ORLANDO, Fla. – Millions of women don't look forward to shopping because they just can't find trendy stylish clothes that fit.
According Karrie Lewis, a young mother of two, says she is completely frustrated and can't find her size--size 12.
"I'm 30 and all the clothes I find are stuff that an older person would wear not a young female mother," she said.
The average American woman's size is 14, according to a Size USA survey.
So Local 6 went shopping to find out just how challenging it is to buy clothes sizes 12 thru 16 staying young, hip and fashionable.
Some of the trendy stores don't even carry over a size 12. Local 6 searched the GUESS Marciana store, looking through all the tops, pants and dresses. The largest size found was a 10.
The same deal at BCBG Maxazria -- the largest size they sell is size 12.
Local 6 shopped in Express and looking through all racks and found lots of cute clothes but only up to size 12. If you need size 14 you have to go online to buy it. The salesperson said they don't get as many sizes in 10's and 12's.
And forget size 16 -- Local 6 couldn't find that size online or in the trendy stores visited.
Wardrobe stylist Tammara Kohler recommends the Joe Fresh line at JC Penney. She said it's stylish and you will find tops, pants and dresses up to a size 16.
|Web Extra: Find a list of alternative stores to shop at|
Kohler believes size choices are getting better.
"It used to be you compromise on the trend but at least now it's kind of evening out," Kohler said.
Celebrities are cashing in on the "average size woman." Vera Wang and Jennifer Lopez both have clothing lines in Kohl's that offer stylish, fashionable pieces for women up to size 16.
The Kardashians also have a trendy clothing line in Sears that goes up to size 16.
When Local 6's producer went looking in Banana Republic in the Altamonte Mall she didn't see much of a selection. But a salesperson said to try their store in Mall at Millenia, which tends to carry the larger sizes up to size 16.
So if the average size is 14 why don't more stores carry this size in every store? Instead, you can find tons of extra small and smalls.
Kohler explains that their target market is specifically for that younger and smaller size they feel that's where it's worth investing.
But most average-sized women disagree.
In fact, Lewis says they should carry a variety of various sizes. Not every female is between 0 and 10.
Local 6 did speak to representatives from Express, GUESS and BCBG and they all said they have no plans on expanding their current sizes despite the average woman wearing size 14.