M&S sizing. WTF!!!

[SewMuchToLearn]

I ordered some multipack knickers from M&S to replace the ones I bought 5(?) years ago. I live abroad so have to do it online.
Same size, same style as always. When I opened the pack, they looked massive!

Has sizing in M&S changed so much ? And I can't even return them as the postage would probably cost more than they're worth!

If they are cotton they will shrink a bit in the wash.

They can't shrink that much surely?!?

I just checked the ones in the second packet. They're practically the same size as the ones I have now, allowing for a mm or two shrinkage.

Hmm I was going to say that often in the shops people inexplicably take the knickers out of the packs to look at them and then shove them back in, I've bought packs with various sizes in them, so bought a pack of 5 size 8 knickers, 1 was a size 10 and 1 was a 12 but they were a bit scrunched up not folded neatly so it's clearly from people taking them out, comparing and putting them back in again, but in the wrong packet. I've also ended up with packs with one totally different style because people do this. But if you ordered online that shouldn't have happened. Probably the effects of vanity sizing at work, or you have to take into account shrinkage from washing.

Second packet ones:

I find M&S knickers a bit small fitting on me. I'm a 10 in clothes but bought size 12 knickers recently and they feel a bit tight and clingy - I could've done with a 14.

AntheasAcquaintance Do you really mean 42inch in a size 10???

I have a 36inch waist a wear an m&s size16!

Derelict - I was just about to post that. I'm a 34 inch waist or so and wear m&s size 14

Same size as me Ollivander.

People have been doing that knicker thing for years. I remember my mum doing it. I have absolutely no idea why! What else would you open in a shop for a look?

I struggle with the bra sizes there. I think I'm a 36c - some are fine and some are super tight or the cups are too big. I don't think it's consistent sizing at all.

All m&s clothes are too big for me, but I take a 10 in the knickers, the 8s are way too small. Really weird sizing.

Perhaps you bought a different style the last time? I've accidentally picked up the wrong style before and they've seemed massive even though they're the same size.

It's not that their sizing is massive it's just that it's wildly inconsistent. I am wearing a pair of M and S jeans in an 18- I'm a small 16. They look small and they are small (relatively) I have other pairs which are an 16 but too big. A multipack of bras will produce one that fits and one that won't. Other stores aren't any better - I love Dorothy Perkins jeans but the 16 and 18s are exactly the same size. I've checked. Handy when I want a pair but not so good for someone who's an 18.

I remember my mother complaining that the yellow girls' knickers were not the same size as the blue knickers of the same age and style in M&S in about 1976. It is a brand thing