Curvy, Trendy, and Fashion

It is important for retail customers to see themselves in what they purchase and over recent years there has been a shift in within the fashion industry on how curvy women are viewed. That being said, in reality we can safely assume that most women who buy retail clothing aren't all a size zero. Can we perhaps expect to see a difference in upcoming trends for women, encouraging the true beauty of "curvy?"

The similarity to this prediction relates in many ways to the Victorian era when curvy meant you were perceived as wealthy, and wealthy meant you were more desirable. "Voluptuous" was "trendy" in the Victorian era, therefore women (and men of course) desired an "hourglass" frame.

The trend seemed to change directions around the 1920's popularizing the thin "flipper girl" look. Then, 1950's the trends spiked back up for the size 14 Marilyn Monroe "bombshell" from Hollywood look. 1960's "Twiggy"-skinny look transcended into the 1980's and 1990's where we saw more average sizes, yet baggier-looks appeal. 

(Photo Courtesy of: tumblr.com)

(Photo Courtesy of: blogspot.com)

Can we see these patterns perhaps coming back due to our recent economical crisis? In the past 100 years alone it seems the ideal women's figure went from voluptuous to slender back to voluptuous again, and it started out having to do with the financial stature of a women. There have even been articles not too long ago about new mannequins being re-made and distributed to clothing stores due to it's more realistic size; and those would be more likely to attract women's attention when shopping.

Even more recently in an industry where size zero models are the rule and size ten models are the exception, a fashion shoot that uses a 'plus-size' model without actually labeling the shoot 'plus-size,' is a rare find. However, H&M's new Beachwear collection, presented on the retailer's online womenswear homepage, features U.S. size 12 model Jennie Runk, minus the ubiquitous and stigmatizing term 'plus-size'. 'Her section isn't labeled "Plus-Size Beachwear" — it's just beachwear, period,' writes Jezebel's Jenna Sauers. This is a huge step in the fashion industry in accepting the "curvy" figure. So does that mean the industry is finally turning their back on size zero models?

(Photo Courtesy of: Dailymail.co.uk)

Furthermore, Kate Upton is the lastest supermodel which proves the fashion industry is changing. She has landed the honor of making the cover of British Vogue! When she was selected, her "curviness" had an influence as to why she got the spot.

(Photo Courtesy of: vogue.com)

Clothing retailers will do what they need to to boost fashion clothing sales, therefore luxury brands and fashion business and development will also likely follow along those steps to which is desired. It does seem interesting the "trends" of women's body-shapes and how they not only effect retail and distribution sales in the fashion business, but also the way women view themselves in general.