Plus Size Fashion Through the Decades: Uncovering Survival Bias

[@TheGlambassador]

🚨 Pinned Comment: Read Before You Comment 🚨 This is a space for respectful and constructive conversations. If you don’t have anything kind or meaningful to add, don’t bother commenting. This is NOT a place for fat-phobic, body-shaming, or harmful rhetoric. Ignorant, cruel, or disrespectful comments will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be blocked. Let’s keep this space inclusive, empowering, and focused on celebrating history and style for everyone.

[@georgeackerman1441]

I love your makeup + your sharing important history

[@rebeccapage4411]

We have records dating back to the 1700s of women in my family who are over 300 lb. At least in the 1900s all of the women in my family had their clothes custom made or had patterns custom made and sewed their own. They were all marginalized. I really enjoyed your video thank you

[@sdalby9127]

Skinny guy here, so maybe not your target au I used to manage a vintage clothing shop. We got plenty of larger sized women's clothes in, but they usually sold as soon as we put them on the racks, leaving mostly tiny sizes that just sat. There are far more "plus size" women than there are size 2s.

[@claudiameier666]

in the modern ages yes not back then

[@kathleenbarth2837]

@@claudiameier666isn’t that the point of this video, that there were just as many plus-sized women back then as there are today?

[@peridot1706]

The point is that there were plus size persons contrary to the assumption there were nonne. But no, there weren't as many as averagesize. Plus sizes made up less than 10% of the population back then, vastly different to today where 40% is plus size.

[@dirgniflesuoh7950]

There are many funny things about supply of sizes. When I look for nice sportswear I usually find a lot of tights, tanks and tees in colours and patterns in S and XS, the Ms are sold out and the solid black things are L and XL. Somewhere the shops or manufacturers overestimate larger women's desire for black, and the petite ones need for florals and colours.

[@davidmcgowan3243]

My theory on this as the owner of a vintage shop is that many people get rid of their clothes or take them in when they lose weight but hang on to their clothes when they gain weight, whether to pass on to a family member in the future or as an aspiration piece. Further, as many people settle into a size range throughout their adulthood, and that size is generally larger than their teens and twenties, clothes at those larger sizes just have more years of wear. We also get some plus size stuff that just looks too matronly or boring for our customers now. We strive to carry as wide a range of sizes as we can, but often our XXL and up selection is pretty lackluster because we can't control what we find. 😢

[@ashextraordinaire]

Bless the algorithm for suggesting your video! I come from a long line of "stout" women, and it's disheartening to see how few patterns and garments for us have survived to the current day. Imagine my astonishment and joy when I opened a box in my great-aunt's house to find my great-grandmother's fanciest dress - her black "funeral dress" from the late 40s or early 50s - folded in tissue and in pristine condition. My mom remembered seeing her wear it. We both tried it on (very carefully), and we guessed it to be equivalent to a modern 18/20. It was absolutely wild to find, and it's now a treasured family heirloom, a little piece of fashion history.

[@TheGlambassador]

It's wonderful that you have such a beautiful family heirloom.

[@KeiPalace]

Historian here! One of the reasons there are few US civil war uniforms left extant is that the army would keep recyling the wool uniforms for soldiers long after the war until they were literally rags! (and yes, they used the rags too) I'm not that old but I do remember as a child 'hand me downs' among our extended family and clothing that was cut down to fit. In the cases of shoes made of leather you could have them re-soled so they would last for decades.

[@chapman1569]

My dad told me that his mom made shoes out of old rages, the soles were made of several layers of wool. I dont know how they did it, none of it survived but I found it so interesting. Shoes cost a lot and people made do.

[@winwinmyfriend4727]

I graduated 1991 and yes we didn't get the fancy evening gowns that girls get today and usually we borrowed clothing for special occasions. Usually I got the first pick only because I was the oldest but even then I was borrowing clothing from long time family friends because there daughters was older then me.

[@bellemeri8155]

I have a quilt made in the 1930s by my great-grandmother from the scraps of clothing during the 1930s. She told us that it was cheaper to cut down outgrown childrens clothing and make quilt than it was to buy a new blanket at the time. So, yeah, that was also something that happened to clothing at the time - remaking garments into quilts, throws, or even toweling.

[@TheGlambassador]

I love that. My mom made a baby quilt for me out of the fabric from her old maternity dresses.

[@kimberlycooper4170]

Additionally, clothes were worn and patched over and over until they couldn't be repatched again. Then, people could cut the clothes into strips, sew the strips' ends together, braid the strips together, and sew the braid into braided rugs. My grandmother had several braided rugs.

[@pyenygren2299]

Using old clothes for sewing quilts _might_ be how quilt sewing started. At least it is my unprofessional guess.

[@NilZed1]

Even diapers! When my grandparents moved across country with an infant during the war, they collected from everyone they knew any old fabric that could be folded down to the right size the way diapers were back then, and threw the dirties away at each railroad stop. The bottom of the stack were the nicest bits that might last through sone more washes if they weren’t used on the way and then the actual diapers they owned that they hoped not to need. ;grandma was in a protected position on the railroad and was being transferred by the company. They were allowed two trunks of a given size and a specific space on a freight train for their goods. )

[@eliscanfield3913]

My first 3 quilts (made in the 90s) were all outgrown kids clothes, Well almost all, i didnt realize that one shirt was still one my sister wanted. Boy she was mad.

[@LeahGratiot]

This is absolutely true! My large grandmother designed and sewed her own dresses... she was beautiful! 😊

[@thefarmerswifecanada]

Another factor is that most women not only knew how to sew clothing, but sewed most of their own clothing (and their families as well!). They could tailor all of their clothing to their exact body size. They didn’t need to rely on “ready made” clothing in their own size.

[@SusanG-qv2wr]

In the early 1960s I was in high school and my cousin Nancy was in college. She told me she hated shopping at Lane Bryant because the stores assumed an older clientele. They were a little stodgy and oblivous to current trends. She had to shop there, because she was 6' 3". I knew what she meant, because those larger sizes screamed "middle aged woman" to me. Even the very nice dress you wear in the video would have not worn been worn by a woman in her twenties, if she had a choice. "Matronly" implies an age as well as a body type. Love your research and clarity! Am subscribing.

[@Dee-x9f]

This! I was born in 1963 and a teen in the 1970s. I was always tall for my age, but by high school was 5'8", a 36DD, around 150 lbs, and wearing a size 14, which in today's sizes would be a 10-12. Compared to women around me, i was considered really LARGE (and believe me, I heard about it!) I longed to wear cute dresses and fashionable clothing, but it was nearly impossible find clothes that fit me, especially in the chest. Flattering cuts for larger women were hard to come by. If I did find a style that worked, they were always sold out of size 14 or the sizes stopped at 10 or 12. It continued until the 1990s when manufacturers bumped up the measurements on all sizes. It's become so much easier in the past 25 years! I find so many more options for tall and/or big-busted women. Just wish they had been there when I was younger. I think you don't find larger vintage sizes because they simply weren't made! Btw, I shopped a lot at Lerners, Pennies, Edwards, etc. back then. There were always three sections: Juniors (teen sizes 5-13), Misses (sizes 6-14, they added 2-4 as sizes got larger in the 1980s), and Womens (half sizes or 16 and up? can't remember).

