Tim Gunn Airs His Fashion Sizing Frustrations

By SheSpeaksTeam Sep 01, 2013

We’ve heard a lot lately about the unrealistic size ‘0’ runway model and how the fashion world tends to never stray too far from the tall thin look we have come so accustomed to seeing. Now fashion guru and Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn is speaking out about how designers should start thinking about the larger curvier women they have been ignoring all of these years.

Gunn recently aired his frustration over fashion sizing with Huffington Post saying, “When I'm working in the real world with real women and we're shopping, we find that fashion seems to end when you get any larger than a size 12. How ridiculous is that?” Women who wear anything larger than a size 12 often face difficulty finding the latest trends and fashions in the “plus-size” department.

Over the years Gunn admits he has attempted to shake things up, talking to designers about opening their eyes to this whole other market of women wanting to wear the latest fashions. Gunn explains, “I've had my own moments in front of designers when I've actually said, 'You know, there's a market here for expanding your work, and here it is. And frankly, there are two markets: The women who are larger than the 12, and then there are women who are petite. And most designers that I talk to have absolutely no interest in addressing either of those populations, which I find repugnant.”

Gunn later goes on to describe what he calls “vanity sizing”. What was once a size 12 dress form from the 1980’s is today’s size 8. Since designers perceive women will not want to purchase something that says “size 12” or above they tend to fudge the numbers to entice shoppers. “Vanity sizing” sets a tone that says larger sizes are not okay. Gunn adds, “I think we should just be honest about these sizes and not try to pretend they are something that they're not.”

What do you think about Tim Gunn’s view on fashion sizing?

Would you be happy to see more fashionable trendy clothing above a size 12?