Sales of women's sizes 16 and up have risen steadily since 1997, jumping 22.2 percent last year alone. And modeling agencies are fielding more requests for full-figure models. Some analysts think counterculture retailer Hot Topic Inc., which is launching a chain of mall stores called Torrid that will sell edgy apparel in sizes 14 through 26, is among those leading the way. The Industry, Calif., company, which has 291 stores nationwide, began testing the market a couple of years ago by putting a limited selection of larger sizes in its Hot Topic stores. Soon the No. 1 request was for more plus sizes, chief executive Elizabeth McLaughlin said.
Shopping can be especially painful for larger teens.
For example, the New York resident couldn't find anything jazzy to buy for her 24th birthday party and had to resort to wearing a basic black skirt and top that was hanging in her closet. Her size-8 girlfriend, who was also celebrating a birthday at the party, had no such problem. Although clothing makers and retailers have been slow to recognize the potential market for larger trendy clothes for younger shoppers, they have not been oblivious. Target introduced larger juniors sizes in 1997. A year later, sportswear maker FUBU, known for its urban street wear, began offering larger sizes.