Is a 28” waist really small?

[Ithinkofyouallofthetime]

So I bought jeans in this size as an insensitive to fit into them.

A friend who I would consider as slim (she’s also tall 5 foot 10) said that’s a really small size like teenage girl size.

Good job I can afford jeans that it doesn’t matter if I end up wearing or not then.

I'm 5'9 and have 28-29 inch waist depending on time of month etc. It's not small.

But in jeans isn't it more hip than actual belly button waist?

I’m a 28” waist and size 8. In my teens (80s) I was probably a 25” waist and size 10. I’ve got fairly wide hips so my waist looks small.

I’m pretty sure all the 34-24-34 ‘perfect’ measurement thing was just a thing made up by the press.

It’s the size I am when I’m not fat! And I’m a 10-12 at my natural slim size. So not teeny but I’d say pretty standard slim size.

Its fairly small but not unbelievably so. I suppose the main thing to think about is whether it's achievable or not, it might work as an incentive but if you never get there it could just make you feel a bit crap.

In the 1980s I bought Levis with measurements for waist & leg length; they were unisex & the waist size on label matched my actual waist. <shrug>

In modern clothes, I note that I wear age 15-16 years (but adjustable waist that I bring in, even though my waist is no longer 28")

Levi’s match my actual waist too, I have just been through my old jeans and tried everything on and the oldish 28s fit and the decades old 27s are a bit tight, which is what I would expect.

What a load of absolute nonsense.

@AmethystSparkles I don't know if our measurements back then were meant to be the ideal or 'perfect', but they certainly weren't made up. The friend I mentioned has some lovely items in a suitcase from back in the day, and the labels do not lie. Also, sewing patterns from the day which she kept.

I'm 26 in jeans and I'm a normal sized person. Not overweight, nor super skinny.

Diabetes advice used to be not to have a waist over about 30.5 inches and it was for all heights.

Just checked and it's 31.5. 28 is only a bit smaller.

No, it's a 10. On the slimmer side but not a really small size. Jeans typically start at a 24w, or a 6 (more commonly a 25w).

Nobody cares what a woman's waist looks like???
I think you're a bit out of touch.

I wear a 25w and I'm a 40 year old woman!

I'm surprised your friend thinks this. I'm 5ft 6 and my waist measurement is 29inches and I would not think of myself as 'too slim' if I lost an inch. It would still make me look pretty straight up and down and skinny jeans would likely still be too tight on my calves..

Too small for what? Dont you realise we come in all shapes and builds. Some people are incredibly lean through the midsection, some especially when they are tall as they have a long torso expanse. It's not too small for them.

Too small for what?

Men have a completely different body shape 🤦🏻‍♀️

It’s a UK14 I think so no, not at all small. I’m 5’9 and wear a 24 or 25 waist, about a U.K. 8

You've got your sizes mixed up. 28" is not a 14. An 8 is not a 24" waist

This is standard. Red circle is waist in inches

I'm the same height as you OP and I have a 28" waist/wear 28" waist jeans.

But at our height it's closer to an 8 than a 10..... and I say that as someone who is muscular/athletic build.

Size 10 trousers are "loose" on me but I can get away with; dresses I'm an 8.

well that is a LOT higher than it was in the 90s.

It's called vanity sizing and is ridiculous!

Women's clothes should come in waist and chest sizes the same as men's IMO.

Not especially small, I am 5'9 and have a 28/29 inch waist and i am definitely not what you would call small. Solid average