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.

Try this sizes.darkgreener.com/ calculator. You type your measurements in and it tells you your closest size in a range of high street shops. It's astonishing how the same measurements produce a range of sizes! I've found it reasonably accurate.

Doesn't work for me Badger says I'm a Next size 16. And I'm a 10 in there

The chart only works though Badger if the shops actually make clothes that match the measurements on their size charts, and for whatever reason, lots of them don't!

But on that site it puts me at a size 8 in next!! I've never shopped there but I just don't understand how everyone is so squiggled

I wear different sizes depending on shop / item / cut of item etc. Like literally 4 different sizes, it's crazy. So it completely depends on where and what you buy :)

The chart say's I'm 6-8 and I'm 8-10 minimum!! OP what is your height and weight?

Even baby clothes are odd sizes. I've got loads of those 3 piece sets, y'all know, top, dress and tights sort of thing.
the stuff never fits all at the same time, the dress will be to small by the time the tights fit or whatever.

You should try old lady shops. When my Mum goes to Viyella she gets a size 8, she's probably a 16 in M&S (but likes to pretend she's a 14 but complains they don't cut generously in the arms!).

As a teenager I weighed 9.5 stone at 5ft 6. I wore a size 8-10. I now weigh 11 stone and wear a size 12 with comfort. As I have a tiny waist, size 12 skirts are usually too loose.

Next trousers do not fit me well at all. They are baggy in the crotch.

I can't stand this. I'm in the US, and gets worse and worse every year.

I have a smallish frame - 5'3", and I'm a healthy, average weight for my size. In US sizing, a size 6 was typical for me, maybe a 4. Clothes my dm has had since the 90s fit me in a 4 or 6. Now, I can't find clothes. I havrnt changed size, but 6s hang off me. More and more clothes are now in Small/Medium/Large rather than numbered sizes. I ordered a whole bunch of stuff in a size small online - returned it all, it fit like XL. It varies wildly store to store, but there are some I just cannot shop in anymore. The smallest sizes are too loose, and I don't have the body shape for the petites section, I have too much hip and tummy to be petite. Everything new I buy feels shapeless compared to clothes I had in the past.

I don't understand why it matters. Go to a shop, try stuff on, buy what fits you. The number they allocate to that is irrelevant. Men seem to be able to buy clothes without this stigma attached.

All shops and labels vary. H&M for example are a size smaller than most other shops. Their 12 is a European 38 which would normally be a 10. YOU are not a dress size, you just wear one. Probably a different one depending on where you shop.

As plenty of people have said Tweasels it matters because it would be nice to go into a shop and have some idea what size to pick up. Also I don't like trying on clothes is shops and would like to be able to buy standard items like black trousers or skirts without having to guess which of 3 sizes will fit.

It does matter if you don't want to spend hour after hour trying on bloody clothes. I don't care what's on the label, I just want some consistency. Maybe there is a huge conspiracy to make us stay in the shops even longer with the aim of persuading us to buy more!

And even in the same shop consistency would be nice. I bought a size ten dress in Oasis, fitted comfortably, tried on another similar style dress in there (the same day) couldn't get the zip on the size 12 even half way up!

It matters because I don't want to be spending hours trying on clothes, because I live in the back of beyond so order a lot online and I don't want to have to fiddle about returning stuff that doesn't fit and waiting for refunds, because sometimes there's a massive queue for the changing room and I cba to wait, because sometimes I'm in a hurry and just want to grab and go, because sometimes I've already got the item and I'm just buying a different colour and want sizing to be consistent within the same style/shop

I don't really care how they label the stuff, or what number is on said label, so long as it's consistent with every other shop

I agree we need a MN campaign to make sizes the same in all shops. It's really bloody annoying.

Just did the 'What Size Am I?' thing and it says I'm a 6-8. I am probably a size 8-10 although pre pregnancy my waist was 5 inches smaller and I was a size 6

Well done on your weight loss! Please tell me how you did it, I need help!!!

I agree! I am now buying size 10 clothes and the other week had to get the "xs" lorna jane running top. I really don't class myself as extra small (esp with my dd boobs!)

I got married in 1994, I weighed 7 stone 12 (I'm 5ft4)on my wedding day I was an 8/10. I am now 8 stone 2 and an 8/10. When I was at school I was an 8. The only time I have been a 6 was when I went down to 7stone 4.

My mum has always been a size 14 ever since I can remember.

Fair enough, I totally get what you're saying. I've missed the point somewhat!

I just get frustrated because the term 'vanity sizing' sometimes feels like a slur on women who wear bigger sizes, as if the whole industry has changed to make fat people feel better about themselves and the smaller women are pissed off as a result. Another stick to beat fat people with. (I may be projecting a teensy tiny bit )

I also just don't see it. Yes clothes are bizarrely sized, sometimes even within one shop