Taller by Fall

Slim, husky and plus sizes in kids' clothes

The number on a kids' size is about height. Slim, husky and plus keep the height the same and change the waist. If pants in the right length never fit around the middle, this is the fix.

What each one means

Slim: the same length as the regular size, with a waist about 1.5 to 2 inches smaller.
Husky: a boys' fit with a waist about 3 inches bigger than regular.
Plus: the same idea in girls' sizes, with a waist about 4.5 inches bigger than regular. Some brands use plus for boys too.

You will mostly find these in pants, jeans, shorts and school uniforms, where the waist matters most.

Boys: waist by size

Size	Height	Slim waist	Regular waist	Husky waist
8	51 to 53 in	21.5 in	23.5 in	26.5 in
10	54 to 57 in	22.5 in	24.5 in	27.5 in
12	58 to 61 in	23.5 in	25.5 in	28.5 in
14	62 to 63 in	24.5 in	26.5 in	29.5 in
16	64 to 65 in	26 in	28 in	31 in

Girls: waist by size

Size	Height	Slim waist	Regular waist	Plus waist
7	48 to 50 in	21.5 in	23 in	27.5 in
8	51 to 53 in	22 in	23.5 in	28 in
10	54 to 57 in	23 in	24.5 in	29 in
12	57 to 59 in	24 in	25.5 in	30 in
14	60 to 61 in	25 in	26.5 in	31 in
16	62 to 63 in	26 in	27.5 in	32 in

Both tables are from the Lands' End kids' fit guide. Other brands differ by an inch or so.

How to tell which one your kid needs

Pick the number by height first. Height is the best single guide to a kids' size.
Then measure the waist at the belly button, with the tape snug but not tight, and compare it with the table.
Slim is the answer if pants in the right length slide down even with the adjustable waist pulled all the way in.
Husky or plus is the answer if you have been buying a size or two up to get the waist and then rolling the legs.

Who sells them

The Children's Place: slim, husky for boys and plus for girls.
Gap: slim, husky for boys and plus for girls.
Old Navy: slim and plus.
Cat & Jack at Target: slim and plus.
Carter's: slim, husky and plus in pants, marked S, H and P after the number.
Lands' End: slim, husky and plus, including school uniforms.

Not every style comes in every fit, and the range of sizes differs by brand.

Buying ahead in slim, husky or plus

Height still decides the number. Use the calculator to find next year's size, then buy it in the same fit your kid wears now. An adjustable waist is good insurance either way, because it can take up the slack if your kid's shape changes.

Find next year's size

One short email when each season's markdowns begin: coats in January, swimsuits in July, costumes on November 1. Nothing else.

More guides

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