Common Challenges When Shopping for Plus Size Fashion

Plus size clothing refers to apparel designed for individuals with larger body proportions, though the terminology varies globally. Terms like Generous, Curvy, Misses, or Womens’ are increasingly replacing the term plus size, which is gradually becoming less favored by manufacturers. Traditionally, the fashion industry labels sizes above 8 as plus size, but in reality, a woman wearing size 8 isn't typically considered plus size, especially since the average American woman ranges between sizes 14-16.

Clothing above size 8, including 26W and larger, is often categorized as plus size, with some brands including size 26W in this category. In the UK, the term outsize was once common but is now less used due to its negative connotations; 'Curvy' is emerging as a more accepted term.

While mainly used for women’s apparel, the term plus size also applies to men above average build, often referred to as Big and Tall, with some brands indicating sizes 2XL and above.

Many brands lack consistent styles and designs across different sizes, with larger clothing often being less fashionable and outdated. Women above size 12 frequently find that available dresses feature unflattering cuts, old-fashioned prints, and are priced higher than smaller sizes.

Plus size clothing in big box stores often has limited options, is positioned on smaller shelves, and can incur higher prices—sometimes called fat-tax—making them more expensive than standard sizes.

Most plus size garments are just scaled-up versions of smaller sizes, which don’t conform well to larger bodies, resulting in ill-fitting, frumpy garments.

Additionally, designs often ignore height variations, leaving short or tall women to seek alterations. Many plus size options are not available in short, regular, or tall cuts, causing inconvenience for shoppers.