Picking new clothes off the rack is a precious pleasure for anyone who is a plus size. You don’t have to wait for the tailor to do a rush job or wear something shapeless.
Understanding the need for plus-size clothes that are stylish and comfortable, many stores have opened in the city.
Mothichandrika Muralikrishna, of Gopalapuram, who has had to use plus-size clothing after having two children, says that she isn’t very happy with the designs her tailor churns out. “If I ask for a different neck, they tell me it cannot be done. And, patterns that I suggest don’t come out as well. But stores like Westside and Reliance have salwars in my size, and it is nice to try out and buy clothes,” she said.
Plus-size clothing stores are not new to the city. Sara Pandurangam of Pasadi on Halls Road in Egmore, who began customising for her customers 27 years ago, is still at it. “My mother began to customise clothes for her friends and their friends; now, most of the older generation wears plus-size clothes,” said Divya Pandurangam, who worked with her mother.
Designer Tina Vincent’s store, on Khader Nawaz Khan Road, has been catering to customers’ needs since 2000. “I have seen this market grow and become more diverse. I have readymade clothes that suit most. I also make wardrobe orders and redesign clothes to suit occasions, including for holidays and conferences,” said Ms. Vincent, whose forte is predominantly western wear.
The designs are made keeping in mind the needs of Indians. Kush Bhatia, director of Design Post on Radhakrishnan Salai, the latest entrant in this segment, said: “When we design the garments, we look at the common person for inspiration.”
Most brands and stores design clothes for the younger generation. Brands like Mustard and ALL (A Little Larger) can be found in most malls. The latter’s head of retail operations, Lavish Soni, said that in the past four to five years there had been a 40-50 per cent growth in the market. The brand has plans to open more stores Chennai.
