Why am I still this dress size?

[ploughingthrough]

I've been losing weight over the last couple of months and have lost a total of 15lb. My current weight is 10 stone 10lb and I am 167.5 cm. I am still, however , wearing a size 16 clothes and I don't feel that I would fit into another size down yet. Does this seem quite a big clothes size for the weight and height? I have got big boobs so don't ever expect to be small on top but maybe smaller than a 16 top and bottom.
Is there a way I can start to reduce my actual dress size along with my weight loss or Is it just a case of being patient with the steady loss?

Have you tried smaller clothes on? I'm about the same measurements as you and a size 12 mostly, sometimes a 14 on bottoms.

Hmm.

What's your waist measurement?

I'm 5ft9, but 5 whole stone heavier than you, and my waist is 33.5" - size 16. 3" wouldn't normally add so much weight, and I have big boobs too.

What's your frame/shape like? I have quite broad shoulders and hips as well as muscle and fat, so my weight distributes quite 'smoothly'.

Well done on losing the weight.

Are you doing any exercise to 'tone up'? Sometimes I could go down a dress size without losing any weight simply by doing exercise that tightened muscles in certain areas. Step aerobics was great for lower body and ab workouts tightened up my middle nicely.

And as pp said, you don't 'feel' that you would fit a size down - but have you tried? You may be pleasantly surprised.

To an extent dress size, especially tops will depend on frame size as well as the "padding" on top.

I will never be less than an 8 in anything tailored with shoulders - my shoulders are too broad to fit in an 8 from most companies. A 10 is my ideal size for a jacket, probably a 12 for a coat if I might need something underneath.

Likewise hip measurement has a definite minimum size. Broader hips will determine size/style regardless of how little fat you carry!

Equally you are much lighter than me at the same height and I am mostly in 12s with some 10s for skater dresses and for jeans I choose between 12 (just fit) and 14 (falls down).

Would suggest trying, but not in H&M who are totally random in their sizing!

Hmm. Yes it does seem on the big side.

I’m 5”2 (158cm) so only a little shorter than you, and weigh about 10st 10lbs and I wear a size 12 (odd size 14, some 10s, cause clothes sizes are weird, but generally a 12) My clothes definitely fit me. I’m very in proportion though. Are you very hourglass or large busted?

I swim a couple of times a week and I play tennis once a week but I don't do loads of exercise. Perhaps I need to try exercise that tones better. I think my waist is 31 but it should check again.
And no I've not tried the next size down! I don't want to feel pissed off when I can't get it on 😂. I do feel like my size 16 clothes fit right though if you know what I mean. They're not baggy.
I think I have an average frame - I'm not especially broad in the back but like I see the boobs are big!

@randomsabreuse H&M are indeed random. I have a lot of clothes from there and everything from XS to 14s! I’m not bothered about the number as long as it fits though.

Equally you are much lighter than me at the same height and I am mostly in 12s with some 10s for skater dresses and for jeans I choose between 12 (just fit) and 14 (falls

Wow a size 12 and some 10s. I think I'd have to be about 8 stone! I'm not even technically overweight although at the higher end of normal weight.
Big boobs - yes. Hips I think are normal (post 2 children so wider than I once was but I don't think massive).
I think I need to go shopping with someone more stylish and with a better eye than me. Perhaps I can't see that my clothes don't fit well.

Hmmm. When I was that weight I was a 12 in pretty much every shop.

Just goes to show that clothes sizing doesn't make any sense at all really!

Well done on loss!

That sounds odd. I am fractionally taller than you (169 cm) but considerably heavier (about 13 stone) and am a size 16. At 11st 11 I am a size 12. I am a big build - huge hands, broad shoulders and size 9 feet. Less than 11st I am very boney.

BikeRunSki that's interesting thanks. I am not especially tall and my feet are not even a size 5 so I don't think I have a big frame (boobs excepted).
I can only conclude that I'm dressing badly or I'm just a super weird shape!

If your waist is 31", then you'll be a 12-14 by most shops measurements, though the fabric and cut will make a difference.

I've lost 6st, so have kept a beady eye on measurements, lol!

I've been buying my next sze down and using it to gauge progress on top of weight loss. It goes 'zipper doesn't meet, zipper meets but doesn't do up, zipper does up but I can't sit down, can sit down but not comfortable, can wear but not for a meal, fits comfortably' Then 'too big'!

It's given me a much better eye for my size and fit. Being big boobed makes things tricky. I've just bought a t shirt that's a 6, but found I'm so used to sizing up, I'm losing sight of a normal fit for my waist.

Haha thanks thecatsthecats I like the zip thing, good way of guaging!
Big boobs do not help!

It's worth pointing out that my weight hasn't changed at all since before Christmas, yet the 16s that weren't doing up just after Christmas now fit and look good - all due to less rigorous exercise schedule that usually kept me toned, and food that bloated me out but didn't change my weight.

I bet you’ll see a difference if you lose a couple of lbs more. I usually lose a dress size once I’ve lost just over what you have.

The other consideration is how were you fitting into your clothes before? Were they tight? (Like I squeezed into my clothes when I probably should have been going up a size because I was a little in denial, so in reality I had gone down a dress size when my clothes I’d been wearing before fitted me properly and it therefore took a bit longer dieting before I went down another dress size).

You were all right. I went shopping today and bought new items in a 14 🎉 no way am I near a 12 yet but perhaps another. couple of months and I can buy new shorts again

You will. Just keep at it. You’re doing really well.

OP, it can take ages for your brain to catch up. I have lost over 3 stone so far and until a month ago was still wearing the same old clothes and not believing I could possibly fit into smaller ones. Then I got a skirt a size down from a second hand shop and found it was too big, went and tried some smaller clothes on and was amazed to find they fit. And I look (obviously) so much thinner wearing clothes that fit as opposed to clothes now 3 sizes too big for me!

Icannotremember what fantastic loss well done you. Yes I think you're right I just think I look exactly the same and it's all an illusion on the scales!

I am 5ft 2. Start of year I was 10st 13lbs and in a 12/14 I am now 9st 11lbs and in a 12 still. Absolutely no where near a 10!

Glad you are actually smaller than you think - I would have said a 31 inch waist is a 12-14. That said, I am still (just) a size 10 at that weight! (I'm taller than you though).

I am fairly small chested and straight up and down in my figure though, although not particularly narrow. I also do lots of exercise.