The Forgotten Ones

DD

By not designing for larger/more mature women, designers seriously are missing out on billions of dollars just waiting to be earned. I just saw an episode of Trinny and Susanna, and it was all about this. But 'affaordable' stores, as it has been put, need to keep up with trends in order to be able to compete with more fashionable stores.
However, I disagree that they only have current fashions. I walk through these shops with my mum, and I see heaps of clothes that she can totally wear. I mean, if things look like they're too small, maybe try a different size? Like, things also have different fits and stuff, no, they don't suit every body type, and that's why you need to try things on, and know what fits you, and suits you. I do textiles, and I know first hand that it's not possible to design anything which fits everyone.
Also, to everyone complaining about clothes being too overpriced, those clothes are often the ones which use to quality fabrics, have attention to detail, and are made in a particular country (which I am personally against not choosing something because it was made in an Asian country). If you try to make a jacket or even a shirt from a clothing shop which is not discount, if you need to buy the quality fabric which they often use, come up with the design and pattern, cut, pin and sew the garment, you would know why they cost so much. One way to reduce these costs is to send it overseas, where the quality might not be too crash hot, and another way is to be less picky on the sizing etc. Sometimes, as buyers, we need to prioritse.
There are also specialty stores for more mature women who value comfort and also want to look good, think Katies, Susanne. Some clothes may not be brilliant, but that's the point of shopping- you need to look around and choose. Sometimes people need to look around, especially if all you find is unfitting clothes. Maybe you aren't looking in the right shops.
Then again, I agree that some of the clothes beign made right now, is really horrible.