UK: Sales of XL men's clothes jump

The growth compares to an increase of just 11 per cent across the menswear market as a whole, retail analyst Mintel said.

It coincides with spiralling levels of obesity in this country, with scientists now predicting that around a third of men are expected to be obese by 2013, up from a quarter in 2008. In total, 90 per cent of adults are expected to be overweight or obese by 2050.

The market for men's clothes sized XL or larger is now worth £1.7 billion, up from £1.2 billion in 2003.

Although the market for women's clothing sized 18 and above is currently worth twice that at £3.8 billion, it has only grown by 26 per cent over five years.

Katrin Magnussen, senior fashion analyst at Mintel, said: "Larger sized menswear is a real area of growth here in the UK. Obviously some men simply prefer wearing baggy clothes, but for a vast majority these ranges are their only option.

"These clothes have undoubtedly become more popular as a result of the rapidly rising levels of obesity among Britain's men. And an ageing population has also played its part as most people will find their waistbands expanding as they get older."