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Contents
Report homepage
Research Methodology
Contents
Issues in the Market
Future Opportunities
Market in Brief
Internal Market Environment
Broader Market Environment
Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market
Who’s Innovating?
Competitive Context
Market Size and Forecast
Brand Communication and Promotion
Retail Competitor Analysis
Companies and Products
Consumer – What Types of Retailer They Shop At
Consumer – What Clothes Sizes are Bought
The Consumer – Who Shops Where by Size
The Consumer – How They Feel About Shopping for Clothes
The Consumer – Attitudes Towards Shopping for Clothes
Target Groups
Appendix – Internal Market Environment
Appendix – Consumer – What Types of Retailer They Shop At
Appendix – Consumer – What Clothes Sizes are Bought
Appendix – The Consumer – Who Shops Where by Size
Appendix – The Consumer – How They Feel About Shopping for Clothes
Appendix – The Consumer – Attitudes Towards Shopping for Clothes
Appendix – Target Groups
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Fashion - Size Matters! - UK - July 2010
Fashion - Size Matters! - UK - July 2010
In the last five years, Mintel estimates that the plus-size market for womenswear (sizes 18+) has increased by 45% to £3.8 billion in 2010. Compared to growth in the overall womenswear market of 15%, this is a very strong performance and shows the increasing importance of plus-sizes to the overall clothing market. Larger-size menswear has grown steadily by 6% to £1.9 billion between 2005 and 2010.
While older people are more likely to wear plus size clothing, a growing number of women aged 35-44 also buy plus sizes and more than a third of men aged under-35 wear XL sizes. Retailers need to start designing more trend-led clothing for this younger age group, with these consumers tending to be more fashion aware than older people.
In the last five years, Mintel estimates that the plus-size market for womenswear (sizes 18+) has increased by 45% to £3.8 billion in 2010. Compared to growth in the overall womenswear market of 15%, this is a very strong performance and shows the increasing importance of plus-sizes to the overall clothing market. Larger-size menswear has grown steadily by 6% to £1.9 billion between 2005 and 2010.
While older people are more likely to wear plus size clothing, a growing number of women aged 35-44 also buy plus sizes and more than a third of men aged under-35 wear XL sizes. Retailers need to start designing more trend-led clothing for this younger age group, with these consumers tending to be more fashion aware than older people.
More than half of plus-size women continue to suffer from a lack of choice to cater for their size, suggesting that retailers have not done enough since the last Mintel report, which found a similar rate of discontent about lack of choice, to provide a greater range of clothes and specific collections for these consumers.
Over four in ten women that wear sizes 18 and over find that clothes in their size tend to be less fashionable than smaller sizes.
One in five women blame their trouble finding clothes to fit on an awkward body shape, with size 14s and 16s suffering most from a different top to bottom size.
Discontent about inconsistencies in clothes sizes between brands and retailers is on the rise and has been fuelled by media coverage of the increased use of vanity sizing by retailers. Retailers need to work in collaboration to regain the confidence of consumers over sizing.
Online retailer ASOS has tapped into the plus-size market with the launch of a new range of trend-led plus-size clothing branded as ASOS Curve. The collection is likely to appeal to younger, more fashion-conscious women who remain unsatisfied with the current offering.

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