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I have been struggling for some months with baggy triceps, a ballooning bosom, burgeoning waistline, bulbous buttocks, and blossoming thighs. What to do, what to do…

At last, I have unwittingly joined the millions in our society who classify themselves as "plus." It's a whole new world: A kind of confirming nod we give to one another in passing, that not unlike pregnancy or having grey hair, reveals a secret society. We're all part of a certain bunch: Big beautiful women, and yes, men too (although it doesn't seem to faze them as much, if at all).  

Anyone who is in the custom uniform business, tailoring, or alterations, is used to the steady trickle of folks who require a special fit – not infrequently because of oversize. Once in a while, my father would jokingly say that he would need to get a pattern from Omar the Tentmaker.

Lately, however, it's been one plus size after another, and sometimes entire orders. Recently, a group of Midwesterners ordered 60 polo shirts – half 2XL and half 4XL – all with 8" added to the length to cover the fronts and rears of strong, hearty farmhands who wear size 58 pants.

Men are weighing in like cattle, and the women are right there with them. This spring, alone, we had two different orders for military and fire personnel, where the gals had 67" waists. Waists! Image the chests and the seats.

We had a call for a size 72 coat from a Shriner. Another gent requested that we come to his house to measure and fit some jumpsuits, because he couldn't squeeze his way out the door to come to us. There's a cavalry order going out where the average frock coat for the battalion is a 48Long.

I'm not trying to make fun or ridicule. Rather, I'm pointing out where a significant portion of our population's sizing is headed. Just as so many of our manufacturers of ready-to-wear have, of late, instituted petites and very small sizes to suit a particular frame, they've also gone to bigger and bigger sizing in order to accommodate both men and women in the workplace.

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Over the past several weeks, we've received numerous emails seeking advice on entering this year's UNIVATOR Awards. Readers want a better understanding of the categories, with an explanation of which fits their company best.

To clear up any ambiguity, we've listed the categories below, describing each and offering suggestions based on whether a company manufactures or distributes uniforms for end use. Some categories, it seems, are better suited for manufacturers while others are perfect for store owners. Still others work for everyone.

But please note: these are recommendations; you are free to enter the category of your choosing. No matter the category, with so many possibilities, there's a good chance you'll walk away a winner:

Manufacturers:

Product Innovation – While some bunkered down to ride out the recession, many instead took a proactive stance, introducing products and increasing visibility in preparation for economic recovery. Have you come out with a new pant, developed a never-before-seen product or line that is all the rage in your market space? Toot your own horn by entering UNIVATOR.

Fabric Innovation – Poly-rayon, organic cotton, fabrics with stretch – the possibilities are endless in today's uniform market. What fabrics have you successfully incorporated into garments for end use? Do the fabrics achieve the desired result?

Innovations in Product Safety – From Anti-microbial apparel to FR to body armor, it's been a year filled with product improvements that safeguard the end user from harm. We've reported on many in UMNM, now grab further acclaim by winning a UNIVATOR.

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Barco Uniforms, known for its commitment to always striving for a higher standard when it comes to innovating work apparel and creating greater customer...