[@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

I got myself into trouble elsewhere in the comment section for pointing out the obvious. Today, the US population is larger than it used to be. And so older women remember a time when large clothing was harder to come by (and made for mothers). On the flip side, small sizes have all but disappeared from store racks. I read somewhere a while ago that clothes manufacturers pinned size 10 to fit the average woman. Size 10 started to increase significantly in the 1990's when ultra processed foods flooded grocery store shelves in the US. In other countries the populations grew in size as well, but not as fast and for more positive reasons (for instance the end of food rationing). I have a dress my mom bought in the early 1970's in Geneva. She was in her 30's and a mother of 2. It's a Europe size 38 and it fits me perfectly. Given how common size 38 is, this tells me that I would have been of average size in the 1970's. Not true today.

[@KellyAmberHallacy]

This isn't an issue in only vintage clothing. Those of us who enjoy historybounding earlier eras face a lot of the same issues. Especially in the times before the stays and corsets gave way to bras and girdle. And survival bias is real. Since the 20s, 30s, 40s and forward are not my chosen eras, I cannot speak of those time periods, but in earlier time periods, specifically the Victorian and Edwardian eras, class and financial status tended to make a difference. There's a reason that a Worth gown may often survive nearly unscathed while the clothing of a scullery maid might be in rags if it survived at all. The average lower middle class woman might buy or make a nice dress for her "Sunday Best," and after a few years, that dress becomes a bit faded or worn, it would be demoted to an every day dress and worn for another year or two. Once worn to where it is no longer considered respectable to wear outside the home, the dress may become a work dress to be worn in the kitchen, working in the garden, or while doing other chores. After all that, it would likely go into the rag bag. It's no wonder why there are more surviving extant garments from the upper middle class, landed gentry, and the nobility. As far as plus size clothing, I agree that many larger pieces of clothing may have ended up being remade into smaller items of clothing. At any rate, it seems to have given us a skewed view of what people were wearing in the past.

[@megelizabeth9492]

People would also rework older dresses to suite modern tastes and styles.

[@Ginkgo20]

Yes! To add, thinking of our own wardrobes, the clothing that we keep for sentimental reasons, tucked away and looked after, is often from earlier stages of our lives, before age and life put more meat on our bones. I’m in my mid 30s, and the only thing in my wardrobe that won’t fit is my wedding dress from 15 years ago! I am certainly not the same size or shape that I was at 20

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

the first thing I'd like to say is, Thank you. The second is how on point your hair is. Perfection. I'm 71, and remember my mother and grandmother. Both would be thrilled. Recently I've begun to transition from tee shirts and sweat pants to something a bit more dressy. In the past two week I even bought two blouses! I am shocked at myself. Over 50 years of avoiding blouses! I think I'm going to like the change.

[@ruthlloyd1163]

my grandma wore plus sizes in the 50s and 60s, and they bought clothes at Lerners and Lane Bryant. Typical of that generation she only had a few dresses, maybe 5 or 6 in her closet. She had two or three pairs of shoes. Things wore out.

[@joycej9415]

I am 71 and can tell you that there were definitely fewer large people when I was a growing up. My great grandmother was very obese but I rarely saw anyone else overweight until the 1980's. I don't know if it was more access to certain foods or just that their are more people? I also notice that furniture, beds, and refrigerators have also been super sized in recent decades.

[@EvelynSaungikar]

Half size wasn’t just plus size, it was proportioned differently but started at a (then) size 10. 10 1/2 was cut to fit a size 10 bust and hips, but with a size 12 waist. So, it fit the more rectangular and apple shape figures. I remember my mom wearing them, I wish we had this size range today!

[@ikeameltdown8012]

This was my thought as well. I remember those sizes. I think plus petite sizes now are what half sizes were then.

[@lisalesinszki7536]

I remember half sizes, too.

[@elinebrock5660]

Thank you for this information. I've been looking at vintage patterns and I didn't understand the difference in proportion of half sizes.

[@PeonyLadyKim]

Wow, you just blew my mind with this concept of "Survival Bias". I had never heard of this before and you explained it very well. And it does make perfect sense why there are not a lot of Plus Size VTG out there. You have also given me something to talk to my husband about (the airplane story). We've been married for 46 years and it is sometimes a challenge to find something NEW to talk about. Your story about the airplanes was fascinating as well as the clothing. This video came up on my feed and I chose to watch it because I love VTG clothing and have a small collection of items I wear and also sell VTG coats at an Antique Shoppe here in Alaska. You really do an amazing job at these videos - filming, editing and presenting. PROFESSIONAL in every way.

[@TheGlambassador]

I'm so glad it sparked a conversation! It's always fun to find new things to talk about.

[@nickandlaurihyde]

I heard about the airplane story quite some time ago (not comparing) and after watching the video and reading written accounts (because there are always variations), I realized that one could take this whole principle and apply it to ANY business out there and potentially solve a lot of their problems that way. It really is an eye opener. It’s how you look at a problem but also how you DIDN’T look at it!! The trouble arises when you have to deal with overblown egos and archaic thinking and traditions that is a stumbling block. At least, that’s my opinion anyway. Take it for what you will. Just an addendum: Expressing my opinion here DOESN’T necessarily make me RIGHT. It’s just that. An Opinion. P.S. I’m not addressing the OP of this post, it is directed at those who are looking for a fight. Unfortunately they are out there.

[@happygardener28]

Of the many vlogs I've listened to over the years you are one of the few who point out that the cloth would have been reused, when possible, for children's clothing or handed down and upcycled by working a couple pieces into more fashionable piece of clothing. The children's song from my kindergarten days exemplifying that a coat became a vest eventually worked on down to cloth buttons. Thank you..

[@nickandlaurihyde]

May I ask which children’s song you are referring to? I don’t recall anything like that in my memory? Not questioning you, I am from the USA, born in 1958, so that makes a huge difference in why I wouldn’t be familiar with it?

[@happygardener28]

@@nickandlaurihyde I was in school just a year or two after you. But I lived in Ohio: in kindergarten we learned a variation of what can currently be found as 'I had a little overcoat." The music I found isn't the same but the gist of the song is.

[@zigm7420]

This makes total sense. You even see this today in thrifting, where people will buy large sizes first either to just get an oversized or boxy fit, or to get them tailored down to fit them perfectly.

