Is Plus-Size the Average Clothing Size?
From the Editors at Netscape
Despite what the fashion industry thinks, the average clothing size in the United States is not a svelte 8 for women and a 40 regular for men. The average women's size is 14, the size at which "plus-sized" clothing begins. And the average size for men is 44.
More plus sizes you might like*
*Some prices may be higher than than those in the article.
We're bigger not only in weight and height, but also just about every measurement in between, according to the new SizeUSA survey, a first-of-its-kind look at our measurements that has been taken since World War II, reports The New York Times, which published the results. Sponsored by various clothing and textile companies, the Army, the Navy, and several universities, the survey of 10,000 people in 13 cities nationwide used a light-pulsing 3-D scanner to take 240 body measurements from tip to toe. (No fudging in this survey!)
Let's size up some fascinating facts as reported by The New York Times:
The Ladies:
Shop Plus Size clothing for women:
Plus Size Dresses | Plus Size Jeans | Plus Size Lingerie | More Plus Size Clothing
The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average:
The Gentlemen:
Big & Tall Shirts | Big & Tall Dress Pants | Big & Tall Jackets | More Big & Tall Clothing
The fashion industry assumes the average man is a traditional 40 regular, which means 40-inch chest, 34-inch waist, and 40-inch hip, with a 15.5-inch collar. In the real world, men ages 36 to 45 actually average:
About 51 percent of men and 38 percent of women said they were "about the right weight" when asked their perception of how much they weighed. Meanwhile, 10 percent of men and 21 percent of women faced the truth and acknowledged they were "quite a bit overweight."
Read more from AOL Shopping: Plus Size Lingerie, 6 Things Women Over 40 Shouldn't Wear, Discount Ugg Boots, Fashion for Men Over 40
Despite what the fashion industry thinks, the average clothing size in the United States is not a svelte 8 for women and a 40 regular for men. The average women's size is 14, the size at which "plus-sized" clothing begins. And the average size for men is 44.
More plus sizes you might like*
Let's size up some fascinating facts as reported by The New York Times:
The Ladies:
- 64 percent of women are pear-shaped, while 30 percent are "straight," which means they have little perceptible waist.
- Black women have larger measurements than other women, but they are most likely to have the classic hourglass shape.
- Women over 36 are the most likely to have bigger hips.
- Black women older than 55 have smaller hips than those ages 45 to 55.
Shop Plus Size clothing for women:
Plus Size Dresses | Plus Size Jeans | Plus Size Lingerie | More Plus Size Clothing
The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average:
- White: 41-34-43
- Black: 43-37-46
- Hispanic: 42.5-36-44
- Asian: 41-35-43
The Gentlemen:
- Older men have trimmer thighs than younger men.
- 19 percent of men are considered portly.
- An additional 19 percent of men have "lower front waists." (That means they have to look under their belly to find their waist.)
- Men who are over 45 are the most likely to have bellies.
Big & Tall Shirts | Big & Tall Dress Pants | Big & Tall Jackets | More Big & Tall Clothing
The fashion industry assumes the average man is a traditional 40 regular, which means 40-inch chest, 34-inch waist, and 40-inch hip, with a 15.5-inch collar. In the real world, men ages 36 to 45 actually average:
- White: 44-38-42
- Black: 43-37-42
- Hispanic: 44-38-42
- Asian: 42-37-41
About 51 percent of men and 38 percent of women said they were "about the right weight" when asked their perception of how much they weighed. Meanwhile, 10 percent of men and 21 percent of women faced the truth and acknowledged they were "quite a bit overweight."
Read more from AOL Shopping: Plus Size Lingerie, 6 Things Women Over 40 Shouldn't Wear, Discount Ugg Boots, Fashion for Men Over 40
Comments page 1 of 15
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Kathie Neuner said 10-11-2008 @2:29PM
Average is as close to the top as it is to the bottom.
replyGlad to hear that I am average. Just like age
size is just a number
Lowest Ranked
lobo said 10-11-2008 @2:32PM
Considering the majority of Americans both men and women of all ethnic persuasions are either overweight or obese, this is hardly new.
replyWhat's really sad is that according to a CBS 60 Minute show, they clothing makers have been making clothes larger for a decade or so as the customers got fatter, but to sooth there ego's, they labeled them down from the sizes we've all known. So a 14 average now, is probably closer to a 18 or larger which is fat girl territory. The term "bigger" is a misnomer, we're getting fatter, not bigger, there's a big difference! IF your body fat percentage is in the healthy range, and your a size 14 to whatever, then you are a BIGGER person. IF your percentage is in the overweight/obese category, then your FAT, and the sooner you acknowledge it to yourself, the sooner you can get healthy! As the epidemic of type 2 diabetes and other weight related illness's skyrocket, people refuse to except the truth, so they delude themselves by saying, " I'm a big gal/guy" when what they need to come to grip with is there FAT!!
