Does anyone else massively struggle to find clothes that fit correctly?!

[Whosthatbehindthemask]

Trying to find some new work clothes. Size 12 too small, 14 too big. Trousers to big on the waist, too tight on thighs, top too tight across boobs, next size up to baggy!!! Hate anything fitted round the waist as I have a bit of a belly and fat bits on the top of my hips. Torso above waist is relatively slim Complete nightmare!!!!!

Why has no-one made in between sizes yet?!

Where can you get decent fitting work clothes that are comfortable too?!?!?!

When I worked in an office I resorted to school trousers (plain black stretchy polyester that can go with almost any top). They often come with adjustable waists & can be easily shortened. They come in plus sizes, slim leg, straight leg, extra long, petite. World of choice!!

Yes. I've had a lifetime of turning up trouser legs and shortening sleeves, because they are always far too long. Jeans gape on the waist, and most tops are too tight. Trousers often have elephant bum because the back seam is too long.

It's finding a brand that works for you. H&M used to fit me perfectly in tops (but never trousers). Next trousers were great but their tops were way too big. It's playing around a bit

@Jokie I’ve literally tried every shop going!!!!!

This is my issue with trousers, waist it too small but thighs / hips too big so end up with the gape at the top. I’m also tall so most trousers are above my ankles 🤣😂

I feel your frustration. I can't understand why womenswear cannot follow menswear and have waist sizes, length sizes, chest sizes? I guess it's down to shopping habits, men like the five minute shop dash, whilst women like to take their time. The longer they are in the shop, the more they buy 🤔

Yes. Trousers (other than jeans) are never long enough, arms of tops also never long enough and the current trend for baggy clothes gives me the tent effect!

@Jokie agree, you need to find brands that you know the sizes work and stick with them. I actually had so much trouble getting trousers to fit that I only wear skirts and dresses for work! Also shirts - just accepted that they pull across my chest (my boots aren't even big!) So don't buy them (m and s do shirts with hidden inner buttons to solve this problem by the way). I would say this might be a style issue as well - I'm quite tall and long in the body so I've worked out what dresses and tops work and which ones don't.

If you have big boobs try bravissimo for dresses and tops. I'm a 32GG when not breastfeeding (they're even bigger just now ) and bravissimo was a revelation.

It sounds like we are similar shapes OP and I am also between a 12 and 14! For trousers, I have had recent luck with Saint and Sophia who do smart looking trousers in lots of styles, some of which come in a range of leg lengths. The fabric is stretchy and lots of the waists are elasticated, but they don't look like elasticated trousers if that makes sense? I have two pairs of the apartment pants in a 28inch leg which I live in at the moment if at home and one pair of finsbury pants which are more fitted so are smart enough for work. I team these with a Uniqlo t-shirt tucked in at the front only for casual and front and back if I want to look smarter - they are good quality and come in a range of styles and colours. I have 36F boobs and a medium size t-shirt is slightly fitted on me, a large is more casual but still looks fairly smart tucked in.

I find warm weather dressing a bit easier as I wear stretchy maxi/midi dresses in a decent thickness of fabric. I have found hush, mint velvet and Boden to be good for these but check the fabric as if it's too thin it can be clingy and unflattering.

Hope that helps a bit!

Oh, and for work I put a fitted blazer on top of the trouser/t-shirt combo if I need to look smarter.

I'm sporty so I find formal trousers too big on the waist and tight on the legs and for tops often I could take a 10 really but it's too tight on the shoulders.

What I tend to so is (if it's for work and fashion not really going to change that much) buy multiples of the rare glorious things which do fit - so I've got 3 pairs of some autograph m and s cropped trousers with silk they made a few years ago. I've also had success with buying trousers in a good vintage shop near me which also does alternations - for me that involves taking the waist in so I don't get builders bum and it sounds like something similar might help you.

I totally sympathise - I find sizing on women's clothing ridiculous and not consistent at all even across one shop. For this reason I hate online shopping and basically everything Ive bought in the past year has gone back!

Learn to sew and alter patterns. You can have clothes that fit, look good, and cost less than store bought. It does take practice and learning skills, but nearly all human endeavors do.
It would be better if textiles class focused more on basic sewing and knitting skills, not embellishment and design. You can’t improvise until you learn the basics.

Yup! Currently on the look out for petite 27 I’m inch waist jeans, I’m a basically a short arse size 9. Also have really short arms so back on the days of suits and super nice work clothes I always have to have the sleeves taken up if I can’t find a nice petite option!

Yes! I have a 25 inch waist, but an F cup breast, and a large butt! Nothing fits!

Something is very odd re sizing currently!

I wanted some tailored shirts from next.

I have far arse and hips, thin legs, high waist and I'm tall!

I used their size guide and measured a 16 hips, 18 bust and 20 waist.

Ordered a 16 as usually about this size and planning to loose weight so figured waist wouldn't be an issue.

They are big all round with huge gap on waist 🤦🏼‍♀️

Wouldn't mind if their size guide made my fat bits the biggest size and that fitted fine and waist etc was too big due to my shape.

But according to them to for my waist I'd need a size 20 - and a size 16 is too big!

Shorts not shirts!

Same here I struggle to get work blouses that fit my ample cleavage. You wash them once and the buttons gape. I used to really like next for work clothes but gave up as the sizes are very odd. Also what should you wear when you are in your fifties. It’s not old I know but I struggle knowing what to wear. I’d love to go on one of those programmes that shows you what clothes suit you .

I recommend sizes.darkgreener.com/ - You still get some variation even within a brand, but it's been pretty accurate for me over the years.