So called vanity sizing

[whatevermaycome]

Having spent the day shopping I am either shrinking in size or sizes are becoming increasingly generous. Having being genetically ahem blessed with a boyish figure there are a growing number of shops where a size 8 swamps me. It's all very good if you're a young trendy sort who can wear Top Shop but I'm in my 40's living in suburbia.

Does it actually matter, if it fits and looks good then wear it

Sizes are becoming increasingly generous. I have some size 10 skirts from a decade ago (I am a disgraceful hoarder) and they are like a modern size 6. The size 10 skirts that I now buy would have drowned me a decade ago.

I admit I am vain. I love vanity sizing especially with a bit of baby weight still to shift...

yes, it matters - if you are really a size 8 but they put size 8 labels in size 12 clothes then everything is too big and you can't find anything to wear

I think it's more down to different shops varying in size massively, if you pick up a a size 10 in say Top Shop, Oasis, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and put them all next to each other and they'd all be different - sometimes the same size in the same shop in a different style is different!!

So having an old size 10 that's different to one you've bought yesterday isn't necessarily because of vanity sizing, because two items supposedly of the same size will vary if they're bought right now this minute!!

Well yes it matters Dame because if you're a genuine size 8 many shops won't cater for you as they don't stock size 6.

If you are small -like properly small with 32'' hips etc then you are stuck I agree.

Springiton, I find virtually all shops stock sizes 6 and 8's, guess it depends where you look

But I still stand by what I said above, sizes are just non standard, I don't think it's vanity sizing it's lack of consistency between brands

I'm another one with size 10 trousers 15 years old which fit me perfectly, but out shopping now I'm even swamped by a size 8 in every shop I try.

I know sizes vary wildly at the moment but they have definitely got more generous since the 80's.

And, it does matter very much. I'm 5'10" and measure a standard size 8 going by most retailers' size guides but often need a 6. Most longer lengths stop at size 8 (or even 10). This means that I cannot buy a skirt in M&S that comes less than 6" above my knees and I'm limited to Gap Tall for trousers as they do a size 6 in Tall. They only started doing 6 Tall this year. This time last year I literally could not find a pair of smart trousers for work anywhere!

Oh and I really feel for women who are genuinely a size 6 or smaller - where do they get their clothes?

I'm in danger of being sized out of some places such as next as I need a size 6 in their tops. Years ago I was a 10/12. I am slim but have 30ff boobs so no way should I be a 6.

All my so-called leisure time sees to be wasted trying to find clothes to fit , wandering around shops ,having things sorted at the tailors, packaging up return items and getting them back to the post office etc. I'm 50
(I'm not underweight but so what if I was as they make clothes for overweight people )and have remained the same size and shape for the last 30 years then I could wear a size 8 but now I've gone off the radar. It always makes me laugh when people say you're lucky you can wear anything and I think the "Yes if they would make bloody clothes small enough". I do try to be vocal- I remember ringing up Boden moaning when size 8 was a smallest size and they told me they would never go any smaller yet a few months later size 6 was introduced (which admittedly still isn't small enough )...... I don't believe for one minute was all down to my one phone call ! but if enough people made a noise things might change. Skirts and dresses ,tops are reasonably easy to be altered (although it's still expensive and time-consuming and risky) but my worse problem jeans. I'm not talking about skinny jeans with loads of lycra which would probably cling to any body, I'm talking about you bog standard straight leg /boot cut , mid rise cotton jeans ,exactly what Gap sells but yes you've guessed it there smallest size is huge on me. they discontinued their old smallest size 0 because they thought it sounded politically incorrect when the size 0 debate was going on a few years back. Yes size 0 may be incorrect for somebody that 5 foot 10 anyone who is 5 foot three and under it's no big deal. How does anybody fill out the arse area ? It's an area that can't be altered easily whereas the waist can be nipped in and legs can be narrowed that bit under your arse just sit there full of a gaping and sagging. I'm not even a particularly skinny person I'm narrow but I got boobs 28 E and a fair size rump on me for my size. Right better get off to look for more clothes on the Internet, probably some tatty inappropriate teenage clothing website where I might find something that fits.

I have this problem. Especially eurh topshop and RI jeans. 8's swamp me whereas primark 8 seem to fit well the first few wears until they sag

Apologies for all the typos. Assumed I could edit it after posting...... obviously spending far too long on Facebook !

Yes, it is ridiculous. I bought a pair of size 8 shorts in Gap and they fell down! I had to get a size 6, and a 7 in jeans (25 inch waist- I actually have a 28" waist but 36" hips). I few years ago I would probably be a 10-12 with these measurements but these days I'm an 8-10 (although a Gap or Next 8 is a bit big).

I'm 5'6" and certainly not skinny, so I do wonder where the very slim and petite shop (maybe at H&M where I am a 10-12).

If clothes sizes are becoming increasingly generous, then I'm becoming increasingly fat!

Seriously, do I shop in the wrong places?