Highest Rank
liz said 10-11-2008 @2:37PM
the average size just means just that--the AVERAGE. it doesn't mean the new average is now healthy. it just means that the average person is too fat.
replyLowest Ranked
katie lynn said 10-11-2008 @2:48PM
wow.. thats really pathetic. we are probably the most obese country in the world, and are people now accepting that?? its crazy!!! most people are dying, getting diabetes and heart problems because of obesity, so why doesnt anyone do anything about it?? i am a size 0 and darn proud!!
replyHighest Rank
GeminiNightOwl said 10-11-2008 @2:51PM
Despite an earlier post claiming sizes have gotten larger (i.e. a 14 is really an 18), just the opposite is true. 25 years ago, I weighed 135 lbs and fit in a straight size 11 jeans. Now, I try on size 12 and they are cut so small I feel like they are made for juniors. Shirt sizes have also changed, much shorter, tighter in the sleeves and across the chest. The weights and measures have also taken a mind of their own these days with people claiming for example to have lost "30 lbs and 6 dress sizes". Rule of thumb then and now: A dress size was, is and will always be 10lbs. In order to lose 5 dress sizes, you need to lose 50 lbs. It's amazing how distorted today's media with all the push on the skin and bones mentality has even the healthy people who don't need to lose weight second-guessing themselves if they are overweight. It's sick, old and tired and needs to stop.
replyNeutral
bensonta said 10-11-2008 @2:56PM
I'm a size 10 and I'm furious that the designing industry considers me obese! I work out daily and watch what I eat but to quote Popeye," I yam what I yam!" It is the designers who need to get real and start using real women on the runway not scarecrows! Size 8-12 are what models should be and clothes can be made to make most of us look attractive if they really wanted to.
replyNeutral
GeminiNightOwl said 10-11-2008 @2:56PM
In response to Lobo's post:
replyI don't think there is any reason to push your narrow-minded agenda that people should just label themselves "fat". That is exactly the type of defeatist mentality in any area that keeps people from succeeding at reaching a goal or even starting a regimen to lose weight and feel better about themselves. Also, there are people like myself with metabolic disorders who struggle with every ounce I lose, so you may want to think before you speak and consider that there are always other factors besides the ignorant response.
Lowest Ranked
susan said 10-11-2008 @3:03PM
sheesh lobo, are we a wee bit hatefull today??? Id rather have family and friends with a few extra pounds that are at least kind then a friend like you thats probably thin UGLY and hatefull. At least they CAN diet and lose the extra pounds but just what are YOU going to do about your ugly skinny little face? ;)
replyNeutral
Em said 10-11-2008 @8:29PM
It really bugs me when someone as opinionated as lobo actually writes decently and seems to have a fairly good vocabulary but has no clue as to proper word usage and punctuation... your, there, except... (sigh)
replyHighest Rank
Humberto Cignarella said 10-11-2008 @3:13PM
"One never grows old at the table". Eating the right metabolism burning foods at the right time of the day help the body reduce unwanted fat while resting (and even sleeping!).
replyNeutral
Momma Red said 10-11-2008 @3:10PM
Looks like the averages of humans is changing, like it does normally through out time. It doesn't mean that we are overweight or underweight, just means that things change. Go with it. We all know too heavy or too thin it unhealthy, why make us think we need to be something we are not.
replyLowest Ranked
goldenbutterfly said 10-11-2008 @3:11PM
So I am a size four without dieting at all. I am currently drinking normal mountain dew. I don't want them to change anything to fit the new obese average.
replyHighest Rank
Erica said 10-11-2008 @3:12PM
American's are getting fatter. It is estimated that children born today will not live as long as their parents because of this obesity crisis. Adult onset type 2 diabetes is the most prominent cause. I do believe that the clothing industry does promote skinny as beautiful. That is not realistic! We just need to learn to eat right, exercise to be healthy. It's about BMI (weight lifters can not use this gauge). Have a healthy BMI and then it really doesn't matter what clothing size you are...you will be healthy!
replyNeutral
mtoce said 10-21-2008 @2:48PM
The article says "The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average..." BUT this is like comparing apples to oranges (or pears). The fashion industry, for the most part, doesn't cater to women over 35. If you're a healthy women in her 20s, these measurements are about right.
replyNeutral
Bar said 10-11-2008 @3:22PM
I'm 5'7" and a size 4 to 6 depending on who makes the clothes. Often, I go to but jeans or slacks and all I find are a million size 14's and 16's and no size 6's -especially jeans. So, someone must know to put out average size clothing because they are not putting out size 4 jeans.
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EmmaJelly said 10-11-2008 @3:28PM
Vanity sizing is nothing new. It has been going on for years. For those of you that do not know what Vanity sizing is.. google it.
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EmmaJelly said 10-11-2008 @3:29PM
if you think finding a size 4 regular is difficult, try finding a pair that are long?!
replyHighest Rank
Susan Mokhtari said 10-12-2008 @2:41PM
Well - I do understand, and agree with, the fact that many of us are overweight to an unhealthy extent. However, with these figures (pun intended) in mind - I REALLY WISH that there were more clothes out there for me to wear while I lose weight and inches. And the plus-size catalogues are no better - with models who are 'maybe' a 14 and with no tummies or other larger areas.
replyLowest Rank
amber said 10-11-2008 @3:44PM
I'm 5'7" tall and weigh 127 at MAX! I refuse to weigh anything more. I am hoping to get back to my size 2's by Christmas. There is absolutely no excuse for being overweight.
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Marti said 10-11-2008 @3:39PM
This is AWFUL news. We are FAT, FAT, Fat!!!!
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