Idea for a clothing store- What do you think?

Okay, I had this idea for a clothing store today, let's just call it Shapes.  Instead of being sectioned off into juniors, plus size, etc. it would be organized by body shape.

Let's say there would be a triangle section, an upside down triangle section, an hourglass section, a circle section and a ruler section.  Each section would have clothes in current styles that would be adapted to better fit those body shapes.  In addition to fit, there might be some variations in pattern and detailing to flatter different shapes.  There would be a full selection of sizes within each shape, although probably not going much higher than a 20 or so. 

What do you think?  Would you shop at this store?  What are some potential problems you can think of?  Not that I know how to go about starting a clothing store, but I thought it was a neat idea.  BTW, I trust that none of you will steal my idea and make millions ;D 

It does sound like a promising idea.  Too bad for me it would stop at size 20...  I'd be too big for your clothing line.

I understand the limit though.  I don't think thinner people really want to be reminded of the bigger sizes.  Once you get below the 'big sizes' it's like you just want to get away from them and never look back...  So it sounds like a fine plan to me.  :)

I think you have a good starting plan.  There are so many clothing lines that fit a person different.  I would actually see if there are signs for the body shape (hour glass figure).   You would have to have a sales staff that would know the designs and help people understand that low rise may not before them becuase of their figure.  That is a touchy subject for some shoppers.  Me, tell me if I look horrible in the jeans or if they fit me right.  That is one thing I hate about shopping, it there is not a knowledgable person to help find clothes that fit my figure.  The last thing I want to show off is my cellulite thighs and butt which seems to be the fashion craze.

I think that excluding people over 20 could propose a problem but that would depond the demographics of your store.  If you are in a large city it would be fine, smaller town I think you would have a hard time with that limit.

An idea that may enhance your store is finding a person who can do alterations at a discount.  I know that my sister-in-law has to have so many of her clothes altered due to her chest size. 

I would shop at this store.

the reason I thought I would cut it off at 20 is because there are several large chains that already serve the plus size market, and I don't think it would be practical to offer a full range of plus size clothes along with standard sizes, because it is kind of a specialized market.  I just think it would require too much space to carry every size from a zero to....honestly I don't know if there is a limit on plus sizes. 

I think many people have a problem finding clothes that fit their bodies though, regardless of what size they are.  Actually, I don't know if extremely small people have a problem with finding clothes because of their proportions, although I have heard people say that they have a hard time finding clothes small enough to fit them at all unless they shop in the children's section.  I don't know if that would be within the scope of my store either.

honestly squish.. there aren't really that many stores (around here anyway.. and i'm in the suburbs of chicago.. not small!) that sell plus size clothes.. and very few of them actually ever fit me well.  lane bryant, fashion bug plus, and there are sections in each of the major stores (macy's, kohls, carson's) that sell plus size. 

as a former plus size gal (but not anymore!  yay!) i can honestly say that this is an idea that would work AWESOME for the plus size market too.  so many times the plus sized clothes are just the same fashion at other stores made bigger.. such as cropped shirts and low rise jeans.. let's face it those only look good on a size 8 or lower!  not on a 18+ body!  :) 

just my 2 cents.. other than that though.. your idea is fantastic!  you totally need people to work there that are like the 2 gals on what not to wear (the brittish version though.. i like them better!)  :) 

Good idea on limiting it!  I didn't think of it that way.

I know that some of my friends have a hard time finding adult clothes because of how small they are.  It is nice to hear that they have the same problems when we chat.  I know another area that was hard for my mom and a few other ladies it that jeans, pants and suits are always too long. 

 You would have to define the style/size (not sure how to say what I am thinking here).  I would take the average scale of what a woman is and work around that, maybe specialize in sizes 6 to 20 or whatever you chose.  This could be hard but definately doable.  I think you would have to find that nitche that would compete with the bigger chains out there. 

I agree with obsidyan!  I hate not being able to find clothes that fit when I was larger.  I always felt like I was dressing for my 80's instead of for my 30's. 

maybe after your store is successful in the up to size 20 market, you could expand to the up to size 28 market. I wear a 24 jeans and I agree with obs - i have to try on about 15 pairs of pants to find 1 that fits.

The store i have the best luck with is Avenue, but I don't always like the clothes they have.  Do pretty well with Bill Blass at Macy's...

But, yeah...

Unless you did a Deb's and have a "regular" size area and a "plus" size area ('course it sucks when you're between sizes.)  Or started at size 6/8 and went up to 24/26.

I like the shapes idea.  I'm so tired of jeans fitting me in the waist but being far too big in the hips and thigh.  (Or fitting everywhere but the waist.)  I REFUSE to shop maternity or to wear elastic waistbands!

I'd like to see those cute empire or "cross over" tops and dresses be a bit bigger in the cups.  I look like a porn star in them because I'm not proportioned the same way as the garment.  I'd also like to see cute "big" bras that are also practical -- wider straps and bands. 

nomo, I like your idea of starting off going up to size 20, and expanding if that is successful.  I might not go all the way down to a zero either, at least not at first.  I think that actually starting a store like that would require doing a lot of surveying to find out what people actually wanted, and doing a lot of body measurements.  Also, I was thinking it would be cool if it could be like a spin-off brand of an already successful store, kind of like how Old Navy is owned by the Gap.  That would lend it some credibility.  This is all just pipe dreams of course...

wow thats a great idea, i hate and i love looking through magazines for ideas for my body shape.  hate it because then i have to go and find the styles in the store. love it because it would fit me, of course  never actually go to the store and search so this type of clothing store would be perfect for me!!!

