US size 12–14 is usually considered “Large” and some brands do start “plus sizes” at 12.
There is a large amount of size 6 and size 8 celebrities currently promoting a range of fitness DVD's which suggest that any dress size greater than them is considered to be overweight. However depending on your height; a dress size 12 is considered to be within a healthy BMI range.
This is what might politely be called the chubby category, with body mass indexes (a measure of weight for height) of 25 to 30. A woman, for instance, who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs between 146 and 175 pounds.
Plus-size clothing is generally considered a women's size 18 and beyond. “Missy” or “straight” sizes range from 00–16/18, XXS–XXL whereas plus sizes range from 12W–28W, 0X–4X and greater. You might think plus sizes are just extended straight sizes, but guess again.
The characteristic measurements of a curvy person are: bust - circumference between 100-110 cm. waist - between 75-90 cm. hips - between 100-110 cm.
Generally, yes, most people I know around a 14 I'd consider overweight but that doesn't mean I don't also think they're beautiful. Of course it's overweight. But then most people are these days, so it's normal. Under/healthy/overweight are factual categories based on weight and height, not dress size.
If majority rules, a size 10 has a 36″ bust, 28″ waist and a 40″ hip. She's five foot five or six inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.
Sizing in Australia is not synchronous with the US; plus-size garments are considered to be size 16 and upward, which is the equivalent of a US size 12.
The majority of the men (nearly 86% of them) preferred a woman with a dress size 14 to 16.
Women with more than 30 percent body fat and men with more than 25 percent body fat are considered obese. Morbid obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40, which equates to approximately 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds for women.
Adult Body Mass Index
If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range. If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the healthy weight range. If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.
Australian fashion houses have expanded the measurements of the average size 12 item of clothing so it fits women with a waistline of 88cm, which is considered obese.
The lack of mid-size women wearing a 10, 12 or 14 is apparent. And if they are there, they're considered plus-size.
Female measurements: Plus-size women working in modeling are usually a size 12 and above. Their weight should typically be between 161 and 205 pounds, with a chest size of 41” to 45”.
The Average Size for Women in America
The average size of an American woman has historically been reported as a size 14. The clothing industry somewhat took this into account and adjusted its sizes. Though, most labels didn't even do that; the majority of clothing lines still sell up to size 12 and that's it.
What dress size is a 'Medium'? This varies from brand to brand and by country. Some stores will consider a medium to be a size 10, while others a size 12-14. As an average, a Medium is likely to be a around a size 12.
In standard women's clothing sizes, Size 10 is considered “Medium”. A woman who is 4′ 10″ or less and wears size 10 Petite clothing would likely be considered overweight.