Sick of clothes sizes being too big!

[Falcon1]

Has anyone else noticed that sizes have changed over the last 15-20 years? I used to be a size 8. But now (despite being the same weight), not even size 6 clothes seem to fit. I've got a 15 year old size 8 dress which I love from White Stuff. Just ordered a similar one from the same shop in a size 6 and it looks like a tent. And a load of dresses and tops I ordered from Boden in size 6 are all MASSIVE. Why have they changed the sizes?! It's very annoying.

Maybe I'm shopping at the wrong places. Can anyone recommend a shop that does nice summer dresses (like Boden) that fit flat-chested scrawny women?

WS sizing is ridiculous! My DM was just telling me she bought some trousers in there the other day and went from a size 14 (her usual size) to an 8 and they were still loose on her!!

I'm 'usually' a 10 and in my wardrobe I have everything from a size 6 to a 14!

I think the issue is inconsistent sizing in general which makes online shopping for clothes a complete no-no for me!!

Sorry meant to add try Lily & Me for summer dresses! Gorgeous prints and I find are mostly consistent for sizing.

I feel the same way! Doesn’t help that I’m short as well.

Zara’s sizing is the worst - I tried on a blazer in an XS and it genuinely fit me like a menswear item! Extremely long and oversized, massive shoulders etc.

I have resorted to buying things in a size 4 from Topshop, I’m not a size 4 and I know it sounds tiny, but sometimes it’s genuinely the only size that doesn’t swamp me

Ugh, agreed! Hobbs sizes aren't massive billowing tents, if that's any help.

Glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for the recommendation @Richlyfruited, I've never heard of Lily & Me - will check it out.

I feel like I'm too old for Topshop, sadly.

Yes, the sizing on anything aimed at women older than teens / early 20s is humungous. Even those are a size or so bigger than back in the day. It's annoying and bad for our health.

I bought a size 8 dress yesterday. I'm actually a size 14-16!

How tall are you?
If you're not too tall I would try looking in teenage ranges, primark and H+M are quite good here.

This is infuriating. Why can't they just use actual measurements then sizes would be meaningful? Gap are one of the worst. Size 00 trousers flap ridiculously around my waist -thanks, Gap, that makes me feel like I don't exist

Fuck me! I must be nearer a sz30 rather than the 22 I usually wear then 😱😥

It's annoying and bad for our health
Absolute bollocks. I'm very fit and healthy, within normal healthy BMI, , and don't have any difficulty finding clothes within the normal ranges of 8-12.

Just ordered 3 dresses from lily&Me - really really hope they fit because they look lovely online!

@crankyassnoperope - will try Hobbs too, thank you!

Really? I’ve always been an 8-10 and have plenty of clothes from 15 years ago and now that all fit. I weigh the same to (apart from now, just Had a baby. Had to buy a size 12 wrap dress)

Same issues. It’s like clothes manufacturers keep making sizes bigger to fit the majority of population, I assuming to not lose sales

Oh yes, and my daughter has a BMI of 18 and fits comfortably into size 8 in most shops, or age 13-14 in primark.

Funnily enough I don't find I'm having this problem.......wonder why......?

I don't have any White Stuff clothes but Boden skirts seem fine. I don't really believe any size 6 skirts are tent like or massive. My two friends who are a size 6 (in most shops)are under weight.

H&M too. People say they size small but I really am size 12-14 in most shops and in H&M I am down to 8 or size S.
I recently bought a size 14 dress online from Debenhams and had to send it back as it dropped off me like a little girl dressing up in her mum's clothes. I really am size 14 and haven't lost any weight.