You know what I think is a even better idea though?  An exchange type of place for people working on losing weight.  Also, clothing for plus sizes and regular sizes but extremely comfortable LOL.  I am sure there are ways to make beautiful clothing in comfortable materials.  Lately, I just want to steal hubby's T-shirts.  He buys expensive ones but they are Ohhh Soooooooooo Soft.  My clothes are always short, tight, "Form-fitting."  Eventually, I just give into layering and wearing very loose clothing.

I think it's a great idea, right now I have about 40 lbs to lossand  I'm still trying to get rid of belly and I would love to find some tops that were longer, button tops that fit over bust. And yes, some help finding jeans that look right. I like some of the baby doll tops right now but alot tie in back and they look like maturnity tops or too babyish for 50 yr. old. Seems like have to buy bigger sizes even though my size is going down. they are using that tight stretchy (sp) material and I don't want them tight. Good luck with your idea.

I used to write passionate letters to the corporate honchos at lane bryant asking them why they couldn't make a pant for a large woman with a waist... because with all their pants, I have a HUGE gap at the back of the waist.

I'd ask, Do you think it's impossible that a large woman could have great big boobs and a great big butt and still have a waist? Because I'm real and I want to buy pants from you, but I can't because all of your pants seem to be made for apple shapes and I need pants made for an hourglass shape.  Please make some pants I can buy!

After about 3 letters and no response, I finally gave up and don't really shop there any more.  Occasionally I'll go in and try stuff on, but it never fits so I never buy it.

The thing I like about your store concept is that it respects the individuality of people, understanding that they do come in different sizes and shapes - you're not trying to stuff every person into the fashions that look good on a 'perfect size 6 model'

Yep, sounds like you need to do some sketches of about 3 outfits for each shape and get an appointment with the GAP.  (probably not easy to do)  You could be the next gazillionaire!  :)

There's a store in Greensboro called Mack and Mack and I've heard that their clothes are made to be truly comfortable.  My bf calls them 'clo-jamas' because he thinks they're more like pajamas than clothes.  They're handmade clothes though, so they're on the pricey side, otherwise I'd probably happily shop there.

I agree!  I hate when you grab a pair of jeans and they fit in the legs but then you have to buy a belt or they fit in the waste and suck to your thighs...  I wish people who designed these clothes would use real people as models instead of the "models" of today.

I like the exchange store idea!  That would be a great start up business.....

babyangie, I think the clothing exchange is a great idea too, but it sounds like someone else's project.  Maybe you can take that one on.  Anything that will make the world an easier place to get dressed, right?

i would TOTALLY shop there.

its so hard to find stuff thats cut for an hourglass thats small.
and things that are big enough for the curves are cut too strait most of the time for the waist! 50's vintage clothing fits me best.
make that line!


one time a friends and i were talking about not putting sizes on tags and just say a size 16 is a rose and a size 14 would be a violet (flower names instead of sizes) totally would confuse people...lol..but ahhhhh the utopia it would be if everyone could adjust.

I would completely shop at this store! Of course you'd have to have sizes up to my size (26)...but it's a great idea.

The thing I hate is that most shirts are cut to short or to skin tight. There's never that perfect fit. I have get shirts huge in the shoulders and bust to fit around my hips and stomach. I am a size B cup and most shirts that fit my middle and hips are cut up top for a size D cup. It's just annoying. This idea would be wonderful!

Good luck!

I'd shop there with enthusiasm if the sizes were organized by skirt or inseam length, and waist and hip measurments.  I'm having a hard time finding pants that fit my height.  It seems that all the manufacturers are making them longer.  Even the petites are too long.  I'm 5'4" with a 28" inseam and they just don't make them anymore.

Mens pants are sold by waist and inseam in every combination, so why can't ours be like that?

Great idea!  That is why it is already being done, at least online--even the name Shapes.   Check it out, I found it with a search engine a few months ago--clothes recommendations are made for your specific measurements and body shape.   www.myshape.com

This is actually the latest trend, or so it seems to me. For example Banana Republic now has 3 or 4 styles of pants to fit different body types (I like their Martins), so does Ann Taylor (I like their Marisa's) and Ann Taylor Loft (I like their Ann's). And the Gap just introduced "curvy-fit" jeans... not to mention "boyfriend" jeans.  

However, I don't think anyone offers this concept in tops - so you could differentiate there. For example, no spaghetti strap tops for us inverted triangles. :-(

And I love the idea of making details and patterns to suit the various body types!! I'm petite, and while I am very thankful for the wider array of choices we have today compared to 20 years ago, my biggest pet peeve is that nobody's ever thought to make handbags and jewelry scaled down for a petite figure!!! Most handbags are way too HUGE for me... and necklaces are always way too long.

Also, I think you forgot the circle type. :-)