Not all teen-age girls have the taut, flab-free body of Britney Spears, but you'd never know it from rummaging through the junior sections at most U.S. stores.

Judging from the junior racks, few teen-age girls are larger than a size 13. Oh, maybe there's a size 15 in the bunch - maybe. But for the most part, larger-sized teenage girls have had to do their shopping in women's sections, where the styles are more Sarah Ferguson than Sarah Michelle Gellar.

So are there places where plus-size teenage girls can find clothes that the skinny girls are wearing? Clothes that are flattering? That make them feel stylish, even though they're wearing plus sizes?

There are - if they're willing to bypass the standard teen- oriented mall stores and take note that more manufacturers and local stores are trying to fill the need.

Mervyn's, for example, recently began to publicize its "plus sizes for teens" line. The chain's spokesperson, Michelle Murphy said the line was introduced in mid-July, based on demographic information that indicates 14 percent of teens wear size 13 or larger, and the number has tripled in the past two decades.

"We're trying to provide juniors, regardless of size, trendy options," she said.

Still, the pickings at Mervyn's are pretty slim: jeans and peasant blouses, primarily, with a few knit tops and sweaters thrown in.

Lane Bryant, a national plus-size chain, has shed its staid image and now offers trendy clothes for teens looking for sizes 14-28. We're talking denim and corduroy skirts, peasant blouses, flare-leg jeans, chinos (some with a comfy drawstring waist) and leather jackets.

"We get quite a few young shoppers," said Caryn Cunningham, one of the managers at The Citadel store. "We've got lots of fun stuff."

V Generation at the Chapel Hills Mall, a new store, has a large section devoted to plus sizes (up to 3X) in trendy styles.

"We have a huge department," said store spokewoman Jennifer Klotz. "It doesn't matter what size you are. You want clothes that look nice and suit your style."

One customer, Molly Vidal, 19, says she felt like she hit paydirt when she walked in the door.

"I'm finding all kinds of stuff!" she said, with half a dozen garments draped over her arm. "Stores like this usually don't have plus sizes."

She also shops at Old Navy (which carries some items up to size 20) and Target.

Fashion Bug at Citadel Crossing will make teen shoppers think they've hit the fashion mother lode. Half the store is devoted to plus-size clothes in the latest styles.

"We have all kinds of great things for girls," says sales clerk Tanya Ingram. The store carries sizes 14-32.

"I love it when girls come in and get all excited. I have this one customer who always asks for me, and when she first started coming, her self-esteem was about this low," she said, holding her hand about two feet off the floor. "When she left, she was smiling and so happy."

Not only does the store carry ruffled-slit denim skirts, embroidered jeans, corduroy pants and skirts, crinkle-fabric blouses, peasant blouses, cute T-shirts and basic turtlenecks, they also have shoes up to size 11 and bras up to size 44DD.

"We probably carry the most styles that girls want," said store manager Lynette Dickson. "We also get in holiday and prom dresses."

Full Size Fashions at Mall of the Bluffs carries a lot of clothes that a teen-age girl's mom or grandma would wear - but there's also some fun stuff for young shoppers: lacy skirts and peasant/ overblouses, for dressing up a little, plus plenty of denim. The store carries sizes up to 6X, the largest ones in town.

"We have (teens) who come in frustrated because they can't find clothes to fit," said sales clerk Helen Magers. "We try to steer them not just to clothes that fit, but clothes that flatter them."

A high school senior came in recently looking for something to wear in her senior picture. Magers talked her into trying on a black semi-sheer blouse with a ruffled V-neck.

"It framed her face perfectly, and was so flattering. She was really happy with it," Magers said.

Besides clothes for school and dress-up, the store carries swimsuits year-round and nightwear in large sizes.

"We also usually have some of those coveralls," she said. "But we can't keep them in stock."

K-mart has added Jaclyn Smith Classic Plus and Kathy Ireland Plus lines, which include lots of jeans, stretch corduroy skirts and satin shirts, plus leather and suede jackets.

Wal-Mart carries sizes 14W to 28W in denim (jeans and skirts) and a few dresses that will appeal to younger shoppers.

Target stores offer a limited number of youthful fashions in large sizes, but they're worth checking out. They recently carried capri- length sweats with matching hooded jackets in lively colors.

Chain discount stores such as Ross Dress for Less, Marshall's and T.J. Maxx also carry an odd assortment of large sizes, but it's hit and miss, and the styles tend to be last year's. Britney wouldn't be caught dead in those.

Two little boys smiled as they helped their mom sort through piles of clothing Saturday as volunteers helped them pick out the best fits.

However, Jesus, 9, and Jose, 6, were more excited about the toys. The two wrestling fans were hoping for an action figure of their favorite wrestler, Ray Mysterio.

"The whole family will get a good gift," says their mother, Maria Rivera, as she sorts through the clothing, also searching for outfits for her 2-year-old daughter and crib bumpers for a baby due in February.

The Riveras were among some 1,600 mostly Latino children who received toys, clothing and candy at the Boys and Girls Club in Midvale on Saturday, the biggest in a series of toy and clothing distributions sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hispano-Latinos of Salt Lake and Clinica Hispana.

"We came down to see if we could help a little," said volunteer John Reese, who smiled as he gave Jose a high five and wished the family a merry Christmas.

Dr. Cesar Diaz, organizer of the event, says he is following the example of his mother, who would help families in need in his native Ecuador.

"There's a huge need in the community," Diaz says. "A lot of these children don't have much ... for some families, this is Christmas."

Diaz first started the drive seven years ago when he helped 300 children. The drive grew each year, and last year after he joined the Rotary Club, he got the service organization on board. A total of 3,000 children were served this holiday season at Saturday's event and at others in Salt Lake, Providence, Genola and Wendover, he said.

The families registered for the drive after being referred by community services, including Holy Cross Ministries, Centro de la Familia, the Boys and Girls Club, Padres Anonimos (Anonymous Parents), and the YWCA. Some families with greater needs also received larger gifts, such as bikes and grocery gift certificates, Diaz said.

Jesse Soriano, a Rotarian and director of the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs, and his wife, Barbara, were among volunteers sorting through stacks of puzzles, stuffed animals, toy trucks and dolls.