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We're heard it before: sexy ain't a size.
OK, then why doesn't plus-size lingerie get the same randy retail heat as - say - a Victoria's Secret? After all, 65 million women wear plus-size fashion. One would assume they also wear plus-size undergarments.
Well now it's beginning to happen. Plus-size powerhouse Lane Bryant is launching Cacique, a national chain of 50 lingerie stores. And urban plus-size retailer Ashley Stewart just launched soul superstar Gladys Knight's plus-size lingerie line called Knightwear.
"These days plus-size women are really trying to embrace their curves, instead of hiding them," said Catherine Lippincott, spokeswoman for Cacique. "And that goes for lingerie as well. A woman wants a bra that is going to enhance her looks and not necessarily cover it up. Never before has there been one place where a plus-size woman can go to fill all her lingerie needs. Everything from thongs, panties, g-strings to the best-fitting bras she'll ever find."
The Cacique stores feature larger dressing rooms, flattering lighting and a private fit salon where women can get undergarment measurements ... discreetly. The merchandise is in daring colors and prints with bra sizes going from 36C (the new national average, by the way) to 48DDD, F, G and H sizes and intimate sizes from 12 to 28.
"Gladys Knight has always wanted to do a stylish and sexy plus-size lingerie line," said Marla Minns, spokeswoman for Ashley Stewart stores. "She told everyone, `It's time to put that big T-shirt away.'"
Minns says Knight (who is on tour and was unavailable for comment) wanted to serve the black plus-size market with ethnic and African colors, prints and patterns. "But just as importantly she wanted the fabrics to be soft, everything had to be washable and it had to be affordable," Minns said.
The Knightwear collection includes colorful cotton or shimmering charmeuse chemises, pajamas, robes and caftans with prices ranging from $19.99 to $34.
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(c) 2006 South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
