Business Bows To The Bulge
Fashion magazines may leave the impression that all Americans look like Cindy Crawford or Mike Tyson. But clothing companies are making room for people who come in other sizes and shapes. Correspondent Lisa Cooley of CBS station WCBS-TV in New York reports.
There is a revolution underway. It's the battle of the bulge, and guess what? The bulge is winning.
Health clubs try to convince the public that Americans are in better shape than ever. But it appears that more people are skipping the fat-free chips and going for the real thing.
Here's proof: A company that makes car seats is making them bigger because, they say, Americans' own seats have started to spread.
It's borne out by American fashion, too. In the U.S., says Avril Graham of Marie Claire magazine, "retailers are acknowledging lots of different sizes in body shapes."
To boost sales in women's clothes, Kmart yanked the hot pants and tube tops, and replaced them with styles that have elastic waistbands and drawstring pants.
Chuck Jayson, president of Oscar de la Renta's sportswear line, says they offer sizes from petite through size 16.
As Americans cheat on their diets, some designers are cheating on their size labeling to make consumers feel better. What used to be a size 12 is now a size 10, and the old size 10s are now size 8s.
How much of this is an attempt to sell more clothes? Graham says different designers cut their clothes in different ways; some have slimmer or wider silhouettes.
The best advice for those buying new clothes: Buy what fits your body shape, regardless of labels or fitness resolutions.