An assessment of the Plus-size lingerie industry in the UK in 2023

Written by: Abbie Quinn

|

|

Time to read 3 min

Over recent years, Our top lingerie brands have extended their size ranges, and they would argue they have made improvements for our plus-size customers, but have they gone far enough?


We ask Kayleigh a valued shopper of Plus-size lingerie, from our Quinn lingerie website, for her opinion. Her report is overall damming of the plus-size lingerie industry, but acknowledges they are starting to move in the right direction.

Appraisal of Plus-size lingerie in the UK

Kayleigh tells us that when she shops from us, she increasingly feels more appreciated as the range of lingerie outfits we stock makes her think she has is included. She then mentions the years she has been shopping with us, that her experience was often infrequent.


However she loves our plus-size lingerie, especially the Holdups from Ballerina.


Kayleigh is not alone, with a sizeable percentage of UK women wearing plus-size lingerie of UK 18, and like Kayleigh, have found the experience negative with the plus-size lingerie industry habitually neglecting them in favour of thin and often unattainable models.

woman wearing plus size stockings

With a little help from the Media

It has taken the media to shame our brands as body positivity and acceptance movements have grown popular enough to influence mainstream culture.


More celebs and fashion magazines are now outwardly endorsing plus-size models.

Kayleigh remains sceptical of the lingerie brand's motives for inclusivity, and she may be onto something here. Are the brands doing this for our customers? Or are they doing this to make them appear progressive and bottom line - profit margin?

Woman wearing plus size lingerie

Its all about price

Another just complaint from Kayleigh is the prices for plus-size lingerie are higher compared to the lower sizes  - A FAT TAX! and asks what makes this acceptable.

She adds that this practice is insulting and offensive and accuses the brands of favouring thinner customers.


And whereas the ranges have broadened, they are still limited, with the brands selecting the bare minimum of lingerie in a new collection, they think they can get away with. 


A slap in the face, according to Kayleigh. She says it looks-like the brands are just trying half-heartedly to grab a market share without a total commitment to the idea.

Even now, most of our ranges only go to the UK 16-18. What about the growing number of women in the UK who are sizes 20 plus?
 

Woman wearing plus size lingerie

Our response

In response to Kayleigh's interview about our ranges of plus-size lingerie, It is evident that we need to expand in this area.


  • We thank her for her continued custom, and we are glad she the experience of buying plus-size lingerie easier than she used to. A positive!


  • We acknowledge her comments and have recently taken steps towards creating more inclusive lingerie sizes and fits in a dedicated plus-size lingerie page. We will continue to work on this page. We will also move this section further up our home page to give it more prominence.


  • We also will try including more special offers on our plus-size lingerie collections to level-up the price gap. 
Woman wearing plus size lingerie

Conclusion

What we take from this interview, Is could try harder is the message to the Lingerie brands. Where-as improvements have happened, and its encouraging to see this, The brands need to continue this, and drive down the price to match the rest of their ranges.


We also acknowledge we could try harder too, and will continue to work hard to give our customers the best possible experience.

Feel free to browse our plus-size lingerie and enjoy what we have.
 

Woman wearing plus size hosiery

Ask Abbie

Abbie is the agony aunt for those trying to navigate the lingerie world. As an online lingerie owner, I help my customers with everything – from relationship problems to finding the sexy nightwear that will excite your partner to tips and tricks on making lingerie more comfortable. 

 

Do you have a question for Abbie?

To answer the questions you might be too shy to ask your friends. Abbie is your lingerie fairy godmother. 

 

Email abbie@quinnbeauty.co.uk 

 

Ask Abbie - Lingerie Agony aunt

Leave a comment