"Average clothes size 16"? Is it though?

[MrsWP]

Inspired by a comment saying the above on another thread.

It's something I've heard a lot.

But is it really true?

I say that because I'm a 16 and always feel fatter than anyone else in the majority of situations.

Googling would suggest it’s right.

Mumsnet might be slimmer than average, obesity is higher in more deprived areas and I think mumsnet trends to be more affluent.

I hear this a lot too.

Doesn't it depend how the average is calculated (mean (all added together and divided by the number of women) median ( all women of every size lined up and the ones in the middle are the average), or modal (e.g most popular dress size purchased?)

Hard to calculate I'd imagine.

I can honestly say my friends, workmates and extended family are all in the size 6-14 range due to a mixture of genetics, age and possibly some lifestyle choices, but that doesn't mean my group is representative.

I would have thought average was a 12-14 however I don’t go on sizes at all. I am overweight and a size 12-14 (I look a lot bigger) but I have a friend who is a healthy weight but wears 8/10 bottoms and 14-16 tops.

No idea - I’m 6’ & a 14 or 16 depending on the shop & cake consumption levels, I’m definitely bigger than most of my female friends. If it is true though then why is a size 14 the largest size available in so many ranges - surely if 16 was the average then more clothes would be made in a 16? No help there but I’ve always wondered that when the old ‘16 is the average’ line is trotted out!

Winds me up @chipsandgin!

I think its pretty area dependent. I’m a short 14 and I think I’m the fattest mum of DS’ class. We’re a very middle class type area.

I'm 5'5" and a size 14. I would say I'm bigger than most of my friends.

I'm in 2 book groups, with 10 women in each. In both, there is one woman who is bigger than me, one the same size and the rest smaller. We are all in our 50s and 60s.

Why aren't we talking about the waist measurements of men these days? Why is it always women?

How are we ever going to move on from the dark ages whilst threads like this still happen. How many threads do we see comparing overweights/skinny men anywhere ever?

It is so depressing.

Because we are talking about ourselves and how we feel about ourselves not men? They may have their own concerns about their size, we don’t know.

I find it interesting so many say their friends are 10-12. I am size 10 but I qould say most of my friends are 16 or bigger. I can only think of a couple who are smaller.

I think that whatever size people are that it is their waists which have become the focal point these days of what clothes fit you if you see what I mean. When I was young and in the 50’s when my mum was young, whatever size women were, they usually had a small waist in comparison to bust waist hip ratios today. I don’t think it was anything to do with control undergarments.

I think it takes into account middle aged and older ladies so people who are menopausal/post-menopausal raise the average.

I'm early 30s and an 18/20 but I agree that average size for my age is probably a 12-14.

I'm a 14/16, I feel overweight as I've been a 10/12 most of my adult life (darm you lockdown), but objectively I'm probably about average in terms of everyone else. Health-wise though I'm definitely overweight. I think a lot depends on height, a size 16 would look very different on a 6' person than a 5' person.

Which shop?

If they gave the measurements it would be more helpful!

Sizing varies hugely between age group aimed at and also brand.

@Itsalonghaul

^Why aren't we talking about the waist measurements of men these days? Why is it always women?

How are we ever going to move on from the dark ages whilst threads like this still happen. How many threads do we see comparing overweights/skinny men anywhere ever?

It is so depressing.^

You’re so right. Mumsnet has some of the most intelligent, independent & inspiring women. Until it comes a weight thread than all the ugly, catty bull shit from my nans era comes flooding back. Makes me want to head butt a brick wall.

It’s 2021 women can be anything! Except fat... my god don’t be that!!!

If you reread every post there is no fat shaming, it’s merely commenting on changing sizes and shapes as far as I can see.

I'm a size 16.

I can rarely find a 16 on the rack at shops. (14 and 18's usually loew stock)

So I've often assumed most people are 14-18. (Certainly since last March!).

I'm 5"7 and do look and feel overweight despite people saying I don't

Sizing even varies between the same item in a different colour in the same shop. I bought two pairs of size 10 jeggings in Next. There was a difference of at least two inches in them.

I have a pair of workout leggings from Sainsbury’s that I struggle to get on and another pair the same size that are really baggy.

It makes no sense.

Do you mean ugly catty posts on other threads?

YY waist size!

Let's all share vital stats in manner of 1970s miss world

Also, how cool are corsets and waist trainers!

I think ignoring different body shapes is cool. And also forgetting that with diet etc in general women are built differently to in the past yes even fit healthy ones!

I agree with you nice, no way am
I criticising anyone’s size! I’m just commenting on an interesting discussion on variations in sizing over the years.

Also worth remembering that when it comes to being overweight/ obese I believe men lead the way.

So why it's always women's arses shown on the omg we're all so overweight now news progs and similar is a mystery isn't it.

Didn't think it was aimed at me kitty :)

Why aren't we talking about the waist measurements of men these days? Why is it always women?

Good point. My (male) partner has lots of clothes which are 20 + years old, the waist size is measured in inches and the sizing hasn't changed.

I’m 5ft 8 and look best at 12-14 . Dh said I looked ill at size 10 . Currently a 14bottom& 16top-feeling uncomfortable in myself struggling to shift baby weight