British women’s relationship with fashion and sizing continues to become steadily more schizophrenic. As obsession with celebrities and what they wear pushes them towards the size zero ideal (UK size 4), in the real world the average woman’s figure is a size 16 and heading upwards.
Despite retailers’ attempts to flatter women with more generous sizing, Mintel’s research shows that they are becoming even more unhappy than they were about size and fit. What is more, with advertising starting to feature ultra-thin male models and ‘manorexia’ on the rise, men could be about to experience the same problems.
British women’s relationship with fashion and sizing continues to become steadily more schizophrenic. As obsession with celebrities and what they wear pushes them towards the size zero ideal (UK size 4), in the real world the average woman’s figure is a size 16 and heading upwards.
Despite retailers’ attempts to flatter women with more generous sizing, Mintel’s research shows that they are becoming even more unhappy than they were about size and fit. What is more, with advertising starting to feature ultra-thin male models and ‘manorexia’ on the rise, men could be about to experience the same problems.
Main report themes:
How big are the plus-size and other non-standard size fashion markets (petite, tall, larger menswear)?
What factors lie behind their growth, or could hold them back?
Who are the main competitors, and what are their prospects?
How are specialists performing, relative to mainstream clothing retailers?
What are the most successful strategies in tackling these markets?
What do consumers feel about sizing and fit?
What are the future prospects for plus-size, petite and tall markets?
In a challenging economic environment, the £2.57 billion underwear market has held up reasonably well, although there have been some casualties – notably Intimas.
Although people might be cutting back on their underwear purchasing, just 3m men and 1m women did
not buy new underwear in 2009.
Women account for more than 70% of underwear spend because they buy a greater number of items. women buy underwear for a host of reasons or occasions, whereas men stick largely to replacement buys.
There is talk of what colours consumers are more likely to buy in a tougher financial climate: mellow tones or bright hues? The colour red could be the winner here.
How big are the plus-size and other non-standard size fashion markets (petite, tall, larger menswear)?
