The average clothing size worn by women in this country is a size 14. If you wear any size larger than a 14, you are plus sized, and you're in great company. Nearly half of all women in the United States are plus sized, too! Plus¬sized women come in all ages, in all sizes of large, and in a wide range of income levels and occupations, from socialite to factory worker, business executive to suburban homemaker. Most large women lead very busy, full, and ordinary lives. We need clothes for work, play, and special occasions just like our skinny sisters.

Plus size tops for women usually come in only one length. These plus size fashions tend to fit a women who is 5'5" or more. The measurement is determined from the top of the shoulder (TOS) to the shirt's bottom. As sizes go up the lengths of the shirt needs to increase from 1" to 2". Most women who are 5'4" tend to like a length that can vary from 27" - 30" for a 1X size. Women over this height prefer 30"=31" for a 1x. When purchasing a top keep in mind your height, because this can determine the length of the shirt. Of course bathing suit covers should be determined by your personal taste.

At GenerousFashions.com we offer tops for the petite plus size and regular plus size women. However some petite women really like an oversize long casual shirt and this can look great too. In this example, black might be a good choice for longer top lengths. Our petites start at 27" and go up. Our regular sizing for 3x can have a generous length of 33"-34" (this is kind of nice because it will go pass the hips).

Did you know that average height for an American woman is actually 5'4"? And the average clothing size for women in America is size 14?

Most clothing manufacturers only offer up to size 16. And the clothes they produce often do not allow for ease and can be very tailored. This is a problem for larger size women.

On the other hand, some Plus Size stores create just the opposite - Big, Oversized, Long and Loose fitting clothing. Yes, these clothes will fit you, but is it the "look" you want? It's ok for causal attire about the house and taking the day off from work clothes, but there should be other options. Consider this:

When looking for a better fit clothing company try to search for plus size stores that don't under or over cut at the chest, armhole and especially at the hip. It is better not to have the same chest and hip measurement. For example if you are a 1x and your chest measurement is 46" all the way around and you have wide hips add at least 4" or a total of 50".

This is a pretty good formula for one layer garments -- plus size tops, blouses, shirts and tanks. Especially if you are considering thin cottons, organic rayons and silks.

If you have any questions just email our designer at: stephen@generousfashions.com