I would just like to add, that NZ is no different, I believe there are stores for bigger sizes here, but they are expensive, and the cheaper stuff just looks hideous IMO.

Even though I am overweight right now, I fit standard sizes, but the sizing can vary so much, I have size 12's and 14's(we don't size in the sizes 1 ,2 etc here, they tried it, but seemed to have phased out.

I suppose it is harder to make clothes in the same young styles as the small ones, even if you look at say a size 8/10 then look at it in the size 16 it never looks as nice IMO.

Designers need to think,just because you are not the standard size, does not mean you want to look frumpy, we all like to look and feel good in our clothes.