Is a size 14 big?

I’m slightly taller OP, size 14, mid 40s. Was a fit 10 until covid then life conspired against me 😂 I would prefer to be smaller again but swing between that and ‘stuff it, life’s too short, eat the cake’. My diet is 90% good stuff, maybe a little too much of it, and I’m increasing gentle exercise (shot joints and no time for the gym), starting yoga and weights. I don’t stress about it, I’m trying to get healthier in a no pressure gentle sort of way. No doubt some expert will tell me that’s rubbish but I have enough stress in my life without adding my clothes size.

In the UK, the average woman is a size 16.

Yes it is big. But you know that. I think @Iceandfire92 is right - size 14 and above is large and usually overweight and all the posts on this thread trying to normalise it are doing you a disservice.

I'm 5'8 and have been 12 stone and I'm definitely large at that weight. I'm better at 10 stone (which is a solid size 10, which I know some people think is a large size too).

I’m 5’8 and size 14 would be big for me, but not necessarily for others.

Size 14 means nothing

Every brand is different, every country is different

I work in a store where we get in all different brands, we have conversion charts so we can size in store for a uniform look
One brands 12 is another's 16 but the 2 items will sit perfectly on each other, no difference in size

No, if course it’s not big.

I’m overweight and would love to be a size 14 ( recently started on Mounjaro). My SiL is a size 6-8 and would be horrified to be a size 14. It’s all subjective.

If you’re not happy with how you look and feel atm, then only you can change it.

To say size doesn't matter is ridiculous. When does it start to matter? When you're unable to fit in a seat on a plane? What about when you need a bariatric bed in hospital? When you acquire a heart attack, a stroke or one of the numerous diseases that obesity leads to? This fat acceptance movement is incredibly toxic. The readiness of fashion brands to use fat models perpetuates the normalisation of obesity.

I am your height and was 12 stone and size 14, even if squeezing myself into 12. I am fit and sporty and honestly looked fine.
Except that i had total weight blindness. Am now a small 10 and when I look at old photos, I was undoubtedly fat. not just a bit curvy, proper heavy.

However, what size you are yourself does of course affect how you view others. So considering that an average UK woman is now 16, don't worry, for most people you link just fine.

I know it’s totally subjective but in your opinion is a size 14 what you’d consider large?

For me it would be because I am tall and of slim build. To get to a 14 I would either have to overeat a lot or do some sort of body building programme, both of which would make me look big.

For other average height or tall women of medium or large build then a 14 looks totally fine, especially if they exercise.

Why would it be unusual?

OK, so, caveat by saying I am roughly the same height, size and weight as you.

Truthfully, its a slightly above average weight, yes; I think the national average weight for women our height is 71kg and we are around 76kg. This doesn't mean you are unhealthy or unattractive, however- the last doctor I spoke to told me off because I was 74kg and I'd said I need to lose another stone. My bloods are perfect, my tests were perfect, and he advised me that my weight was healthy for my physical structure and that I don't need to lose any more. Remember your healthy weight will likely change as you age; don't focus on what worked 10yrs ago.

HOWEVER- none of this equates to dress size at all, since women's body shapes are all so wildly different- pear, hourglass, apple, etc. Height is also a huge factor.

It's highly unlikely anyone is looking at you and judging you, but I hear youre judging yourself. Try and focus on health and not aesthetics. Im sure you look absolutely beautiful. 🖤

Doesn't matter. Neither health nor beauty are dress sizes. Check your weight, body fat percentage, physical capacity (allowing for any disability of course), resting heart rate and general feeling of wellness.

Is size 14 big? Who cares. Size doesn't matter, only happiness matters.

Skinny toned bodies look good. Larger voluptuous bodies with rolls of fat look good. Just like blonde hair looks good and brunette/red hair looks good.

You have to decide what makes you happiest. You might be happy putting in more gym hours, eating less treats to get to the size you're most comfortbale. Or perhaps being a bit larger and getting to indulge is where you're most happiest.

However, it's sometimes difficult to know where you're happiest level is because of all the background noise (social media pressure, judge people etc). Ignore the noise and hopefully you'll figure it out.

14 is overweight. It’s probably the equivalent of at least a size 16, 20 years ago but now people have got bigger so you won’t stand out like you would have done. It’s things like knees that are not so forgiving if you are overweight.

I’m a similar height and weight and a size 12. Life’s too short to stress about this. I could afford to lose some weight but I’m healthy and happy and my husband thinks I’m bloody gorgeous and that’s all that matters to me! Is it really worth stressing over food and size if you’re healthy? Do you want to spend the life you have fretting that you need to lose a stone or two?

Snap ! You need to work out what your ‘happy weight’ is - for today, not the you from 20 years ago. Body shapes change with age. I’m in the exact same boat as you right now but there’s no right or wrong weight - just what’s right for you, right now.
I know when my clothes dig in and feel uncomfortable I need to eat less / move more. But it’s not always that simple is it, what with hormones, stress, etc ? I always feel better when I eat healthier and lose a little weight, and when my clothes look better on me too that’s a huge bonus.
My current aim is to lose 1.5 - 2 stone, I’m not looking to be the weight I was in my 30’s, that would be unrealistic now, plus too skinny does not look so great in your 50’s. Just do whatever you need to do to look and feel good (they kind of go hand in hand), and don’t worry about everyone else and ridiculous ideal standards !

Controversial and I'll definitely be flamed for this but we have to stop normalising size 16 or even 14 being a regular size for a woman. More people may weigh that amount these days but it is almost impossible to be a size 14 and at a healthy weight. I have been overweight before at a size 12, I know it is all relative to frames and how you carry your weight but everyone I know who is a size 14 is definitely overweight.

Agree that it’s very dependent on height, build, musculature.

I would say though in terms of how I personally think of sizing - and only in relation to myself - 14 is my top line, when I’m there I know I need to do something about it and not get any bigger. That happened to me last year - not for first time! - and, as before, when I’ve shed a stone I’m a bit baffled and horrified how large I let myself get, how much extra fat I was just lugging about (because for me it is all fat it’s not muscle!!).

I was a 14 at 5ft10 and 13st. I looked big

Utter nonsense. I was 5’7”, 9.5st and my hips and boobs made me a size 14. BMI 20.8.

Don’t make statements that are factually incorrect, please.

I’m 5ft 1 and a size 12/14 now. Over 70kg and due to my height am nearly in obese BMI.

So it’s impossible to say without knowing your height and build.

NB apparently size 12 is the average (unsure if mode or mean however), which is why as people are getting taller and broader, what a size 12 is has changed. So a 14 is slightly larger than average, but again, could be down to height and build.

I'm the same height and weight as you and am an 8 so just shows how there is no point comparing doesn't it!

OP most people won't think your big because most people genuinely don't care what other people look like. I never go about my life labelling people as big or small, I have enough to think about.

At barely 5 foot and fine boned, when I was a size 14 I was obese. My tall, busty relative on the other hand looks like a goddess at a size 14. It’s totally individual and to do with height, build, shape, musculature etc. just go by what makes you happy.