons of mass destruction. Lace is perfect for skimming over beautiful full hips and rounded bums. Well-made plus size lingerie showcases a woman’s figure in all its glory. It makes them feel unstoppable! Nothing will make a woman’s inner sex kitten purr like looking in the mirror and knowing she looks sexy.
One of my favourite fetish wear items is latex. That delicious feeling of the cling and swoosh of latex is unmatched by anything. However, buying latex grinds my gears. Latex is often bespoke and once you are over base sizes you encounter additional charges all over the place. The charges rise with the size. I need access in latex. I need be able to get into it, want to add a zip? That’s another £20. Need thicker straps? That’s another £20. Want thicker latex around the bust? Guess what?… that’s it you got it. Another £20. I’ve ended up paying over £100 more for the same outfit as my size 14 Sister.
[clickToTweet tweet=”buying latex grinds my gears” quote=”buying latex grinds my gears”]
You can rarely wear underwear under latex. I need those wider, thicker cups for support. If I don’t make these adjustments and simply buy the outfit in my size, I’ll be adjusting my escaping boobs all night. Or even worse gravity will take effect and I won’t be happy with the look. I pay the costs because I love how I feel in latex. I feel beautiful and sexy, and when it clings to my curves it really makes the most of my assets. Everyone should wear it at least once just for the va-va-voom factor.
Not fair
This isn’t fair. Why should I be punished for being different? You may say there is additional costs as you’re using more material but a base size 6 uses a lot less fabric than a size 12 but they’ll be priced the same. Additional charging only comes into play in plus sizes.
I’ve recently bought bikinis for my summer holiday this year. Once again, I’m paying £50 for a supportive plus sized bikini against my sisters £20. Whilst she can pick from 50 different styles I’m limited to 5. Try buying a bikini for size 38 FF boobs. It’s pretty-soul destroying.
Plus size fashion is gradually getting better, slowly. Designers are learning that we want dynamic, pretty, stylish outfit choices. But they need to hear that boxy, voluminous and oversized isn’t a short cut to plus size. We want to show our amazing curves off in style! Specific plus size fashion sites are growing but we will still be paying a premium for a similar dress our smaller sisters get for standard price. A size tax of sorts, this needs to stop. The accessories side of fashion seriously needs to catch up.
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