How to Choose Your Torrid Top Size

Use your bust measurement as the primary starting point when shopping for tops, then consider your waist and hips if the style is fitted or extends below the waist. To measure your bust, wrap the measuring tape under your arms and around the fullest part of your chest. Keep the tape level and comfortably close without pulling it tight.

Torrid apparel sizing runs from size 000 through 6, with numerical equivalents from 8 through 30. Because fabric, stretch and silhouette can change how individual tops fit, compare your measurements with the Torrid Size Guide and review the description and fit information on the product page before choosing a size.

If your measurements fall between sizes, think about how you want the top to fit. A larger size may provide more room in a structured blouse, while a stretch-knit tee may comfortably adapt to your shape. Also consider where the garment is most fitted: the bust, waist, hips, shoulders or sleeves.

Choosing Your Preferred Fit

There is no single correct way for a plus size top to fit. The best choice depends on the silhouette you prefer, the garment’s construction and how you plan to style it.

Checking the Fit Before Removing the Tags

Once you try on a top, move around instead of judging the fit while standing still. Raise your arms, reach forward, sit down and turn from side to side. The top should allow the movement you need without pulling uncomfortably across the shoulders, bust or upper arms.

Also check whether:

• The shoulder seams sit where the design intends.
• Buttons lie flat without pulling or gaping.
• Armholes provide comfortable coverage and movement.
• The neckline stays in place when you bend or move.
• The hem reaches a length you feel comfortable wearing.
• The fabric falls or stretches as expected.
• The top works with the bra or base layer you plan to wear.

Shirts and Blouses

Plus size shirts and blouses can make an outfit feel polished without limiting styling options. Button-up shirts, flowy blouses and structured or draped designs can work with trousers and skirts for the office or with denim for a more casual look. When shopping, consider button placement, bust room, fabric drape and whether you plan to tuck or layer the shirt.

T-Shirts

Plus size T-shirts are everyday wardrobe staples that can be styled alone or used as base layers. Crew necks offer a classic shape, while V-neck and scoop-neck styles create different levels of openness around the neckline. Compare fitted, relaxed and oversized cuts to find the amount of ease that feels best to you.

Tank Tops and Camisoles

Plus size tank tops and camisoles can be worn on their own in warm weather or layered beneath shirts, cardigans, jackets and sheer tops. Pay attention to strap width, neckline, armhole coverage and fabric opacity. A smooth fitted tank can serve as a base layer, while a flowing or detailed cami can become the focus of an outfit.

Knit Tops

Plus size knit tops typically offer softness and flexibility, although the amount of stretch varies by fabric and construction. They can bridge the space between a casual tee and a more dressed-up blouse. Ribbed textures, fitted knits, henleys and babydoll or peplum silhouettes provide different ways to add shape and visual interest.

Graphic T-Shirts

Plus size graphic tees bring personality to casual outfits through artwork, lettering and pop-culture-inspired designs. Pair one with jeans and sneakers for an easy everyday look, or contrast it with a skirt, blazer or structured jacket. Check the product description to determine whether the tee has a fitted, relaxed or oversized cut.

Sweaters and Cardigans

Plus size sweaters and cardigans add warmth and texture while providing plenty of layering possibilities. Pullovers can be worn as standalone tops, while cardigans make it easy to adjust an outfit as temperatures change. Consider knit weight, sleeve length, neckline and whether the sweater needs room for a shirt or cami underneath.

Sweatshirts and Hoodies

Plus size sweatshirts and hoodies are useful for relaxed days, travel, errands and casual layering. Look for the features that matter most to you, such as a pullover or zip-front construction, a hood, pockets, ribbed trim or a longer hem.

Tunics

Plus size tunic tops offer additional length and can be paired with leggings, slim jeans or other fitted bottoms. Since tunic lengths and shapes vary, check where the hem is expected to fall and how the garment fits through the bust and hips.

Kimonos

Plus size kimonos add a light finishing layer without the structure of a jacket. Wear one over a cami, bodysuit, tank or simple dress to introduce color, print, texture or movement. Consider the sleeve shape and overall length, especially when pairing a kimono with wide-leg or voluminous bottoms.

Bodysuits

Plus size bodysuits create a tucked-in look without excess fabric gathering around the waist. They work especially well with high-rise jeans, skirts and trousers. Because torso length and stretch affect comfort, consult the individual product details and try the bodysuit while sitting and moving.

Everyday and Casual Outfits

For an easy everyday outfit, pair a tee, henley, tank or casual knit top with plus size jeans and sneakers, flats or boots. A cardigan, kimono or button-up shirt can add another layer without making the outfit feel overly formal.

A simple outfit can still feel intentional. Try matching a fitted top with relaxed bottoms, balancing an oversized shirt with slim or straight-leg jeans or using a partial tuck to create definition at the waist.

Work and Professional Settings

Blouses, button-up shirts, refined knit tops and simple shells can form the foundation of a work wardrobe. Pair them with tailored pants, a skirt or dark-wash denim when appropriate for your workplace. A blazer or cardigan adds structure and makes it easier to adapt to changing office temperatures.

