About Plus Size Clothing

Plus-size clothing is a very general term that has been given to clothing sized specifically for men and women of large build. Plus-size refers specifically to clothing labelled size (US) 14 / (UK) 16 and upwards for women, and for sizes over XL for men. Previously called Outsize in some countries, this term was gradually dropped during the 1990s. It's really hard when a plus size outfit or dress feels like it should go straight back to the shop, the stares or criticism are there sometimes if nothing is said. Your beautiful plus size body CAN be dressed in plus size clothes that bring out the best in YOU.

Clothing size labelling

The majority of brands employing the 'X' sizing policy produce garments up to size 3X/3XL. The 'XL' is an abbreviation of 'Extra Large'. Sometimes the letter 'W' appears after the numeral (i.e. 14W) as an abbreviation for 'Women', however this is a trait of mainly U.S. designers and is not an internationally-adopted practice. In the UK, North America, Australia and many European countries, plus size clothing is labelled either numerically (14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30,32); by using the letters 'X' and 'XL' and a numeral together (i.e. X, 1X, 2X, XL, 1XL, 2XL, etc); or with the designer's own system of sizing which is conceived with the philosophy of reducing stigma attached to body size.

Clothing fit and construction

The companies Lane Bryant and Catherines teamed up over a three-year period to source data to modernize the companies' garment construction. Fourteen thousand women were measured in what was the most extensive female sizing study in the U.S. in over 60 years. Plus size clothing patterns have traditionally been graded up from a smaller construction pattern, however many retailers are using statistical data collected from their own measuring projects, and from specialized Body Scan Data collection projects to modernize the fit and construction of their garments.