Exploration of Indian plus-size women's ready-to-wear: problems and preferences

What is it about?

This study aims to identify clothing preferences and problems related to readymade plus size clothing in India. For this purpose, a self-administered close ended questionnaire was used to answer set of objectives. Statistical tests like binomial distribution was used to analyze fit related problems of 12 bodily sites such as: shoulder, upperarm, lowerarm, bust, waist, stomach, abdomen, hip, thigh, lowerleg, armhole and elbow and frequency charts were used to examine likert scale data of sizing problems. The choices of twelve clothing styles were mapped through four factors which affect a purchasing decision of a plus size woman. Poor fitted clothes at 10 body sites out of 12 reflected about the fit aspect of plus size clothing in India. Findings associated to sizing issues like unavailability of trendy clothes in appropriate sizes; which also adorn Indian curvy figure shows synonymy to the worldwide researcher’s findings related to sizing chaos. Classic silhouettes like Straight Indian kurti, A-line dresses and regular fit trousers were majorly preferred by women. Hiding body bulges was mostly preferred while purchasing loose fitted garments and the fitted garments were preferred only if these suits to curvy body proportion. Appropriate fit and size availability always a prime requisite and the factor mapping with clothing preferences will be useful to reduce rejections and inventories.

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