To think clothes sizes in high street shops have gone off the rails!

[SweetMagnolia423]

I was out shopping yesterday and wasn’t looking for anything in particular but as you do, went into a couple of high street shops and tried on some jeans and combats.
Firstly, tried on a pair of ‘comfy’ wide leg jeans in my size 12. Put them on and fgs they looked awful. Cutting right up my backside. Even with the elastic bit of waist band at the back, they still felt uncomfortably tight. All of my clothes are size 12.
Anyway, moving onto the next store and I spotted some cargo pants I have been eyeing up for ages. Picked 2 pairs of EXACTLY the same size 30/30 (30 waist/30 leg), but different colours. Tried the first one on and no joke, the legs were sooo wide I could have made sails out of them. I looked ridiculous and the waist was so loose I could swing them around. They were that bad I was convinced I had somehow picked up the wrong size but I checked the label and it’s definitely 30/30. Tried the second pair on and completely different fit. Actually did fit better.
while this was going on, my OH was shopping and bought a second pair of the jeans he was actually wearing cause he wanted a ‘spare’. He literally walked and picked and bought the exact same jeans size/colour/style without trying them on. Got home, put them on and they are huge! Have to return them…

Yup! Massive variation. They're probably made by very cheap labour so a lot more variation in their manufacturing process.

I have 2 pairs of M&S leggings and one pair are so much bigger than the other.

I hate clothes shopping and tend to buy mostly second hand as its better for the environment.

There is enormous size variation between shops, and even within the same shop. I have two pairs of M&S Sienna jeans in size 12, regular length. One fits fine, the other has legs way too long!

Even M&S seem to have forgotten what shape a human is - I got some pyjamas a couple of months ago and they are tight across the chest and aren’t long enough to reach to my waist, the trousers are so short in the body they cut into my groin and the waist is so wide it’s about five inches too big. I can’t imagine they would fit anyone who isn’t a tennis ball with elongated, stick-like legs!

Finding clothes that fit is pretty much impossible now, it’s a lottery.

Yep, i usually look at the clothes properly esp trousers before I try them on or just buy them. You can no longer just pick up your size and hope it fits. It's really frustrating but I can usually judge buy examining them now if they will fit.

Yes it’s so frustrating! I am a size 12 but need to take 10, 12, 14 to the fitting room.

I bought a 3 pack of M&S bras, only two fitted! Took quite a lot of arguing to get a partial refund because I'd worn and washed the two that fitted before I realised the third was an inch on the back shorter, the manager was called and seemed non plussed, refunded me 50% (I got to keep the ones that fitted) and said it's not uncommon and he'll train customer services better

I was watching a documentary on clothes manufacturing and so many are made by by people doing piece work. There was a notice board for jobs and sample prices were there so people could work out how many they could knock up in an hour. I think this is why stuff is increasingly shapeless.

I have a theory (completely invented by me) that brands do this on purpose to stop us buying second hand.

I think a lot of trend led stores now cater towards a younger demographic. If you are between sizes or looking for a shape/ style not ideally suited to your morphology then you will likely struggle. Most Gen Z fashion is designed with a specific silhouette that will not flatter everyone, so if you’re shopping in a Gen Z centric store and youre expecting Millennial or Gen X looks good luck because they’re not exactly expecting you to invest or be influenced by ‘what’s in’ anywhere near as much as their target audience.

I hear you! I think clothes have a narrow margin of profits,and they have to use up all materials. M and S is my go to shop but they too seem to be going the same way.my late MIL used to despair at dresses 👗 losing their pattern due to cutting (she was a professional dressmaker)but all like that now really

How would it stop you buying second hand?

Hah! I found a pair of beautiful, dark indigo, apparently brand new “sienna” jeans in a charity shop for £3, my size. Result! But they are a little long for me, even though they’re a “short” and I’m 5’8”!

You have to know which size you are for each shop but even then there’s little consistency within brands. And, yes, the tailoring can be terrible.
I tend to find most trousers mahoosive at the waist if they fit my bum - they’re just not woman shaped. Don’t women have curves or waists any more?

Utterly shapeless and oversized with these drop shoulders that flatter no one. Huge sizes which are not representative of actiual measurements, but then playing devils advocate - shops have to cater for the current society and women are more and more apple shaped than they used to be, I am a complete apple. Awful

I guess because you have to try on three items all allegedly ’the same size’ in an actual store to find the one that fits. You can’t take a risk on a second hand ‘size 12 long’ and trust it’s the same as the ‘size 12 long’ currently on your body 😖

Because you cant really return stuff. Our local charity shop has a fitting room but you can also return things within 14 days or something. But I never buy on ebay or vinted for that reason now

I have to order multiple sizes when buying online

I think they should do away with the 8,10,12 etc sizing system because it seems to be totally different for each brand. I’d much rather we had the men’s system whereby the waist and leg measurements are given and I’d also like shops to be forced to make sure that these are correct (trading standards).

Women's sizes need completely scrapping, and cm or inches used, like men's clothing.

I saw some trousers I liked in M&S. I couldn't decide between black or navy. I tried the black on and they fitted so nice, that I went back and picked up the same size in navy as well.

Got home and the navy ones are far too tight. If I lay the two pairs on top of each other, they are visibly smaller in the thighs and waistband. They both have the same size label in.

Bought my usual size online from Crew Clothing based on the size guide. It was a full 8 inches bigger than the guide across the hips!

Went down 2 further sizes, still too big, after multiple returns, I gave up!!

Was it the black one?

I've had multiple bra fitters telling me that dark coloured bras come up smaller because of the dye.

I bought a beautiful pink summer skirt from Boden. Size 14. Couldn’t get the zip up. I have now lost three stone and am a size 10 in most shops (or 8 in the ‘vanity shops like M&S).

the skirt now fits but is tight.

@YipYapYop I didn't know that about bras, but I did read that black jeans are typically tighter than the same size is in a lighter colour too.

Because most second hand stuff is sold online and if you get something that doesn't fit it's a faff to either resell it or donate. So makes people less likely to buy from vinted etc if there's a chance it won't fit at all like it's supposed to. I find some brands so variable I don't buy them from vinted/Ebay because it's a gamble.

I still take the chance in vinted. I tend not to go too fitted and forgiving shapes, dresses are easier than skirts or trousers. Go a size up in woolens type stuff.