[@louisedykes4794]

I found by accident that larger sizes come handy in another way. I bought a beautiful basic black dress but wore it so much that the seams on the shoulders showed wear. I looked at fit critically and found I could take it up there(sleeveless). Also I discovered by accident I was a petite frame with long arms and legs. Finally my pants fit as long I was able to drop bottom hem or use bias tape to extend it. Mom use to recut old clothes to make our clothes as children. Love clothes history. 😊

[@WootenWooten]

As a modern mom of 5, whose body is NOT the same, much of my clothing from before I had kids, I have either repurposed for my kids cutting them up for fabric and remaking them into something else or giving them to my oldest daughter to wear as is (she loves my 2000s low-rise jeans). To know what real women looked like in the past, I need look no further than my own family history. Not only did my grandmothers and great/grandmothers look different from models or movie stars of the past, but I see my own body shape in them. That’s a beautiful thing, to reflect the strong women who helped make me who I am and who my daughters are. My grandmothers are such an inspiration for me and I love knowing I look like them and thinking about how they dressed and why they wore certain items at certain stages of life.

[@trae4529]

I honestly had no idea that Lerner’s and Lane Bryant existed that long ago. I thought they started out in the 80’s or so. Thanks for the education- great video!

[@TheGlambassador]

Yeah, they've been around for a long time, Lane Bryant started in 1904!

[@CollaborativeDog]

Love this!! Another thing to note about vintage clothing and fit is undergarments. Shapes of bras make a huge difference in fit, as do girdles. And they weren't worn just to make people "smaller," but by every size. And if you are a larger busted woman, having your breasts flattened or pushed up and forward, or loose, DEFINITELY changes how clothes fit during different time periods. A 1950s girdle doesn't fit the same way as "Skims". This makes reproduction or "retro" modern clothing that much more comfortable. ❤

[@TheGlambassador]

I completely agree, undergarments are so important for getting the right fit and shape!

[@JenInOz]

I've been collecting 1940s-1960s Australian Home Journal magazines that came with 3-4 patterns each issue and usually had a spread of a few pages of patterns you could buy too. Most of the free patterns offered were size 36" bust and sometimes🎉 they went as far as starting at 32" or up to a 40" bust (that's the largest I've seen). Patterns for sale came as "Teenage" (bust 30" - 36") "Misses" (32"- 38" or 40") or "Matrons" (34"-48").

[@pamherman6363]

I see a book about this topic in your future. Great video.

[@robinmichel9048]

I think another factor is that very small sizes fit very few people and survived as dead stock or were outgrown. This is why we see very small pieces of clothing in museums, which also skews how modern people think of the past.

[@SeleneSalvatore]

Most of it are Miss range of size that was made in mind of young women (teenagers for today standards)

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Good point!

[@eilisnugent]

The same with shoes

[@ladyflimflam]

@@eilisnugentI don’t think so. My great-grandmother wore size three (US) shoes. She died in the early 1980s. I was able to wear her very nice knee length leather boots for about a year before I outgrew them. They were certainly boots made for an adult, she just happened to be quite tiny. In fact, her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Tiny. Her, daughter, my grandmother, wore size 5 shoes. My own mother wears size 6 and I wear size 7. We have gotten bigger as time has passed, and that is often down to better health care and more food in childhood. My father’s mother thought of herself as quite fat and she was certainly larger than other women her own age, but she sewed from a pattern size 12.

[@es4666]

Actually some pieces that are really small belonged to specific people

[@ericmiller2556]

Great insight. I remember a photo I saw of the British royal family during the war. Due to the austerity measures, the slender young Princess Elisabeth attended a formal event in one of her (zoftig) mother's evening dresses that had been cut down to fit her, perfectly illustrating your point. Yes, she did look a little matronly in her mother's dress, even for those days, but that is what one did.

[@kat_thefruitbat]

Wow, I’ve never heard of this misconception….It’s shocking to hear that many people genuinely believe plus size people and clothing did not exist in the past….You can even go to an art or history museum to see proof that bodies of all sizes have always existed….You were very patient and in your delivery, and the examples you’ve used to explain survival bias are very thoughtful and interesting. Glad to know about this so I’m not thrown off if anyone ever happens to bring up this myth in a conversation! Thank you! 😊❤

[@donnacoleman4624]

You are so gorgeous, and I adore the dress you're wearing❤❤ Stunning! The info about the airplanes was very interesting and makes total sense. I have many plus size family members, past and present. It never occurred to me as a kid that my grandmother and aunts were "plus size." They were pretty, stylish, elegant ladies. I know they could all sew and I'm sure that's why they were such trendy dressers. My mother taught me to sew in the 1970's using her 1940's-50's patterns. I've always loved those styles and kept to them for years ( I am now 64.) Thanks to my mother, I am able to choose the proper fabrics and sew well fitting garments that look totally authentic. When I wear the appropriate hairstyle and accessories with an outfit I am the "total package" LOL ❤❤❤❤

[@TheGlambassador]

It's so inspiring that you've carried on your mom's tradition of sewing!

[@nickandlaurihyde]

Thank you for recognizing the logic of the airplane story. This needs to be taught in business colleges. There is a lot to be learned from this example.

[@sandrabrown6326]

When I was 15 and 16 it was very hard to find youthful clothes. I sometimes found a few skirts at May Co. Then I found Lane Bryant's. I was so thankful.

[@brendaseavey6284]

So eloquently spoken! The same is true of vintage sewing patterns. I enjoy collecting and sewing them. Such a joy to see what you are wearing and your accessories compliment every outfit.

[@TheGlambassador]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I have noticed that larger patterns are harder to come by as well. I imagine it's for the same reason. I know in my family most of the larger women made their own clothing rather than purchased them from stores. I'm sure those patterns were used to death!

[@Lollipopmorgue]

If you are looking for plus size true vintage, I recommend searching thrift stores in the Southern US cities and in rural communities, where we have always had more larger sized people and fewer vintage wearers. A few weeks ago I found a 1960s summer crop top and skirt set in the equivalent of a 1x and a 1930s pink evening gown in a modern large. All together, it cost less than $10. There are still treasures out there!

[@saffronlisa01]

My gran used to make all of her own clothing often upscaling patterns her mum was a Tailoress and she taught her everything that she knew. My gran and grandad came to live here during WW2. I always remember watching both my gran and great granny cutting fabric and sewing and I used to love the clothes that they made for themselves and for me. I think that is where I get my love for everything vintage from!

[@TheGlambassador]

It's such a great skill to have. I desperately want to learn to sew my own clothes.

[@chloeheck9068]

I am midsize, not plus sized, but I have a very curvy body type and am almost 6’ tall, and most of my great great grandmothers and her sisters clothes we still have fit me perfectly

[@TheGlambassador]

That is amazing! It is so cool to be able to wear your ancestors’ clothing.

