Selling clothing to plus-size women

[ladyjanelly]

I've got a few non-custom-order 2XL sweater-hoodie projects in my work-stream and I'm wondering how to handle a couple of issues and I'm hoping to get some feedback from anyone who wants to give it, but especially you ladies who are around that size.  I apologize in advance for anything I get wrong and hope I don't offend anyone.  

Using upcycled materials for plus sizes is a little different than using stock fabric, in that it requires quite a bit more labor to go along with the larger amount of sweaters.  There is more piecing required to make it large enough and to keep it from having too much non-altered space.  Also, "found" zippers only come 22", maybe 24" and are too short for the plus sizes so I need to buy new decorative hooks that are almost the same cost as the sweaters themselves.  

So to be fair to myself, the finished 2XL product needs to be around 1.5 times the price of a medium.  But I feel bad charging more, I feel guilty that i don't have any of that size up yet, and I feel it's being condescending to explain why it's more in my product notes even though I know I probably should so it doesn't look like I'm taking advantage of the larger size ladies.  

Does that makes sense at all?  I don't even know for sure what my question is, I just would like your thoughts and maybe that'll give me a starting place to tease through my own emotions on this issue and figure out what I'm even asking.

Thanks for any feedback,
-J

Comments

[embroiderama]

Yeah, it really does make sense to me. I've looked at clothes on Etsy, and it's an unfortunate reality that handmade plus-size clothes on there are [almost] always more expensive. The only things I've seen that didn't go more expensive for larger sizes were ridiculously expensive to start with.

I do agree with violetknights that if the fasteners are a major cost issue you might offer the option to go without them. I have a nice sweater I love that came with a big pin to close it in front, and I sometimes use that or another pin or just wear it open. Actually, I tend to find jackets or sweaters that zip or button all down the front restrictive-feeling, so I usually wear them open or just attached with one button around the bust area and I suspect I'm not the only larger woman who feels that way. :)

My other recommendation would be to make sure the arms/arm holes are big enough. I've tried on a lot of clothes that are made to fit right around the chest but then squeeze my upper arms like sausages and then I can barely move. With a jacket, I'd err on the side of too generously-sized upper arms rather than too small.

[elmathelas.livejournal.com]

OMG either I have massive arms and shoulders or people who design womens' clothing are morons. I have run into this at Lane Fucking Bryant of all places. And the thing is-- I like my arms! I have legit big muscles in my upper arms and ZOMG I can buy a shirt that fits my bust and belly or even a dress that skims right over my not insubstantial hips with the greatest of ease but still feel like I'm in a damn straight jacket. Or if the sleeves are big enough there's armpit choppage. Even lab coats-- I have to buy a man's coat because while the bust will fit and the circumference will be fine my shoulders are straining.

So, ahem. Seconded.

[embroiderama]

*nods* My upper arms *are* quite large, combo of fat and muscle, but my shoulders aren't particularly broad so I don't understand why jackets are sometimes tight across my back.

[ladyjanelly.livejournal.com]

I'll keep the armhole thing in mind. I like the idea of optional clasps on some of the sweaters too. I always look for garments with clasps on them at the thrift stores, since I can get 4-5 of them on a shirt for $3 or buy them for $3 each new. I can use what I have, and offer them optional when I run out. :) They're pretty enough that even open they add to the design, i think. http://www.twinrosesdesigns.com/Cloak%20Clasps%20for%20Sale.html


I'm using this chart to double-check the fitting on the off-the-rack sweaters, and wishing I had a local model to try things on. http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/womansize.html