What is size 0X?

Posted Sep 13th 2006 at 8:06AM by Deidre Woollard (Subscribe to Deidre Woollard's posts)

Filed under: Fashion, Best of the Season

Think only supermodels can wear a size zero? There's actually a zero for plus sizes. I was browsing around the web looking for full-figure finds for this blog when I came across a curious size, 0X. For the uninitiated size 0X is basically the smallest plus size, essentially a 14-16W for garments that are along the 1X, 2X, 3X plus size continuum.

While the idea of being a zero anything has its charms, what was wrong with plain old 1X? It seemed to do the job well enough for many years. I have to wonder if this is yet another version of the vanity sizing phenomenon that has made no one sure what their actual size is anymore.

The Harari caftan dress shown here is available at Neiman Marcus only in the coveted 0X size. It looks a bit like something the Hollywood size zero such as Nicole Richie might be seen in (perfect with a pair of those monster sunglasses) and sells for $405.

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Tags: caftan, fashion, plus size, style, vanity sizing

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)

suejsullvn@aol.com 9-13-2006 @ 9:28AM

i don't think you can get any uglier than this....ugh!

nancy 9-13-2006 @ 9:43AM

The size 0X certainly appears like the name of a very large bovine animal. Sorry, I would rather wear 1X the OX.

patricia cambria 9-13-2006 @ 11:13AM

Are there any pretty bras in sizes 40 and 42?

katie 9-13-2006 @ 1:11PM

I agree it's vanity sizing plain and simple. I guess it doesn't matter either way though because the 0x could be the same as a 1x or a 12 regular or 14! There is no industry standard sizing so clothing companies can tag their togs with anything they want! I seriously have items in my closet that fit fine in sizes 12, 14, 14w, 15w, 15/16, Large, XL, XXL, 2X -- Where does it end?

Gayle 11-15-2006 @ 10:03AM

Regular misses sizes are designed for women who wear a B-cup bra. Women's sizes (yes, those with the dreaded X), are designed for women who wear a D- or DD-cup bra. Just for your information.

Michelle 9-13-2006 @ 12:46PM

Hi Patricia,

Try Lane Bryant. I wear a 42 DD and they have very nice, beautiful and sexy bras for those of us wanting that type of thing. It is nice that they understand there are some of us that are not into the 18 hour playtex thing just because we have large boobs.......hahahahaha
hope you find something you like there.

katie 9-13-2006 @ 1:17PM

For poster Gayle - Just for your information, you're wrong. If what you say is true, then someone of a size 4 with a 32D cup would be shopping in plus sizes? Plus sizes start at 14W generally and go up from there and they are for full figured (not just full breasted) women.
Do you think that all those skinny people with D cup breast augmentation shop at Lane Bryant?? NOT!
Many juniors and misses clothing accomodates D cup women.

Racquel 9-13-2006 @ 2:20PM

Wow - I jumped here from Luxist and I actually find a conversation about plus-sized fashion! Congrats - much needed in the blogosphere. Consider me impressed!

Holly 9-18-2006 @ 9:43AM

I think the O size is a joke. I've worn "plus" sizes since my teens and have always had problems finding anything really stylish in my size. To make matters worse I'm a "petite plus". And either I'm shrinking or the petite size is getting longer. As for the bras....good luck.

Laura 9-17-2006 @ 8:31PM

I find that one of the best places to shop for sexy D, DD and beyond bra sizes is Frederick's of Hollywood. It doesn't get much sexier than that!

Lynn 9-17-2006 @ 8:32PM

I don't care what size you call it, big is big and plus size is plus size! Now...if only the manufacaturer's would design some sporty looking clothes for the women's size and not so much filmy, blousy, loose stuff that you can't even wear to work......

Lynn 9-17-2006 @ 8:32PM

Several comments. First, since the average American woman is 5'5", weighs 151 and wears a size 14, why isn't THAT the starting point -- in other words, "medium" or "average"? Isn't it time that the skinnies recognize that they are sub-standard, not that those of sizes 14 and up aren't the anomaly?

As to pretty bras in large sizes? Try finding something (at all, let alone pretty!) in a 36DDD!! The plus-size stores like Lane Bryant and Torrid all start at 38, and most of the "regular" stores -- even higher-end ones like Nordstrom -- don't carry anything larger than a DD. And, oh yeah! rule out the minimizers -- some of us don't WANT our boobs flatter than our oversize midriffs!

Back to clothes sizing -- like Katie, I have clothes in a wide range of sizes. I'm 5'4 and weigh about 240. If I had to average what size I wear, I'd have to say 20-22 or 2X. I'm too tall for petite but too short for most average lengths. I've always been busty, which means buying something larger around than my shoulders would otherwise require, which means that nearly all my tops hang over at the shoulder seam and long sleeves are always too long.

