Find extended sizes across brands
Slim, Husky, or Plus — see which brands carry your child's fit and what size to order.
What Do Slim, Husky, and Plus Actually Mean?
The short answer: it depends on the brand. There is no industry standard. The same label can mean genuinely different things depending on who made the clothes.
Slim is designed for children who are average to tall in height but lean in build — specifically narrower through the waist than standard sizing assumes. At most brands, Slim adds length to the inseam compared to the equivalent regular size, on top of removing waist room. If your child's pants fall down, bunch at the waist, or need maximum tightening on an adjustable waistband, Slim is worth trying. The difference is real: at Lands' End, a size 8 Slim has a 21.5" waist, vs 24.5" for Regular — a 3-inch difference.
Husky is designed for children who are average or shorter in height but broader through the waist, hips, and seat. The height ranges in Husky are typically the same as Regular at the same size label, but waist and hip measurements are significantly larger — and the gap grows considerably as sizes increase. At Lands' End, the Husky vs Regular waist difference is 1" at size 8, but widens to over 6" by size 14. For older kids, Husky isn't a minor adjustment — it's a completely different fit.
Plus follows similar logic to Husky but is used primarily for girls' sizing. Most brands that offer both Husky and Plus use Husky in boys' lines and Plus in girls' lines, covering broadly similar builds.
Which Brands Carry Extended Sizing — At a Glance
| Brand | Slim | Husky | Plus | Available At |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lands' End | Tops + Bottoms (4–20) | Tops + Bottoms (8–20) | Tops + Bottoms (7–20) | landsend.com, some Kohl’s |
| Cat & Jack | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | Target |
| OshKosh B'Gosh | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | OshKosh, Carter’s stores |
| The Children's Place | — | — | Tops + Bottoms | TCP stores + site |
| Wonder Nation | — | Tops + Bottoms (boys) | Tops + Bottoms (girls) | Walmart |
| Carter's | Tops only | Tops only | — | Carter’s stores + site |
| Macy's | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | Tops + Bottoms | Macys.com (multiple brands) |
| Nike Kids | — | — | Tops + Bottoms + Extended | Nike.com |
| Under Armour | — | — | Tops + Bottoms | UA.com |
Lands' End — The Most Complete Extended Sizing in the US
Lands' End is the standout for extended sizing, and it's not particularly close. They offer Slim, Husky, and Plus across both tops and bottoms, with sizes running from 4 to 20 in most fit types — covering children well into the tween years. More importantly, they publish actual measurements for every size and fit, which no other brand on this list does as consistently.
Why this matters in practice: at most brands, you're guessing whether Husky has enough room. At Lands' End, you can compare the numbers directly:
Lands' End Boys Size 10 — Waist Comparison
| Fit | Waist | Hip | Weight Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim | 22.5" | 26.75" | 59–71 lbs |
| Regular | 25.5" | 29" | 68–80 lbs |
| Husky | 30.5" | 30.5" | 76–93 lbs |
The gap between Slim and Husky at size 10 is 8 inches of waist room. At size 14, it's over 10 inches. This is why the size label alone tells you very little without knowing which fit.
Lands' End Boys Slim Size Chart (selected)
| Size | Height | Weight | Waist | Inseam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4S | 40–42" | 28–32 lbs | 19.75" | 17.1" |
| 6S | 46–47" | 37–42 lbs | 20.75" | 20.3" |
| 8S | 50–53" | 48–58 lbs | 21.5" | 22.3" |
| 10S | 54–56" | 59–71 lbs | 22.5" | 24.75" |
| 12S | 57–59" | 72–83 lbs | 23.5" | 27.25" |
| 14S | 60–62" | 84–96 lbs | 24.5" | 28.75" |
| 16S | 63–65" | 97–109 lbs | 25.5" | 30.25" |
Lands' End Boys Husky Size Chart (selected)
| Size | Height | Weight | Waist | Inseam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8H | 50–53" | 62–75 lbs | 25.5" | 22.1" |
| 10H | 54–56" | 76–93 lbs | 30.5" | 24.7" |
| 12H | 57–59" | 94–105 lbs | 32.25" | 27.1" |
| 14H | 60–62" | 106–119 lbs | 34.25" | 28.7" |
| 16H | 63–65" | 120–134 lbs | 36.25" | 30.1" |
Lands' End Slim vs other brands: Lands' End Slim has a longer inseam than Regular at the same size, which is unusual — most brands keep the inseam the same and just adjust the waist. This makes Lands' End particularly good for tall, lean children who need both extra length and less waist room.
