Your body measurements and clothes sizing...

[dottyaboutstripes]

You know how catalogues and online shops have sizing guides? Well according to them, my bust is a size 12 or 14, my waist a size 14 or 16 and my hips size 8 or 10. Yet all my clothes are 8 or 10 or XS or S, especially tops which always seem huge. Does anyone have measurements which actually fit in with the sizing charts? I'd be swamped in a 14 or 16. So I'm wondering what's the point of size charts/guides?

BTW, am well aware of vanity sizing etc. I mostly wear a size 10 but when I was a teenager, size 10 was properly skinny and I am far from that!

I was a happy 14 for a long time but this last year went on a mission and lost a stone. I now wear a 12, but yesterday with a 34dd bust bought a size 10 top in next and a small top from h&m? My next tankini top is a 16!! Bottoms are 12. My sons t-shirts, age 12 fit me perfectly, as do his hoodys! I have no idea anymore!!