Have We Been Wearing the Wrong Size All Along?
What if the size you’ve trusted for years—whether on your favorite tee, cozy hoodie, or go-to dress—wasn’t really your size? Thanks to a viral TikTok, thousands of shoppers are rethinking everything they thought they knew about clothing labels.
The surprising truth? XXL and 2XL aren’t just different ways to say the same size—they often represent two distinct fits designed for different body shapes. And the fashion world hasn’t exactly been clear about it.
If you’ve ever walked out of a fitting room puzzled because the same size felt perfect at one store but awkward at another, you’re definitely not alone. While inconsistent brand sizing is part of the problem, the real confusion lies in the subtle differences between sizing systems you might not even realize exist.
This topic blew up after plus-size influencer Makayla Smith shared a video comparing a shirt labeled XXL to one marked 2XL. Despite their near-identical labels, the two sizes fit quite differently—and Smith broke down why.
In her video, she explained: “2XL is usually cut larger and tailored for plus-size body shapes, whereas XXL belongs to the standard, or ‘straight,’ sizing category.” This means the two sizes follow different measurement charts entirely.
A lot of viewers were surprised by this revelation. One user joked, “Wait—what? I’m plus-size, and I never knew this!” Another chimed in, “My professor told me XL is from the ‘misses’ straight-size range, and 2X is from the plus-size category.” Even retail workers confirmed: “XXL is just a bigger version of straight sizing. 2X is designed with a plus-size pattern, so the fit changes.”
Many in the plus-size community appreciate having options but also find it frustrating. One commenter pleaded, “Can we please just have standardized sizes—give me inches or centimeters, anything!” Another asked, “What’s the biggest difference you notice between XXL and 2XL?”
Smith answered, “Length is the first thing I see—2XL is usually wider with longer sleeves. It all comes down to the difference between straight and plus sizing.”
One follower summed it up perfectly: “Thanks for this! I always tell people—shop the plus-size section during holidays because regular sizing just isn’t the same.”
So, just when you thought clothes sizing couldn’t get more confusing—think again.
The Takeaway: Why XXL and 2XL Aren’t Interchangeable
This ongoing mix-up between XXL and 2XL reveals a bigger issue in fashion: inconsistent sizing standards. As Makayla Smith and others point out, XXL generally falls under straight sizing, while 2XL is part of plus-size designs. Though they might look alike on a tag, their measurements and cuts can be quite different, affecting fit in important ways like sleeve length, width, and overall shape.
For shoppers, this means paying closer attention and understanding which sizing system a brand uses before buying. More than just comfort, this highlights a demand for clear, honest labeling—and a call for the fashion industry to get its sizing straight.