Weight, height and size weirdness that's shocked me.

[wellthisisakward]

I wonder if I could have some help unraveling my new discovery that I'm a dress size 16.

All of my clothes are size 10-12 and coats etc – I've noticed the weight piling on after starting HRT and my jeans got tight I'm OK with this and started looking at grabbing some new bits today after a bit vinted sell so I got the tape measure out thought I'd crept up to a size 14 but it appears I've skipped 14 and gone straight in at 16 according to my measurments.

39/33/39

But here is where it gets odd I jumped on the scale in panic I'm only 5'2 and weigh 71kg (11 Stone) – So how at 5'2 and 11 stone am I a size 16.

Does anyone else have a weird weight jump that has taken them a bit by shock? How am I getting up and putting on my size 12 clothes fitted size 12 whistles coat etc and fitting into them, why have I not noticed how big a difference has happened in the last 6 months.

I have an event mid November and bought a size 12 dress from All saints that is like a slip dress and fits really nicely? and now I'm worried I'll look a bit stupid in it? But it fits.

Have I been walking around deluded or are clothes sizes really screwed up?

My brain was saying – "Oh it's just a phase" I'm starting to think shit I best get on top of this as I have high Cholsetrol and need to get off my bum more – a wake up call and a half.

Well, I’m 5’8 and at 13 stone I was a size 16. I’m now 10.5 stone 67kg and a size 10-12 so your height and weight sound about right to me. No judgement at all. I’m post menopausal and lost the weight between May and the start of October this year.

Clothes sizing is really inconsistent. I am anywhere from a size 6 to a 12 depending on the shop and the style of clothing. I wouldn't worry about it, just buy the size that looks best on you and ignore the number on the tag

Shops just make up sizes and don't even really conform to the sizing advice they put on their website.

You would be best to go into a shop and try on clothes - especially from the brands you want to buy on vinted. It's not an exact science as even in the same size in the same shop the clothes can be any size they decide they are.

Ask a friend for honest advice in how you look in your dress. If you are still fitting into your clothes and in your eyes look good in the dress you probably do.

My mum treated me to a jumper this week (online) I went to the website looked at the sizing and ordered the bigger size than I am usually as their numbers were tiny. It's arrived and its massive - so annoying!

I am also 5'2" and at 11st was bordering on the obese category of BMI, and looking back on photos, I looked big too. I never would have thought of myself as a size 16 but I guess I was, really, whatever a size 16 means these days... Because like you I definitely still wore a lot of size 12s in baggier fits! Easily done I suppose.

I don't suppose it really matters what the label says though so long as it fits? (In answer to your question about the slip dress). No one will be checking the label!

Short people carry weight differently and frankly look heavier with less excess weight than someone taller will

Same as PP above I was a size 16 at 5’7 and 13 stone. I went up to a 15 stone and was in a 20. And even now being 12.2lbs I’m still only just moving down into a size 14 (big 12).

Perhaps your definition of what fits you isn’t someone else’s? I know I’m guilty of trying things on and saying “oh that fits” when it’s really too tight, pulling across my bust/shoulders. If I was really critical and stopped to think, I’d almost always need to size up. Perhaps you’ve fallen into that trap? And again no judgement but I’ve done that my entire life.

Your coat also might be stretched out slightly which might explain you fitting in a smaller size?

What I will say is that it’s just a number on a scale and in a label. It doesn’t determine your worth. This finally clicked for me a year ago and now I wear what fits me, I have stuff in my wardrobe from a size 8-20.

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm just a bit worried I've been walking around looking like a stuffed sausage in my clothes and nobody has told me – I'm going to try the dress on again and take some photos and see.

I'm also off swimming today and think this maybe the wake up call rather than drifting into my default of Oh – Its the just HRT – and using the excuse.

I’m not sure those measurements to weight ratio is that weird. I’m around 11.5 stone and 5ft 7.5 and dress size 12-14.

5ft 5 10st size 10-12. Age 52. Used to be 9st-9st 7 pre meno. Noticing that alcohol now means weight gain to me where it didn’t before meno so am taking a break and have already noticed a few pounds off. So your height and weight being size 16 sounds right. Sizes have increased and in old clothes that have stretched you sometimes don’t notice. Good for you recognising it. Look into 16:8 as it seems to be quite powerful after 50.

