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Original poster

Astounded by trip to shopping centre today

267 replies

Harrietta82 · 04/10/2025 20:52

I usually do my shopping online these days, but went shopping with a friend today to a big centre about 30 minutes away from us (I won’t name it incase outing).

Is it me, or has the minimum size stocked by the majority of shops gradually increased in recent times? I was asking shop assistants whether they had any size 6 stock and received blank stares half the time!

No wonder physical shops seem to be on the way out.

Needless to say, I’ll be sticking to online.

A pleasant experience aside from that though and lovely to see my friend so it wasn’t a wasted day.

OP posts:
Harrietta82 · 04/10/2025 22:44

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Toottooot · 04/10/2025 22:41

What part of your post is outing? Going to a shopping centre or being a size 6? 🙄

Spookyspaghetti · 04/10/2025 22:37

I literally went shopping in big shopping centre today (slightly later in the afternoon) and most of the sizes on the rack were 6,8 then 18 +. As it’s a busy Saturday, people had clearly been buying the 10s-16s as those are the average sizes people tend to be in the U.K.

If anything is a problem it’s that all the trousers are regular or long when most women are on the shorter side imo.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 04/10/2025 22:35

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Rosedreaming · 04/10/2025 22:34

Bobiverse · 04/10/2025 22:27

That poster was the one who compared being skinny to owning diamond shoes. Something to be jealous of.
I didn’t.

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That's not what the diamond shoes quote means. You use it when someone is humble bragging by means of talking about the hardship of having something aspirational but it doesn't mean the person saying it is jealous just that the person they're talking about doesn't seem to appreciate what they have.

notwavingbutdrowning1 · 04/10/2025 22:33

I’m a size 6 too but I’ve got to say, OP, your post does come across as a bit of a humble brag. I’m not saying you meant it to - although your later post suggesting people lose weight if they have issues is pretty appalling.

I have never had problems finding my size. I shop mainly in Cos, Jigsaw, M&S, AllSaints, Uniqlo, Massimo Dutti. Maybe try those?

PruthePrune · 04/10/2025 22:33

Clothes shopping is shit nowadays. What's available on the high street is poor quality and badly made, the size variation between shops is ridiculous. Try finding stuff if, like me, you are classed as petite, it's nearly always too big and made for people with tiny frames I'm little and muscley. I really struggle to find clothes that fit well.

Rosedreaming · 04/10/2025 22:32

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Lol oh okay, definitely a troll. Dear me what a sad little life, Jane.

just for anyone who might be made to feel bad by this thread, there is absolutely no increase in your value to the world based on how few inches you take up in it.

Original poster
Harrietta82 · 04/10/2025 22:31

Algen · 04/10/2025 22:29

Yes. And your agenda in starting this thread is now obvious.

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What is my agenda? Please enlighten me.

OP posts:
Mwnci123 · 04/10/2025 22:30

People saying they rarely go to the shops then criticising the stock in said shops is one of my bugbears. They'd be better stocked if they were better used.

Shr3dding · 04/10/2025 22:30

BoredZelda · 04/10/2025 21:50

I’m not making any nasty comments about thin people. It’s annoying when you are outwith the “average” range for anything (try finding short length trousers anywhere and size 7 ladies shoes)

I’m talking about the people who look at someone who is a size 12/14 and declare them unhealthy because “we’ve lost sight……” yadda yadda.

I do laugh at the suggestion that people posting about being overweight are totally supported though. You obviously don’t frequent those posts enough because there definitely is not a lack of nasty comments there. Even if some of them do start with “Kindly……” 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Come to England, there are size 7 shoes in all the shops

Algen · 04/10/2025 22:29

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Yes. And your agenda in starting this thread is now obvious.

SpaceRaccoon · 04/10/2025 22:28

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Seems like a reasonable assumption if your genetics is responsible for your apparent teeny weeny-ness?

SpaceRaccoon · 04/10/2025 22:27

Bobiverse · 04/10/2025 22:26

That was a different poster.

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No, also the OP.

Bobiverse · 04/10/2025 22:27

Clonakilla · 04/10/2025 22:26

It’s a misogynistic trope that women should be jealous of a dress size, a literally meaningless number. Please let it go.

