Why Can’t We Get H&M’s Plus Sized Collection Stateside?

by Justin Fenner | 11:33 am, January 25th, 2011

H&M might set the standard for fast fashion, but now they’re going after the plus sized market, too. The Swedish megabrand will introduce a plus sized collection, called Inclusive, which will be sold exclusively online. Problem is, H&M doesn’t have e-commerce in the United States.

Of course that wouldn’t be a problem if the dresses were ugly, but they’re not. Frockwriter posted pictures of the 20-piece capsule collection, and also noted that the dresses in it are cute. And we agree.

From a printed halter dress to a one shoulder frock that looks more Lanvin than Ashley Stewart, all of the dresses are high waisted with full skirts — but none of them are boring. While they might be a little too sweet to satisfy everyone, there’s no denying they’re all salable garments.

The online only thing is supposed to be a nod to the way plus size women shop. When Australian designer Leona Edmiston expanded her offering to a size 24 in 2008, her research indicated that many plus sized women buy online because they’re not comfortable shopping in stores.

But again, H&M doesn’t believe in e-commerce in America, so Frockwriter says you’ll have to get online in “Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Swedish Finland and the UK” to get a piece of the Inclusive action.

Still, even though we can’t buy it, we have to say that it’s a positive move. We’ve seen time and time again the influence fast fashion has on both high-end fashion and traditional retail. If H&M is doing something, we can be sure other parts of the industry will follow.

Enable JavaScript to check out our fancy slideshow.

1.H&M's Inclusive Plus-Sized Collection

2.H&M's Inclusive Plus-Sized Collection

3.H&M's Inclusive Plus-Sized Collection

4.H&M's Inclusive Plus-Sized Collection

5.H&M's Inclusive Plus-Sized Collection

The big league: H&M launches a plus size collection for Spring [Frockwriter]

H&M H&M Inclusive H&M Plus Sized H&M Plus Sized Inclusive

bozekmm

First off, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I hate the fact that “plus sized” models (size 10) are still smaller than the average US woman (size 14). Apparently, I am plus sized. Great. Thanks, fashion.

In other news, I am deeply saddened that I will not be able to purchase these. I’ve always been irritated that H&M doesn’t sell things online in the US. Maybe they’ll end up making an exception for their plus sized line? To be continued.
Anonymous

CUUUUUTE DRESSES~
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=28101721 Cynthia Cheng

It’s all about height. The average size 14 woman in America is probably four or five inches shorter than most size 14 wearing models. When you’re shorter, you look bigger at certain sizes. That’s why women who’re 5’2″ and wear size 0 look proportionately “bigger” than runway models. For a 5’2″ woman to be just as “thin” proportionately speaking as someone who is 5’10″ and size 0 or 2, she probably has to have a 17 inch waist rather than 23 inches. I think a lot of body image activists don’t take height into consideration when complaining about sizes. I’m about 5’2″ with a relatively thin frame. I’d probably have some major health issues if I wore a size 14.
Jane

I love these dresses, why can’t they have them in both plus size and a regular? I really wan’t the off-shulder- do you think one can tailer it to a size 2?
Jane

in the online shop they use larger models too- http://shop.hm.com/at/shoppingwindow?dept=DAM_BIB1&shoptype=S

happy?
kstar

I am plus size and I LOVE to shop in a store and try on clothes like any other woman. Why is it that plus size woman are portrayed to be ashamed of themselves? I wish H&M would sell plus size in store, just because we are fat doesn’t mean we want to not try on the clothes before we buy it
anonymous

I think there could be some truth in being a little ashamed to step into Lane Bryant, but a store that carries all sizes shouldn’t cause a twinge of anxiety. I hate when stores keep all the larger sizes online. If anything, it’s more crucial for larger women to try on clothes to see if they look good and fit well. I constantly talk myself out of things I like online because I’m scared it won’t fit well and I don’t want to go through the hassle of shipping it back and reordering a new size. By then, all the fun and excitement have drained out of the shopping experience. It shouldn’t have to be such a chore.
Yo

And I read this at a size 20 and 5″2…thanks for playing
Smultronsoda

the collection is for everyone from EU size 32 to 52 = very small to huge!

Why Can’t We Get H&M’s Plus Sized Collection Stateside?

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