Some garments lend themselves easily to the multifit option, give or take a hemline. Dresses, in particular, work easily with my design ethos – that each garment is a one-off that can appeal to a range of sizes and heights. Making a dress or a top that fits a UK8 through to a UK16 as standard (or any group of sizes) isn’t an insumountable problem and even takes into account body shape and waist alignment. It’s a very satisfying way to work and suits the simplicity I love whilst creating flattering silouettes.
Other garments present an interesting challenge. Trousers are one of those challenges because traditionally they are a tailored garment. Simple slouch ‘joggers’ and drawstring waist loungewear do have some allowance as do jumpsuits. Make them wide-leg or harem and you are giving yourself a lot more leeway. They are also more interesting and I can utilise my favourite soft stretch fabrics and slant towards a relaxed fit. You can also accommodate a wider waist to hip ratio without having to restructure the whole garment.
Designing in this way is far more satisfying for me. My main marketing issue is that, because I only make one of anything, each garment must appeal to a wider range of potential customers if I am going to sell it. With body sizes and shapes ranging so much I want to be able to offer something that really does fit rather than something that is a compromise.
I know the fit problem well myself since nothing ever suits me in the shops. My waist and hips don’t fit the same size labels. If something fits my hips I have to take the waist in dramatically since I am an hourglass figure and clothes just aren’t made for this classic body shape anymore. I am also short in the body and not particularly tall, so fixed waists and plunge necklines hang an inch or two lower than they should making me look ridiculous.
I design for others with my fit problems in mind – those women who are fed up of compromising on a purchase because of their bodyshape or their height (or lack of it), and especially for those who aren’t able to make the alterations themselves or just don’t want to. Businesses like mine are a practical alternative for women who don’t want to make do and are fed up of an uncompromising high street – women like me.
The Multifit Challenge - making clothes fit Some garments lend themselves easily to the multifit option, give or take a hemline. Dresses, in particular, work easily with my design ethos - that each garment is a one-off that can appeal to a range of sizes and heights.