[@shayadayan3343]

​@TheGlambassador All of my female ancestors were bigger than me, so, I needed to take in their clothes. My great grandmother was 5'8" and so forth down the line, and my male ancestors were all over 6'. I'm only 5'3, so I do lots of tailoring

[@heidi1000]

I am not plus-size but run on the higher end of straight sizing (size 8/10, Medium) and it's even hard for me to find true vintage clothing. It was neat looking at the plus-size vintage options you showed. And they were beautiful dresses. I will need to check out the list you shared! :)

[@TheGlambassador]

I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@daveorjaneford8722]

My mom was one of those half size wearers. She was not ashamed of it because they just fit better. I would gladly consider these earlier fashions just to have a good fit.

[@roxannlegg750]

Thankyou for bringing up that article of the bomber survival bias. I have been and am a vintage costume judge for classic car events here in South Australia, and as such Im required to write articles for the program handbooks/catalogues, where among other topics, Ive addessed these topics. I even wrote papers on this at University as an undergrad. Im slowly transferring these articles over to a substack page. I myself about your same size, and tall, and I have several very plu ssized pre 1970 clothing including an original C 1945 2 piece evening dress, that only if you are 5'10" and in heels does it hit the floor, otherwise its too tall! However the survival bias also applies to jewelery - necklaces and bracelets. Hats and head pieces, shoes, belts and hand gloves, and obviously underwear. As a judge I do not compare or judge original garments worn by petite women, vs those sewn by the wearer, so long as the look is pulled together, like you have pointed out so often in other videos. Keep an eye out for Dressed for Driving as this is a topic close too my heart and now i have an opportunity to bring this topic forward and judge costume comps without bias. Ive won a several costume comps over the years but only one in the field at car events. SO it is dis-heareneing to be subject to such a quiet bias, and feel so disheartened myself when competing against the petite wearing originals, and Im in home made replicas. Making them is hard. My one area I cant make is knit tops - so if you have reccomendations for plus size vintage knit tops I would be very grateful

[@TheGlambassador]

It sounds like you've done incredible work on this topic and it's inspiring to hear you're continuing to make your voice heard. I'm going to have to check out Dressed for Driving.

[@roxannlegg750]

@@TheGlambassador Thanks - yeah, I done a lot of research and written a lot - but moving them to a substack page has been harder than i thounght. The substack page is undergoing some work because "someone" (aka) my husband, when he set it up for me, he uploaded my articles with the incorrect images - but kindly forgot what passwords he created for it!! So we will have access very soon again and I can finish editing. Hope to have it done by the end of the week, so if you cant find it atm, its been taken down by substack so we can regain access with MY chosen passwords. Bless his cotton socks. But if its still there the artcles are still there.

[@nickandlaurihyde]

Thank you for your recognition of survival bias applying to jewelry. In fact, I think this subject needs to be taught in educational settings from the START. It’s not understanding how this happens is the downfall of so many companies, tragedies, ad infinitum. And it’s all avoidable if only they would adopt this mindset.

[@roxannlegg750]

@@nickandlaurihyde Yes I agree. With Jewelery though, some brands only made set lengths - Juliana Rhinestone (DeLizza & Elster) comes to mind. They had lovely rhinestone pattern repeats that often did not attach to a chain, they were continuous repeats. These tend to come is somewhere between 16 and the 17". Juliana jewelery (of which i have a small but good collection of) only existed for about several years but had a lot of knock offs at the time - which for economy, did have shorter repeats on a chain. They tend to be the ones we can use. However, these lengths did appeal to the most common consumers of the 60's, the youth, who had been subjected to wartime rationing. This caused many to end up with a smaller muscular skeletal frame, thinner smaller bones, smaller neck muscles, which then results in a smaller neckline. But you are right, this is not taught much. Im glad I was taught human variability in anthropology as part of medical science, and I would have specialised in it if I could! So I therefore write about it instead 🙂

[@raquelfantoni2812]

This brings up a lot of important points. I think it’s also important to note that yes, larger people ALWAYS existed, but were a much smaller proportion of society in history. For example, in the 50s, 10% of adults were considered “obese” in America. Now it’s nearly 40%, a quadrupling of that demographic. But at the same time, that isn’t the only factor at play in the survival and rarity of plus-sized garments, this video brings up useful points I hadn’t considered before.

[@michellebyrom6551]

In the old mid century demographics a good number of those considered obese would have been women aged over 40. Most women had several children, each pregnancy stretching the waistline, then the change kicks in and totally alters the figure. Women having 2.4 children wasn't the average until the 1970s and first babies mostly appeared when mothers were in their very early 20s. Today's expectation is for women to work out a lot as mothers. In the past, they were too busy taking care of house and children. Whilst that kept them physically fit, it didn't revive their premarriage figures.

[@Off_the_clock_astrophysicist]

Thank you for pointing out the fact that people were smaller overall. Also, what someone else in this thread pointed out. Larger garments were made for older women, most of whom would have gone through multiple pregnancies. I think there was a better recognition of motherhood and the need to make clothes that were comfortable to wear and flattering for women who did not have washboard abs.

[@Kahtini]

Doesn't help that the threshold for what is considered obese was lowered in the 90s. Instantly a bunch of folks who weren't "obese" one day were the next, even though their size didn't change.

[@Jennifer-dy8tz]

Let me add that I just yesterday finished reading a stack of letters from June 1958 to 1970 that my mother and father had sent to my mother's parents. Her parents saved almost all the letters and put them in a box which was only recently found after the death of my aunt. For some reason they were at her house. My mom recently died and never knew of these letters (sad). Anyway, my mom and her mom talked about clothing in almost every letter. In the earliest letters, my mom is away at college and needing clothes and hats and coats and telling her mother what to bring on her next visit, and updated her on her tailoring of older dresses and skirts and coats to wear to upcoming parties. My mom got married in 1959 and her letters to her mom still talked about clothing - what she was sewing, what she wore, what she needed, and so on. Sometimes she says how much certain fabrics for new projects cost per yard and how much she bought. She talked about wanting a ready-made dress for $17.35, but it was too much to pay at that time for her, so she would sew a dress instead. And she talks about giving her clothes she was not wearing to aunts and cousins. And later in the letters she talks about cheaper clothing coming in from Hong Kong and how she hopes that never stops as she can better afford the clothing from Hong Kong!

[@chazzlycurrie333]

Wow that’s amazing!! What a beautiful sentiment for you to keep and a great piece of history! It seemed that what you wore was so important back then.

[@TheGlambassador]

That's a fascinating glimpse into your mom's life!

[@bonniewright3194]

This was fantastic!! I've been wearing vintage for 20 yrs. And have worn both regular sized and volup vintage clothing. I'm in my 50's and still love vintage, mostly 40's and 50's esthetic. My style has evolved over the years. I guess, I also want people to feel that they can wear vintage at any age.

