By Ed Avis
The medical community has been lamenting the growing waistlines of Americans for years now, but some members of the costume community have another view of that situation. After all, if your costume business successfully sells plus-size costumes, larger Americans can mean larger profits.
“It’s a very good market,” says Kathleen Mahoney, one of the owners of Costume Craze in Pleasant Grove, Utah. “Plus-size costumes are very popular these days.”
Renaissance and Sexy Sell Big
While Maloney offers a wide variety of plus-size costumes, she says the double-X and triple-X Renaissance-era costumes and “sexy” outfits seem to sell the best.
“Plus-size people enjoy partying just like anyone, and the plus-size women want to look attractive,” Maloney says. “And I think the availability has made it more popular. Previously plus-size men and women had to find a rental or make the costumes themselves, but now there is lot more available for sale.”
Peter Klammer, owner of Family Kloset Costume Shop in Plymouth, Massachusetts, says he has experienced exactly the same situation in his shop. He sells a lot of large-size Renaissance-era costumes, especially in October when a local Renaissance faire kicks off. And he sells a lot of the extra-sized costumes in more racy styles.
“Heavier women want to look sexy also, so they want the Batgirl or pirate costumes,” he says. “I even have customers who have a slender waist but need the plus size because they are large breasted.”
Klammer, who says he considers himself a plus-sized man so he knows how to diplomatically guide big men to the plus-size racks, says large men typically seek more simple costumes, such as XXL hippie costumes. Big pirate costumes are also popular among men, he adds.
More Available
Costume suppliers have noticed the growing number of bonus-sized customers and are providing more costumes in double-X and triple-X sizes. Maloney says her suppliers are providing those sizes in a growing variety of styles.
“Just about everyone has plus sizes, and some do triple-X for plus, plus ladies,” she says.
Klammer has noticed the same trend, but he says it’s important for a costume shop owner to learn what each supplier does well in larger sizes.
“Everyone has their own little niche,” he says. For example, one company he buys from has a quality plus-size gorilla, something that he hasn’t found elsewhere. “And I finally found a plus-size Darth Vader just two years ago,” he adds.
It’s also important to learn how sizes differ among companies, Klammer says. A size 2X costume from some suppliers is the equivalent of 1X at others, for example.
Maloney says she’s been pleased with the quality of the plus size costumes she has ordered, but Klammer says he has occasionally run into problems. “I tell people to buy one and check it out before you buy a bunch of them,” he says. “Some look great in the book but when you get it it’s the cheapest material.”
Know Your Market
As with any style of costume, deciding what large-size costumes to stock comes down to your local market demands. If you have a Renaissance faire nearby, stock up on big sizes of those costumes. If steam punk is popular in your area, make sure you can accommodate larger customers who prefer that style.
Costume Craze carries a broad line of plus-size products, which is why they can make this claim on their website: “Real people, with real figures, need real sizes. So that is why Costume Craze carries hundreds of plus size costumes for real men and women. Yes, we said hundreds.”
Dive In!
When asked what advice she can offer other costume business owners about plus-size products, Maloney replies that shops should just dive into the business.
“I say give it a try, because plus-size costumes are pretty darn popular,” she says. “There are lots of plus-size people. Not everyone is a size 2 anymore. In fact, there are more people in the plus-size range.”