Big and Tall Size Charts Explained

Learn how to understand the big and tall size chart so you can help your customers find the right fit and avoid unnecessary returns.
Team Kiwi Sizing

Team Kiwi Sizing

Last updated on January 15, 2024

With a return rate of 25%, clothing is the product type online shoppers return the most. Learning how a big and tall size chart works will help you ensure your customers purchase clothing that looks good and fits properly, resulting in happier customers and fewer returns. 

Understanding the Big and Tall Size Chart

big and tall size chart

Finding clothing that fits correctly can be a challenge for larger and taller customers. Many department and discount stores lump all big and tall clothing into one category, and employees may not fully understand the differences between big, tall, big and tall, and regular sizes. Correctly using big and tall sizing guidelines on your product pages can set you apart from the competition, lead to repeat purchases from loyal customers, and reduce returns.

Big and Tall Sizes Chart Vs. Regular Sizes Chart

Men who are under 6’2″ tall and women who are less than 5″9 tall typically wear regular-size clothing, usually a size XL or smaller. Women may need petite-sized clothing if they are shorter than 5’4″ tall.

Manufacturers make regular-sized clothing to fit the body proportions of average people. They cut big and tall sizes to fit taller and larger bodies. However, not everyone who needs a big size needs a tall size, and vice versa.

Big Vs. Tall Sizes

Manufacturers design big sizes to fit men with larger neck, shoulder, waist, hip, and chest sizes. Most clothing designers label larger clothing for women and other people with curvier bodies as plus size, rather than big.

Tall sizes have more length in the torso, arms, and legs to accommodate the proportions of taller people. Clothing designers also adjust details, such as pocket placements, to ensure they accommodate the different proportions of taller people.

Additionally, manufacturers cut big and tall clothing to ensure that it is comfortable and doesn’t ride up or bunch inappropriately when worn. Properly sized clothing also maintains the style integrity of the piece, ensuring that garments fit the body the way the designer intended.

Some brands offer extra tall sizes for men taller than 6’8″ and women taller than 6’2″. Big and tall sizing can vary from brand to brand, so take this into account when providing sizing information for your customers. A big and tall size chart will help customers determine whether they need big or tall sizes.

Tall Vs. Regular Shirts

Shirts for tall people usually have longer torso lengths, longer sleeves, and broader shoulders than regular shirts. Tall-sized shirts allow taller people to avoid sleeves that fall short of their wrists or torso lengths that leave exposed skin without adding the extra width that comes with wearing a larger regular-sized shirt.

Tall Vs. Regular Pants

Tall pants typically have longer inseams and hip and waist measurements adjusted to accommodate the proportions of taller people. The main difference between tall and regular-sized pants is the length of the pants and the height of the waist.

Large Vs. Large Tall Sizes

The difference between large and large tall sizes is similar to the difference between regular and tall sizes. Manufacturers design large sizes to fit normal-height people who have larger bodies.

Large tall sizes fit people who are both taller and larger than normal. Big and tall clothing combines the features of both big and tall sizes, providing extra room for larger bodies and longer sleeves, torsos, inseams, and rises to accommodate taller bodies.

Clothing for big and tall customers may also feature wider sleeves, reinforced seams, and higher-quality materials to ensure that the clothing moves well and holds up to the extra wear larger bodies may create. A big and tall size chart typically lists large sizes as 2XL-5XL and tall sizes as 2XLT-5XLT. 

Helping Your Customers Find the Right Fit

difference between large and large tall

People don’t always know what size clothing they need. Whether your customers need regular, big, tall, or big and tall sizes, there are ways you can help them choose the right size clothing before ordering. 

Include Body Measurement Guides

Body measurements are one of the most reliable ways to determine clothing size. Size charts that include body measurements help your customers determine which size clothing they need. Consider including instructions on how to take proper measurements on your product pages.

Suggest the Right Cut and Fabric

Some cuts and materials provide more comfort and flexibility for people with larger and taller bodies. Recommend products with features intended to look and feel good on larger bodies to big and tall customers.

Post Reviews on Your Store Pages

Because sizing is not standard across brands, customers may need different sizes in different brands. In addition to providing a big and tall size chart that is specific to the brands you sell, encourage your customers to include sizing information in their product reviews and post those reviews on your store pages so that customers can get an idea of how sizing tends to run in a specific brand.

Sell Size-Inclusive Brands

Brands that make a point of designing clothing for a wide range of body types are more likely to understand the needs of big and tall customers than brands that mostly cater only to regular-size customers. Carrying inclusive brands gives your customers a reason to keep coming back to you instead of a competitor that may offer only a few options. 

Balance Comfort With Aesthetics

Larger customers want to be comfortable, but they also want to look good in their clothing. Some brands focus too much on one aspect or the other, creating large sizes that are not fashionable or clothing that looks nice but isn’t comfortable to wear. Customers who buy clothing that doesn’t balance these aspects well are likely to return it.

How To Add a Big and Tall Size Chart to Your Store

big and tall sizes chart vs regular

Kiwi Sizing makes adding a big and tall size chart to your product pages easy. Our seamless chart solutions feature user-friendly interfaces, reliable support, and advanced customization options. With Kiwi, your customers will find the perfect fit every time. Contact us to find out more. 

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