Greetings to all on this rather chilly Dublin evening.

I would like to have a little rant about mass produced clothing. In particular why it is that so many high street stores only make their clothes in the assumption everyone fits in to a handful of sizes. Take as an example the sizing of shirts. When you buy a shirt you choose it on the basis of neck size. Yet, if you take two people with the exact same neck size I guarantee that their respective arms and torsos will be of different sizes. I have a very long torso and find that most mass produced shirts are too short for me in the body despite fitting my neck, chest and arms perfectly.

The same goes for trousers, suits and just about any other item of clothing. Not too long ago, you could buy shirts and suits from most major stores with different length options, but seemingly that is no longer the case. Where a shop sells and item of clothing with more size options, then you find that it is sold as a premium product at a premium price. The same goes for shoes, what ever happened to multiple width sizings?

What’s worse is that mass produced clothing is made in a manner not conducive to alterations. Even expensive suits from high street retailers are made in such a way that makes even the most experienced alteration shops struggle. Glue and synthetic bonding agents are slowly replacing good old fashioned stitching.

It is understandable why such retailers are reducing their size ranges. It lowers production costs and helps them manage stock better, but it is also a pain for those of us who don’t aren’t in a common shape or size.

Very few people can afford to buy bespoke clothing, we are forced to shop in the big name stores. Perhaps if they catered for more shapes and sizes they would find their customer appreciation and loyalty ratings increase?