Clothing size confusion

(Ellen) #1

Going through my clothes as going to drop some off at charity shop but am so confused by the size discrepancies, got a 22 skirt that’s loose but not falling off, a 12 that’s just a little too tight, 20 jeans loose on waist but tight on legs, 16 that are the opposite, 14 dress that won’t go over my boobs & 10 that fits (not well, lots of lumps n bumps). Utterly random so have no idea what size actually am. Blokes have it so much easier just going on waist measurements etc. Will just get rid of the stuff that’s too big.

(LeeAnn Brooks) #2

Vanity sizing. It’s absolutly crazy that there are negative sizes or 000’s in women’s sizing these days. But that’s what we’ve come to. I can wear anywhere between a size 4 to an 8 right now depending on the brand.

(Krista) #3

Sizing for clothes has been so horrible, I’ve been not going by it for the last couple of months. If it fits great, then it stays. If i doesn’t fit, in the donation bag. Even when I was bigger I would try on stuff “around” my size b/c things fit differently. Don’t sweat the size, just try it on. :smile:

(Lorraine) #4

It’s crazy what they do with sizing these days. I was in a size 18 and when those got baggy, I went to the second hand shop and got size 14. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, my size 14s are just starting to get baggy and I buy new shorts for vacation. They are size 8! What?! I think that the new sizes are much larger than they used to be. I even found an old size 18 that fit great when my other 18s were getting baggy. It must be some kind of conspiracy.:thinking:

(Allie) #5

Sizes just don’t make sense. There’s no conformity, different brands vary dramatically, different cuts / styles do too. I struggle too as I lift weights so have muscle to fit into clothes.

#6

We gents get to share in the “but they’re the same size?!” fun as well. Shirts are the worst, they have numbers that are supposed to be actual measurements, but they sure don’t seem to be. We have vanity sizing too. I have some old 32 shorts that are my goal pants; I can just squeeze into them. I have some new 32s that are more like 34s, and they will have to be retired. Maybe I’ll be in 28s.

(Ellen) #7

Ah, misery loves company! I just assumed (and you know what that makes) that you Guys were exempt with having actual measurements to work on.

(Sophie) #8

The only sizes that mean anything these days are on the back of a pattern envelope. I just measure the clothes that fit me well to get an idea of how much ease I like in a garment for things that I make. If it’s ready to wear then I have to pull several sizes and try them all on. Pain in the patookus!

(Julie ) #9

Sizing of clothes really does not mean much as I have some pants that say 4 -8 that fit the same and the same brand on dress pants. Jeans it goes from 6-10 and they all fit well. So I no longer pay attention to the size. Reflecting back to when I was in my late teens I was an size 8 (108 lbs) the same height I am now and if I lost about 10 lbs I would be a 6 (92). So that says a lot for the sizing of today’s clothes.

(Ellen) #10

I can’t sew to save my life, kudos to you.

(Wendy) #11

Yes I’ve noticed that the new stretchy jeans especially are bigger than they use to be. Still I’m thrilled that I went from a size 16/18 to a size 8. I guess the vanity sizes helps us feel smaller than we really are. I love being able to buy small blouses after struggling and having to wear xl. The smaller bra sizes not as much. Oh well the fat comes off every where. LOL!

(LeeAnn Brooks) #12

We had a family friend make my bridesmaids dresses years ago. My stepdaughter practically broke down sobbing when we had to purchase a size 20 pattern. She was wearing size 10 off the rack. That’s how far skewed it had become, and that was 22 years ago. I believe it’s even worse now.

(Sophie) #13

And that’s a perfect example of vanity sizing for women! Our bra band size is the only true measurement in womens clothing anymore. You know you’re losing/gaining weight when your band size changes. Also, the higher end off the rack clothes have even smaller sizing. It’s crazy!

(Sophie) #14

Yes, it’s somewhat depressing when you take your measurements and find out what your real size is. :open_mouth:

(Allie) #15

@JustPeachy bra sizes are the worst here! I used to have to try on four of five of the supposed same size to find one that fitted. Nah, got fed up of that and went back to wearing sports crop tops, so much easier :joy:

(Sophie) #16

Those are incredibly comfy and easy to wear. However, I don’t find that they work with all styles, all the time. I have to do more of a mix and the cut of the bra can make a huge difference too. There’s a lot of options out there. It can be frustrating to go through them all in a matter of hours. Makes my head spin! :smile: