Confusion over waist measurements, anybody know?

[libbyss]

I am ditching all of the maternitywear almost 2 months on from having last baby. I was thinking of getting a few new pairs of jeans and skirts.
I was really thrilled that I nearly squeezed into my old size 16 jeans. Anyway, I measured my waist and nearly had a haert attack. It was 39 inches. How can that be a size 16 I thought a size 16 was about 32/3 inch waist.

Anyway I'm not as happy as I thought.

don't think 39 inches is a size 16, unfortunately. What brand jeans are they?

I know. It is strange, they are Next jeans. I can do them up but they are not comfy.

They're definitely a size 16.

\linkorder.next.co.uk/page.asp?b=G40&p=30&o=1\sizing guide} at the bottom left of this page.

sizing guide at the bottom left of this page.

Measurements are weird iykwim - I recently measured myself and looked at the size guide in the back of Next Directory - I'm supposedly a 14/16 according to them but all my clothes are size 12 and I fit them perfectly (in fact, some are a bit on the large side).

Just a question, do the jeans hang low on your waist? It's just that I am two sizes smaller on my hips than my waist which can sometimes make a difference, especially if the item sits lower than the natural waist.

According to their sizing chart, none of their clothes would fit me. Bloody hell the jeans don't even have lycra in them. Might my washing machine be magic?

Oooh where do you usually shop BonyM? I'm a bit all sizes combined but consider myself a Next 12 and tend to be a 12 most places.

Hmm, yes - according to that link I'm a 16 bust and waist, and 14 hips. Bought trousers from Next a couple of weeks back - size 12, fit perfectly.

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Weird, mind you I am sitting here in a new pair of jeans that I bought from Next, size 12 and wish I had at least tried them on in a 10 they are very loose (I think I was about 13 last time I would have ever managed to get into a size 10 , sure it's not me, it's the sizes).

I shop all over the place - currently wearing size 12 French Connection jeans and size 12 yummy cashmere v-neck from Tesco(bargain £25!). My measurements are 38", 32" 39". I'm 5'10" though - does that make a difference do you think? Know it shouldn't but I think I look slimmer than some shorter size 12 people that I know!

Also, I had a couple of pairs of next maternity jeans/trousers in a size 12 which were always too big - even when I was huge at the end!

I certainly think the taller you are the slimmer you look, I'm 5' 7" and a 12 and probably look about average but I have a friend who must be about 5' 10" and a 12/14 and she looks much slimmer than me.

I've noticed over the last two or 3 years that sizes have got bigger,if that makes sense, especially for trousers/jeans.

For example, I have been size 8 for over 20 years and now in many shops this size is too big even though I haven't lost weight or shrunk. Equally, my mother has put on a stone (or two!)and still wears the same size as she did 20 years ago. This includes all high street names, M&S, Next etc.

And the sizes can vary by 1-3 inches ime