What does plus size mean?
♫ Wednesday, August 24th, 2011“Plus size is a term that seems hard to define. In clothing terms, it generally refers to merchandise that starts at a size 14W. The W stands for women, as plus sizes are also called “”women’s sizes”" which is as confusing as it sounds.
Traditionally, plus size garments have a much looser silhouette than straight size clothes and are less form fitting. Often even the smallest sizes in a plus size store will have an allowance for a large chest. Plus size fashion is evolving, and many brands are becoming more stylish and body conscious, but most of the mass merchandise plus clothing is still a little bit on the loose side.
Plus size clothing is generally not sold alongside straight size clothing. Generally brands sell only one or the other (ex: Bebe, a straight size store, only goes up to a size 12, and Lane Bryant, a plus size store, only starts at 14.) Some brands do make some of the exact same items available in both plus and straight sizes (INC is an example) but they are found on different floors of department stores. Certain brands, such as Fashion Bug carry both plus and straight size clothing in one store, but they separate it into different sections.”