I think I have the narrative in my head that I'm little because I'm short – My whole life I've been dinky, or small or petite and even at the HRT appointment the GP said we won't give you so much as you are little.. and I was thinking.. Hummm I'm pretty sure I'm not.

Clothes can still fit but hang differently though can’t they. Doesn’t mean you don’t look good.

I mean with those measurements I should think you look awesome in a slip dress!

are clothes sizes really screwed up?

Yes. Yes they are. In one shop I have clothes ranging from size 8 to size 14.
The numbers are largely meaningless. (Especially at next or M&S!)

Yes this – I have been drinking more, it's all falling into place, less exercise more stress, sitting at a desk – I've been sick and had surgery now HRT and menopause symptoms – I've basically just ignored myself.

Well this Sunday will go down in my book as the day I got a shock!

Your type of frame makes a difference.

You can be a small frame, that when you gain weight it doesn’t sit right. I can see extra fat on me, very obviously.

Sometimes you will see a large framed person, that has lost weight, and they look “too skinny” (people tell them that).

It Is hard to imagine yourself a size 16, if you’re always been smaller. But the extra weight really does add up.

I’m 5”4 / 12 stone / size 16. It’s my heaviest weight (apart from pregnancy). Others, it might be their lightest weight.

I find that this is how dress sizes work for me -

8 stone / size 8
9 stone / size 10
10 stone / size 12
11 stone / size 14
12 stone / size 16

Weight tends to creep on too, so you can fool yourself buying in stores with generous sizes.
Until you catch sight of yourself one day in a shop mirror (or your trousers just won’t zip up!)

Well I don't know, where have you seen that those measurements equal a size 16? Sizes run differently across brands. My measurements aren't far off yours and I'm a 12. Perhaps the bigger hip measurement (mine are 41 so no judgement) is throwing things off and placing you as size 16.

You are 100% right – I carry my weigh all lumpy! I see much larger taller women with beautiful big boobs and smooth stomachs and I'm all rolls and lumps..

Also this is pretty much my life:

8 stone / size 8 – until I was 25
9 stone / size 10 – 25 to 30
10 stone / size 12 – 30 to 42
11 stone / size 14 – somehow missed this one!! 😂
12 stone / size 16 – Today!

Label sizes don't mean anything tbh, vanity sizing has messed things up. Next and M&S are a joke. Stretchy clothes distort things even more.

You can only go off BMI and trying on items. It's a pain.

This.

I am a shortie and since menopause, my weight distribution has changed as well with weight going onto my middle and thighs. It hurts my eyes to see it.

My goal is to lose weight below my ideal to look good in clothes and to remove the bulk that has somehow wrapped around my upper arms, middle and thighs. I will probably have to do some weight and resistance training as well.

I am dinky too so sympathise with the comments you get on this. People still call me 'small' but I know things are different. I have to get different clothes.

I was looking at Ski wear brands and googled it? Maybe I'm slightly out but it was a bit of a wake up call..

Yeah, wellthisisawkward. My weight trajectory is very similar to yours. I’m 47. Lost weight last year. Whacked it back on. Peri-M now, so I’m raging! But, it takes hard work to lose / keep it off. I’m in the hips / bum category, so can still wear a size 12 jacket. Whereas, I’ve had to buy size 16 jeans (again!)

All saints is generous in size I find . I'm 5 foot and 9.7 . And size 8 in most shops although I have a big bum and boobs .

I often buy size 6 too . If your dress is a size 12 then I'd say you are a size 12..
where is the 16 coming into it ?

I'm 48 now, and off to the gym and have new batteries for the scales!

Thats good to hear – I think I'm worried my measurmenst say I'm a 16 and I'm swanning around in size 12 slinky dresses and worried I look stupid as I haven't noticed my weight gain at all and feel i need to check again, in the shop it looked good.

Post a pic. Somebody will be brutally honest (probably tell you they don't like the dress/your bedroom curtains even though that's not what you're asking)