Global market review of outsize clothing – forecasts to 2012 (2007 edition)
Report description
While the market for apparel as a whole is growing slowly, there are other segments that are either growing rapidly or are ripe for growth, if only the industry would serve them. Here is where the outsize market comes into play. The one overriding theme within the outsize market is: opportunity awaits.
Despite the fact that the US plus-size market alone has grown from US$17.1bn in 2000 to US$30bn in 2005, this market has long been neglected at every channel in terms of number of offerings, number of styles within offerings, trendiness, fit, line extensions and more. Savvy brands, designers and retailers that take the time to truly understand this market can do very, very well.
The potential of the outsize sectors is reflected in the recent prediction that the plus size market in the US is expected to reach US$62.4bn, and will represent 26% of all apparel sales, by 2012. Not only is the number of consumers in this audience growing, but the lack of supply remains steady. Many top designers don't want to target this market as they prefer to see their clothes on thinner frames, despite the public demand for larger sizes. This supports the fact that this market demands product, leaving the market wide open for opportunity for those designers willing to create for this market.
This comprehensive study by just-style defines the global market for outsize to include plus sizes, talls and petites. These sectors represent a large population of consumers who are ready and willing to spend, and therefore a huge opportunity for generating sales in a growing industry that would benefit from innovation.
The report considers all aspects of the specialty size market, including:
- the market and what it consists of;
- the size and value of the market;
- brands and retailers;
- social attitudes;
- technical constraints;
- potential of the market
- market insight and forecasts
Report summary:
Chapter 2 discusses the marketplace for outsize consumers, including who this consumer is globally in terms of size, demographics and geographic location. We look at both US and international charts to determine the 'average woman' and compare that creature to the 'average woman designers create for'.
Chapter 3 estimates market size for US and Western Europe, as well as other countries and developing regions. Market values are provided through to 2012.
Chapter 4 discusses brand and retail attitudes on the plus-size market, along with promising channels of distribution, such as the internet and mail order.
Chapter 5 explores social attitudes toward obesity and plus size, including what is considered beautiful. The chapter touches on the rise in bulimia and anorexia, and the role of media and fashion in determining what sizes are considered to be 'stylish'.
Chapter 6 offers insight into the future of outsizing, including how perceptions toward plus size may change as the market grows and designers feel more comfortable creating for this burgeoning market.
Table of contents
The market
Buying behaviour
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 The market
Petite, tall, plus size: Who are they?
Size examples and measurements
Sizing outside the US
Demographics
Ethnic differences
Expert interviews
Chapter 3 Market estimates
United States
Western Europe
Other regions
Chapter 4 Brand and retailer attitudes
US shops
Western European shops
Mail order and the internet
Made-to-measure (specials)
Expert interviews
Chapter 5 Social attitudes
Overweight and obese
Anorexia and bulimia
Vanity sizing
Expert interviews
Chapter 6 Outsize: the past and the future
The market
Opportunities
List of figures
Figure 1: US sizing guides for women's standard-, junior-, plus-, petite-sizes and men's wear
List of tables
Table 1: International women’s clothing size comparison chart
Table 2: UK bust, chest and hip measurements for UK sizes 18-32 (inches and cm)
Table 3: UK women’s size chart (inches)
Table 4: US market for total apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 5: US market for women’s apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 6: US market for men’s apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 7: US market for children’s apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 8: US market for plus-size apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 9: Plus-size market within US total market for apparel, 2003-2012 (%)
Table 10: US market for petite apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 11: US market for tall apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table12: US market for specialty size apparel, 2003-2012 (US$bn)
Table 13: Proposed revised chart based on contemporary measurements (US and UK clothing sizes and %)
Table 14: Western European female overweight market for apparel, 2006-2012 (unit population and EURbn)
Table 15: Western European female plus-size market for apparel, 2006-2012 (unit population and EURbn)
Get connected:
The just-style office is currently: Closed
Office opening hours
Mon-Thursdays 9:00am-5:30pm
Fridays 9:00am-4:30pm
The office is closed during weekends.
Current time at just-style headquarters: 4:43am (Sunday, 26 May 2013)
Need help? Contact the research team
