The world of plus-size clothing can be difficult to navigate, and even that’s an understatement. You’ve recently taken some measurements and deduced that you’re a size 22 or 24. Now you’re wondering which plus size does that correlate to?
A size 22 to 24 is generally considered a 3XL, but that sizing can vary depending on the retailer or clothing manufacturer. At size 22, you may have a 41-inch waist, 47.5-inch bust, and 48-inch hips. Size 24 might be a 31-inch waist, 49.5-inch bust, and 52-inch hips.
Do you have yet more questions about plus-size clothing at a size 22 or 24? We’re here to answer them. Ahead, we’ll share sizing charts from all your favorite plus-size retailers, so keep reading!
What Plus Size is 22/24? With Real Retailer Examples
For dresses and tops, if you’re a size 22 to 24, then you should generally shop for shirts in 3XL. As we mentioned in the intro though, this is dependent on the retailer.
We’ve all heard horror stories of trying on three dresses or pairs of jeans from different brands, but all in the same sizes. The way each garment fits can so be so disparate that even when you know your size, buying clothes at that size is difficult. It’s even harder if you’re trying to figure out your size based on a number.
To make your life a little easier, we combed the Internet and found sizing charts from a few of the top plus-size brands. Whether you’re a size 22 or 24, you’ll soon know what plus size you are.
Ashley Stewart
The Ashley Stewart brand sells clothes under that name as well as its new brand called Curvy Girl. The sizing chart available on their website is for Ashley Stewart clothing only. This retailer’s shirts, tops, and dresses start at a size 10 and go all the way to a size 36.
Size 22 tops accommodate 52-inch hips, 49.5-inch busts, and 41-inch waists. At this size, when shopping at Ashley Stewart, you’d wear a 3XL.
There is no size 23, by the way, so a size 24 is also a 3XL according to Ashley Stewart. These dresses and tops are for 54-inch hips, 51.5-inch busts, and 43-inch waists.
Dia & Co.
If you prefer shopping at Dia & Co., their sizes are 0X through 5X or 12 through 32. The Dia & Co. chart for outerwear, dresses, and tops mentions that a size 22 is again a 3XL, as is size 24.
You fit into Dia & Co.’s size 3X clothes if your hips are between 53.5 and 56 inches, your waist is 44 to 46.5 inches, and your bust is 51.5 to 54 inches.
You’re already seeing some differences, right? A size 24 from Ashley Stewart is for a 51.5-inch bust while Dia & Co. recommends a 3XL for a woman with a bust size of up to 54 inches. It will only get more confusing from here, so strap in!
Lane Bryant
According to their size chart, Lane Bryant only goes by numerical sizing for their garments. In other words, a size 22 is just that, not necessarily a 3XL at their store. The same applies to clothes in a size 24.
Using their chart, a size 22 dress fits if your lower hips measure 52.5 inches wide and you have a 44-inch waist and 50-inch bust. Your keen eyes likely noticed that Lane Bryant specifies the lower hip, not just the hip in general. We’ll get back to what this means in just a moment.
To fit in a dress size 24, your lower hips should be 54.5 inches, your waist 46 inches, and your bust 52 inches. Again, like Dia & Co., Lane Bryant’s sizes run on the bigger side than Ashley Stewart’s.
Okay, so what’s the difference between your hips and lower hips? To explain that, we found yet another sizing chart, this time from a brand called Fella Swim. They’re not a plus-size brand, but their sizing chart is visual, which helps.
Your regular hips, also known as the high hips, are where your hipbones start. You’d wrap flexible measuring tape around your waist at those bones and then take your measurement. Your lower hips are underneath the hipbone, so practically at the start of your thighs.
Torrid
Torrid offers plus-size clothing in sizes 10 through 30. Using their sizing chart, a size 22 to 24 is a 3X. Torrid clothing in size 22 is for busts measuring 50 to 52 inches, waists that are 44 to 46 inches, and lower hips measuring 54 to 56 inches. Yes, Torrid also uses the lower hip measurement like Lane Bryant does.
A size 24 from Torrid is for bust sizes of 52 to 54 inches, waist sizes of 46 to 48 inches, and lower hips measuring 56 to 58 inches.
The Difference Between Women’s Plus Sizes, Misses’ Plus Sizes, and X Sizes
We’ve established that as a size 22 to 24, you’re considered a 3XL by many plus-size retailers. We also proved in the last section that what a size 22 or 24 is will vary slightly by retailer. A difference of a few inches might not seem significant until that dress fits too tight.
We haven’t even gotten into women’s plus sizes, misses’ plus sizes, and X sizes yet, but now seems like a good time to. Here’s what you need to know.
Women’s Plus Sizes
The first plus-size clothing category is women’s plus size. You can quickly tell these garments apart from others because they have a W in front of them. Another indicator is to check the size, as women’s plus-size clothing is often roomier. It’s made that way on purpose so women with larger hips and busts can find clothing that fits their bodies.
