The Beth Ditto for Evans range launched this week to, for the most part, critical acclaim; not because her designs were ground-breaking within the context of current trends, but because there is very little plus size available on the UK market that’s well designed and accessible.
With the average British woman a size sixteen, you’d expect there to be a plethora of on-trend, plus size ranges available in our high street stores, however the reality is vastly different. Most well known brands do create and stock plus size collections, but these tend to be token pieces of bland clothing that’s both shapeless and uninspiring.
Our Great British high street is famed for its forward thinking, eclectic shops and designs – so why are we so backwards when it comes to plus size clothing ranges?
My own mother, a very English apple shape, was recently forced to look at Maternity dresses as an option when searching for an occasions dress for my brothers wedding – it seems our shops simply cannot cater for a fashion led stylish sixty-year-old with a round middle!
There is hope however, for where celebs lead, others are sure to follow and with Beth Ditto’s star rising, the Evans range is bound to be an enormous success! Other stores are sure to conform – perhaps offering more fusion ranges with other voluptuous celebrities or merely taking their fashion leads and influences from the cat walk – curvy girls like fashion too you know!
I know that difficulty and stress occurs when trying to find edgy, high end items, perfect for events such as weddings, without the heartache and upset of feeling too big for fashion!
Just stay positive, help is out there!