Big Girls, You Are Beautiful

The average size of a women in the UK is a size 12 closely followed by a size 14. This is (in 2011) the most popular clothes size in the UK. Because of this, more and more brands are extending their ranges to cater for the full figured women or even celebrities creating their own range for this. While high street cater for their target market, higher end designers are catering for theirs such as

China, who are substantially smaller compared to us.

Clements Ribeiro for Evans debuted last April and more recently is bringing out a new SS13 swimwear range. As Evans already caters for the plus sized lady, the range goes from sizes 14-32. The collection I believe is called 'Swan' and it features some really nice cute and quirky prints. I feel it's quite fun, playful and playing on being light hearted as it is for the larger lady out there.

Another brand is ASOS Curve, who launched in January 2010. Before this, ASOS only did up to size 18, but this new Curve range goes from sizes 18-28 and includes everything from dresses to jeans and I've even noticed they have pieces that aren't in the standard range!

A more current launch is Dannii Minogue's range called Project D for Simply Be. Quite ironic seeing as she is tiny herself but whatever floats her boat. It launched this March, and is quite pricey compared to ASOS and Evans. She too does sizes from 14-32 so quite a broad range. The line is quite limited with about 15 pieces compared to ASOS' 300+ pieces but this gives it an exclusive feel I guess that goes with the price tag. Also as it's only the first range she has released, the products may broaden if they gain popularity. Dannii describes that she was inspired 'by signature iconic silhouettes' and having a 'modern aesthetic.' 

I think it's quite good that the market is extending its horizons into doing fuller ranges as we're not all stick thin out there like what the catwalks portray. I feel this will encourage women to buy more if they know that their popular size is out in the shops to buy and even online as ASOS proves. ASDA is the biggest employer of fashion graduates and they are constantly on the hunt for someone that doesn't just do the standard mens or womens ranged but things like fuller ranges and maternity wear. Just some food for thought.