Women With Curves

Women With Curves Retail business was set up in 2005 by Carmen Thomas. The company was started to meet the needs of curvaceous plus size women who have difficulties in finding good quality, fashionable and indeed sexy underwear in their size.

Carmen Thomas

National statistics tells us that 4.5 million women in the UK wear dress size 16 (this is equivalent to 19% of the total adult female population). Women who are size 16 and over represent nearly 30% (£3,872 million) of spending on womens wear. The outerwear market for size 16+ is worth £2,942 million; underwear and nightwear, £620 million and hosiery £310 million. The largest regional markets for larger sizes are London and the South East.

Women With Curves retail company, conducted a survey called plus size report in three Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire towns.The questionnaire covered how much women spent on ingerie, how often they purchased, where they purchased, what styles and colours they preferred and their age group.

The survey confirmed that over 37% of women over 40 years of age have admitted to being over weight and as a result average cup sizes have increased in recent years from 34C to 36D. As a consequence average dress sizes have also increased from size 14 to 16.

Considerable research was conducted into the availability of lingerie covering both large cup and large back sizes. The result was astonishing as they proved that women with fuller figures were not finding satisfaction in the mass market retail outlets available to them. Retail outlets are now catering for women up to G cup, in spite of this, women are still having difficulties especially those who are above G cup and whose back sizes are above 40 inches.

The inspiration and motivation to start my own business came following the research and a discussion with a friend. My wish is to selling direct via mail order. We have however, started with a small retail outlet in Stevenage Indoor Market.

I have been to Europe and has sourced America in my quest to find suppliers of larger sizes and as a result is able to offer an extensive collection of branded lingerie in classic, bridal and fashion styles in a range of colours plus a small range of hosiery.

We provide for women who are D-K cup and up to 50 inches on the back in selected styles. In addition we can supply products outside this range with reasonable time. We offer a free measuring service and also have our own private fitting room.

If you require further information please contact Carmen on 01438 350509 or you can visit us in Stevenage Indoor Market. We have small selection of some of our styles on our website. www.womenwithcurves.co.uk

Carmen