Before wearing a new top to work, check how it looks while sitting and reaching. Make sure the neckline, hem and buttons remain comfortably in place throughout normal movement.

Going Out and Special Plans

For dinner, parties, concerts or evenings with friends, look for details that make the top feel distinctive. Lace, mesh, satin-like finishes, statement sleeves, bold prints and fitted or draped silhouettes can all add interest. Pair an expressive top with simpler bottoms, or combine a streamlined top with standout accessories.

If a top has a sheer panel, open neckline or unusual sleeve shape, try it on with your intended bra or base layer before the event.

Relaxed Days and Travel

Soft tees, tanks, sweatshirts, hoodies and easy knit tops can help create comfortable travel outfits. Layers are especially useful when moving between outdoor weather, a car, a plane and air-conditioned spaces. Choose fabrics that feel comfortable for extended wear and silhouettes that allow you to sit and move easily.

Spring

Spring weather often calls for flexible layers. Begin with a tee, tank or blouse and add a cardigan, kimono or lightweight jacket. Three-quarter sleeves and breathable knits can provide a useful middle ground when temperatures change throughout the day.

Summer

For hot weather, prioritize lighter fabrics, sleeveless or short-sleeve designs and silhouettes that allow comfortable movement and airflow. Tanks, camis, tees and lightweight blouses can be paired with shorts, skirts or cropped pants. Check whether the fabric is sheer in bright light and add a breathable base layer if needed.

Fall

Fall is an ideal time for texture and layering. Wear a button-up shirt open over a tank, add a cardigan to a tee or pair a lightweight sweater with denim. Earth tones, plaids and deeper colors can create a seasonal feel, but any color can work when it fits your personal style.

Winter

Sweaters, long-sleeve tops, sweatshirts and hoodies can add warmth in colder weather. Multiple lighter layers may be more versatile than one heavy piece because they can be adjusted indoors. When wearing a coat over a sweater, check that both pieces allow comfortable movement through the shoulders and arms.

Balance Proportions Your Way

Outfit balance does not require hiding or minimizing any part of your body. It simply means considering how the shapes of your top and bottom work together.

• Pair a fitted top or bodysuit with wide-leg pants or a full skirt.
• Wear a relaxed blouse with straight-leg or slim-fitting jeans.
• Combine a cropped top with high-rise bottoms.
• Style a longer tunic with leggings or fitted pants.
• Add definition to a flowy top with a partial tuck.
• Wear a shorter cardigan over a dress or high-rise bottoms.
• Layer an open button-up shirt or kimono over a fitted base.

These are starting points, not rules. Wearing volume on the top and bottom can create an intentionally relaxed look, while a fitted outfit from top to bottom can create a sleek silhouette.

Use Necklines to Shape the Outfit

Necklines influence how a top frames your face, jewelry and layers. Crew necks provide a classic, close neckline, while V-necks and scoop necks create more open space. Square, sweetheart, off-the-shoulder and halter necklines can make the neckline a focal point.

Choose based on comfort and the look you want rather than trying to follow a rule for your body type. If bra coverage is important, test the neckline with your preferred undergarment.

Tuck Tops Without Adding Unwanted Bulk

Different tucking methods can change the shape of an outfit:

1. Use a full tuck with bodysuits, fitted tees or lightweight blouses.
2. Try a front tuck to define the waist while leaving the sides and back relaxed.
3. Use a side tuck for an asymmetrical, casual shape.
4. Leave a tunic or intentionally long top untucked.
5. Smooth excess fabric around the waistband rather than gathering it in one place.

High-rise bottoms often provide more space for tucking, but the best method depends on the top’s length and fabric thickness.

Coordinate Color and Print

Neutral tops are easy to repeat with different outfits, while colorful and printed pieces can become the focal point. If you are mixing prints, connect them through at least one shared color or combine prints of noticeably different scales. For a simpler approach, pair a patterned top with solid-colored bottoms pulled from one of the colors in the print.

Knit and Stretch Fabrics

Knits typically provide more flexibility than woven fabrics, making them common in tees, tanks, sweaters and fitted tops. Ribbing can add texture and stretch, while heavier knits may hold their shape more firmly. Stretch can improve mobility, but it does not automatically mean a top should feel tight.

Woven Fabrics

Woven shirts and blouses may have a crisp, structured feel or a light, flowing drape depending on the material. Because some woven fabrics have limited stretch, bust, shoulder and upper-arm fit are especially important. Button-front styles should lie smoothly without pulling between the buttons.

Lightweight and Sheer Materials

Gauze, mesh, lace and other lightweight fabrics can add texture, airflow or visual interest. Some styles may require a cami, bralette or other base layer depending on their opacity and your coverage preferences.

Soft and Draped Fabrics

Soft jerseys, challis and other fluid fabrics can create comfortable movement and a relaxed appearance. Because drape changes with fabric weight, two similarly shaped tops may hang differently on the body. Product photos, descriptions and fabric details can help you compare them.

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