Plus Sized Dresses Cost More?

Having been in the garment industry for some years, I can tell you it's all materials and labor.

I paid close to $500 more for my "plus" size 18 bridal dress. Never knew bridal sizing was so different, nor that I would have to pay more, and felt a little embarrassed as I'm a street size 10, but bit the bullet and paid.

It could also be that she'll have to work on a new pattern (not sure if this is the right word). If she stated on her Etsy page that she makes dresses sizes 0-12, then she has patterns made for those sizes; for a size 16 she'll have to redesign her pattern. I think $55 is a bargain for extra fabric/material plus extra time redesigning the dress plus extra time making it.

A king size bed cost more than a twin. Bigger stuff means more materials means more $.

Interesting - I am assuming this is your wedding gown vs. a BM dress.

The price of my gown from DB did not increase because I am a plus sized bride. I checked online, it is the same price regardless of size.

Also, my BM's are various sizes and their dresses from DB were all the same price, too.

As an amateur seamstress, here's my thought on why it costs more and it does have to do with using more fabric. When you're laying out a pattern on the fabric to cut out, all the pieces are situated in a certain way to make the most out of your fabric, but they can't just be put on there willy nilly. Over a certain size, it's completely plausible that the pieces can't be cut out in that orientation any more and they have to be laid out in a fashion that does use more fabric. You wouldn't run into this problem if you jumped from a 10 to a 12, but you might have that problem if you went from a 14 to a 16, for example. I've run into this making my own skirts and whatnot, it uses something two yards for anything from a zero to a twelve, for instance, but suddenly you need three if you're making a size 14.

Edit : having said all that, paying extra still sucks!

Unfortunately plus sized dresses are more expensive because they need extra fabric. I don't think you are being a brat at all and I think wedding dresses in general are CRAZY expensive!

I am plus sized - and yes, good plus size clothing is always more! But its generally worth it - especially I know some other plus size people who just squeeze into cheap plus size clothing that doesn't necessarily fit or flatter them. Sorry charlie! Just the world we live in being "big girls." Yes, also do not piss off your seamstress.

She may have needed more of something..you could ask why is it just your size or material cost.. $55 isn't over the top so I am sorry but may be easier to pay get what you want and no hurt feelings..

It's supposedly for extra fabric, but it's essentially a fat tax. Often, it's a double fail because the pattern redrafting results in a less flattering, more modest cut. *salty, obv*

It is definently unfair but I do agree that more fabric means more money. It sucks but you want it made right. Try negotiating with the seller and see what happens. You certainly don't want to piss off your dress maker.