Is a size 12 from 14 years ago exactly the same as 12 today?

[ItIsAlwaysSwingsAndRoundabouts]

Wondering if dress sizes have changed in the last 14/15 years at all. I know sizes have altered quite a lot since the 70s but wondering if there's a slight change every few years?

Out of interest, what shops are you now an 8-10 in
? If it's still Primark and New Look then yes that's a good comparison.

I haven't noticed any difference. I have some old clothes (20 years old) size 8 and 10's and they are the same as my current clothes. I haven't really changed dramatically size wise.

If anything I would say clothes aren't made as well as they used to be. My older "vintage" clothes don't look it. My current clothes just don't seem to last as long.

I used to be a size 10 years ago. Now most 10s are too big and I nearly always buy an 8 despite the fact that I am actually bigger now, not as thin and with a bigger bust.

I do also have old clothes in my wardrobe from early 2000s and I can't even get them on.

No. A current 12 is an old 14. Even primark have sized up recently.

I'm 34 and I've been a size 6 since I was an adolescent.

From 14 years ago? No. I have clothes older than that and the label size is the same as what I would buy today. However stuff from 24-34 years is definitely differently sized.

Another thing that’s changed significantly is fit I think. Clothes used to be a neater fit, but slouchy/oversized/athleisure etc clothes have confused the issue. Sometimes yes a contemporary size 10 might be objectively bigger, but that’s also due to different styles, rather than entirely vanity sizing.

I wear clothes from then, so don't think so

I'm amazed people can get in such small sizes with weights described.

I'm around 9st at heaviest and have been for a long time. I wear a 12 on top and 10 on bottom.

The only time I fitted into an 8 was top shop in the 90s and then I was very underweight.

I'll have to blame swimmers shoulders.

In the 70s a size 14 was about 26 inch waist, nowadays it's about 32 inch and I think it has been for about the last 20 or so years. I think they gradually got bigger in the 80s and 90s. As I have aged and got a thickened middle I have managed to stay the same size clothes

Thanks for all the replies!
I tend to make my own clothes so haven't purchased anything recently to compare.
Sizing from 30+ years I appreciate will have changed quite a bit.

I have noticed clothing for Asian women (I'm Asian in case anyone is wondering why I've mentioned this) has changed in sizing. The 'small' is more what used to be medium, and medium is more what used to be classed as large. I don't know whether it's just the garments that are stitched to be shipped abroad (ie Europe and America) that are tailored differently or if it's just a case of female bodies have changed significantly.

A pair of very early 90s St Michael jeans I was given from my mum are a size 18. I currently wear a 12/14 and these jean are not exactly loose on my waist.

I was a size 12 in 2005 when I weighed 10 st 10 and I’m a size 12 now when I weigh 10 st 7. So I’m not sure.

In the last 15 years, i think some brands have increased the size of their clothes and some haven't.

M&S definitely have, so have Mango, Next and H&M.

Its more than that though. It seems to be inflation of the hip and waist sizes specifically.

people responding referencing the 80s and 90s - that was 30/40 years ago!

Don’t be silly, can’t have been

In the last 14 years no, not in my experience. I was a 12 then in high street shops & am a 12 now. My body shape hasn’t changed since then and my weight has always fairly consistent

Height probably plays a factor when you are looking at weights. Also bust size. So many things to take into account :)

My friend is lighter than me but 2 clothes sizes bigger. Weight distribution is a factor here. I remember looking at the paper (when it wasn't all digital) and they did the "all these women are in size 12" spreads. The woman were all different shapes and weight distributions :) Also is it true some people do have heavier bones.