The complaints about the shortage of fashionable clothes for plus size women aren’t new. The fashion industry has mainly ignored women who are a size 14 or larger for as long anyone can remember, relating women with some meat on their bones to shopping at discount stores or the occasional plus sized specialty stores. The taboo against larger sizes has carried over to everything from evening wear to Halloween costumes.

Most stores that carry Halloween costumes for plus size women in the past have offered a very limited selection. The majority of the costumes they did offer tended toward frumpy outfits or anything pretty that still managed to cover most of the body, as though all those generous curves had to be hidden. Queens in long gowns and clowns were plentiful, but sexy cheerleaders or vampy flapper outfits were nowhere to be found.

Changing Perceptions of Size and Beauty

Today, the typical American woman has begun to speak out and has demanded to be heard by the fashion industry and manufacturers in general. The average size woman in America today wears a size 14, and she is coming into her own as a standard of beauty despite the clothing industry’s lack of affordable plus size fashion.

In the past, the media and fashion industry has projected an unattainable and unrealistic version of what is beautiful, offering images of women who were 5’10” and weighted 110 pounds. In fact, this represents the smallest segment of the American population, and retailers are finally beginning to see the light. With one third of all women wearing a size 16 or larger, they’ve come to realize that there are millions of beautiful plus size women who will snap up fashionable clothing and sexy costumes if they are available.

A recent survey also showed that many men actually prefer what some referred to as, “women with a little meat on their bones.” Zaftig figures, classically curvy shapes and a soft, embraceable bit of extra padding were routinely described by men as sexy and desirable. With this kind of validation and the support of their boyfriends, husbands and families, more women than ever who wear a size 14 or larger are dressing in sexy clothing and flaunting their curves.

Women like Queen Latifah, who is one of the faces of Cover Girl, and plus size supermodel Emme have helped redefine beauty without regard to size and have given plus size women everywhere the courage to dress in stylish, sexy clothing without apologizing for their weight.

Halloween Costumes for Every Body

The costume industry has taken notice of this shift and is now offering costumes for plus size women that are pretty, sweet, sexy, revealing and just as stylish and well made as their standard size costumes. The wide range of styles is a reflection of an increasing awareness that beauty is far more about the way you carry yourself than it is about your size.

Top costume retailers report that costumes for plus size women – and men – fly off the shelves. It seems that plus size Americans have been waiting for the chance to cut loose and dress up as their alter egos at Halloween. Popular styles for women include fairies, French maids, witches, Gypsies, Super heroes such as Wonder Woman and sexy versions of anything from a pirate to a police officer.

If you’re one of the millions of women who wear a size 14 or larger, this Halloween could be your best ever. Take a moment to get in touch with your inner fantasy character, then start shopping. You’ll find plenty of gorgeous costumes for plus sizes that will make you the star of the party!