[@TheGlambassador]

I'm with you! I think vintage fashion is timeless and compliments all ages.

[@streamlinemoderne]

Thanks so much for this. I have wondered about this for years. I’m a firm size 18. I was born in 1968 so reusing fabric was not really being done. I thought that there were just fewer overweight people “because times were tough” and that overweight people were just hard on their clothes. But listening to you I do remember a scene from Happy Days where Marion (the mother) was taking an enormous dress from a bigger relative and cutting it down to make shirts nobody wanted and even a scarf for Fonzie. (I couldn’t find it on KZbin) I thought it was hilarious that anyone would even bother doing that. I’m obviously from a different time. I will say you are correct it is a wonderous time for finding what you want. I ordered a gorgeous "vintage" dress from Amazon for less than $30 and I ended up ordering it in two colors. That would have never happened even 5 years ago!

[@MsMaggieNolia]

Thank you for this. I have an aunt that was a delicate 4'11" and one that was 5'11" and built like a linebacker. (I got the solid frame of the latter.) What you said makes sense to me. My mother had six sisters. Clothes were passed down. The larger girls' clothes could be altered to fit the smaller girls a lot easier than the reverse and the extra fabric was reused for other things.

[@Jme62]

I just happened on this channel, and ventured to look at some of the videos. I saw the video talking about you being a witch. I’m a 63 y/o Southern Baptist blue-voting Texan and I don’t know a thing about witches or witchcraft. But if you are a good example of that faith or practice, yall must be a great group of folks. I’m really loving the channel. And your energy and personality are so calming and uplifting. Whatever you are doing is working for you, and it makes me feel good and I’m here for it - as you young folks say. 😂

[@TheGlambassador]

Thank you and welcome, I’m glad you found me.

[@VictoriaMarieScraps]

Thank you so much for discussing this topic! I recently visited a local vintage store and asked the owner if she offered any plus sized garments. She proceeded to tell me that “people were smaller back in the day” and that “even our hands and feet were smaller”. I countered with many of the points you mentioned in this video and suggested that she spend some time researching the variety of clothing sizes available in the 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. She probably will not be bothered to do so; her survival bias was strong. Anyway, thanks for the great information and list of resources! I’m a new subscriber and look forward to learning more!

[@TheGlambassador]

I'm so glad you found the information useful! Unfortunately, some people just cling to old narratives.

[@mellie4174]

It's not just survival bias, ..it's bias against plus size people

[@lynn858]

Might be worth leaving that misguided business owner a review so others don't have to bother with her willful ignorance.

[@alyzzzea1864]

Imagine if 100 years from now people thought all of us looked like Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, etc. and we all wore clothes from Forever 21 or SHEIN??? Makes no sense!

[@karenfrench9475]

Another thing I noticed is that there are extended Missy sizing for women that are heavy but not full figured which does not exist today! Thank you for your history lesson!

[@naomistarlight6178]

"Stout" is my favorite euphemism, makes me think of a hardy European beer

[@TheGlambassador]

😂😂

[@Ozziecatsmom]

Yeah, my dad used to drink stout beer!

[@jreese8284]

In Ireland, we saw racks of clothing for "curvy ladies". Delightful.

[@jamied-wy1wd]

Thank you for covering this topic. Love that the old catalogues just had all the sizes together without labeling them. I don’t like the term “plus size”. I’m a size US 18/20 but also struggle a bit to find vintage fashions for my frame because I am 5’10”. But there are so many options today in tall sizes which helps. Love your style! You look gorgeous!

[@TheGlambassador]

I'm glad you're finding some options in tall sizes! And I agree, I'm not fond of the "othering" terms myself.

[@kmom452]

I can still remember commercials with Jane Russell "Your full-figured gal" and she was a beauty.😊

[@zoes_story]

"As tall laying down as they are standing up" has been a notorious family motto for the women on Grandmas side for the past 4 or 5 generations. We tend to be short and barrel shaped and the photographs definitely confirm this! But all the surviving garments in my family collection and most of the antique and vintage clothes I've picked up are absolutely tiny. They mostly would fit older teen girls, and the surviving photo examples don't reflect this trend at all! I have a couple of plus size or midsize victorian pieces but I don't know anyone who could wear the majority of my collection. (Not that you should wear antiques!) Hilariously I'm the first person to be diagnosed with a type of pituitary dwarfism in my family, but I'm definitely not the first one to have it! Not one of my Great Aunts was taller than 4ft7, and I'm 4ft8.

[@unruffledduck]

This is so cool, my mom has shopped at Lane Bryant and I didn’t know it was a legacy store creating clothing or women for generations. That really means a lot, I think that history and legacy of service should be a part of their marketing plan. I hope they sponsor a video with you too!

[@sarasos6291]

Love your commentary and overall presentation.... Look forward to more videos!!

[@TheGlambassador]

Thank you! I’m glad you like it.

[@blessings4381]

This has been a fascinating video! A couple of my Mom's sisters were larger sized. My Mom was the last of 8 and born in 1912. She ended up with many dresses that were altered to fit her. She was a slender girl and adult most of her life. This continued as an adult. Two sisters were well.off and she benefitted from their ability to share dresses they weren't wearing. I remember shopping with a friend in high school for clothing items. She was taller and with a larger body type. This was in the 60s. Very hard to find teen styles for her and she could afford to shop at the better department stores. I know even today, while plus sizes (never have come across half sizes) are still often with smaller choices in the more trending styles. Thank you again for this very informative piece.

[@peridot1706]

Another reason fewer larger sizes survived is that a much smaller percent of the population wore larger sizes. According to the CDC, 40% of today's adults are plus size. In the 1950s, it was just 10%. In 1930-40 it was 5%-10%; in the 1920s, less than 5%. In the 1910s, less than 2%. There were fewer plus size items in circulation to survive at all even before repurposing becomes a factor. So, it's really much like looking for lost treasure, made rarer once repurposing factors in.

[@Dee-x9f]

As a larger girl, this fits my memory of the 19060s-1980s. I was often the tallest in the room at 5'8" or the biggest chested (DD) when I was younger. Then suddenly, when the next gen came of age, I slowly started seeing young women who were taller than me, even much taller, and bigger-busted. The clothes slowly started to catch up and there were finally more flattering options.

[@jreese8284]

Sizes were different then, too. Today's size 14 would be smaller than the ones back then.

[@kimberleelofink4822]

"Fix it, mend it, make it do or do without. " A Victorian idea that thrived until recently.

[@davidescobedo-u3q]

I collect vintage women’s wear and have for years! I’m also a professional dressmaker and work for a local designer in AZ. I have a number of friends who are costumers and have graciously given me many plus size vintage costumes from 40s 50s and 60s. Many from Lane Bryant thank you for the info and remember beauty is in every ethnicity culture and size.

