To think that vanity sizing has gotten ridiculous?

[Namila]

I recently bought a beautiful, vintage, evening gown for a formal event. The dress is from the '80s. When I saw the dress on the rack (a unique piece since it was second hand) and the label read "size 10", I was disappointed as usually size 10 is way too big for me.

I thought I would still try it on, thinking that perhaps a tailor could work on it and make it fit properly. Imagine my surprise when I realized that not only it was not too big, it was nearly too tight!!

When I shop in "modern" stores I need to buy an 8, and sometimes even a 6. I'd normally swim in a 10! I am short and petite, but definitely not extremely skinny.

AIBU to think that this vanity sizing thing has gotten a bit crazy and the current sizes have nothing to do with the way sizes were even just a couple of decades ago?

Not this again. Good grief.

"gotten"?

US and UK sizing is different. Is that where the issue came in?

It is was a UK size 10, but I am not British that is why I sometimes spell things wrong. Apologies!

Lucky old you. I am a size 16-18 and am delighted when it's a 16 not an 18.
Doesn't really matter. Just try it on and if it fits, hurrah.

Oh Christ. This again. Yes you are one of the few people nowadays who isn't a vain delusional fatty. Well done. Never mind that we're also much taller, healthier and live longer than in the 50s.

You’re my skinny hero. Here’s your medal 🥇

Yawn.

I thought vanity sizing worked the other way? Labelling an item as, for example, a size 10 when it's really a 12? So that someone who is actually a 12 will be pleased to find they are fitting into a smaller size - thereby appealing to their vanity.

I just ignore the sizes. If it fits, it fits!

I have things in my wardrobe between a 6 and a 14 and they all fit me! Different companies size things differently and there's no universal size 10. I wish our clothes were sized the same as mens - it's a lot easier to just ask for say, a 30 inch waist than to have to try 3 sizes of jeans!

yanbu but pointing this out goes down VERY badly here xxx

Does it matter? I always thought it was random that the sizes don't start at 1 and that they go up in 2s.

blackteasplease Ted Baker clothes are sized 1 2 3 and 4 :)

I don't think OP was boasting. I think it's really interesting. Sometimes I'm struck by the fact that I've worn a size 12 most of my adult life but I'm a damn sight bigger than I was twenty years ago! Also, I remember the smallest adult female size on the racks in Clockhouse at C&A being an 8 - I longed to grown into an 8 in my early teens. Things have changed; no point denying it.

You’re right, it is getting out of control. I also used to be a 10, 10 years ago but now need at 6. I’m no smaller! I don’t think it’s very fair to make people think they’re thinner than they are actually, especially teenagers who know no different.

a 30 inch waist than to have to try 3 sizes of jeans

Even this has changed. See Gap!

These threads are invariably stealth boasts. "Oh poor me, I'm swimming in a size 6!" Yyyyyyyawn. Fact of the matter is sizing is bonkers - a size 10 from h&m is a totally different beast to a size 10 from m&s, online shopping is a nightmare!

You're right, and its something people forget when trotting out the old "Marilyn Monroe was a size 14" thing.
She was closer to a modern day size 8.

I don't get why men's clothes are measured in inches, yet women's are just allocated random numbers

YANBU I thought it went the other way around though? That's why it's common to see size 4 and 6 in shops now when years back 8 was the smallest- when I started in retail (late 90's) not all the lines went down to an 8- lots started at at10. We haven't all got loads thinner? I'm much bigger than I was back then but I'm still the clothing same size as I was at 18.

I also think shoes have got bigger too. Vintage size 4 won't ever fit me, far too small. modern size 4 is perfect.

I own clothes that range from size 4 to size 12. It's all bollocks. Give us cm measurements across all clothing brands.

MrJohnson OP has it the right way, and the same way as you. She's saying that an 80s 10 is much smaller than a 10s 10. If that dress were labelled by modern standards, it would be a smaller number, to appeal to vanity.

Ooh a thread on vanity sizing Never seen this subject covered on here before

I don't get why anyone would bash the OP for this thread

It's genuinely strange how fast fashion sizing has changed and, as mentioned, how this will play out for teens, health, etc.

I only opened this thread because I thought it was a thread about bathroom vanities (we're in the early stages of planning a new build). Did not know there was any other sort of vanity sizing :)

If you look at vintage dressmaking patterns the sizes were much smaller back then.
Sizes vary a lot between shops too.

One size fits all - job done

Lycra that requires zero ironing, it's a win win

Ooh looks like op has touched a nerve with some people!! Why’s that?