Big man clothing is needed by men who are especially tall and/or especially large in girth
. Some men are only concerned with height and getting pants with an inseam long enough to accommodate their long legs. Other men are not especially tall but their shoulders and waistline will not fit into off-the-rack clothing sized to fit most men. Finally, some men who must deal with both issues when looking for clothes to fit their unusual size.
In recent years retailers have come to realize the value of this niche market. Gentlemen who are taller or larger than the norm still want to be well dressed. They are willing to pay more for clothes designed to fit their above average frames. There are now several big and tall retailers. The most helpful are the ones that have both traditional and online stores. This way customers can narrow down the sizes that fit best by trying pants and shirts on at the store and order accordingly online as needed.
As humans have evolved the longevity and the size of humans have increased. There are more big and tall men than ever before. For example in 1850s the average man stood about five feet seven inches and weighed just under 150 pounds. By the 1980s the average size of men had increased to five feet ten inches with an average weight of approximately 175 pounds. The average can only increase with an increase in the far end of the spectrum. More big men, more customers.
With the advent of fast food and ever larger portion sizes at dine in restaurants, the waist line of America has expanded. Men with a waistline greater than 40 inches do not have any ready-to-wear options available at regular clothing stores. The retail market has simply reacted to the public need for bigger apparel.
Larger sizes are also available at some of the warehouse stores. Naturally there are fewer options available than in the specialty stores, but the presence of these sizes in warehouse stores is evidence of the growing market share of large men.
From high-end specialty stores to discount warehouse stores, there are options for all budgets. Those customers who need large sizes can even buy designer labels. It seems the entire retail world has taken notice of the demand for bigger sizes. This is certainly good news for big and tall men.
Usually the designer labels are found in major department stores. The fashion conscious big man can dress as stylishly as his smaller counterpart. When the market becomes aware of a demand, the natural reaction is to meet the demand. The result has been more retailers who offer more choices.
Big man clothing is here to stay. The price point is higher than apparel for average sized men. Small men can often find something to wear in the boys department. Large men do not have that option. Retailers and designers have simply reacted to the demand. Demographics indicate that the demand will only grow. Certainly retailers and designers will respond to meet the demand.