[@TheGlambassador]

It sounds like you have a wonderful collection!

[@ed9096]

Really insightful and well delivered commentary on this aspect of fashion history. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@TheGlambassador]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edwko]

I commend you for bringing up a subject that fascinates both designers and sewists. I think you're the first one I know of, and very good at it too. Most women I know are plus sized. I'll share your video with my online sewing school fellow sewists. We learn vintage construction methods and many of us love recreating vintage clothing. Thank you for making this content available. Greetings from Puerto Rico.

[@powermuffin]

Another reason for more smaller sizes having survived is recreational shopping. When the shops (and patterns) are full of clothing tailored to your height and body shape, shopping is a delight. Having plenty of clothes means less wear and tear on each outfit, so it was not sent to the pile for refashioning or made into quilt pieces. People who wear an unusual size tend to shop only when they need clothes and wore them out.

[@wendydana8642]

I'm so glad you covered this. I think most do believe that regarding size. Excellent explanations

[@janedaniel7288]

My Nanna would buy larger dresses and make things for all the family from them. She had 13 daughters ( sadly three where born sleeping or died at a couple of month old) and one son. She made all daughters wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and what she wore. Grandad worships demob suit with shirts she tailored. Every daughter had all her sister's and a couple of female friends. Can you imagine how long that took. She always had her treadle sewing machine going and ion the rare occasions it wasn't she was crocheting with such a fine hook or knitting. I have the hook and the tip is so fine. A lot smaller than I use. I can knit and crochet, but sewing totally missed me, even though I would love to. xxJane 🌼

[@argheimrobb]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much for explaining Survival Bias, which I didn't know about. I make most of my clothes, but like you, I adore, for example, Emmy Designs knitwear. In France, I've been struggling for years to find great clothes at my size...thanks to internet, I don't need to cry anymore out of frustration.

[@TheGlambassador]

Glad you enjoyed it! What a great skill you have to make your own clothes. I envy your talent.

[@nickandlaurihyde]

Thank you for commenting about survival bias. I think this is a principle that should be taught in school because it applies to EVERYTHING across the board. It means changing the way you look at a problem. Hopefully more people will realize this.

[@janehall2720]

I've shopped at nearly every store you mentioned. I remember buying half size clothes. I'm in my 60s now and definitely understand all this. I do history bounding but it is the 1780s not the 20th century. Don't get me wrong, I love the fashion of the 1930s and 40s. I just see myself in the Colonial era. I have the battle of looking for someone who will make me reasonably priced stays. It is like looking for hens teeth. Making them myself is beyond my sewing skills. Just getting "normal" sized stays are hundreds of dollars. And that is not hand-stitched, but rather made on a machine. Thank you for a lovely video.

[@bloodplussayadiva]

Thank you for making this video. I always see the historical clothing and become depressed. I always think to myself that I can never wear anything that pretty because of my size. It means the world to know there was clothing for bigger girls out there and they can still be found in reperductions.

[@haresbreathtarot]

Definitely agree that survival bias is an issue. As a former Archaeology student we were taught this very thing. Just looking at my own close family and direct ancestors I can think of my grandma, my two great aunts, my dad, at least one set of great great grandparents, my partners grandma who were all larger bodied and two extraordinarily tall great great grandads! They are the ones I know of and have photos of! There are many many reasons why some clothes survive and not others. Poorer people re-used every scrap of clothing and fabric right down to eventually using it as polishing rags, therefore richer people’s clothing is more likely to survive and let’s just say, thinness was more cherished by socialites than by working class busy people. People are sentimental and tend to keep ‘the dress I met your father in’ from when they were in their teens and twenties, the same for wedding dresses when people often married very young, younger than today on average. A lot of women are slimmer as teens and in their twenties and gain sizes after having children. Those clothes get kept or handed down the everyday plus sizes get worn to death. There are periods that are popular for vintage such as the 40s where rationing was severe at least in Europe and people were not eating many calories so small sizes were more usual. In the 1950s and into the 1960s diet pills were handed out like sweeties and diet culture was damagingly rife so more people were thin who, perhaps today if they could just happily live their lives, would be larger (and happier!). Sample sizes and dead stock clothing having higher survival rates? Foundation garments such as corsets and girdles being the norm, cutting down waist sizes to an unrealistic size if you don’t want to wear those. ..So much to say on this one! Thanks for a great thought-provoking video!

[@SusanForeman1963]

I noticed that a lot of the stuff in my local vintage shop is for waist sizes 22 inches to 28 inches. I know it's just survival bias, that and the girls in my town tend to be on the bigger side, so when something plus size comes in, it gets snatched up fast. I'm one of the lucky ones in that I'm like, a modern size 6-ish, so finding things that fit isn't that hard. But I noticed. And earlier this year I went through a depressive episode and gained like 15 lbs in 2 months from eating my feelings. Then I was upset because some of my '50's dresses didn't zip up all the way anymore. So I when I got mentally better, I went on a diet because I thought it would be cheaper to skip dinner for a few weeks than to buy a whole wardrobe or tailor something bigger. It was hell because even after gaining weight, I wasn't fat. That made me feel like a bad feminist to force myself to fit my wardrobe rather than to have a wardrobe to fit me. But some of those pieces are irreplaceable and I love them. But I have to seriously watch what I eat to continue to wear what I love.

[@franceswray8340]

What an interesting and well researched video. I come from a family of petite ladies who tended to have fuller figures, and yes, they were well dressed. At 4’10” I wear a 16wp, and it is really difficult to find modern clothing in this size range, let alone vintage! I do think that ladies back in the early part of the last century were generally much better at sewing and knitting than today, it was part of the culture. My aunt would adapt sewing and knitting patterns in order to get a perfect fit, and used a mannequin adjusted to her size. My daughter has a mannequin from the 1920s and it is highly adjustable, so more advanced dressmaking skills is another piece in this puzzle.

[@Jen.O]

I agree, SEWING and PATTERN making for women was first choice in making their wardrobe. In my middle class family, separates were most common: blouses, skirts and pants and none were purchased, in part because they made them better than store bought. It is important for uncommon fit issues to have a good sewing pattern and make your own--exactly why it's hard to find large size SEWING PATTERNS as well as larger sized store bought fashions--they were used often and wore out. p.s. the real truth in 20th fashion history is in photos which show us what they really wore, nothing better than that for vintage fashion research in finding out what people wore and when.

[@tek3freak]

Loved the video! Cool list. You might want to add a section for Wide Width vintage shoes like the ones you can find at Amercian Duchess.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

My husband and I are overweight and constantly complain that there are so few options now. A tshirt with some image on it and jeans. It’s getting better but still.

[@TheGlambassador]

I hear you! It's frustrating when you feel limited in your clothing options.

