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High fashion begins to adopt plus sizes

Plus-size clothes are seen at the Marks and Spencers flagship store in London, England.

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Plus size clothing for women -- namely, size 14 and up -- is no longer just the domain of budget American clothing. Some of the most prestigious European houses, including Balenciaga and Oscar de la Renta are getting into the business.

It's good business sense. There's a $19 billion a year market in plus size clothes in the U.S.

Kate Betts is a fashion journalist who's been watching fashion in all the sectors explore new lines for plus size consumers and adding larger sizes to their primary designs.

"There's a whole movement in terms of the less expensive end of the market attracting a younger consumer in this market," Betts said. "Brands like Forever 21, Lucky, H&M and the Limited are all doing plus size lines."

Plus sizing isn't the only area where higher-end brands are taking their cues from low-end, fast fashion when it comes to plus sizing.

"The less expensive end of the market has been able to turn over so quickly," Betts said. "So the high end has had to pay more attention in general to what's going on in the low end of the market."

Even Adele may be dipping her toe into fashion. The multiplatinum and Grammy-winning recording artist may develop her own plus-sized line for Burberry.

About the author

Kai Ryssdal is the host and senior editor of Marketplace, public radio’s program on business and the economy. Follow Kai on Twitter @kairyssdal.
johannacnilsson's picture
johannacnilsson - Oct 11, 2012

That is great news - there is an obvious need for larger sizes as the sizes has changed. I am happy to share about a new Bay Area based shoe brand LLXLLQ - providing women with high-quality shoes in sizes 10-12. The shoes are designed by the founder and CEO Lucia Lucka Klansek and handcrafted in Italy.

Right now the shoes are available in one one marketplace, http://www.llxllq.com. Since launch we have had some events off-line where we invite customers. models and stylist consultants to our "shoe closet" for a shoe showing. The feedback is amazing, and it is difficult to believe that the industry hasn't adapted earlier.

This is why the LLXLLQ founder decided to meet with some of the best craftsmen of hand-made shoes in Italy and convince them to make models and lasts for bigger shoes, and venture into something new for them as well. http://www.llxllq.com/large-shoe-women/about/

Thank you for covering this Kai Ryssdal and Kate Betts!