Plus Sized Dresses Cost More?

It's not really about how much fabric is used but how much waste is left. If they can cut two mediums from one piece, then sometimes a plus-size leaves waste fabric left over. Some designers don't size down to zero so they charge more for plus-size.

My dress from a bridal salon costed more because of the size they ordered. And I'm not plus size. Just gotta pay it unfortunately it's going to be the case probably anywhere. It's one thing that's always irked me about Victoria's Secret, they charge more for big boobie bras lol

Unfortunately this is common, but it doesn't happen everywhere. I got to the almost-buying stage at 3 different bridal salons, and 2 of them wanted to add an upcharge of $100 because I was ordering a dress over a size 14. I was pissed off and offended at first, but I ended up buying at one of those salons that added the upcharge.

I had to pay $30 extra for a size 18 bridesmaid gown. It ended up being too big and I traded it with another bridesmaid, who ordered a smaller size hoping she'd lose weight. I know I'm not going to get my $30 back, because she wasn't charged it, and I'm not even going to bother asking, at this point. I didn't have to pay anything for alterations or hemming, at least.

My sister had to pay $150 more, to get a wedding gown 1.5 inches longer. They have to measure the length from the hollow of her neck to her hem. I also paid $30 more for extra length, for the bridesmaids' gown for her wedding, because they said they're only good up to a certain height, with shoes. I then paid $60 to get the gown hemmed, because it was too long. Shouldn't have gone with the extra length, but the salon told me I needed it. It's a $$$ racket, sometimes.

Just think of it this way: a size 0 woman pays the same as a size 12 woman in street clothes every day, so she's paying more on every clothing item she's ever bought than someone bigger. It's also a reasonable amount - if she were charging you $100 more, I'd say it's gouging - but that's 12% more, which I think is reasonable. (I'm a size 18, bridal 24)

Thanks everyone! I'm going to fork over the cash. Now that I know it's standard I don't feel as bad. As many of you have said, this really is my dream dress so it's absolutely worth it for the extra $55!

It's pretty standard, They have a cut-off size before it goes in to plus size and at that point it costs more. I found this at every bridal store I went to.

Being a tall bride I would have ended up having to pay for extra length but luckily found one designer who made their dresses longer.

If it makes you feel any better, I have paid more for extra length on dresses because I am tall. It's just extra fabric/labor.

I read an article awhile ago- I can't find it again- that talked about why plus-size clothing is more expensive and why many retailers don't carry larger sizes. Basically, plus sized clothing not only requires more fabric, but it also usually involves changing the proportion of the patterns and embellishments entirely because of the difference in plus-size bodies versus standard sizes. It's the same principle as making the heel higher for a larger size shoe than for a smaller one to make them look the same proportionately.

Makes sense because of the extra materials. $55 dollars extra isn't too bad, though

I also paid more to have my hollow to hem shortened!

I noticed that too. It sucks but oh well, more motivation for me to lose weight lol

My MOH had to pay an extra fee for her dress because it's considered plus size. I'm sure it really sucks Size 18 seemed to be the plus size point for a lot of designers, when I was looking at size charts online.

If the dress needs more fabric yes you should have to pay the $55.

It's more than likely due to the extra material, also they may not have the patterns for that size on hand.

I had to pay extra on my dress as well - the designer has an extra fee in place for all sizes over a 12 or 14. Definitely annoying, but makes sense to me because of more fabric!

If it makes you feel better they do it to guys too. FH wears an XXL and his shirts always cost a few dollars more than the XL.

Like others have said, it's common. Unfair, but common. When I ordered a dress through etsy, I had to pay extra for size and length. But it's more fabric and time required to make it.

I had to pay a $200 "pattern fee" to make the dress in my size.

I went to David's Bridal when they were having their $99 dress sale and was informed that no plus size dresses were included...I ended up paying a little over $500 for my dress because the only sale on plus size at the time was $50 off. However I noticed they don't charge extra for plus size BM dresses (at least at Alfred Angelo). Two of my BMs had to order "plus size" and they paid the same price for their dresses as the other two BMs paid. I don't understand why sometimes you have to pay more and sometimes you don't. It's just an unfortunate, sucky thing.