To think that vanity sizing is getting a bit ridiculous

[BearsBeetsBattlestarGalactica]

I am in the process of losing weight (coming up to 40kg loss, about 5/6 to go).

So I have obviously had to buy new clothes.

The size 10's are now hanging off me.

I have never, ever been a size 8. Size 8 to me is quite tiny. I was slimmer than I am now 10 years ago and was a size 12, barely fitting into a 10.

Even though I am relatively slim now I am still wobbly in places and have a muffin top. I didn't 10 years ago. So it would stand to reason that I should be a 12 now

Oh and this is NOT meant to be a stealth boast of any kind. I just think that sizing in clothes now is erm...a little skewed?

Maybe I have a skewed perception of myself? But I have pictures of me 10 years ago (during an ed I should add) and I was definitely slimmer then than I am now.

you can't really blame the shops, it's just a reaction to the changing market. I don't care what size I wear, I just wish they would standardise them! makes shopping online and shopping in general very hard. some stealth boasts on this thread with women giving their teeny weeny measurements!

I've given up and just try everything on.

I have clothes ranging from 6 (and loose) to 12 (and a bit tight). I'd generally say I was a 8/10 but it's not very accurate!

I think shapes don't help though - I have a small waist, but quite a big bust so the size I buy can depend on the style. And everywhere seems to making for straight up and down at the moment, so I have skirts that look fine around the hips but are huge around the waist.

Pleased I read this - I have lost weight since having dc3 a year ago and have had to buy new trousers and have ended up in a size 6 for the first time in my life. I've always been skinny but have always been more of a 10. I was starting to worry that something was wrong with me but maybe it is just the clothes....

Its frustrating, and makes trying clothes on time consuming as you are never sure what size you are going to be, particularly if you are buying online and have to send stuff back. It doesn't seem to matter if the company gives measurements either. I ordered a pair of jeans from the Gap with a size 28" waist meansurement. When I tried them on they felt looser than I was expecting. When I compared them to a pair in exactly the same style that I has bought the year before with a 30" waist, they were only marginally smaller, certainly not 2".
I'm apparently a size 10 in most shops ranges, which is odd as I'm about 2.5 stone heavier than I was 20 years ago when I was also a 10. I'm a shortarse as well so that 2.5st is pretty noticeable.

In 1989, I was 5'6" tall and weighed 9 stone. 25 years later, I weigh just over 11 stone and I'm still a size 14. If vanity sizing hadn't happened, I'd probably be a 16/18, which would depress me, so YABU to think it's a bad thing .

YY Sheldon re Gap jeans. I have a 34" waist and yet their 30" jeans fit me perfectly .

I'm a size 8. I was a size 8 at 9 and a half stone and I'm still a size 8 now I'm 8st 3lb, so I don't really know how that works out. Also, stores differ greatly - I have size 8 trousers that drop to the ground they're so wide and loose, and some size 8s have arrived and look like doll's clothes.

I think children's sizing is even worse. My average sized 4 year old wears 6-7. My 1 year old, who is admittedly tall, but really - 3-4 year clothes? The 2-3s are too short and tight across her chest.

Actually this reminds me. Dh went into river island ( I think), and brought two pairs of jeans, both completely different leg length?!?! How is that possible? I think he picked up two in the same size, one fitted and the other looked like 3/4 trousers! Literally had to buy 2 inch longer pair ( and he's tall)

worrying about labels in knickers stops at secondary school. Random clothes sizing does make purchasing very tedious but apart from that, who cares?

I wear clothes from size 8 to 16. I'm not kidding. I ignore the size label completely and just look at the fit. I admit I do like loose fitting clothes rather than close fit so I often exchange clothes for the bigger size up so I feel more comfortable esp don't like tight around the boobs.

Totally agree OP - sizing today seems to be ridiculous and completely different from store to store.

I've got a relatively sizeable rear end - according to Topshop it's a 16 (and I can barely squeeze my calves into the skinny jeans), according to Next it's a 6.

No idea how it works at all.

Bluestones yep I'm sure. I was pretty obsessed with my weight and measurements and could just about squidge into a 14 in some places back then but always bought 16s for better fit.

TheresLots Sorry, I know... but even more depressing for me is that I'd have been about a size 24/26 then if I was the weight I am now. (now 18/20)

Well Art my 12 yr old DS, while a little under average height and weight wise, has never worn trousers his age. I wouldn't mind if it was just length but take a pair of even 9-10 trousers from Debenhams, M&S etc, and width-wise, two of his legs would fit into one leg of those and the waistline is massive. So it's happening for some kids too ....

Imo high street clothes that don't have a definite size (ie waist 29 inch etc, inside leg 32, 34 etc.) are being designed for an on average bigger sized population of adults and children, and in particular, apples rather than pears. The reason for the sizing is that they know people (especially women) will be put off shopping if they go in and see they need a size bigger so they've just increased the sizes but kept the value the same. I can understand that because there's nothing worse than fitting a size 12 in the vast majority of shops and going into that one shop where you have to size up twice, has a bad psychological effect on one's retail experience !!!

In a sense I understand why it's being done, in another I don't agree with it really. I really think stores should introduce exact waist measurements. If they can do short/reg/long, why can't they offer options in waist, thigh etc also? Some jeans brands have this and it's a lot easier.

YANBU

I can now fit into next and gap age 15 clothes?!?

YANBU and I'm starting to wish retailers would change women's sizes to the same as mens, ie, actual measurements. eg, a pair of women's trousers could be size 32 (waist) or (more likely?) size 42 (hips). Isn't that what European sizing is based on anyway?

I'm a perfect 10 according to Next, all their size 10 trousers and jeans fit great but I can't get a pair of Sainsburys size 10 jeans over my thighs, never mind do them up.

My mission in life at the moment is to have skinny enough legs and butt that they fit. Then I will eat some cake

YAdefinatelyNBU

I sometimes like to sew clothes and the sizing on the dress patterns doesn't alter to fit the changing shop standards. I weigh 101/2 stone and am a size 10.

When I make a dress, I have to cut out the size 14 pattern.

So you work it out.

I'm 14 stone

5 foot tall

And my measurements are 44, 29, 42.

Currently wearing a size 16 jersey Cath Kidston dress.

Quite simply the words 14 stone, 5 foot tall and size 16 shouldn't be in the same sentence.

I'm starting to wish retailers would change women's sizes to the same as mens, ie, actual measurements.

Yes, me too. Shopping online is a pain, I end up ordering a couple of sizes to try on, then have to return one and wait for a refund. Annoying. I don't really care what number the label has on it, as long as the number is standard

i went to new look for jeans tried on a pair of size 10 and they fitted so i picked up another pair and bought the two the other pair was too big but they were exactly the same style/size/price!

i hate shopping

I have just got some size 10 jeans from Marks I am closer to a 14 than a 12 ....and I am miles away from being a 10. (I am big boned honest ) It's silly.

I can't buy online clothes from UK at all because the sizes are mad. Am 34-28-35 and 5'7- should be a 10 but wear anything from a 6 to a 12 or Xs to M.

As a size 20, I prefer to think vanity sizing doesn't exist

I have just tried on an order from ASOS. Out of the three dresses I tried, one was so tight I couldn't breathe, the other two were so big I could put them on without unzipping them.

Then the three tops I tried on were huge, but the jeans were so tight I couldn't do them up without a muffin top.

Everything was a size 10 and the same brand - but no consistency with the sizes, so it's all being returned.