to think that most shops use vanity sizing now, and a 10 is really an old 14

[GetOrfMoiiLand]

Are there any shops which use what I would call 'old' sizes.

I remember when a 10 was really small. When I was in my teens and a lot smaller than now, I was a 12 at most. I am now a 10.

My gran (on clearing out her wardrobe) was always a size 12-14 - on trying on some jackets from the 80s which were a 14 they were very tight.

Hardly any shops stocked 8s, and they were tiny. Now every shop stocks 6's, and they are not really that small. My local Asda stocks clothes in a 4.

I actually find it hard to believe that the average height of women is 5' 3.5 ''. Nearly all the younger women I meet seem a lot taller than that. My sons think I am tiny and I am 5' 3''.

Agrees with yellow :)

Also recall fashion not really being available in over size 14 in early 1980's. ClockHouse used to be the worst shop for me, could never find anything to fit :(

I'm a short arse at 5'3 too,most people tower over me.

Agree. My true size is a size 10, with size 8 waist. I've been this size since teenage years although am a few (4-ish) pounds heavier. Now however, in some shops, I'm an 8-10 with 6-8 waist. Crazy!

8s were so small a size 6 was really rare. I was a size 4 in 1990!!

I agree sizing is generally getting bigger.

The odd thing is that men's sizes have also had 'inflation' despite apparently being measured in actual inches. I'm sure I've seen blog posts complaining about it.

It is slightly discouraging as I've lost a lot of weight but am still above regular sizes, would hate to know what size clothes I'd have needed if I was at my biggest years ago.

I've Brora quite true to (my) size. Also Reiss. Sometimes Noa Noa, though can vary.

nagoo from page 2, you made me snort with laughter about wasted youth. Ps dh agrees.

I too am with the op. I was a size 10 prior to having 3 DC and I am now a size 6! I am no way a size 6. It is ridiculous.
Childrens clothes are also getting huge especially in some of the supermarkets makes it very difficult to accuratly buy for children.

Reiss is enormous, I am always an 8 there but a 10 in real life. I love Reiss. Best ego boost ever.

Better nutrition (and that includes 'enough' calories, regardless of where they come from) makes humans bigger/taller all over. I'm 5'8 which would have been HUGE even 200 years ago - this getting bigger isn't all bad - flabby isn't good obviously but smaller isn't inherently better. Just a thought... I am now SO waiting for a barrage....creeps back behind modern sized clothes rail.....

Its true. My mum was a size ten when she was my age (24). Im a size 4 even in topshop. and im the same size as her at 24 because ive tried on her old clothes , a lot of which she has adjusted to fit her and all of them fit me. So a 10 in say 1970 was a 4 ...

The tiny structured waists on vintage dresses were a result of some pretty serious foundation garments. Only a small percentage of women would have gone without a girdle. Those old measurements would look quite different if girdles and, prior to that corsets, had never existed.

I agree. When I was in my 20's I was 8 stone 4 pounds and a size 10 but 12 on the hips so had to buy a 12 unless it was an A line style. Now I am 12 pounds heavier and size 12 are usually quite baggy on me.

Not sure if the above post makes sense. I think I have confused myself!

Well I've only bought xs (10?) dresses and tops from Reiss, so the skirts would likely be too big.

Actually, I find UK sizing very odd. I am a 38, that would be what, 8? 10? in UK sizing? In France I fit in 38 and rarely, in 36.

MIL buys me clothes for Christmas and birthdays. They are 12 and 14. They fit snuggly

I would think that the French have their sizes right as more women here are petite.

Very odd.

Oh, and she gets me stuff from M&S, usually.

I have quite a few bits of outdoor clothing that are a 38.

Some places translate this as a 10, some as a 12

PollyKitten, people weren't THAT short 200 years ago. 5 foot 5 inches was about average in 1800.

Just had a look at conversion tables and 38 is supposed to be 8.

Yet size 14 M&S cardigan is just right/bit tight.

They were! They were the size of Borrowers! Fact!

Sorry, 38 is UK size 10.

Still, it doesn't explain all the size 12 and 14 that fit me.

Just realised I was talking about European sizing, France do their own thing