As fashion and plus size evolve into a recognized and
(soon-to-be) respected segment in fashion, so do the idiosyncrasies and
nuances of fashion itself, as it pertains to plus size.
You see,
ten years ago, plus size only belonged in one lump segment, leaving us
fashionistas with very little or if any options for shopping and
discerning which pieces were of a "fashionable" standard. However, now,
with the amalgamation (yes, I had to use this word) and plethora of
fashions within plus size clothing, one could easily find herself lost,
frustrated, confused, irritated, or flustered when shopping for an ideal
outfit or piece of clothing.
Why?
We no longer have "one
type" of fashion option for the plus size woman- we have many. However,
to better understand and sort through the madness of them all, a budding
fashionista must first understand what these newer segments are and
learn the identifiers of these to shop smarter, not harder.
No really... WHY?
See,
as in the straight- sized market, you will find certain segments within
fashion that are grouped together, and for the most part, you know what
to expect when shopping from that retailer or specific set of
retailers. With the evolution of Plus Size Ready-to-Wear Fashion, the
same now holds true. For sake of argument, we will group these segments
for plus size fashion as straight sized fashion does to help explain the
price discrepancies, size differences, in relation to the integrity and
quality of a retailers' or designers' garment. The fashion industry is
divided into five segments: haute couture, luxury, contemporary, fast
fashion, and discount.
* Haute Couture: Synonymous with "high
fashion," haute couture is a derivative of the French term "high
sewing." In France, the label "haute couture" is a protected
designation. Designers, who attain this elusive and oft coveted title,
produce custom-made clothing for the world's most influential and
wealthiest.
* Luxury: Pret-a-Porter or "Ready to Wear" is one-step down from
Haute Couture relative to price and exclusivity, but still serves a
discerning and well to do client.
* Contemporary: This fashion forward segment presents mid-priced
fashions both fashion forward and quality driven. Oftentimes, these
designers interpret fashions from the couture houses, making these
fashions readily accessible.
* Fast Fashion: Quickly produced product in a cost efficient manner,
delivering "high fashion looking" garments, at the lowest price
possible. Relates to the manner of which items from the runway
manufactured predominantly overseas with an extremely efficient
turnaround.
* Discount: Usually looked at loss leaders, have quickly adapted to
the fast fashion concepts leveraging their consumer's buying power and
reputation to fashion exclusive designer collections.
However, the
division and classification of what to expect from these segments do
not stop there. Please read further into each segment, sans Haute
couture, as to understand which designers and brands fall into each
classification and what differentiates each one.
Luxury Plus Size Designers
Yes!
They do exist! Goods that are of a higher quality and a respective
higher price point are the fashion leaders within plus size. Designers
such as:
* Anna Scholz
* Cinzia Rocca
* Elena Miro
* Lafayette 148
* Marina Rinaldi
* Peggy Lutz
Are oftentimes carried in either specialty
boutiques, specialty department stores such as Saks and Neiman Marcus
command, at minimum, a $250 starting point. Expect the finest fabrics,
usually imported from overseas, naturally a more conservative cut, with
the exception of Anna Scholz and Elena Miro (the only plus size designer
to continually show during Milan Fashion Week), impeccably tailored,
fully lined, natural fabrics, with exclusivity in feel and wear.
Contemporary Plus Size Designers
Mirroring
the contemporary collections represented in Nordstrom, Bloomingdales,
and Saks, contemporary plus size fashion offers the fashion forward plus
size woman options tailored to her curves at a moderate price point.
These designers such as:
* Amanda Uprichard
* David Meister
* Igigi
* Jibri
* Melissa Masse
* Monif C.
* Svoboda
Are often the thoughts leaders, innovators, and risk
takers within the plus size fashion segments, as they continually
challenge the status quo or the norm in what fashion should be for the
discerning plus size woman. This segment's prices usually range from the
low $100's and can command up to $500 for more specialty pieces.
Quality in these fabrics are only a sidestep lower than their luxury
counterparts, introducing innovative blends in fabrics, specific
silhouettes inspired by the designer's artistic inspiration, and, like
its luxury designers, have more intricate detailing.
Plus Size Fast Fashion Designers
In
the light of Forever 21's counterfeit lawsuits, fast fashion has
received a tarnished image although fast fashion provides an amiable
compliment to its contemporary counterparts. Popular designers in this
segment include:
* Torrid
* Faith 21
* Ashley Stewart
* Lane Bryant
* Evans
With the ability to mass produce up-to-the-minute
trends and incredulously low price points, fast fashion provides edgy,
often directly inspired from design houses, looks that range from as low
as a $10 price point up to a $150 price tag. In order to deliver the
trends to the market quickly, the quality, can, at times, be inferior to
the luxury and contemporary designers. Expect polyester blends, wool
blends, single stitched garments, either a looser silhouette or a
variety of shapes that vary from garment to garment. To be worn for the
moment, the lifespan of these fast fashion fashions are intended to last
for the current season.
Discount Plus Size Designers
Challenging
and changing the fashion climate over the last year, discount leaders
have created strategic partnerships with Contemporary Designers to bring
affordable fashions to the masses. Retailers such as:
* Old Navy
* Wal-Mart
* Target
Have collaborated with the likes of Norma Kamali,
Just My Size, Pure Energy, and others to bring quality fashion at an
affordable retail price. Discount leaders have allowed women an
introduction into fashion options rarely seen and experienced. Discount
designers serve as an introduction as well as dispel the notion of plus
size fashion not being available. Each segment both provides and serves
its purpose for the 60% of us plus size women in the ever diversifying
industry of plus size fashion. It is important about knowing the
differences in these segments so that you know what to expect when
shopping a particular designer or retailer. Learning the difference
affords you the ease of a headache or frustration when shopping to put
your best curve forward.