Cat & Jack (Target) — Best Value Extended Sizing
Cat & Jack is one of the most accessible extended-size options in the US — available in every Target store, at budget prices, with Slim, Husky, and Plus across both tops and bottoms. It's not as precisely sized as Lands' End and doesn't go as high in the size range, but for everyday kids' basics it covers most families' needs.
The key strengths: adjustable waistbands on most bottoms (which bridges the gap between fits for some children), a one-year return policy that covers worn items, and consistent in-store availability unlike online-only extended sizing from other brands.
Cat & Jack Plus (girls) and Husky (boys) are available from around size 7 upwards. Slim is available from around size 5–6.
→ Full Cat & Jack size chart including Slim, Husky, and Plus
OshKosh B'Gosh — Best for Toddler Extended Sizing
OshKosh is worth highlighting specifically because their extended sizing starts earlier than most brands — at size 4 rather than 7 or 8. For parents of younger children who are already outside standard fit ranges, OshKosh is one of the few brands that offers Slim and Husky in both tops and bottoms for smaller kids.
OshKosh Husky is available in tops and bottoms across boys' sizes, and Plus in girls'. The waist allowance in OshKosh Husky is generous — parents consistently note it's one of the better fits for stocky toddlers and young children where other brands' regular sizing pulls across the waist.
The Children's Place — Plus Only, But Deep Coverage
The Children's Place doesn't offer Slim or Husky, but their Plus sizing is worth knowing about: it covers both tops and bottoms with more depth than most brands, and their school uniform range is available in Plus — which matters because school uniform extended sizing is genuinely hard to find.
TCP Plus is designed for girls and runs through the full kids' range. One thing to note: TCP regular sizing runs slimmer than Cat & Jack or OshKosh, so children who are between regular and plus may find TCP plus fits well even if they wear regular at other brands.
Wonder Nation (Walmart) — The Underrated Option
Wonder Nation is Walmart's exclusive kids' brand, launched in 2018, and it's one of the most underwritten options for extended sizing in the US. The brand covers sizes 4–18 in both Husky (boys) and Plus (girls) across tops and bottoms — and prices are genuinely low, often under $10 for basics.
The coverage is practical rather than fashionable: basics, school-wear, and uniforms rather than trend pieces. But for everyday wardrobe staples — jeans, shorts, uniform trousers, long-sleeve tees — Wonder Nation's extended sizing is hard to beat on value. Parent reviews consistently praise the adjustable waistbands and durability through heavy washing.
Wonder Nation extended sizing at a glance:
- Boys Husky: sizes 4–18, tops and bottoms
- Girls Plus: sizes 4–18, tops and bottoms
- Available in Walmart stores nationwide and at walmart.com
- Uniform range available in Husky and Plus
If your child needs extended sizing and you're price-sensitive, Wonder Nation should be your first stop before OshKosh or TCP.
Carter's — Useful, But Incomplete
Carter's is worth addressing directly because it's the brand most parents try first, and its extended sizing is limited in a way that isn't obvious from marketing.
Carter's offers Slim and Husky in tops — but not bottoms. This is a meaningful gap: the fit problem for most children who need Slim or Husky is in the waist, hips, and seat of pants, not in the chest of tops. A Carter's Husky top won't help if the trousers don't fit.
For tops, Carter's Slim and Husky are well made and size consistently. For a complete wardrobe solution including bottoms, you'll need to combine Carter's tops with a brand that covers bottoms — OshKosh, Cat & Jack, or Lands' End.
Nike Kids and Under Armour — The Athletic Wear Gap
Athletic wear is where the extended sizing gap bites hardest, because the market has historically served one body type almost exclusively. Nike and Under Armour are the two major brands that have started to close this.
