The Midsize Style Guide

Excluded from straight sizes and often mistakenly clumped together with plus sizes, the life of a midsize girl can be tough. We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! Welcome to the Midsize Fashion Guide.

Read on to discover the best wardrobe staples that look great on midsize bodies, the most fashionable brands to shop for, and our fave midsize models and influencers for some needed style inspo.

Let’s get the basics out of the way: what is “midsize”? Who classifies as midsize?

In layman’s terms, midsize is simply the size range that sits between the so-called “straight” sizes and plus sizes. But what does that mean practically? In terms of sizes, midsize is generally considered to be 10 to 14 in US sizing, 12 to 18 in UK sizing, and 40 to 46 in European sizing.

What often ends up happening on shop floors is that midsize is lumped in the plus size range–which is often not even displayed on the floor at all. Another issue that midsize shoppers run into is how sizing seems to change from label to label. I’m sure all of us are familiar with the frustration of being a size 10 in Brand A but, for no apparent reason, a 14 in Brand B.

In the midst of the doom and gloom of shopping while midsize, there are a few brands that do a great job of catering to bodies of all shapes and sizes. Our faves are Reformation (for basics), Good American (for denim), Tanya Taylor (for statement pieces), and Selkie (for occasionwear). Each of them focuses on size inclusivity, and some are even Certified B-Corps!

Now that we’ve covered some midsize-friendly brands, you might be wondering what styles look the best on midsize bodies. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Ruches and wraparound styles are the midsize girl’s best friend: they eliminate the issue of clothing being either too tight or too baggy while allowing you to highlight your best features while also offering a personalised and made-to-measure fit. When shopping for jeans, the curvy section might be the best option for midsize bodies; in terms of styles, opt for straight or bootleg silhouettes with a mid-to-high waist.

Another issue that midsize women face is the lack of representation, both in media and on the shop floors. So, like many, we turned to social media, where we found super-stylish midsize creators, models, and influencers for our Pinterest boards. Here are our faves.

Courtnee Ruth Crews, stylist, content creator, and founder of vegan nail polish brand Ruth Polish. We love her bright, Scandi-inspired style!

Jill Kortleve, model. In 2020, she became the first midsize model to walk for Chanel since 2010. She has walked for many more major brands and appeared on the cover of many national issues of Vogue.

Michelle Bentzen, a Danish content creator with a feminine, clean style that we just love.

Lizzi Lithiluxa, content creator. 50% sushi roll, 50% angel, and DIY manicurist, Lizzi’s Americana style is to die for.

We love Hamburg-based content creator Charlie for her use of pastel shades and cozy textures.