to expect the sizes on clothing websites to match the size of the clothes?

[WillowFae]

Okay, my first IABU thread so be gentle!

Over the last 8 months I've lost almost 6 stone in weight (still more to go) and so naturally find myself in the position of having to buy new clothes. So I have a look around online to get an idea of sizes and what's out there. But why do their sizes not match the actual clothes?

Take M&S - according to their website I should be in an 18 or 20 skirt. Yet I bought a size 12 skirt in there just after Christmas.

Boden - according to their website I should be in an 18 skirt. Yet a friend of mine gave me some old skirts of hers that just before Christmas that are a 14.

I know about vanity sizing but why can't they just be honest?

Makes me reluctant to buy clothes online.

Oh, that is incredibly annoying. If they give measurements they should be accurate.

I could understand being a 12 instead of a 14 (people are different shapes etc.), but that's ridiculous.

Well done for losing 6 stone!

Monsoon are dreadful for this. The online stats bear no relation to the ginormous dresses labelled 8 or 10 on their shelves.

Congrats on your weight loss - that's awesome!

Vanity sizing is rife! I bought 2 pairs of jeans in GAP the other day - I am a size 12, I measure a size 12, according to the measurements on the labels in GAP I am a size 12, however the size 12 hangs off me and I need a 10.........I really am definitely a 12!