The Hindu Business Line : Big in fashion

For large-size women, long on the fringes of "thin and sexy" designer-wear, it’s time to raise a big cheer. The fashion industry is waking up to the XXL potential.

Roma Kapadia Batta

The fashion industry is finally waking up to the potential in XXL sizes. Yes, for large-sized women, long on the fringes of “thin and sexy” designer-wear, it’s time to raise a big cheer.

Survey any of the metros and one is sure to come across big brands that cater exclusively to large-sized women. From Revolutions, Just My Size, Westside and Shopper’s Stop to many more local brands, the choice is growing.

Says Seema Diyani, a homemaker, “Even though I am plump, I like wearing fashionable clothes, but shopping in India for me was a task; I had no choice at all, I never got anything that would fit me. Once a year, when I travelled abroad with my husband, I would stock up on my year’s denims and tops, or got my clothes tailored. This was extremely upsetting, but luckily things have changed in India now and there are exclusive brands catering to the large size.”

Agrees Preeti Shah, a designer who runs a boutique called Biggie in Hyderabad: “This change was the need of the hour. Being a large-sized woman myself I wanted to offer my customers unadulterated fashion, not a compromise for their large body; that’s one of the reasons I make everything under the sun from boat-neck tops, spaghetti straps, halters, large-sized pants and skirts to shorts. I offer a wider range of sizes and guarantee that a person who enters my boutique will always find a perfect fit.”

While large-size customers welcome all this newfound attention, many of them however look for some guidance while shopping. With not enough confidence to experiment, they are unsure what to buy and what will suit them. Famous designer Manish Malhotra is ready with is advice. “For starters, feeling comfortable in one’s skin and in what one wears is the ABC of style. Feel free to experiment and explore; once the initial inhibition fades away you will get comfortable,” he says.

Naitra Rao, a Mumbai-based designer, has these handy tips for the large-size fashionista.

Opt for darker shades like blacks, browns and maroons as these colours make you look slimmer.

Try and opt for prints or vertical stripes as they will make you look thinner.

Wear an A-line cut as it gives a narrower look and the best cut for plump people.

If fond of Indian-wear salwars with straight, slightly fitted kurtas are the best option.

Team your jeans with shirts and kurtas instead of T-shirts.

Avoid single colours as they will make you look plumper.

Avoid lycra and anything fitted around the waist as that makes one look plumper.

The key to a slimmer look is in avoiding close-fitted or extremely baggy clothes.