A chest measurement of 148 cm at one brand corresponds to a 7XL, while another shows 140 cm for the same label. Choosing your 7XL size is therefore less about spotting a code on a label than about comparing your own measurements to the charts of each brand. This article compares the actual correspondences, identifies the discrepancies between brands, and details the measurement points that prevent returns.
Flat measurement or body measurement: the gap that skews everything in 7XL
Since 2023-2024, several French online brands (La Redoute, Blancheporte) specify that their measurements are taken “flat” on the garment, not on the body. The difference may seem trivial, but on a plus-size garment, it radically changes the interpretation of the chart.
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A t-shirt measured flat shows a bust width that, when multiplied by two, gives the full circumference of the garment. If your chest measurement taken on the body reaches 148 cm and the chart indicates 74 cm “flat,” you are right at the correct size. However, if you compare this 148 cm directly to the 74 cm without understanding the method, you risk ordering a size up.
To find out what size for women or men for 7XL on Fashion Pulse, you must first check if the brand reasons in garment measurement or body measurement. This detail, generally displayed below the size chart, significantly reduces the return rate on very large sizes according to the internal reports of these brands.
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7XL men’s correspondences: comparative table between French brands
The data below comes from the size guides published by Kiabi and the PVI guide. They show that the French size associated with 7XL varies from one brand to another.
| Brand | US Size | FR Size | Chest Circumference (cm) | Waist Circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiabi (men’s tops) | 7XL | 66/68 | 148/152 | 132/136 |
| PVI (men’s guide) | 6 (3XL)* | 60/62 | 129-136 | 117-124 |
*The PVI guide stops at 3XL (universal size 6). Beyond that, no line appears in their reference, illustrating the lack of standardization.
At Kiabi, the 7XL men’s size covers a chest circumference between 148 and 152 cm and a waist circumference between 132 and 136 cm. The corresponding French size is 66/68. In contrast, brands whose chart stops at 3XL simply do not offer an equivalent: it is impossible to guess the correspondence by extrapolation.
The case of men’s pants in 7XL
For bottoms, Kiabi indicates a 7XL correspondence with a French size 66/68 and a waist circumference between 132 and 136 cm. The hip measurement, rarely mentioned on very large sizes, becomes a useful reference for body types where the hips are wider than the abdominal waist.
7XL women’s correspondences: even more marked discrepancies
On the women’s side, size guides beyond 4XL remain rare. Kiabi publishes a chart that goes up to 7XL for certain categories, but most brands cap at 3XL or 4XL.
In the absence of standardization, the hip measurement becomes the primary measurement for women. Female body types often show a larger gap between waist and hips, and charts that only display chest circumference can mislead regarding dresses, skirts, and pants.
Ulla Popken and Happy Size, which go beyond 4XL, have started in 2024-2025 to distinguish “regular,” “tall,” and “belly fit” cuts in their guides. A 7XL in “belly fit” cut shows a more generous waist circumference than a 7XL “regular” at the same size. This distinction changes the actual correspondence of the garment, even if the label remains the same.
Taking measurements for 7XL: the three control points
Measuring your body correctly before consulting a chart eliminates most errors. Three areas are sufficient to cover tops and bottoms.
- Chest circumference: place the measuring tape horizontally around the fullest part of the bust, without tightening. Keep your arms down by your sides. This is the main measurement for t-shirts, sweaters, and jackets.
- Waist circumference: measure at the level of the navel, breathing normally. Do not suck in your stomach. For “belly fit” cuts, this measurement determines the size, not the chest circumference.
- Hip circumference: pass the measuring tape around the widest part of the hips. Keep your feet together. This reference is crucial for pants, skirts, and dresses, especially when the waist-hip gap exceeds ten centimeters.
Take each measurement twice and keep the larger value. Since 7XL garments can have discrepancies of several centimeters from one brand to another, a half-centimeter margin on your own measurement does not compensate for a reading error on the chart.
Regular, tall, or belly fit cut: what changes concretely in 7XL
Beyond 4XL, the cut weighs as much as the size in choosing the garment. A man who is 1.85 m and a man who is 1.70 m with the same chest circumference do not wear the same 7XL.
The “tall” cut elongates the torso and sleeves without widening the garment. The “belly fit” cut widens the abdominal area without affecting the shoulders. The “regular” cut distributes ease evenly. Choosing the wrong cut in 7XL creates a more visible discrepancy than in a standard size, because the volumes involved are larger.
The guides from Ulla Popken and Happy Size publish separate charts for each of these cuts. When a brand does not specify the cut, the garment is generally in a regular cut. If your body type deviates from this standard distribution (protruding belly, long torso), the risk of incorrect sizing increases.
The size 7XL does not exist as a universal reference. Each purchase requires checking the measurement method (flat or body), the proposed cut, and the specific chart of the brand. A measuring tape and two minutes of measurement remain the most reliable filter before any order.