Recommended reading
So, there was a really thought-provoking article in today's Wall Street Journal, about why designers don't make bigger sizes. It makes a good point: Considering the average American woman is a size 14, why don't most fashion designers make anything bigger than a 12? (Or, in many instances, a 10?) The designers' going argument is that bigger clothes require more fabric and thus cost more money, but, really, I think it's because size is the one prejudice it's still okay to have. I mean, it's not okay, but it's more socially acceptable than, say, racism. Which doesn't make it right. God forbid people with less-than-perfect bodies walk around in clothes that jeopardize the artistry of an artist's, er, designer's vision.
But the article doesn't focus on value judgments; what is focuses on is the missed economic opportunity. Clothing companies are businesses after all, and while image is incredibly important in this day and age, so is making money. And with all the size-12-and-up women in this country, not making clothing to fit them is, well, pretty stupid. There are plenty of women out there who want to spend $200 on jeans and $500 on a dress (the article spotlights Paige Premium Denim and eveningwear designer Tadashi Shoji as two of the few companies with an extended range of sizes); as of now, they have very few options.
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