Fucking hell. Primark sizes

[ZednotZee]

Are they unbelievably small or have I gained two dress sizes overnight?

Bought a pair of admittedly 100% cotton dad jeans in a size bigger than my usual because, well primark basically and can't do the fuckers up!

Last time I shop at primark with my DD let me tell you!

Primark sizes are random as fuck.

I was in primark today for some basic staples. Size 14 in cotton (non stretchy) blouse and a 20 in a polyester camisole. Jeans I can be anything between a 16 and 20 depending on shape/style.

I'm a 14/16 in most stores

Their sizing is all over the place! I average a 10 these days, but some things are tight at 14 and others I have to go for the smallest at 6/8. And their leggings, I don’t think there’s any size difference when it comes to ankle width. If I bought the biggest I think I’d still risk ripping the stitches.

Oh wow yep it's not just you, I need to go up 2 sizes for their underwear 😳

@TooBigForMyBoots

Primark sizes are random as fuck.

This. I've worn everything from small to extra large there. Bonkers sizing that differs between the same item on the same rack.

Yip.. it's a magical mystery tour

It's got worse since they changed their sizings. Since they brought in "more" ranges of sizes 8-10 / 10-12 / 12-14 etc instead of just 8-10 jumping to 12-14 (plus on some clothes they add an accompanying S/M/L/XL on the hanger along with the dress size ) I really struggle to work out what size I am and often find if one size is too tight, the next size up is too baggy.
There is no sense to any of it. I can buy blue jeans in a 12 but you can guarantee a black pair in the same style/cut I'll have to get a 14.
I'm half a stone lighter than I was this time last year but I've had to go a size bigger in most stuff I've bought this year
I have found this with the TU clothing I ordered as well. Returned the lot.

I bought DS some packs of boxers in there once. There was a clear inch between the biggest and smallest pair from the same fucking pack

I like Primark sizing - so fed up of vanity sizing.

They are unbelievably small, that’s why I like them. As a petite woman their size 4 and 6s are a godsend I can’t get anywhere else.

@JMAngel1

I like Primark sizing - so fed up of vanity sizing.

I'm sick of vanity sizing, but I still want to be able to go into a specific shop and only try two sizes.

@TooBigForMyBoots

Primark sizes are random as fuck.

Hear hear

I find variation in the same item too! I have two pairs of identical jeans, one in an 8-10, one in a 10-12! The fit is exactly the same. Random.

They really are bizarre. I was delighted when I fitted into a size 10 pair of jeans there, so I went back to buy another pair in a different style in same size and couldn't get them over my arse until I tried on a 14. I think they just throw size labels into the air and see where they land.

I tried on a 12 and a 14 top the other day. When I handed back the 12 saying unfortunately the 14 fits. The member of staff commented on the sizing of clothes.

Perhaps shop elsewhere. Think of their supply chain.

'Twas always thus.

I worked on the tills there a looong time ago and a guy was trying to find an outfit for his niece. He held up two different ones, both 9-12 months or something, one was visibly a good 50% bigger than the other. He was asking which one looked the right size, but I was 17 and had no idea.

It’s because when they cut the pattern pieces they stack them in big piles. So if super high end places cut each piece individually, higher end high street does say 5-10 pieces at a time and primark will cut 10-20 at a time. It’s faster, and so cheaper, but it compromises the sizing.

@JMAngel1

I like Primark sizing - so fed up of vanity sizing.

I've never had an issue I buy a 16 usually (I'm a big 14) and never had an issue.

There sizing is hilarious, even two identical items of clothing can be completely different sizes. DS tried on some trousers and wanted some in another colour and there was two inches difference in the leg length

@BonesJones

I find variation in the same item too! I have two pairs of identical jeans, one in an 8-10, one in a 10-12! The fit is exactly the same. Random.

Like a previous poster said, this is because they cut the stacks of fabrics in much higher quantities than a higher end store would. So if you think about cutting one piece of paper you can assure the size will be very accurate. But if you stack 30 pieces of paper together and try and cut them they will 'splay' out and once you're done you will have a noticeable difference in the size of each sheet of paper.

The smaller items of clothing you try on in each size with a variation will have been sat at the top of the pile. If you find that same item and it fits bigger it would have been because it's from the bottom of the pile.

So a difference in sizing is part of what you 'pay' for (or don't in this case)

No I wouldn't say so. Buy my normal size in there but I don't I don't buy much in there maybe pants, skinny jeans and sometimes pjs.

There was one occasion when I was pregnant I bought shorts 2 sizes up (they didn't seem that big) went back and bought them in another colour in that size and they were massive I had to buy the size down. I think the ones I originally bought had wrong size as they were same size as others when I got home.

I think it does happen that they get labelled wrongly and seems common from what everyone is saying.

So pleased to see this .... bought a size 18 pair of jeans in there and they fit! I’ve never worn a size 18 before.

It’s not vanity sizing-it’s random sizing that makes you need to try everything on.

Ah interesting about the cutting cloth process.
That explains it then.

First time I have ever tried jeans from primark and will certainly be my last. I have given them to DD so at least they are not going to waste.

Tbf I don't frequent particularly high end clothing places but have never had this issue in River Island or Topshop where the sizes are reliably consistent.