In recent years there has been some blurring of the lines between women’s and misses sized clothing. Although some of the specific sizes are near each other, they are different in a number of ways.
Misses Sizes
Misses sizes have traditionally been even sizes going from size 6 through size 18. Size 20 has recently been added as a misses size. Sizes 14 through 20 overlap women's sizes in number labels.
Women’s sizes
Women’s sizes are labeled as even sizes followed by a “W,” starting with 14W and going up through size 26W or higher. Sometimes women’s sizes are labeled X, 2X, 3X, and 4X. Women’s clothing is also called plus-sized clothing.
Arm Hole
Women’s clothing has a deeper arm hole than misses sized clothing, allowing room for larger arms.
Bust Line
The bust line in women’s clothing is both lower and larger.
Waist
Women’s sizes have larger waists as compared to the hip sizes that misses have.
Design
Some women’s clothing is available in the same styles as misses clothing. However, misses styles tend to be more tailored than women’s sizes in general. Women’s sizes tend to be looser.