Nike Kids offers Plus sizing across both tops and bottoms, plus an Extended range for larger sizes. The Nike Plus range uses the same size numbering as regular but with different waist and hip measurements — and for activewear specifically, Nike's extended sizing is one of the better fits available because the stretch fabrics give more forgiveness.
Under Armour offers Plus sizing in both tops and bottoms. Coverage is more limited than Nike in terms of style range, but UA extended sizing is available and consistently stocked.
For parents of kids who play sports or need PE kit, this matters: a child who can't find PE shorts in their fit size is going to have a worse experience in school. Nike Plus and Under Armour Plus both solve this at a reasonable price point.
Macy's — A Useful Aggregator
Macy's is worth including not as a brand but as a multi-brand retailer that aggregates extended sizing in one place. Macy's carries Husky and Plus across multiple brands (including their own private labels), which makes it a useful single destination if you're unsure which brand to try. The selection varies significantly by store vs online.
How to Find the Right Fit: A Practical Guide
If you're starting from scratch, here's the most efficient path:
For Slim:
Start with Lands' End if you need precise inseam length alongside a narrow waist. Cat & Jack if you want budget-friendly in-store options. Lands' End Slim is the most data-transparent option — you can match your child's actual waist measurement against the chart.
For Husky (boys):
Lands' End has the deepest coverage and most precise sizing. Wonder Nation is the best value for basics. Cat & Jack is the best for everyday variety. OshKosh is best for toddler/younger kids who need extended sizing from an earlier age.
For Plus (girls):
Cat & Jack and Wonder Nation for basics and value. The Children's Place for school uniforms. OshKosh for younger children. Lands' End for the most precise fit data.
For athletic wear:
Nike Kids Plus and Under Armour Plus for activewear. No good Slim option currently exists in major athletic brands.
The Waist Measurement Is What Matters
One practical note across all of this: size labels in extended sizing are even less reliable than in regular sizing, because each brand applies a different interpretation. The most reliable approach is to measure your child's waist directly, then compare that measurement against the brand's actual waist chart rather than working from age or height.
Lands' End is the only brand on this list that publishes complete waist measurements for Slim, Regular, and Husky side by side. For all other brands, use the waist measurement from our size chart data or call the brand's customer service with your child's waist measurement directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Husky and Plus in kids' sizing?
Husky is typically used in boys’ clothing lines; Plus is used in girls’. Both mean more room through the waist, hips, and seat compared to Regular sizing. The cut details differ — Husky tends to prioritise waist and seat room, while Plus often also adjusts hip and thigh proportions for girls’ body shapes. The size number stays the same; what changes is the room inside the garment.
Does Slim sizing have a longer inseam?
At most brands, no — Slim adjusts the waist and sometimes the seat, but not the inseam. Lands’ End is the exception: their Slim sizing explicitly adds inseam length on top of reducing the waist, which is particularly useful for tall, lean children. If your child needs both extra length and less waist room, Lands’ End Slim is the most complete solution.
My child wears Husky pants but regular tops — is that normal?
Yes, very common. Many children’s build means the waist fit is the constraint for bottoms while tops fit fine in Regular. Most brands allow mixing fits across categories. Carter’s actually structures this in their range — they offer Husky tops without Husky bottoms, which works if your child primarily needs extra chest/body room rather than waist room.
Where can I find extended sizing for school uniforms?
Lands’ End has the most complete uniform range in all three fit types (Slim, Regular, Husky/Plus), available directly and through some Kohl’s stores. The Children’s Place has Plus sizing in uniforms. Wonder Nation at Walmart covers Husky and Plus in basic uniform pieces at the lowest prices. Cat & Jack at Target also covers uniform basics in extended sizes.
Do extended sizes cost more?
At most brands, no — pricing is the same across fit types for the same item. Wonder Nation, Cat & Jack, and OshKosh don’t charge a premium for extended sizing.
What age do kids usually start needing Husky or Plus sizing?
Extended sizing typically becomes relevant from around age 5–7 (size 5–7), which is when children’s body shapes start diverging more noticeably from the average that standard sizing is built around. OshKosh starts extended sizing from size 4; Lands’ End from size 4 (Slim) and size 8 (Husky). For younger children below size 4, standard sizing with adjustable waistbands is the most practical solution.