Plus size

Plus size describes girth: a bust, waist and hips past a brand's regular range. It usually comes with size names of its own, letters like 1X to 4X or US numbers written with a W. Where the plus range starts is each brand's choice.

It is about width, not length, so it isn't the opposite of petite. Petite and tall change lengths; plus size changes the girths.

On a size chart

Ruban Size's plus-size women's template, in inches:

In the templates, the plus range picks up around where the regular dresses range ends: the dresses XXL has a bust of 109 to 116 cm (about 43 to 45.7 in), the plus 1X 42 to 44 in. The two ranges sit next to each other, under different names.

In Ruban Size

Plus size works best as a separate chart, not two extra columns on the regular one: the sizes, the labels and often the product types differ. Start from the plus-size women's template; shoppers who measure in centimeters switch units and the table converts. Product rules put it on the right products, by tag, collection, product type or vendor.

Find my size never pushes beyond the largest size: past the 4X, the answer says "Your measurements are above our largest size (4X)" instead of guessing. Petite, tall, plus size, big and tall compares the four ranges.