There are more plus sized women globally than ever before, but the fashion world has yet to catch up and serve this demographic properly. Recent estimates state that as many as 67% of the women in the US wear plus size clothing, yet far more straight sizes are produced than plus size items. Most plus size women struggle to find trendy items, flattering styles, and clothing that's well-suited to their body type.

This is a huge loss of potential profits for retailers as well as an unfair struggle for the women that can't find clothing options that suit their needs. Luckily every single retailer no matter how big or small can play a part in reversing this trend and building up their business's success in the process. Here are 4 important wholesale purchasing strategies to keep in mind when stocking your store so you can serve your plus size customers well. 

1) Understand the Difference Between True Plus Size Clothing and Scaled Up Straight Sizing

Not understanding this important difference is one of the most common pitfalls of wholesale plus size clothing shopping. Many suppliers will offer a fairly large range of sizes, some of which technically fall under the category of "plus size". The issue is these clothes are often just larger replicas of the smaller straight sizes, so they end up ill-fitting and unflattering on actual plus size bodies. Plus size women aren't simply a bigger version of smaller women. Plus sized women are all unique with a range of different body types. It's always better to shop for true plus sized clothing that has been designed to fit the unique shapes of plus size women.

2) Cater To a Range of Body Types

Similar to the last point, there isn't a single shape or clothing cut that's universally flattering on all plus sized women. Some plus sized women have proportionally larger hips, some have proportionally larger busts, while some may be approximately equal in both and have an hourglass shape. 

With these differences in mind, it's essential to avoid the common mistake of only shopping for one body type. A range of different necklines, pant cuts, and dress cuts will help ensure your shop has something suitable for everyone. 

3) Offer a Range of Style Preferences

In addition to stocking a range of cuts for plus sized women, it's always wise to cater to a range of styles. Far too many clothing stores only purchase drab and dark plus size clothing. They tend to fall under the outdated mentality of only "minimizing" body parts and covering up whatever is seen as unflattering. 

While some women might still prefer this way of dressing, it doesn't mean all plus size women do, and there are still ways to show off personal style while finding pieces that are figure flattering. A range of colors, patterns, details, and fabrics can go a long way in allowing plus size women to express their personal style and have fun with their wardrobe.

4) Be Mindful of Your Fabric Selections

Last but not least, plus size women are generally more selective of the fabrics they wear. A general rule of thumb is to avoid thin, clinging, and shapeless fabrics that look cheap and lifeless. Instead, try to select high quality fabrics with more structure and substance. Fabrics with stretch can also be desirable to have a form fit without detracting from comfort. 

Overall, wholesale shopping for plus size women shouldn't be too different from other types of wholesale shopping. With a few extra details in mind, you'll be well on your way to offering stylish plus size options, having happy customers, and a thriving business.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored guest post written by one of our partners.