The Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Tops: UK & USA Style, Fit and Brand Picks

Plus-size tops have evolved from an afterthought to a critical part of modern, inclusive fashion. But finding the right fit, shape, and styling remains a common challenge—especially when navigating inconsistent sizing across brands and countries. Whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or searching for a standout piece, this guide covers the best options available in the UK and USA across high street and designer brands, plus expert styling advice based on body shape and garment structure.

What Makes a Great Plus Size Top?

Plus-size fashion isn't just about sizing up standard designs. The best plus-size tops are constructed differently, factoring in chest width, arm circumference, torso length, and bust shaping.

Technical Design Considerations:

Bust darts and princess seams for shaping without cling
Set-in or raglan sleeves that allow full arm movement
Stretch blends or bias cuts to avoid gaping and strain across the bust
Longer hems or side slits for better drape over the hips

A well-designed top will move with the body—not cling in one area and gape in another.

UK High Street Brands Offering Plus Size Tops

🛍 Evans

A long-standing plus specialist, with a strong fit reputation and generous cuts. Look for tunics, floaty blouses, and fitted jersey tops.

🛍 Marks & Spencer Curve

Their Curve line offers stylish basics and elegant options up to size UK 32.

🛍 Yours Clothing

Affordable, everyday wear and occasion tops. Stretch fabrics, empire waists, and extended hemlines are common.

🛍 River Island Plus

Trendy pieces for evenings and weekends—cropped tops, mesh inserts, and puff sleeves that don’t overwhelm.

👉 Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts

US High Street Plus-Size Brands

🇺🇸 Universal Standard

Innovative sizing from 4XS to 4XL (US 00–40) with incredible fit science. Clean, elevated basics that flatter curves.

🇺🇸 Eloquii

Fashion-forward with detailed tailoring—peplum tops, wrap cuts, off-the-shoulder styles, and professional wear.

🇺🇸 Torrid

Known for comfort-focused styles—stretchy tees, flattering knits, and soft shirting with strong bust and shoulder fit.

Designer & Contemporary Plus-Size Options

💎 Marina Rinaldi

Max Mara’s plus-size label. Beautiful tailoring, structured shirts and luxury fabrics up to UK 28/US 24.

💎 11 Honoré

Carries plus-size luxury collections from brands like Carolina Herrera, Good American, and Tanya Taylor.

💎 Vince, Theory (up to US 3X)

Many premium basics now extend to larger sizes—especially in knits and woven tops.

Styling Advice: Best Plus Size Top Silhouettes

✔️ Wrap Tops

Universally flattering—creates definition at the waist while skimming over the tummy and hips.

👉 What Tellar Says About Wrap Dresses Instruction on Posts

✔️ Peplum Tops

Great for balancing proportions—defines the waist and flares gently over hips. Look for subtle, structured peplums in stiffer fabrics like crepe or ponte.

✔️ V-Neck and Scoop Necklines

Draw the eye vertically and open up the neckline, especially flattering for fuller busts.

✔️ Structured Shirt Blouses

Look for stretch-blend shirting with bust darts or pleats. Shirts with high-low hems or belted middles help contour curves.

✔️ Ribbed and Fitted Knits

With the right structure, ribbed tops provide definition and stretch without clinging awkwardly.

👉 What Tellar Says About T-Shirts

👉 Style Guide on Affordable Loungewear for Both Men and Women Instruction on Posts

Shopping Tips for Plus-Size Tops

Know your largest measurement first (bust, waist or hips)—this is your base size.
Avoid defaulting to oversized—a good fit is about structure, not volume.
Use structured fabrics for shape; avoid clingy jersey unless it's blended with elastane or modal.

Why Fit Is Everything—And Where Tellar.co.uk Comes In

Getting the right size in plus-size clothing isn’t just about “sizing up.” Brands use different sizing blocks, which means:

A UK 20 in one store = a UK 24 in another
USA size 18W ≠ UK 18
Sizing often ignores bust-to-waist ratios, especially over size 16

Tellar.co.uk solves this.

What Is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, used by thousands of women to find their perfect size in over 1,500 high street and designer brands—in real time.

Here's how it works:

Create your free profile using your bust, waist and hip measurements—or enter your size from a brand you already wear.
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to find your exact fit in brands like COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket, Marina Rinaldi, and more.
Get instant size results—no guesswork, no confusing charts.

💡 It works in-browser. Always free. No downloads.

PLUS: Free Fashion Hub Access

Tellar’s Fashion Hub includes:

Thousands of posts written by independent stylists
Fit breakdowns, brand reviews, and how-to-shop guides
Style advice for plus-size women across all ages and aesthetics

👉 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

👉 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes

👉 What Size Am I in Next? Instruction on Posts

Final Word

Plus-size tops are no longer limited to oversized tunics or basic tees. With the right silhouette, fit and structure, every shape can be flattered—whether it’s a sleek peplum blouse or a luxurious cashmere knit.

But sizing can still feel like a guessing game—especially across UK, US, and international brands. With Tellar.co.uk, you get accurate, brand-by-brand sizing in seconds. And with thousands of style and fit guides in the free Fashion Hub, you're always one step ahead of the fashion curve.

Follow Tellar for Styling, Fit Science & Real Fashion Talk

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now: https://www.tellar.co.uk