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Plus Size Industry [Facts, Figures & Numbers]
September 4, 2024
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Curious about the booming plus-size fashion scene? An in-depth report on surprising statistics awaits you. Delve into the significant market size, popular sizes for women, and the changing trend of the average American body type. Unveil key industry players and useful size conversion definitions.
Discover the impact of the plus-size market!
Explore the following topics in this report:
- Market Size
- Sizing Demographic of Women – what sizes are used most?
- The Average Size American Man and Woman
- Facts
- Biggest Plus Size Brands
- Definitions
Key Takeaways
- Market Size: The US plus-size clothing market is valued at $31.1bn (2023), with annual growth of +6%.
- Future Projections: The US market is expected to exceed $50bn by 2023 and reach $912bn globally.
- Average Dress Size: In the US, the average dress size is 16, making plus size the norm by 2023.
- Size Distribution: 67% of American women wear a size 14 or larger.
- Industry Growth: The plus-size clothing market is growing three times faster (+6% annually) than the overall clothing market (+2% annually).
- Market Share: Today, 114 million American women are classified as “plus size” by the fashion industry.
- Size Preferences: Only 23% of clothing purchases in the US are in standard/average sizes.
Market Size
The plus-size clothing market has shown steady annual growth of over 6%.
Typically fluctuating between 4-8% yearly, the growth isn’t always evident due to the market’s large size.
Data analysis indicates a correlation between Plus Size Industry growth rates and Global GDP growth rates, with an average global GDP growth of 5.8% closely aligning with the plus-size industry growth.
| Year | US | US, CAGR | World | World, CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | $7.4bn | 5.31% | $143.67bn | 5.59% |
| 2001 | $7.94bn | 7.11% | $153.97bn | 6.69% |
| 2002 | $8.35bn | 5.17% | $161.76bn | 4.82% |
| 2003 | $8.99bn | 6.65% | $173.98bn | 7.02% |
| 2004 | $9.49bn | 5.62% | $183.35bn | 5.11% |
| 2005 | $10.02bn | 5.51% | $196.25bn | 6.57% |
| 2006 | $10.65bn | 6.35% | $207.78bn | 5.55% |
| 2007 | $11.41bn | 7.11% | $219.74bn | 5.44% |
| 2008 | $12.12bn | 6.27% | $234.44bn | 6.27% |
| 2009 | $12.93bn | 5.66% | $252.15bn | 7.03% |
| 2010 | $13.81bn | 6.77% | $268.8bn | 6.19% |
| 2011 | $14.76bn | 4.88% | $284.73bn | 5.59% |
| 2012 | $15.79bn | 6.99% | $305.14bn | 6.69% |
| 2013 | $16.91bn | 4.10% | $320.59bn | 4.82% |
| 2014 | $18.13bn | 7.20% | $344.36bn | 6.90% |
| 2015 | $19.45bn | 6.31% | $358.88bn | 4.05% |
| 2016 | $20.9bn | 7.42% | $386.38bn | 7.12% |
| 2017 | $22.47bn | 4.53% | $412.08bn | 6.24% |
| 2018 | $24.19bn | 7.64% | $444.68bn | 7.33% |
| 2019 | $25.79bn | 6.60% | $465.52bn | 4.48% |
| 2020 | $27.23bn | 5.58% | $503.53bn | 7.55% |
| 2021 | $29.4bn | 7.97% | $538.66bn | 6.52% |
| 2022 | $31.1bn | 5.79% | $570.1bn | 5.52% |
| 2023 | $33.03bn | 6.20% | $604.59bn | 6.05% |
| 2024 | $35.08bn | 6.20% | $641.17bn | 6.05% |
| 2025 | $37.25bn | 6.20% | $679.96bn | 6.05% |
| 2026 | $39.56bn | 6.20% | $721.1bn | 6.05% |
| 2027 | $42.01bn | 6.20% | $764.72bn | 6.05% |
| 2028 | $44.62bn | 6.20% | $810.99bn | 6.05% |
| 2029 | $47.38bn | 6.20% | $860.05bn | 6.05% |
| 2030 | $50.32bn | 6.20% | $912.09bn | 6.05% |
Sizing Demographic of Women – what sizes are used most?
We analyzed dress sizes ranging from 6-34 to capture the distribution of plus-size clothes.
An intriguing finding reveals that when sizes 14 and above are combined, they represent 68% of all US women.
| Size | Percentage of American Women |
|---|---|
| 6 | 3% |
| 8 | 6% |
| 10 | 12% |
| 12 | 11% |
| 14 | 11% |
| 16 | 15% |
| 18 | 13% |
| 20 | 9% |
| 22 | 5% |
| 24 | 3% |
| 26 | 4% |
| 28 | 3% |
| 30 | 1% |
| 32 | 2% |
| 34 | 2% |
The Average Size American Man and Woman
Clothing sizes have changed drastically over the years. From a 1950s size 16 being equivalent to a size 8 today (in 2023), changes are attributed to both increasing height and body size perception.
For more accurate data representation on clothing sizes, it’s essential to align it with objective body size statistics. We have collected data to determine the average sizes of women and men in present-day America.
Facts
- The plus-size market is still considered underrepresented and underserved in the fashion industry, with many facing challenges in finding well-fitting clothing.
- Online marketplaces and size-specific retailers are bridging the gap left by traditional outlets slow to adapt.
- The term “plus size” is viewed as outdated and controversial, implying larger sizes are extra or separate from standard sizes.
- The fashion industry has faced criticism for lack of inclusivity towards plus-size individuals.
- Discrimination and body shaming are still prevalent for plus-size individuals.
- A growing movement of plus-size influencers promotes body positivity and challenges traditional beauty ideals.
Biggest Plus Size Brands
Here are 11 plus-size brands focusing exclusively on sizes +14:
- Lane Bryant: Established in 1904, Lane Bryant is a renowned plus-size brand offering a wide selection of clothing.
- Torrid: A fashion-forward brand specializing in trendy plus-size clothing for young women.
- Eloquii: Known for a diverse range of fashionable plus-size clothing.
- Ashley Stewart: Offers a variety of clothing including dresses, jeans, and activewear.
Definitions
The definition of plus-size can vary based on context and source, generally referring to clothing designed for larger individuals than “standard” sizes.
In the fashion industry, plus size typically encompasses sizes 14 and above, though definitions may vary.
Plus-size clothing caters to larger bodies without a specific limit on size range.
Some consider the term “plus size” controversial, preferring alternatives like “inclusive sizes.”
