Size stigma hinders India's plus-size garment market
16 May 2023, Mumbai
India falls behind in the global market for plus-size clothing despite having a large consumer base with sizes beyond UK 12, according to Statista.
The global plus-size clothing market is expected to exceed $696,712 million by 2027, which presents a significant opportunity for India to create stylish and good-quality garments for the oversized segment.
With an abundance of different textiles, Indian designers can create comfortable outfits while playing with prints, textures, and embroidery on a larger canvas of fabric.
While there has been a change in attitude towards body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, there is still a stigma attached to plus-size fashion in India. This has resulted in a limited variety of styles available in physical stores, causing discomfort and shame for those who want to wear plus-size clothes.
However, with the rise of e-commerce and social media, there has been a slow shift toward creating garments for different body shapes and types.
Designers can combat the issue of disparity in sizes by providing custom fits to boost buyers' confidence and put them at ease.
Additionally, oversized clothing is not exclusive to the plus-size segment; those with smaller frames can also appreciate the comfort and breezy fit of loose outfits.
India also has the opportunity to tap into the global market for plus-size clothing by creating stylish and good quality garments for the oversized segment.