OP you’re easily astounded! But I find the sizes so random that I just look for an 8 that looks on the smaller end. I’ve got everything from 6 to 12 and the waists are broadly similar, just different brands.

Show quote history

That poster was the one who compared being skinny to owning diamond shoes. Something to be jealous of.
I didn’t.

Harrietta82 · 04/10/2025 22:27

This reply has been deleted

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TitsInAbsentia · 04/10/2025 22:27

bouncydog · 04/10/2025 21:18

I feel your frustration Henrietta82! I spent an afternoon last week trawling Oxford Street for a size 10 Petite trouser suit to no avail. Finding a decent quality petite brand is hard enough (no one stocks anything Petite where I live) but to discover I couldn’t even get one in London was very disappointing. All I bought was a £4.99 pack of hair slides for my grandaughter - cheapest shopping trip there ever!

Your mistake there was going to Oxford St, it's devoid of any decent shops these days unless you want a key ring or over priced american sweets!

As someone who has ping ponged along all sizes these last 20 years I find the shops never have the size I need...big or small...

Bobiverse · 04/10/2025 22:26

SpaceRaccoon · 04/10/2025 22:25

In a previous post you were all "oh shucks, genetics" though.

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That was a different poster.

MsCactus · 04/10/2025 22:26

How long have you been size 6 for OP? Is this the first time? I remember there never being any size 6s back in the 90s and noughties. This isn't a new thing!

There are also v v v limited shops that even stock a size 4. The biggest and smallest sizes are less common and so a nightmare to find, everyone knows that. Not sure what the point is of this thread

Clonakilla · 04/10/2025 22:26

Bobiverse · 04/10/2025 21:33

Then don’t use a phrase that signifies jealousy. That’s literally what you did.

You were thinking of the phrase “first world problems.”

Show quote history

It’s a misogynistic trope that women should be jealous of a dress size, a literally meaningless number. Please let it go.

OP you’re easily astounded! But I find the sizes so random that I just look for an 8 that looks on the smaller end. I’ve got everything from 6 to 12 and the waists are broadly similar, just different brands.

SpaceRaccoon · 04/10/2025 22:25

Harrietta82 · 04/10/2025 21:46

Apologies for anyone I’ve offended…I wasn’t expecting to read the digs and I appreciate MN deleting one of the worst comments.

If you are insecure about your weight, then rather than take it out on people online, you could always try to do something about it. Diet, exercise and discipline. Heck, there are even jabs available now!

In a previous post you were all "oh shucks, genetics" though.

bouncydog · 04/10/2025 22:24

TheSquareMile · 04/10/2025 22:14

Would this suit you, bouncy d?

https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-petite-haisley-single-breasted-suit-blazer-black/p113761670

https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-petite-haisley-wool-blend-tailored-flared-suit-trousers/p113761655

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Thank you - I tried Hobbs which was a good fit so planning to order when I get home in a couple of weeks. Will also try Reiss as just what I’m looking for. I get so frustrated as the sizes of certain brands seems to have changed and not all of us have tiny waists, big thighs and short legs if we’re short! Appreciate your help.

Chick981 · 04/10/2025 22:23

As others have said, I don’t think shops have ever typically sold lots in a size 6, I’m guessing there’s not the demand for it.

B it no get that it’s frustrating. I’m a size 16 and anything I like seems to be sold out in that size in the shops, probably because size 16 is very common. I literally only ever buy clothes online now, way more an enjoyable experience than having to choose between whatever is in a shop in your size.

Yousay55 · 04/10/2025 22:21

Hollister has size 6 quite often.

Ddakji · 04/10/2025 22:20

Lesina · 04/10/2025 22:16

What are the actual measurements of a size 6? When I was 18 back in the 80’s I was considered slim with an 18inch waist: I was a 10… what is a 6 now? I’m thinking skeletal?

I was a 6 about 20 years ago, I can’t remember my measurements other than wearing a 30 or 32 bra size.

It’s the other way round - a 6 now was an 8 or 10 in the 80s. It would have been a very small size back then.

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