Big and Tall Sizes Explained

What are Big and Tall Sizes?

The terms ’big’ and ‘tall’ are adjectives used to describe sizes for larger people. Big is a general term used to refer to the overall size of the person, while tall refers to a person’s height.

When it comes to choosing the best outfit for either of these factors, there are several things to consider. First off, clothes express your personality and style, and above all, you must be comfortable in them.

If you have ever had to buy clothes in larger sizes either for yourself or someone else, you will understand that you have to consider more things than what meets the eye.

Just because you are big doesn’t mean that you need tall clothes, and just because you are tall doesn’t mean you need big clothes.

To make it more complicated and confusing, some retailers might not even know the differences in the products they sell. The dimensions of a shirt with the same size sold in two different stores could be completely different!

So what are the main differences between the big and tall sizes? This article will break this down for you for more details. 

What is a Big Size?

Relating to body size, a big man will often have larger sizes in the chest, waist, and hips. For them, it can be a little tricky to find the best clothes that fit.

However, many emerging brands are quickly accommodating larger sizes, so big people won’t have to choose between size and quality anymore. They are served equally, just like everybody else.

Just because you are big doesn’t mean that you have to buy a tall size. You need to know what works for you.

What is a Tall Size?

A tall man is considered to be of a height above 6’2”. However, the positioning of the body length might differ for different individuals, as some could have a longer body with shorter legs, or longer legs with a shorter body.

When it comes to choosing the best clothing for tall people, those with elongated bodies will need clothes with a higher rise. This means that the length of their pants might be regular, but they will need a longer shirt. Conversely, the tall man with elongated legs might be fine with a regular shirt size but will need long pants.

However, finding outfits that fit tall people can be a challenge because it takes time to find a shirt with the right sleeve measurements and overall length. It can be the reason why tall people often roll up their shirt sleeves—to hide the unsatisfactory fit. The same can be said for leaving their shirts untucked because the length is not sufficient to keep the edges in.

Presently, some popular clothing companies are incorporating designs that add a few inches to the torso and sleeves to accommodate those who need longer lengths. These designs should fit well for someone who is 6’2” or above.

What is Big and Tall?

People can have both big and tall characteristics, often with larger chests, waists, hips, and a height of more than 6’2”. If you are a man who falls under this category, you will want to look for big and tall clothing sizes. These big and tall-sized clothes will often have extra room for the body, not to mention the extra length in both the torso and sleeves.

If you have no idea what to look for, extra-large sizes for big and tall people will often have the ‘3XL’ or ‘5XLT’ tags. However, you need to be certain it is the right size before purchasing.

What is a Plus-Size?

Unlike big and tall sizes, plus sizes are a different phenomenon altogether. Plus sizes are usually used for ladies with larger sizes around the hips, waist, and chest. This doesn’t mean that they are either big or tall, but they have larger measurements at the specified positions.

Clothes for plus-size women are usually cut and designed to accommodate their curves or are alternatively designed with stretchier fabrics. 

When shopping for women’s clothing, you will sometimes see tags on plus-size clothes written either “petite” or “tall.” This doesn’t necessarily indicate that they are designed for petite or tall ladies, but rather for plus-size women who are either below 5’4” or above 5’8” respectively. 

Difference Between Big and Tall Clothing Sizes

As aforementioned, big and tall sizes put into consideration your width in the chest, hips, and waist. However, tall sizes only consider the length of the torso, arms, and legs.

In this regard, big and tall clothing sizes consider measurements of both the chest, hip, and waist width alongside the body length to provide clothes with the right height and size for a big and tall body.

Therefore, if you are only big and not tall, you should choose from clothes with tags ranging from XL to 8XL.

However, if you are tall but not big, you should go for clothes with tags ranging from XLT, XT, 2T, or 3T, depending on your height.

Ironically, you may at times find that some tall clothes will fit big guys, but the big clothes might not fit or even be appropriate for tall guys due to the extra space in the body, and the inadequate torso and arm length.

When Do You Need Bigger Clothes?

People have different body sizes and specifications, so there is no specific format to determine whether an individual should go for bigger sizes.

However, if your clothes are constantly too tight or even tugging your body, especially in the belly region, then you should consider looking for larger sizes. You will appreciate the freedom and comfort that comes with wearing clothes with a little space for the body to breathe. 

Athletes and bodybuilders, however, might be an exception because they might be developing wider chests without having a little more weight in the mid-section. They might need clothes with bigger cuts compared to the regular clothes, but this doesn’t mean that they should go for big and tall sizes. You should know what works for you and what to look for.

How to Shop for Big, Tall, Plus Size, and Big & Tall Sizes

Given that you now understand the major differences in size, you will hopefully have a smoother time choosing what is best for you. However, you need to pay close attention to the measurements of individual products because different designers will often have different measurements.

If you are ordering your clothes online, or even buying at the designer store, ensure that you ask for samples whenever possible and ascertain that the dealer has a good return policy just in case whatever gets delivered doesn’t meet your expectations.

So, what should you consider when buying bigger or taller clothing?

Buy something fitting – Whether you are big, tall, or both, it’s important to buy clothes that are fitting for your body. As if that’s not enough, consider the cut of the clothes you buy. You want something stylish and flattering, but neither baggy nor billowy.

Know your proportions – If you have a bigger body, you will not only want to buy fitting clothes but also be conscious of your body. Knowing your body proportions will enable you to buy clothes that compliment your body build. The proper fit should draw attention to your strong points and divert attention from your problematic points.

Wear clothes that compliment your body shape – Depending on the body shape, whether big, tall, or both, know the type of fit that works for you. Conventionally, there are three types of fits for clothes, namely; slim fits, relaxed fits, and athletic fits.

Slim fits should be more fitting to the body, while relaxed fits should give more room for the body and be more comfortable. Athletic fits, on the other hand, tend to be tighter on the arms and legs compared to anywhere else. Therefore, know which fits best for your body.

Know your body measurements – It is essential and crucial for a big or tall person to know their body specifications down to the millimeter. This is because you might be tempted to go for the standard measurements that you have always worn but to your surprise, most brands and designers nowadays offer slim and extra-slim fits for any size. Therefore, if you blindly go for your normal measurements, you might find them a little tighter than expected. It pays to know precisely how certain clothes should fit you.

Conclusion

Whether you are big, tall, or, both, you should know what clothing sizes work best for you and how to choose them, besides differentiating between the sizes that are specific for big, tall, or big and tall. I hope this article will help guide you to find the best fit for you.

Resources

• https://www.landsend.com/article/difference-big-and-tall/
• https://www.logosoftwear.com/library/fabrics-and-apparel/big-and-tall.php
• http://www.charneysmensclothing.com/blog/bid/64425/Big-or-Tall-Men-s-Sizes-A-Problem-of-Large-Proportions
• https://obviouslyfat.com/clothing/how-to-know-if-you-need-big-and-tall-clothing/
• https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-big-and-vs-tall/
• https://www.simpletailor.com/blogs/big-guys/what-are-big-and-tall-sizes
• https://livelifebig.net/what-are-big-and-tall-sizes/