[@katedaniels9623]

Sewing/ making your own clothes/ being able to make a size smaller or bigger was a home skill,

[@marief9858]

Thank you! Other folks have covered this topic but you actually gave me brand names from the eras - that is so interesting! Thank you so much for your research and thank you for taking the time to make up the spreadsheet for everyone!

[@TheGlambassador]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you found it helpful.

[@Rebecca.Greene]

This is such a great explanation of this phenomenon!! Love it!❤

[@TheGlambassador]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@elainesantos7555]

Que incrível!! Sim, roupas vintage plus são muito difíceis de encontrar, principalmente no Brasil, mas adaptar o estilo é muito importante tb! Ame!!

[@dorotheaallen6169]

I think you are wonderful! I’m so glad I stumbled on your channel!

[@avavanallecmere8883]

Haven't really found my vintage style but love these videos. If you are on the European continent keep an eye out for Bonprix and their fashion. They often have cute stuff in plus sizes. There is one great sweater with a bow atm. No, l don't work for them 😅.

[@suem6004]

As a pubescent girl a bit plump, I remember the clothing section called husky. Yes, husky was how those figures were described and this was in the girls' section.

[@catherinebll]

Holy moly!! Love your lipstick! Please name the color and maker! Loved the video, new subscriber!!❤

[@TheGlambassador]

The lipstick is Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in the color "Uncensored"

[@capucnechaussonpassion14]

Such a good fashion history topic 💖

[@TS-rv4hf]

Great video! I have a vintage shop and I have some pieces that are plus size. I find that because they are so rare, people aren't even looking for them. I've had to reduce the prices and I can only assume that plus size people have given up on true vintage shopping!

[@TheGlambassador]

I’m sure that’s a large part of it. We can only take so much “rejection” when we go shopping. I know for myself, I rarely look at clothing in vintage shops. Maybe you could share those pieces online and using the right keywords and hashtags, the right audience can find them 🥰

[@KatherineYoung]

My family was large all the way to a photo of them coming over on the boat! I also think about how “special dresses” worn by women of the past. Many women got married as a teenagager. I was much small as a teen than as a grown woman. That wedding dress or party dress probably didn’t fit as their bodies changed and they aged. Completely normal.

[@TheGlambassador]

It’s so interesting how we can learn so much from old photos!

[@apostately3384]

Great video! I’m always curious about what the actual cost of goods was (inflation calculation). Your $10.88 dress in 1954 would today cost $127.67, which is affordable but not in the cheap fast fashion range. It’s a beautiful dress that someone would have invested in for nice occasions. Perhaps part of its survival is due to it being a bit better quality than the equivalent $30 dresses of today (which of course they had then too). It’s beyond cool that you have the catalogue.

[@laurabennettyoutube]

Thank you for this video! Do you have any examples of Lane Bryant or Roaman's dresses that were altered when they became hand-me-downs?

[@TheGlambassador]

I don’t personally, I only own two vintage Lane Bryant dresses and both are intact. If I ever come across one, I’ll be sure to post about it.

[@cathys949]

I loved shopping at Lerner's!

[@naomistarlight6178]

Your vintage Lane Bryant dress is adorable btw love love love... Just glad the algorithm God is giving me some positivity for once

[@annsalty5615]

I will just say......prior to about 1970, most women made their own cloths so you were not likely to see plus sizes represented due to it being rare. Having local stores dedicated to cloths and patterns was very much the norm back then. My aunt made all her cloths and for her daughters too.

[@goldieARZ]

Loved your curated content - so informative. Plus size all my life, and I got into vintage clothing as a teenager -- and wondered why there were so few plus size outfits from past decades! So mostly I had to focus on vintage jewelry, hats, shoes -- and use them to recreate that aesthetic. I do recall shopping w/ my mom at department stores and invariably the Plus Size dept was typically located in the basement or the back of the store. As brick-n-mortar clothing stores fade and on-line is now the standard -- I've been very frustrated w/ the generic "Here's our sizing guide, you figure it out" -- approach to shopping. I now only shop w/ online brands that list "specific garment" measurements like bust, waist, hip, inseam, rise bc you pay for shipping and return shipping if it doesn't fit! Txs for the resource spreadsheet!!

[@julieputney4317]

Thank you, Christine, you are the best! And your dress is stunning ❤

[@TheGlambassador]

Aw, thank you so much! I'm glad you like the dress!

[@jenibylsma9845]

Fabulous discussion. My daughter and I both have an interest in vintage fashion. I am an avid knitter and love to find antique and vintage knitting patterns and recreate them. I have noticed, however, that the vast majority of vintage patterns are definitely NOT size inclusive. I find this puzzling, given that vintage plus-sized clothing was readily available as you say. Maybe there are vintage size-inclusive patterns out there, but if there are, I’ve found very few. I wonder why … 🤔

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

This is nice commentary. Although plus sized people existed in the past, it was rarer. Only 10% of Americans in the 1950s were obese versus 43% of Americans today. However, what would be considered “mid-sized” in modern sizes (US 10-14) would be considered plus-sized in the 1950s-1970s. What supports your survival bias theory is many plus-sized women in the past would wear their garments until they became rags because ready-to-wear clothing and fabrics were expensive, especially for plus-size women. If the plus-size woman slims down, she’ll just tailor the existing dresses to the smaller size to save money. If the plus-size woman had children, and the dresses were showing their age, she would upcycle the dresses with the remaining “good fabric” into clothing for the children.

[@TheGlambassador]

Thank you for your comment, but I’d like to address a few points. First, while obesity statistics might differ between decades, it’s important to remember that obesity rates alone don’t tell the full story of body diversity. Plus-size people have always existed in all eras, full stop. Suggesting otherwise erases a very real history and perpetuates harmful narratives about who belongs in certain spaces. Second, the assumption that plus-size women would simply “slim down” or constantly tailor their clothes minimizes the lived experiences of larger-bodied people in history. Additionally, the comment that ready-to-wear clothing and fabrics were “especially expensive for plus-size women” is misleading and rooted in harmful tropes. Clothing and fabric were expensive for everyone during those eras, regardless of size, and there is no evidence to suggest that plus-size women were disproportionately affected in terms of cost. This kind of speculation reinforces the false narrative that plus-size women are somehow excluded from engaging fully in fashion and is simply not accurate. Lastly, while modern sizing systems have shifted and what’s considered “plus-size” today may differ from past decades, this doesn’t negate the fact that plus-size clothing was widely available through brands like Lane Bryant, Spiegel, and Montgomery Ward. These garments may not have survived in large numbers due to factors like wear and repurposing, but that’s exactly what survival bias explains. Let me be clear: my channel will never be a safe place for body-shaming or erasing the history of plus-size people. Larger-bodied individuals have always existed, contributed to fashion, and embraced style in every era. They deserve to be celebrated, not dismissed or erased from the narrative. Let’s focus on amplifying those stories and ensuring this is a space for respect, inclusion, and empowerment.

