Where do grown ups buy size 6/8?

[Parliamo]

I need new clothes for work, but in my usual shops (m and s, Laura Ashley) a size 8 seems too big round the waist. So where do I shop now? I swear I'm not that much thinner than before so I don't know whether it's just the fashion for high waisted stuff doesn't suit my figure or whether sizes have got bigger. I don't have time/inclination for shopping... Someone suggested top shop/ river island, but surely I'm too old for that? (Not long till 40!)

I think sizes have got bigger. I'm the same size and shape as 20 years ago but then I was a 10/12 now an 8 or even a 6 (or most ridiculously a 4 in some Gap styles!!!).

You're not too old for Top Shop, River Island or anywhere but may not be suitable for work depending on your dress code.

M&S do some styles in a 6 but it depends how tall you are as they only come in short lengths usually. Likewise Next do 6 but not in tall sizes and it depends on your shape - if you say waists are too big then Next may not suit unless an A line style skirt.

Gap do sizes down to 2 (but they are really big - see above) and do have some surprisingly smart stuff. You could also try sister brand Banana Republic - they have more tailored things.

I'm fortunate that my workplace changed to a 'dress to express' dress code this year - my search for small enough and long enough work trousers was consuming my every waking moment and sapping the life from me!

Good luck!

I'm 'not long till 50' btw so forget that stuff about about being too old

If you're 6-8 eBay is great. I've picked up so many bargains. - search for boden, Thomas pink, Charles tyrwhitt - I filter for "new" clothes - there are some great things out there.

I wear a UK 4 or 6. usually from the petite section if there is one. topshop, h&m (although trousers are too long for me there, next, and river island are good for jeans.

I find it hard to believe gap does a size 2 unless that is a US 2 (UK 6)

Yes, all Gap sizing is the US sizing. No need to fret too much.

h&m's work wear range is good if you're taller than me! and slim, they do a size 6.

Clothing sizes have definitely changed. My waist is around 25 inches and hasn't changed in 25 years (apart from my pregnancies obvs.). I remember my school skirts being a size 12 where as now I need a size 4/6! I tend to buy most of my clothes from ASOS now. Debenham's may be worth a look for work wear as a lot of their ranges are available in a size 6.

oh, I see mintyy UK 2 would be very, very tiny!

Sizes are much bigger. I used to wear a 6 or 8 quite easily. I bought a 2 , yes a UK 2 from ASOS the other day that fits. ASOS has quite a few bits might be worth a try for you.

Size 2 thing is bollocks though i wear a 4 or a 6 from topshop/miss selfridge depending on what they have in.

Ted Baker, Whistles, Warehouse, Oasis, Reiss all worth a try. Basically the more fashion-y end of the high street.

M&S sizing is notoriously huge, I can never get anything to fit me in there. I wear a size 8 pretty reliably but have a small waist and it is tricky.

Depending on your budget/style I can find things in the following shops that usually fit though does depend on styles of the clothes - Karen Millen (small sizing, sometimes need a 10), Coast (though some stuff comes up big on the waist, Reiss (odd sizing, often need a size 6), Phase Eight (dresses in an 8 usually fit v well, skirts vary, tops are huge ) Dorothy Perkins (my budget go to option), H&M (varies hugely), Zara (XS usually works but does vary)

LK Bennett is my go to shop for work clothes and has great selections in 6 and 8.

I've bought clothes in teen departments, ie Gap

I often buy clothes from the kids bit of H&M. And next petites. But banana republic is my staple. They do US size 0 there ( only I think it's bigger than a real US size 0 would be). Their size 2 is allegedly UK size 4, but it's really not. More like size 8 used to be.

What I do find though is that stock control in all those shops isn't what it possibly should be. So you can get two pairs of size 6 jeans (same size) in next or size 0 in BR and they really aren't the same size even though they are supposed to be. I have 3 pairs of Next jeans all in the same style (relaxed skinny) - different colour, same sizes though, allegedly, and one pair is appreciably smaller than the other two. Same with some BR Hampton work trousers.

Thank-you all. Lots of ideas then, just need some time now! I'm hoping the sales might be good this year...

Zara is great for work clothes and they always seem to have a good range of smaller sizes

If you are a small 8 & buying trousers/skirts you can hold two or three up against each other & pick the garment with the smallest waist.

Boden are good for this.

Oasis clothes aren't sized big so if you haven't changed, their 8s should fit you.

Great Plains also size normally.

It does annoy me too, so many places seem to be vanity sizing, but then not stocking a 6, if your 8 is now a 10, the woman who are a 8 can't shop with you anymore.