I'd be happier to be smaller and able to buy "off the rack" easier but, in the meantime, it would sure be nice to have more options -- especially without having to pay a fortune!

dottie 9-17-2006 @ 8:37PM

For starters, big women do come in beautiful..I am a big beautiful woman,(I've seen ugly skinny gals too...being a size 0 doesnt make one pretty) Whoever at Needless Markups....oops I mean Neiman Marcus decided that all chunky chics should wear caftans ..aka moo-moos should be hung, by their probably size 0 neck...caftans show no curves, they accentuate not one thing on your anatamy..If aol or any other online gab site wants to talk about hot fashion for us fat chics...they are barking up the wrong tree, try Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart( if you havent found an Ashley Stewart you just got too) Avenue..and for the more prepish look in fat chic wear try Dress Barn, Catos, Romans. Let Needless Mark Ups keep there ugly moo-moos with the size ox...haha..moo moos, ox...might as well just say we are a herd of cows. Large women need to ket the fashion industry know, we are large and in charge. We want pretty curve accentuating fashionable clothing, not the polyester moo-moos of the 70's.

PAM 9-17-2006 @ 8:47PM

Try www.barenecessities.com for a wide selection of larger size bras. I wear a 40G and they have numerous choices.

Marta 9-17-2006 @ 8:53PM

This will sound hard to believe, but...I weigh about 235 lbs, am a size 12 on top and size 14 on bottom. I work out a lot and am muscular, so this may be why I weigh so much yet wear smaller sizes. I'm also 36DD bra size.

Its very hard for me to find decent bras in that size, and as another poster said, skinny size stores assume a size 36 is an A or B cup, and plus size stores assume a DD is plus sized!

Cindy 9-17-2006 @ 8:53PM

Looking for great clothes, those of you who have Dillards as an option, go shop !! they have the best clothes in plus sizes, everything from bathing suits to evening gowns. Great styles, for work or play

Noreen B 9-17-2006 @ 9:10PM

Here's my two cents for this discussion: As a woman who wears a 40DDD I can tell you that nothing from Lane Bryant fits me, not even the bras. Apparently, designers think that anyone who wears that size bra must also be very tall, and all Lane Bryant tops and the bras too, are way too tall for me. The straps cannot be adjusted enough to insure that the "girls" are in the right place. And the blouses reach my knees. I find that Women's Petite blouses and jackets will fit, if I can track down the one size 16 that is shipped in with the tons of 4s and 6s. Then it is back to the misses dept for pants, since petites are too short, and the whole sizing adventure. It was hard enough trying on anything from a 12 to a 16 to find a fit - as the 1x category usually has huge billowy legs. Now not only do we have to deal with 0X (and please, is that a plus size model in that photo? is that what designers think a plus size woman looks like- flat chested and 9 feet tall?)and let's not forget that famous "C" catalog and store with their new sizes using 0, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3. And of course, don't ever go into a bridal store - they will tell you that you need a size 100.....

Karin Olson 9-17-2006 @ 9:18PM

How about plus PETITE sizes??!! I'm 5'4" but have narrower shoulders than the regular plus sizes. Also, I prefer tailored and more sophisticated styles, not the frilly OR frumpy styles. The only tops that fit well are the petite sizes. I'm a 14 Petite Plus and try shopping for that size! It's very frustating not to mention that my wardrobe is very limited.

Ron 9-17-2006 @ 9:09PM

What a world we live in. No one wants to hear the truth so, they use cover up words like plus size, full figure & even worse, big & beautiful for the real word, FAT. There is nothing beautiful about blubber & gross looking fat hanging over ones waist where one cant see their private part without a mirror -ugh. We all choose what we eat. Dont e-mail me with your feelings hurt and try to tell me a doctor said it was just in your family if, at the same time, you are downing hamburgers, fries, ice cream, potato chips, tocos and the like. Those made you fat, nothing else.

Lee 9-17-2006 @ 9:09PM

I agree with anyone here who said that they would like to see some smart styling in larger sizes. I don't understand why, the designers can't make all styles in all sizes. And, I don't mean these, bones need only buy, designers either. I will tell you that I respect companies like JC Penney. If you look at their catalog, mostly all their designs come in women's sizes too, and the clothes are fashionable. Lane Bryant has nice clothes (a little pricey for some things),but now it seems their styles are catering to the younger, plus size customers. If you want a more classic look,it's seems hard to find. I don't understand why? A classic pants suit, or mix and match suits never go out of style, and everyone has use for them, and I mean pants suits with the same designing that you can find in smaller sizes. I also wish they would offer dresses or suits with skirts. Another retailer, Avenue has some nice casual selections, although it sometimes it seems like the clothes are being desinged for the hair in curlers set! And please enough with the spandex and stretch clothes. Larger sizes should NOT wear stretch anything! If you mall shop, August Max has some very nice clothes too. When all is said and done, plus size has come a long way from the old Romans and Lane Bryant styling, but it's just not there yet. Happy shopping to all!