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Original poster

Size 12 - which is true? M&S or TopShop

52 replies

sedgiebaby · 14/07/2011 11:13

I am not even going to attempt to get into my size 10 jeans post baby. I'm dropping weight I think (I don't have scales, going by clothing) and have ordered two lots of jeans (M&S and Topshop) in a 12. The former are a little baggy, the latter I can do up but I am 'vacuum packed' and have a definite muffin top.

Who is more true to a size 12? Secretly hoping you don't say TopShop because this means I'm basically a size 14 with two not one dress sizes to drop!

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 15/07/2011 09:45

No such thing as a "true" size 12. There isn't a fashion police out there saying "a size 12 much measure exactly xxx inches around the hips".

AbsDuCroissant · 15/07/2011 09:52

they used to put the UK size on the label as well. These are defo 8 UK, 4 US.

GeekLove · 15/07/2011 09:57

MS are big. I can still wear their 10 knickers which might not sound like much but considering my post-baby hips are 43" a size 10'they are not.'I know full well I am classically a largish 14 now so tend to be bemused when size 10-12'things are big on me Confused

bibbitybobbityhat · 15/07/2011 10:04

Wowsers Abs, you slinky thing Grin.

pointydog · 15/07/2011 10:06

yeah, Gap have the UK size too. I was amazed when a size 10 pair of trousers fitted me comfortably last week. I am so not a 10.

LuckyMrsT · 15/07/2011 10:11

Don't worry about labels as the high street shops are all so different. I reckon I'm a 14 post DS (I'm 5'9" so this looks pretty slim I think). I struggled yesterday to get into half the stuff labelled 'Large' in both Gap and Zara. Felt like a mountain!!!

Or maybe I've got the opposite of that body dys-whatsit. I think I'm slim but really...

TrillianAstra · 15/07/2011 10:14

Gap put on UK sizes and US sizes, but even when I am definitely looking at their "UK" sizes I need a size smaller than I do in most shops.

Back to the OP - you have a clear goal which is to get into your old jeans. Don't fret about the labels on the intermediate clothes, you know what you are aiming for.

AbsDuCroissant · 15/07/2011 11:32

Remember ... it's a fake 8 Grin

I must also confess, this was about three years ago. My butt has, erm, expanded a bit since then (blames work, sitting down you know)

Original poster
sedgiebaby · 15/07/2011 14:29

Thanks for all the replies, I'm sort of confused as ever! I have just also tried on Mint Velvet flares which are a very massive 12 too!

But looking at all the comments, it seems like I am probably a size...13 :( I had better carry on with the diet...

OP posts:
Ephiny · 15/07/2011 17:30

It is confusing, I find the only way is to treat the size on the label as a very, very rough guide, and always try things on.

And don't attach too much emotional importance to the number on the label, as it's essentially meaningless!

mirai · 15/07/2011 18:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DilysPrice · 15/07/2011 19:02

I have a tailor made suit from 10 years ago which by some miracle still fits. The tailor took my measurements in some detail at the time and I memorised them, which is how I know that I am definitively a size 12 hips and size 13 thighs Blush.

I currently have three pairs of Gap size 8 jeans - two are snug, but the one from the outlet shop needs to be held up by a belt to stop it falling down Hmm.

TattyDevine · 15/07/2011 20:09

OP if I were you I'd do an "average" of 10 different high street's online "size charts" and see where your bust, hip and waist measurements lie. If they come out closer to the "average" 14, you are one, and if the "average" 12, you are that.

Obviously what matters is what fits in the shop on the day.

If you want to know more of a vintage size, Get Cutie apparently cut their fabric on a vintage block and the size charts on their website (which are very detailed mesurements) will give you an idea of what you were in terms of 50 years ago, apparently, anyway.

TattyDevine · 15/07/2011 20:10

Just to add, this whole "Marilyn Monroe was a size 16" bollocks is just that, bollocks. She was about a UK 12 now. Seen her stuff in the V&A museum? The average size 16 these days could get one leg in it.

wellwisher · 15/07/2011 23:22

I know a girl who used to be one of TopShop's official size 10 fit models. Can't remember her measurements but she is tiny and told me she wears a size 8 in almost all other shops.

mippy · 15/07/2011 23:32

I find Topshop small but I think this is partly my shape (and partly ice-cream). I do not fit anything up top there that isn't stretchy these days.

Looking at dress patterns is a good indication - my bust measurement puts me at a 20, I tend to take an 18-20 in pre-1980s clothing, but I fit a 16 now. But if I cut a pattern to fit my frame and altered it for a large bust, then I'd take a 16.

Vivien of Holloway also cut vintage sizes.

TapselteerieO · 15/07/2011 23:55

I find size varies by style too, which jeans did you buy from topshop?

I have Martha TP jeans and they are very generous IMHO, the skinnies with stretch are pretty generous too, so it is worth trying different styles in the same shop to get the right fit.

GetOrfMoiLand · 16/07/2011 00:07

Sizes have changed a lot. I reckon they have gone up by two sizes. I am a size 8-10 usually, when I was younger I was a good 10-12.

My gran died 2 years ago, clearing out her wardrobes we had a good look at the old clothes from the 60s and 70s. They were labelled 12 - they were a good 8 in today's sizes.

Original poster
sedgiebaby · 16/07/2011 10:34

wellwisher! I chose to believe you! A compelling story and I'm only willing to accept that I have one dress size to lose not two or three or more (yikes at some of these 'vintage' posts)

Pre baby I bought only Zara (size 10) or BCBG/GAP (size 4 US) as the length worked for me, I'm very tall. Seeing as the high street is all over the place with sizes, when I'm feeling brave enough I'll try them again - but right now I will not be able to pull them up past my knees never mind do them up boo!

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 16/07/2011 10:53

GetOrf - I bet you found some fab vintage stuff Envy

Yes, I was a 10 20 years ago, and I am now a 10-12, but am alot bigger than I was then Blush Definitely a 10 in M&S, but at least a 14 in Topshop!

ifancyashandy · 16/07/2011 10:54

Am size 12 in Top Shop at 5'8 and a size 10 in their Baxter & & Jamie skinny jeans. Medium in Zara. 12 in Whistles too.

Don't buy clothes apart from lingerie in M&S but am a 12 in their knickers too.

bigTillyMint · 16/07/2011 14:34

How can you be a 12 in TopShop and still wear size 12 M&S knickers - you like the baggy look? Grin

Catslikehats · 16/07/2011 14:43

I don't think Topshop come up "small" compared to most places, but they certainly come up big compared to the past.

15 ish years ago I worked as a size model for topshop (10) I was just under 8 stone. 4 DC, hips and almost 20lbs heavier I still wear topshop size 10 jeans.

wellwisher · 16/07/2011 14:50

QueenOfDenial what were the official TS size 10 model measurements then? I will find out from my friend what measurements she had to stick to - she was doing it as recently as the end of last year...

Catslikehats · 16/07/2011 15:27

Oh goodness I can't remember! Back when I did it there was never any talk of having to stick to measurements - I think I was the right height and build and I assume they tweaked things if I didn't fit their exact criteria.

However I would guess I am 3-4 inches bigger all over than I was then. Certainly I have an old Topshop size 8 dress which I wore for my 18th. My slim 6 yr old dresses up in it sometimes, it is nearer in size to her age 6yrs clothes than anything you can currently buy in Topshop in an 8.