Just right. In between. The middle sizes.
Meet the new silent majority: mid-size women. The visibility of mid-sized bodies was initially spurred on by the inclusivity and body positivity energy surrounding the plus sized movement. But separate from plus sized struggles, being “in the middle” presents its own host of problems.
We might be tempted to call mid sizes “average” sizes as a majority of women fall into this group, but the types of bodies that wear 10-16 are arguably more nuanced than any other size category. It would seem logical that women with mid sized bodies could find fitting garments in both straight and plus sized categories, but as “average” women know, this is far from the truth.
From a slender 16 to a curvy 12, mid sized women spend significant time combing the clothing racks at box retailers, attempting to find a perfect fit. Why is this happening when a large percentage of women would consider themselves mid sized? A lack of a uniform size category, as well as inconsistency in sizing partly caused by the way clothing garment products are developed are two problems to look at more closely.
What is “Mid Size”?
Mid-sizes are those from 10-16 but as we know too well, actual fit can vary from brand to brand. The challenge of being a mid size is that straight sizes, the 2-10 typically found in most retail fashion stores, are too small. But plus sized retailers, meaning 16 and up, sell clothing that is too large. So where do women in the middle find clothes? They come out empty handed over and over.
Many models that are billed by fashion designers as being plus sized are actually middle sized. It’s especially common in luxury clothing which has a tendency to produce only a limited number of sizes to begin with, starting at 00 and usually ending at or below size 12. They believe they’re covering larger sizes, but they’re leaving out millions of women.
‘In betweeners’ are not the ‘targeted’ consumers for either plus or straight sized clothing brands.
How is One 16 Different From Another?
Off the rack, mid sized clothing is notoriously ill fitting. The problem is not linked to any one brand or style of garment, but to the broad approach used by designers to build out sizes for each creation.
Grading is a system of measurements by which garment makers create a range of sizes in a particular style, by adjusting the base pattern for each size. Each style is built around a sample and a human “fit model” who represents a starting point on size and body shape, usually in the middle range of sizes that the designer intends to create. Fashion designers start with the sample size, usually an 8 in straight sizes with extended sizing or an 18 in plus sizes, and create other sizes by adding or subtracting 1-2 inches of fabric. They also modify darts and seams according to pattern theory that ostensibly shifts to flatter larger and smaller bodies.
The result is that clothing designed around a straight sized sample will fit differently than a garment using a plus sized sample as a starting point. Without knowing how the designer created the style, it is difficult to determine if a piece will fit by looking at the size alone.
One other thing that is rarely considered in garment product development is age: mature bodies may shift from an hourglass shape to a more rectangular because of weight in the middle. So a size 10 may fit very differently on a 25 year old vs a 55 year old! While some big box retailers like Target and brands like Cynthia Rowley have expanded their size ranges, many manufacturers still assert that the time and costs associated with achieving the proper fit for these ‘fringe’ sizes is not worth the investment.
Solving the Mid Size Dilemma
So what do you do? Drive from fitting room to fitting room in search of a perfect fit? Put on a shapeless sack dress or speed dial a tailor for every t-shirt with broad shoulders and saggy arm holes?
One of the main benefits of being middle size is that many styles look fantastic on you. Balodana designers make clothing that is made-to-measure, which means it’s available in size YOU. So take on current trends or layer on the classics! These pieces are worth adding to your wardrobe, especially if you’re hovering in the “in between.”
This stylish midi cocktail dress by Tavrovska can go from boardroom chic to date night debonair in a moment’s notice. Just add stilettos – or take it down a notch with basic pumps and your favorite blazer.
Build the backbone of your wardrobe with this mid length wrap skirt from Delia Von Hahn.
Add some boho variety to your closet with a SANGA linen tunic from Shantima. Custom made in a huge assortment of colors.
Resources
https://bedbible.com/plus-size-industry-market-size-statistics
https://www.glamour.com/story/the-mid-size-movement-is-taking-over-fashion-tiktok
https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/in-the-news/what-is-mid-size
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/12/18222409/retailers-women-in-between-plus-straight-size