Stores Clothing Specialty Regular People Men Sell Overweight

In the United States, some clothing stores "specialize" (make themselves different from other stores) by selling clothes for people of specific sizes. These "specialty stores" are popular with people who have unusual sizes, because sometimes it's hard for these people to find clothing that "fits" (is the right size for one's body) at regular stores.

Some specialty stores are for "petites," or women who are less than 5-feet 4-inches tall and have small bones. When petite women buy regular clothes, the pants and "sleeves" (the part of a shirt or dress that covers one's arms) are too long. Petite clothing is made for shorter bodies. Most regular "department stores" (large stores that sell clothing and other things) have a "petite section," but specialty stores offer better "selection" (the variety of what is sold).

Other specialty stores sell clothing in large sizes for people who weight more or are overweight and need clothes that are bigger. Some specialty stores sell "plus-size" (very large size) clothing and "lingerie" (underwear) for women. As Americans continue to get larger and larger, plus-size specialty stores are becoming more common.

Overweight men often shop at specialty stores that are called "big-and-tall" stores. These stores have men's clothing for men who are overweight and/or very tall. Big-and-tall stores have clothing sizes that men can't find in regular department stores. They also sometimes have shoes that fit men who have larger feet and who have difficulty finding shoes in regular shoe stores.