to think I ought to be able to buy trousers that fit me

[snooter]

I have been the same size & shape all my adult life, give or take half an inch. Size 10 trousers fitted me perfectly 25 years ago but now are far too big on the waist (like about 4" too big) - I seem to need a 6-8 for the waist & a 12 for the hips. I trawl round the shops in a grump, trying on every possible pair, ending up buying trousers that fit on the hips & then taking in the waist at the back & wearing long tops to hide the joins. It's not me - I haven't changed. I did discover Not Your Daughter's Jeans jeans which are great & fit me (just as well as they cost a fortune), but that doesn't solve the problem with smart trousers for work. I could have trousers made I suppose but that seems ridiculous. Same problem with straight skirts - they just don't bloody fit, yet I still have an ancient short denim skirt that fits perfectly. Why is everything now cut for women with no waist & no bottom? Is it that the modern shape is a sort of shapeless tube? I can't be the only one left with a 1980s shape.

I don't fit into that at all! I fall into the high-risk category, yet my BMI is on the low side of normal, I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol, a professional athlete's resting heart rate, an excellent diet and I run several times a week.

It is supposed to be taken in conjunction with the other factors, Dahlen. If everything else is good, there is no issue. Also, there are cultural/genetic factors. If you are Japanese, for example, expected hip to waist ratio is different.

Tinbox - yes, I'll look it up tonight and post then. Surrounded by baby right now!

At least we look AMAZING in wrap dresses. Hourglass shapes look great with a cinched waist.