Waist measurement - size 20??

[Issueatwork]

Just finished an 8 week challenge at the gym where they took weight and measurements before and after. I’m really pleased that all the numbers have come down, and I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing until I get to where I need to be.
However, I was checking my measurements against the ASOS size guidelines and it looks like my chest and hips have gone from around a size 14 to around a size 12 (which seems about right with the way my clothes are fitting at the moment). My waist measurement, however was off their scale, so I switched to New Look and on my waist has gone from around a size 22 to a 20 - surely this can’t be right? I’m an apple shape so I’m fairness I do hold it around my middle which frightens me as I know this is the worst place. I just think that seems completely out of proportion, or does that seem plausible? I wear a size 14 and have recently noticed a few items feeling loose. Either way it’s definitely the kick up the arse I needed.

Are you mixing up inches and centimetres?

All should be inches, defo don’t have a 40cm waist but maybe one day!

First and foremost; massive well done on your gym achievements! That’s a huge physical and mental victory!

As for the waist measurement. I’m 35 inches and I’m a 16 so I do think that 38.5 would be a 20. Please don’t let that detract from your hard work at the gym though; I bet you look great. Inches and dress sizes are just numbers, lose more off your waist if you want to or don’t if you don’t. You’ve done really well.

Thank you so much, that’s really kind!

Ah from what you said that must be right then, how interesting that my body ranges from a size 12-20 depending on the area. It will all be a size 8 soon I’m sure 😅

Sorry not letting my tag or reply for some reason

How can you be a size 20 if you wear a size 14, or I have misunderstood?

Are you sure they measured you correctly? According to those measurements your waistline is larger than your chest and almost the same as your hips?

Sorry if my OP wasn’t clear. I wear a size 14, which has recently become a bit looser with weight loss.
I have never taken notice of measurements before so wanted to check the ones taken at the gym against ASOS size guide. My beginning chest and hips measurements matched the Size 14 and finishing measurements matched the Size 12 - this is what I’ve found with my clothes as my size 14 clothes feel looser.
the waist measurement before is showing a size 22/24 and after measurement showing as a size 20 which is why I posted because it seemed impossible giving my other measurements and the way my clothes fit.

This is what I’m wondering. I’ve had a look at my before photo and in fairness I have no waist at all and it does look pretty much on like with my hips so I’m thinking it must be true?

Can you share your pictures? It does sound unusual, but not impossible.

Before photo

I'm going to say it's a New Look / ASOS error. My hip and stomach measurements are both 40 inches and I'm a 12... 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think because you’re fairly straight up and down then it’s possible you’re a larger size on your waist. Dress sizes assume an hourglass figure. If one doesn’t have a nipped in waist, one can have a larger waist size than their bust and hips. You don’t have to be really disproportionate for this to be the case. It’s just that dress sizes are kind of silly.

For example, bras with larger backs (like 42+) are seldom made in A, B and C cup as manufacturers assume that anyone with a large back must be D+! But cup size is relative so you can have large breasts and be a 42B. I used to be a bra fitter and people would be surprised when I’d say their daughter was a 30D. I had to explain that 30D is not massive. This is also why 30D is hard to find; manufacturers themselves don’t get bra sizing!

Women’s clothing sizes are a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I believe from your picture that it’s very possible you’re a 12/14 on your bust and hips and a 20 on your waist but this is not a poor reflection on your body or your appearance. As I thought; you look lovely. Don’t let dress sizes grind you down.

These are the international standard measurements. You’d be about 18/20 on your waist. As you’ll see though, these measurements assume an hourglass.

Im buying size 16 clothing, and something I ordered is too big in a 16 (others a bit tight).

However my waist measurement is very definitely a size 20.

Shop sizes are a load of rubbish

Congrats on all the hard work you've put in at the gym! Don't let this knock your confidence. Your measurements have gone down and will continue to do so. Your workout plan is obviously paying off.

ASOS stock such a wide range of brands including their own, and sizing is all over the place. This seems to be true across the board. My DM was sad because she couldn't fit into a size 16 skirt she bought. When we actually measured it, the waist was obviously more like a 10-12.

Just to say here: women’s clothing sizes are based on a statistical artefact derived from a measurement survey last updated in about the 1970s. ‘Standard sizes’ are semi-fictional to begin with. They were based on young women (early 20s) who hadn’t had children (the dressmaking sizes are even called ‘Misses’ sizes) and the earlier ones in the 1950s may even have been wearing girdles or corsets regularly.

Of course these have been heavily modified by individual shops who test their clothes on ‘fit models’ based on their theoretical target customer. This doesn’t mean that the clothes fit their average customer, or even the largest number of customers. Fashion is, in the words of Spock, Not Logical.