It's commonly reported the average Australian woman wears a size 14-16 and has for many years provided a benchmark for the largest size considered 'normal'.
“Ninety percent of women think they're bigger or smaller than they actually are – everyone is a size twelve. Everyone.” Statistics tell a different story. The average Australian dress size sits somewhere between a fourteen and sixteen.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the average woman wears a size 16 (typically translated to an XL); this has historically represented the end, or the beginning of the end, of many apparel size runs, when, logically, it should be the very middle.
When you look at the numbers, large is the most common shirt size. In fact, it accounts for about 30 percent of shirt sales. Coming in at 28 percent, the size medium is a close runner-up and extra large is next at 20 percent.
US size 12–14 is usually considered “Large” and some brands do start “plus sizes” at 12. However, “plus sizes” usually begin at 14 or 16 (Which I believe is a misnomer; in reality, 12–16 sizes are actually pretty average.)
As an average, a Medium is likely to be a around a size 12. Generally a Small will be an AU 8-10 and a Large an AU 14-16. An Extra Small is likely to be a size 6, with an Extra Large likely to be a size 18.
Straight sizes generally go from a size 0-14 (or an XS – L), but in some cases, they'll go from a 0-22. For in-style plus size clothing, this would be a size XXS-XXL. At the same time, that same brand may carry 0X-5X plus sizes, which would be a size 12-32.
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.
According to a study by the University of Texas, the ideal female body is 1.68 meters tall and the relationship between bust, weight and waist and hips measure 99 x 63 x 91 cm.
It's commonly reported the average Australian woman wears a size 14-16 and has for many years provided a benchmark for the largest size considered 'normal'.
The majority of the men (nearly 86% of them) preferred a woman with a dress size 14 to 16. Only 10% said they prefer women between the size 8 and 10, and 4.2% of them said they prefer women sizes 20 or over. So, the majority of men prefer a blue eyed, dark haired woman who is a size 14-16, who knew?
On average, a size 14 can weigh anywhere from 140-200 pounds.
It completely depends on the woman's height. 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.
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.
US size 12–14 is usually considered “Large” and some brands do start “plus sizes” at 12. However, “plus sizes” usually begin at 14 or 16 (Which I believe is a misnomer; in reality, 12–16 sizes are actually pretty average.)
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.
"A size 12 used to be quite svelte and not overweight but, nowadays, someone who is a size 12 is highly likely to be overweight," the Public Health Association of Australia told the Herald Sun.
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.
Generally, most stores and brands consider plus sized clothing to begin around size 14-16, give or take. Depending on who you ask, the answer can begin as low as a size 8.
Australian sizes are measured the same as the UK. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you'll need a 10 from a UK-based store. If you're purchasing from an American store, you'll need to go 2 sizes smaller. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you're a 6 in the US.