Why I Stopped Saying 'Plus Size' (And What Changed My Mind)

I had a meltdown in a Surry Hills changeroom last winter. Size 16 jeans that wouldn't zip.

A 'relaxed fit' blouse that clung like cling film. The assistant knocked, asked if I needed the next size up, and I wanted to sink through the floorboards.

I swore off 'plus size' that afternoon. Too loaded.

Too othering. I'd use 'curve' or 'extended sizing' or nothing at all.

Then I tried shopping without the filter. Spent three weeks clicking through 'inclusive' brands that topped out at a 14.

Read 'designed for all bodies' on sites where the largest model was a 10. Realised the euphemism treadmill doesn't solve the actual problem: most Australian fashion still treats size 16 as an afterthought.

The Sizing Lottery Nobody Talks About

Here's what shocked me most while researching this piece. A size 18 at one Melbourne retailer measures 104cm bust.

At another, 112cm. That's two cup sizes of variance before you factor in fabric stretch, cut, or whether Mercury's in retrograde.

I own three dresses, all labelled 16, that fit three completely different bodies. The Silhouette Maxi has a forgiving empire waist that skims rather than clings. The Serengeti linen dress runs generous through the hips but snug at the shoulders. This lightweight V-neck fits like it was drafted on my body double.

None of this is accident. Australian brands source from different factories, grade patterns differently, and target different 'fit models'. The size on the tag is a rough guide at best, a cruel joke at worst.

What Actually Works (From Someone Who's Tried It All)

Forget the styling guides that tell you to 'embrace your curves' or 'dress for your shape'. You know your body. What you need is fabric that moves and seams that sit right.

Natural fibres trump synthetics every time. Linen-cotton blends breathe and drape without clinging. Proper knit jumpers hold structure without going baggy by lunchtime. I've worn polyester 'curve' tops that looked painted on by 11am.

Structure matters more than stretch. Counterintuitive, I know.

But a fitted bodice with a lace-up back beats a stretchy tent every time. Tailored coats with defined waists look intentional. Oversized everything reads as hiding.

Pockets aren't a luxury. They're a necessity. This cotton round-neck dress and this boho maxi both have deep side pockets that don't gape. Game changer for anyone who's tired of clutching a phone all day.

The Pieces I Actually Reach For

My wardrobe's smaller than it was three years ago. Fewer things that 'might work for something'. More pieces I grab without thinking.

A soft long-sleeve jacket that layers over everything. A faux leather jacket that hits at the hip, not mid-thigh. A two-piece suit I can wear together or split up.

Shoes matter more than I gave them credit for. I spent years in flats that left me limping by 3pm. These orthopedic slip-ons look normal, feel like clouds. Memory foam sandals for summer that don't scream 'sensible footwear'.

The Conversation We're Not Having

Here's the bit that makes people uncomfortable. Plus size fashion in Australia is better than it was five years ago. It's also still mostly rubbish.

We've got more options, sure. More brands ticking the 'inclusive sizing' box. But most extended ranges feel like afterthoughts. Same dress, scaled up, no adjustments for how fabric behaves at different sizes.

Bust darts in the wrong place. Armholes that dig. Waistlines that hit at the widest part of the torso.

The brands that get it right—the ones doing proper fit testing across the size range—charge accordingly. A well-cut wool coat costs more than a polyester one. A proper down jacket with thoughtful construction isn't cheap.

I'm not saying throw money at the problem. I'm saying the problem is that good design costs money, and most brands would rather do fast cheap 'inclusivity' than slow expensive craftsmanship.

What Changed

I still don't love the term 'plus size'. It's clunky.

It others. It implies a default body and everyone else.

But I've stopped avoiding it. Because pretending the category doesn't exist doesn't help anyone find clothes that fit. Calling it 'curve' or 'extended' just makes it harder to filter search results.

What I want instead: sizing that makes sense. Measurements on every product page.

Fit notes from real people. Fabric content that tells me if something will stretch or shrink. Crease-resistant materials for travel. Lightweight fabrics for Melbourne's mood-swing weather.

I want to stop translating. Stop calculating. Stop doing the mental gymnastics of 'this brand runs small so I need a 20 which is really a 16 elsewhere'.

I want to click a size, know it'll fit, and move on with my day. That's not a plus size problem.

That's an Australian fashion problem. And until we admit that, nothing meaningful changes.