There’s a group of customers many clothing brands still overlook: shoppers who need big and tall sizes.
Finding well-fitting clothes can be difficult, especially beyond the usual XL or 2XL range. For a print-on-demand clothing brand, offering extended sizes gives you a way to reach these customers without buying large amounts of inventory upfront.
Here are four ways big and tall sizing can help your clothing brand.
First, What’s the Difference Between Big and Tall?
Big and tall are not the same thing.
What Is Big Sizing?
Big sizes are designed for larger frames, with more room through the body and sleeves.
Common big sizes include 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, and 6XL.
What Is Tall Sizing?
Tall sizes add length for taller customers without simply making the garment wider.
Common tall sizes include LT, XLT, 2XLT, 3XLT, and sometimes 4XLT.
For example, someone who is 6’5″ and lean may need a 3XLT for the extra length, while someone with a broader build may be better suited to a 3XL.
Understanding the difference helps you offer sizes that actually match your customers’ needs.
1. Offer Extended Sizes Without Taking on More Inventory
Extended sizes can create a lot of inventory for traditional retailers.
A T-shirt offered in 8 colors and 6 standard sizes already creates 48 size-and-color combinations. Add 2XL through 6XL and several tall sizes, and the number of SKUs grows quickly.
For a traditional retailer, that means more products to buy, store, and manage.
Print on demand works differently. You don’t need to stock every size before you know whether it will sell. Products can be made after a customer places an order, making it easier to offer extended sizes without committing to large quantities.
2. Know Your Audience
Different audiences have different sizing needs. For example, a rugby brand may have a larger-built audience that benefits from big sizes, while a basketball brand may attract taller customers who need extra length.
The opportunity is to understand your customers and offer sizes that match their needs.
With print on demand, you can test big and tall offerings without committing to large inventory purchases upfront. Start with products suited to your audience, track which sizes customers order, and use that data to guide your next steps.
Where these opportunities exist in your audience, capitalize on them with big and tall offerings.
3. Give Customers Another Reason to Choose Your Brand
Many print-on-demand stores still have products that stop at 2XL or 3XL. Some offer 4XL, while Tall sizes can be harder to find.
Availability will depend on the garment, brand, color, and supplier, so you may not be able to offer every size on every product.
But where extended sizes are available, they can give your brand another point of difference.
For a customer who has already searched several stores without finding their size, seeing the right size on your product can make your store worth a closer look.
4. Reach Customers Who Know What They Need
Consider the difference between these searches:
- “cool graphic tees”
- “5XL heavyweight hoodie”
The first person may be browsing. The second already has a specific size and product in mind.
If your product matches what they’re looking for and comes in their size, you’ve removed one of the main reasons they might leave your store.
A good experience can also turn that first purchase into a repeat order, especially when the customer knows they can find their size with you again.
So, What’s Stopping You?
Offering big and tall sizes doesn’t have to mean changing your entire product line.
Start with a few of your existing products, check which extended sizes are available, and test them with your customers.
With print-on-demand through Apliiq, you can offer available extended sizes without buying and storing large quantities upfront.
Ready to Offer More Sizes?
Explore Apliiq’s big and tall size print-on-demand catalog →