Navane's post about clothing finally drew me to respond to this, because I really didn't want to err, weigh in. I am nearly 5'9." My listed weight (on my license) is 180, but I'm northward of that. I have smallish breasts, a short but narrow waist, a large butt and thick thighs.
Yes, the average size in this country is 12-14, and many women are larger than that (for me, it's my bottoms). All I'm asking is for retailers and designers to make and sell clean, good looking classics w/o heavy embellishment (embroidery) and to use some natural fabrics -- death to rayon challis and polyester!
The big issue is that many designers and large chains have an image issue -- their ideal is a slim size 6 who lives on the Upper East Side of New York (not meant to offend any NYers on this board) who has money.
In fact, Calvin Klein reportedly once said nobody should be more than a size 12. No coincidence that Klein hasn't expanded into plus sizes with his bridge business.
On the other hand, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and Oscar De La Renta are three "name" American designers who have made the jump, albeit with lower-cost lines (DKNY, Lauren Ralph Lauren and Oscar). Ellen Tracy and Dana Buchman, however, are my favorites. Ann Taylor just started carrying 16s, but they need to go up to 20, like Talbots does.
And navane, be glad your dude likes your figure.
