What is Considered Plus Size? Everything You Need to Know
These days, it is tough to determine what exact size makes someone plus size. Currently, throughout the fashion industry, to be a model must entail that you are tall and thin and that you adhere to the societal standards of an ‘acceptable’ body aesthetic.
Thankfully, however, the fashion industry has made significant strides in terms of creating more space for body types that range in size and shape.
As the industry has become more open-minded, they have increasingly created space for those labeled ‘curvy,’ ‘voluptuous,’ ‘full-figured,’ ‘fat,’ or ‘plus-sized.’
Each of these terms suggests that the person has a rounded body shape and that such a shape is beautiful, positive, sensual, and even sexy.
Typically, those associated with these body types include those who fit into clothing that is sized as 14+.
When considering the term in light of clothing categories, Plus size is a clothing category that applies to a particular body type, and here is everything you need to know and how it is understood.
Plus-Size Requirements
In terms of requirements, the word “plus-size” typically refers to a specific sizing of women and the clothing that they wear.
Typically, these numbers might vary by retailer and designer. Though overall, it is usually the case that plus-size clothing can begin as low as 12 or 14 in terms of sizing.
In terms of the fashion industry, however, it is normally the case that plus-size models tend to fall within the range of sizes 8 to 12 – and even as low as size 6.
On average, more generally, most American women tend to wear clothing sizes between 16 to 20. As such, the inclusion of size six as part of the definition of “plus-size” has certainly raised some eyebrows.
Definition of a Size 6
Depending on where you find yourself in the world, most Size charts will vary.
If we are to use a women’s clothing size conversion table that is based on numbers from both the United States and Canada, size six is considered among the small body type sizes.
This measurement typically involves a 34-inch bust size, a 26-inch waist, and 37 inches around the hips.
In terms of waist size, this is typically measured just above the belly button and below the rib cage.
Typically, for healthy body types, women are encouraged to keep their waist size below 35 inches (or 88 centimeters). This would put a woman in and around a size 14.
In terms of one’s waist-to-hip ratio or WHR, this measurement is typically acquired by measuring the smallest circumference of the waist at the widest part.
Ideally, women want to measure somewhere between 34 to 45 inches around the waist.
Again, this would put them at size 14 if they were measuring around 45 inches in size.
Obesity is Increasing
According to statistics in the United States, approximately two-thirds of Americans are now considered overweight or obese.
These numbers are based on a number known as body mass index (or BMI), which is a measurement of the body’s fat that takes into consideration both one’s height and weight.
Those considered to have a high BMI might also be at risk of carrying more weight and might also have a greater predisposition to diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
However, on the other end of the spectrum, one might also suffer from being “underweight.” This particular classification may mean that they are considered to be suffering from malnutrition, or they might be dealing with a particular eating disorder.
In addition to one’s BMI, it is also important to consider one’s overall body composition – that is, to what extent the person carries certain amounts of fat, muscle, or water masses.
In order to determine this information, experts suggest determining one’s waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio.
While certainly, it is important to maintain health above all, experts caution that people should not be primarily fixated on their weight or size status as this does not always determine one’s exposure or vulnerability to risk and disease.
Instead, people should focus on ensuring their health and wellness.
To do so, they should pay attention to metrics such as energy levels, personal feelings toward their mind and body, blood glucose, and lipids rather than simply a number on their weight scale.
In Conclusion
What this information alerts us to is that body size and shape are not always a true reflection and mention of health.
That is, someone who is considered skinny by societal standards may be unhealthy, while someone who is determined to be plus-size might be very healthy.
The reason for this is that one’s size does not always give the true picture and does not always tell us everything we need to know about health and genetics.
In addition, even as someone labeled plus-size might wear a larger size, they might lead a much healthier and more active lifestyle than someone who has a more socially acceptable waistline.