If you’re inspecting clothing tags and you see something like a number +, such as 22+, that’s another way of saying the clothes are women’s plus size. The same is true if the label reads 24 Plus with the word written out.
Misses’ Plus Sizes
For plus-sized clothing that’s just labeled by size number, this is technically considered misses’ sizing. So Lane Bryant, which sizes their clothes only by number, uses misses’ plus sizes. As the name alludes to, misses’ clothing is sometimes a more youthful style, like junior’s clothing, but comes in all sorts of sizes.
Misses’ plus sizes may begin at size 14 or 16 depending on the retailer.
X Sizes
Last but not least are X sizes. For example, a size 22 or 24 is typically a 3XL, and that’s an X size. These sizes start all the way at extra-small or XS and go to 3XL, 4XL, or greater depending on the retailer. The issue with X-sized clothing is that the fit is often less precise than misses’ plus sizing.
Putting all that information together, if you have 50.5-inch hips, a 40.5-inch waist, and a 47.5-inch bust, you’d be considered a misses’ plus size 22 but a 20W. If your hips are 53 inches, your waist 43 inches, and your bust 49.5 inches, you might be a misses’ plus size 24. That would also make you a 22W and a 3XL.
What Size is 22 to 24 in Jeans?
By the way, all the information we’ve presented to this point has been for tops, shirts, and dresses only. What if you’re a size 22 or 24 in jeans? Does that mean you need 3XL jeans? It appears so.
Using Ashley Stewart’s chart again, you’re a size 22 in their jeans if your waist is 41 inches and your hips 52 inches. That’s the same waist and hips size for their 3XL size 22 tops, which will make finding jeans easier.
You’re a size 24 in Ashley Stewart jeans if your hips are 54 inches and your waist 43 inches.
Let’s look at Dia & Co. for further confirmation. For their shorts, jeans, and pants, a size 22 fits a woman with 53.5-inch hips and a 44-inch waist. Like with Ashley Stewart, those numbers correlate with the measurements for the Dia & Co.’s size 22 tops.
The size 24 bottoms are for hips measuring 56 inches and waists 46.5 inches. Both sizes 22 and 24 are considered 3XL in bottoms at Dia & Co.
Tips for Finding the Right Plus-Size Clothes for You
To wrap up, we have some tips that will allow you to find plus-size clothing that fits you well and makes you feel stylish.
Take Some Measurements
Clothing sizes are very dependent on your measurements, so if it’s been a while since you’ve gotten measured, we advise you to start with that.
Some clothing stores may offer this service, and lingerie shops definitely will, although the latter will only tell you your bust size. Remember, you need to know the size of your waist as well as your upper and lower hips.
If you have to do measurements at home, it’s not that hard. You’ll need at least a second person who can hold the measuring tape or write down your numbers. Use flexible measuring tape made of fabric rather than hard metal tape. You’ll be glad you did!
We discussed earlier how to measure your hips, but not your bust or waist. Measuring for your bust, take the flexible tape and wrap it around your breasts where they’re fullest. This is typically where your nipples are.
Your waist is defined as the narrowest part of your abdomen, so that’s where the measuring tape should encircle you. If you need some help better defining this area, move the measuring tape under your ribcage but over your belly button.
Start at 3XL, But Be Willing to Go Bigger (or Smaller!)
Now that you know to shop for 3XL clothes as a size 22 or 24, buying clothes should be easy-peasy, right? Not always!
A matter of a few teeny-tiny inches can bump you up or down a size. For example, if your waist is 45 inches instead of 43 inches, your hips 56 inches instead of 54 inches, or your bust 53.5 inches instead of 51.5 inches, then at Ashley Stewart, you’re a size 26 and a 4XL.
In some instances, even sizing down may be warranted. Knowing that you’re probably a 3XL gives you a good starting point, but remember how varied sizing can be, especially when you add in women’s plus sizes.
Know What a Good Fit Is for You
If your clothes are measured and you shop according to those numbers, then your clothing should fit nicely. However, a nice fit for a woman depends on her personal tastes. You might prefer your clothes a little roomier because you think that flatters your body shape more. If so, then shopping women’s plus size clothing is right up your alley.
Maybe you like your clothes to fit closer to your body. In that case, having taken accurate measurements are especially important!
Try on Everything
You may shop at the same plus-sized store all the time, and you know your size like the back of your hand by now. Even still, whether you’re buying clothes online or at the store, always try something on before you buy it. You never know if the store has changed its sizing or if a certain material fits you differently.
Conclusion
Plus sizes 22 and 24 often correlate with a size 3XL when shopping at Dia & Co., Ashley Stewart, and Torrid. When you throw misses’ plus sizes and women’s plus sizes into the mix, it just proves that you should always measure yourself and try on clothes before you buy!
