Plus-Size Clothing Disappearing From Racks

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Jun 8th 2009 3:00PM

If you wear plus-size clothing, you might have noticed that finding your size is more difficult than usual. Individuals aren't the only ones having to scale back during this recession. Just like you might cut out Friday night movies and opt for a video at home instead, retailers are also cutting back. And one thing to go is plus-size clothing.

Considering that 66 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, you would think that plus-size clothing would be a big money maker for retailers. But cutting plus-size clothing is strictly a numbers game; the extra fabric, specially-fit models and different patterns means plus-size clothing costs more to produce. While some retailers or manufacturers have scaled back production of plus-size clothes altogether, others are moving their plus-size stock to online only.

Now shopping online is fine. But when you're searching for that perfect LBD or a new shirt for a hot date, a quick trip to the mall is in order. Having more limitations on what was already a limited stock to begin with might be extra motivation for moving out of the plus sizes.

If you're looking to move from the Women's section into the smaller sizes, you can find reasonable and practical tips for weight loss on AOL Health.

Do you think it's OK for retailers to scale back their plus-size offerings?

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Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gwen 6-08-2009 @ 6:20PM

It's not fair that they are doing this. Not all of us fat people are junk food gobbling couch potatoes. I work my butt off to stay fit, eat very healthy to manage my PCOS, diabetes and hypothyroidism and I'm plus sized. I'm also pregnant. Motherhood maternity has the ugliest plus size maternity clothing and the majority of it is short sleeved or sleeveless. Hello? Fat on the upper arms shouldn't be viewed by public!

nen 6-09-2009 @ 9:25AM

If your pregnant thats different. But medical analysts still say watching what you eat and the portion size is important to lose after the pregnancy. Portions, fruits and vegetables are a big help. If you don't like those then you needa reality check, at least for your health...

nen 6-09-2009 @ 9:10AM

Yes I think retailers should cut back on the amount of oversized clothes on the rack. Maybe these obese people might decide it's time to trim down and get healthy

nen 6-09-2009 @ 9:14AM

Being pregnant is different but medical analysts have been quoted as saying that eating too much makes it harder to lose the weight after birth. If you're plus sized then you need to look up foods that naturally lower your weight. Fruits and vegetables are a good bet. If you don't like them then you need a reality check, at least for your overall health...

Stephanie 6-09-2009 @ 11:44AM

This is a delicate issue, but the fact remains that there are plenty of plus-sized stores made specifically to cater to these type of people. Torrid, Lane Bryant, etc etc. Growing up, 16 was the biggest size most places carried, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The more sizes a store tries to carry, the more difficult it becomes for them.

gem 6-24-2009 @ 10:39PM

OMG I can't believe someone actually said it would be good for "those" people if it is more difficult for them to find clothes. As a business decision, stores can do whatever they want - profitability needs to be the driving force for any business. But specialty shops will continue to fill the need, and actually expand if other retailers aren't carrying the clothes. But to suggest heavy people would lose weight if they didn't have the clothes is heinous. Only someone who hasn't had the misfortune of losing a weight battle could possibly say that. And trust me - a weight battle is in nen's future if there is such a thing as karma.