Growing Pains

"One area of the plus-size market that is getting a lot of attention these days is teens.""

Says Manhattan-based fashion and style consultant Michelle Weston, “The teen plus-size market is becoming more and more evolved. It’s the fastest growing sector of retail.

She cites favorite brands such as Forever 21, FUBU, Rampage, and Necessary Objects as doing a good job in translating today’s more fitted silhouettes to plus-size. Retailers like d’ELIAS and Hot Topic also carry a wide variety of hip clothing in larger sizes, while notable websites www.torrid.com, www.girlshop.com, www.alloy.com, and www.shopjlo.com offer great selection and style.

Continues Weston, “Teens want clothes that make them fit in with their peers and in with the group, unlike adults who want to be individual. It’s important for adults, retailers and designers to foster self-esteem in teens and support that. They are our future, and we need them to feel good about themselves in both mind and body. Teens should not be excluded from wearing hipper, fashionable clothing because of their size.”