Plus size 20 and plus size 22Did you know that plus sizes 20 and 22 are the best selling sizes in most of the plus size specialist shops? Many of the specialist designers and manufacturers that I’ve spoken to also say that size 20 and 22 are their best selling larger size. It’s an interesting size (mine in fact…at least on my bum) because there are several mainstream brands that will scale-up their designs to size 22. This seems to be a cut-off point. The feeling is that up to size 22, their designs translate and still look good. Basler for example, fits into this category. Whilst I do realise that most women who are plus size 20 or plus size 22 are probably carrying a bit too much weight (especially from a health point of view) they can still have a good shape and in fact, in my view, wearing clothes with some tailoring and structure gives shape and is slimming whilst some of the more “flowy” (I’m being polite cos I want to say baggy) ensembles are really not flattering at all. Now I’m not suggesting hot pants and mini skirts for a size 20 woman and whilst jump suits are on trend at the moment you won’t be seeing me in one. However there are lots of fabulous “looks” that will translate to a fuller figured woman
Structure Versus FlowyOf course, the controversial comment about structure verses flowy is just my very personal point of view…and taste is a very personal thing. By the way I’m sooo glad shoulder pads are back in because they really balance up pear shapes, aid sloping shoulders and disguise plump arms. I have full hips and thighs, so no leggings for me thank you very much. In fact leggings are one of my pet hates on women with fuller figures. I feel a whole article could be written on the subject!…perhaps another day. Similarly, there are problems with cropped trousers…but I’ll leave that to another day too. While I have size 20/22 hips I am in fact much smaller on the top and Elena Miro jacket in size 18 fits me beautifully…sometimes even a touch too big if anything. Fenn Wright and Manson on the other hand who have all over their window that they go up to a size 18 make me feel like a freak. Their size 18 jackets do not even nearly meet in the middle and the lovely sales lady sympathetically suggests I try a cardi because its stretchy. Hmmmm.
Why cant manufacturers standardize their sizing?Whilst we are on the subject of size why cant the manufacturer’s synchronise and become consistent with their sizing? Actually I can answer that question. The inconsistencies in size are often to do with race and genetics. The “cut” of most of the German collections is more generous than the French because on the whole German woman are taller…the curves on their bodies are distributed in a different manner. Here in the U.K. I am not so sure that we have a definitive shape. Perhaps it’s because we’ve been invaded so many times and we have such a diversity of genetics that one can’t describe a typically British woman – well not so far as her shape is concerned. The great thing about being plus size 20 is that based on the theory that for every stone we lose, we drop a dress size, I’m only a stone away from going back to my teens,,. maybe one day I’ll get there. I’ll have a piece of cake while I think about it.
Leanda Walters
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