[@deannab9511]

​​@@TheGlambassador I think all she was saying is that sense there were fewer plus sized people there are fewer pieces of vintage clotting still available. Of course plus size people were throughout history just not as many as today .

[@maibritton2882]

" Unique vintage" based in L.A carries up to a 5x in US sizing, though they are not vintage fabric. They carry 20s to the 80s on their website. My mother was born in 1942 and use to tell me that she would sew bras together. she was a US 4x . She learned how to sew and at 5 10" she would make her own pant suits and wear 3inch heels. She was a Goddess to me as a child, long Strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. I learned about fashion from her perspective. Quality fabric and "investing" in clothing on a budget can be done. But it was still hard to find clothing for me as a teen in the 70s and 80s. I have educated myself about fast fashion and tend to buy clothing from PoshMark and have it tailored. I also make purchases from sustainable brands like "Copper Union" I am a 6x and I am able to find brands like Universal standard at a fraction of the price. Yes, I shop on SHEIN and make sure the fabric content is as "cotton" as it can be. I think about the sewing bras together story often when I look for clothing. Although the availability of plus size clothing as become more prevalent i still feel marginalized on many levels. I am glad I came across your channel. Muh Love and admiration.

[@TheGlambassador]

I’m so glad you found my channel and that you're finding some options that work for you! It’s such an inspiration to hear your mom’s story.

[@karenjohnson7329]

I look at my family's photos and crack up whenever I hear that folks of size didn't exist in the past! My gran said her mom wore her clothes forever, because there weren't a lot of shopping options in our city. She sewed her own things, and taught my Gran and all my great aunts to sew too.

[@jacquieclapperton9758]

What annoys me is the knitting patterns that only go up to a 38" (if you're lucky) bust!

[@TheGlambassador]

I'm not a knitter, so I'm not sure how it works. But is it difficult to gage up in sizes if the pattern doesn't offer the size you need?

[@jacquieclapperton9758]

@TheGlambassador It depends how complicated the pattern is but a lot of designers have mentioned that grading for publication takes a lot of time and testing. Luckily Susan Crawford and Jane Waller have been a godsend to us in the UK with their pattern books based on rewritten vintage patterns.

[@TheGlambassador]

@@jacquieclapperton9758 What a wonderful resource to have.

[@upapaepops]

Your survival bias theory does not explain why my copies of Practical Knitting Illustrated and Knitted Garments for All, both of which were published in the 1940s, contain very few patterns for larger sizes. Most are sized 34 to 36 inch bust and only a couple are for "the fuller figure" ie 38 to 40 inches. Yet as you point out there were many larger ladies and they probably did as much knitting as any other ladies. Practical Knitting does have a section at the back on how to alter the size of a pa'ttern but the idea of multi-sized patterns doesn't seem to have occurred to designers in the 1940s

[@tobey0558]

I stopped going to vintage shops for larger sized clothes. 😢 As noted in the video, I go to a reproduction shop....Unique Vintage. They have all sorts of sizes, and styles from the 20's to the 70's eras. Super fun shop. They may be pricey, but they always have sales going.

[@Retrochick330]

This is the same thing that happens in stores, people think that if there are more items in smaller sizes it must mean there are more smaller sized people, when it’s the opposite that is true. All the bigger sizes get sold first and the 0s and 2s stick around and go on sale. I’ve often wondered why so many stores buy/make so many items in the small sizes when they could sell more of the bigger sizes.

[@WthrLdy]

I've been saying this for years. My own wardrobe, is full of comfortable clothing, which I wear to the point of it practically falling apart. I draft and sew my own farm dresses, so the cost of materials and time make them the equivalent of a $400 custom dress. You better believe I'm wearing them into oblivion. As for off the shelf things for daily wear around the ranch, those in a style I WANT to wear, and that fit, and wear well, are almost impossible to find, are purchased in multiple colors, and are also worn into oblivion.

[@DOSBoxMom]

I have a pair of sale catalogs from the first half of 1941 (one Sears, one Montgomery Ward), and both had at least a couple of pages of dresses for "stout women", as well as a page or two of featured dresses which included one in "stout women" sizes.

[@mmclennon]

Absolutely love this video!

[@monicavalentine8472]

Enjoyed your video, great info

[@Jennifer-dy8tz]

You're so pretty! The algorithm sent you to me. I enjoyed this video. Thank you!

[@TheGlambassador]

Thank you for watching!

[@VickiHunt-cu9by]

Thank you for answering a question that’s been on my mind about plus sizes in history. Here in Australia there is a great company called Miss Flamingo that has fun 1950s inspired dresses for mail order. She has up to about a size 24 (not sure what that is in America) and celebrates curves.

[@TheGlambassador]

Thanks for sharing!

[@lauriebak]

The women in my family have been large for as far back as any of us recalls. Per family photos, we can prove that, all the way back to the late 1800s. We’re all built that way and have been for a least the last couple hundred years. I really doubt that my family members were somehow outliers. It is possible that people, generally, are larger at a younger age now, than was once the case. I have no information on that, though.

[@lisabaca9331]

This was really interesting and insightful, I would love to see more on the topic.

[@priestessofkek2406]

I was just explaining to my DIL why almost all the surviving garments were so small. Cloth was expensive, so recycling was very important--therefore only items with especial significance were retained. Items that could be re-worn like gowns and wedding dresses were worn by daughters and sisters, leading to wear and tear and it's really easy to make a large dress smaller and very hard to make a small dress larger. So no, historical women weren't tiny, only tiny gowns survived.

[@AstheCrowTries]

Hey Glambassador, I've been a fan for years and I'm now converting more of my wardrobe to (mostly new) vintage sportswear (30s-50s). How do you deal with the new vintage brands being size restrictive? It's so frustrating because I want to invest in a nice wardrobe, but I'm either the largest size or not included at all. (And I'm considered 'midsize', it's even worse for a lot of my friends). I get a lot of responses of "well you're a tailor, make it yourself". Sometimes... I don't want to. And others: The patterns on offer won't fit. I just want a wool or chambray Eisenhower jacket that fits a 46 bust, is that too much to ask? Any advice?

[@TheGlambassador]

It's definitely a struggle to get reproduction brands to see the value in increasing their size range. I've been working on it for years. Have you had a look at the spreadsheet I made? That's good start to look for size inclusive brands. I also added a list of seamstresses and dressmakers that work with plus size patterns.

[@karenarlt7776]

I think the answer is simple.......there wasn't as much food available to most people.....plus most people did a lot of physical labor

[@lazygardens]

Thrifty seamstresses were constantly re-making clothing, and it's a fact that it's easy to downsize clothing to make a new, smaller garment, and almost impossible to upsize them. My mom frequently took clothing from adult relatives and cut it down to make children's clothes. One plus size adult dress could become two girl's dresses.