Slightly larger overall proportions is the difference between a 16 regular and a 16 plus size dress. A trendy look is quite achievable with the availability of fashionable clothing lines made for the women's petite, regular and large body sizes. A precise design and style will define the contour of your body and will make you look sexy regardless of your dress size. After all, it is only an inch of measurement that differentiates these two distinct sizes.
Availability
Designers did not focus on plus size fashion in the past because they felt that it was time consuming and not worth the effort, but that is no longer the case in the today's fashion generation. Women of regular and plus sizes can now find trendy clothing lines in various retail stores and on the Internet. Whether you wear a 16 regular or a 16 plus size dress, your chances of finding fashionable clothing are precisely limitless.
The Big "W"
Plus size clothing for women starts at size 16. This line of clothing is easily identified with a "W" after the size. For example, 16W, 18W or 20W. The letter "W" indicates that the dress is suitable for women with fuller figures. A 16 regular size dress will not bear this letter, so if you wear a petite or misses size, avoid the voluptuous "W."
Misses Versus Women's Sizes
Regular size clothing is considered misses, and clothing for shorter women is petite, while plus size clothing is categorized as the full woman's size. The main difference between a 16 regular and a 16 plus, or women's, dress is simply an inch. A 16 regular dress is measured in 39 and a half to 41 inch bust, 32 to 33 and a half inch waist, and 42 to 43 and a half inch hip; while a 16 plus dress is tailored in 40 and a half to 42 inch bust, 33 to 34 and a half inch waist, and 43 to 44 and a half inch hip.
Cost
Regular 16 size clothing is less expensive than plus 16 size clothing. This is primarily because it takes longer for designers to make plus size dresses and extra material is needed to produce this line of clothing. Fashion experts estimate that plus sizes are 10 percent more expensive than standard or regular size clothing because designers require additional fabrics and patterns to come up with appropriate designs suited for women with plus sized and curvaceous bodies.
References
Writer Bio
Joey Liam is a freelance writer specializing in sports, politics, entertainment and technology. He started his professional writing career in 2001. Presently, Liam contributes articles to UNTV 37, the Student Operated Press and several online publications. Liam studied information systems at National University.