What is the point in a Size 4...

[BlockThatScrote]

When it drowns you as an 8?!

This isn't a teeny tiny poor me thread because I'm genuinely not. This is a Hush thread but there are other perpetrators too.

I'm 5'3, always at least 8st, 26H boobs. I've had two children and the belly to prove it. I'm not a size 4. I'm a size 8!

I knew Hush came up big and it was a fur coat so not something you'd want loads of layers on under (hence ordering a 4)... but you could fit two of me inside it.

I'm annoyed because I loved the coat but it got me wondering... "vanity sizing" seems to get worse every year, so what next? Do they just not want 100,000s of women's custom?

I used to spend so much money with them and pulled way back when the quality went down and the prices went up, but I'm tempted to just boycott them now.

Sainsbury's is another one where the smallest they usually do is an 8 and it's too big. I noticed they have a 6 in petite, but it seems to be getting worse and I'm finding more and more it's only the "younger" fast-fashion cheapo shops where I can buy something that's not the default smallest size (meaning the 100,000+ women smaller than me can shop there).

I guess what I'm saying is, if they're going to vanity size then great, but they should introduce "a number" to represent the sizes they've just shoved out of that size. So Hush apparently needs a 2 to cater to the 8s, and a 0 to cater to the 6s. And if you're actually a 4 (because of genes or illness or medication or eating disorders or whatever) then fuck them I suppose 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Aaaaaand breathe.

In the 90s I was lighter than now and yet I’ve gone from size 16 jeans to 10/12. Makes no sense.

I think it’s less to do with vanity sizing and more to do with the ‘boxy’ oversized look that’s in fashion now. I think it’s less a fashion and more of a money saving measure by the high street. It means less time and money making the clothes because you don’t have to put in darts or gathering and it will ‘fit’ multiple body types. For example, if the slim and busty you fit in a more fitted style a thin and pear shaped size 4 wouldn’t, so they’d need to make 2 coats for 2 different women. What shops seem to fail to realise is that although 100% of people might technically fit in these clothes 99% feel hideous in them.

This frustrates me so much. I am slim but tall (5'11") with a very narrow waist, wide hips and shoulders. I wear a 10 in most brands but have some stuff in an 8, which makes no sense - if I’m an 8, then what size should a short, narrow-hipped woman be?!

I recently bought some maternity jeans in H&M; I was in a rush and chose a size M thinking that I couldn't possible be a S. They're too baggy around my hips and bum! My hips are around 38" so god knows what size a really slender woman would need - they only go down to XS.

I've given up in most shops and more or less wear only kids clothes now!
Vanity sizing is out of control, I've been the same size my entire adult life but apparently I've dropped 3 sizes in the last 10 years!!

@gilorga

Oh, and I now find that almost everywhere cuts for people to have no waist at all.

Isn't that because women are broader now?

Speaking as a size 18 I still have a waist!!!

Yes but obviously i'm talking statistically, I thought women's shapes were straighter these days.

I have a 24 inch waist and 37 inch hip. The only things that reliably fit are the curve ranges of brands designed more much younger women in size 6/8. Very difficult to find anything suitable for my age/lifestyle, so I live in lycra. When I was this size at age 18 I was a 12. Shocked to discover that a 12 is now a 31 inch waist.

I can't fathom how thin you must be to be drowned by a size 4 even if it's really more like a small 8

I am definitely slim but my point is I'm not "underweight" or ill looking. There are definitely women smaller than me and it seems like shops are just systematically cutting them off from the size range? So I can think of 2 I've recently ordered from (Hush & TU) that have effectively cut off the "old school" 8s. They're coming for the 10s next .

And YESSSS I have noticed it with shoes too. I was a 5 as a teen, then changed to a 4 at some point. When teen DD became a 3 I tried them on and they fit, so started buying 3s. Which I think is the smallest size before you have to start shopping in the kids section.

My phone is out of battery but I can post pics later of the coat in question on. I really don't think it's "relaxed" / "boxy" style. OR if it is, then it's not been cut that way (if that makes sense?). Like a GOOD relaxed fit will look like it's supposed to be a relaxed fit, whereas this looks like a formal coat that's supposed to be fitted but I've borrowed it off my mum or something? Everything is too big -- the arms, the waist, the length etc. It's not boxy chick it's "THIS COAT SWAMPS ME".

And I could understand if it was an 8 or a 10, but it's a FOUR?!

I was a size 8 at 21 and 50 so that’s nice. I certainly wasn’t the same size.

I am a size 8 and have a lot of vintage size 12 clothes which fit perfectly. I also have one of my Mum's size 10 vintage skirts and even my 12yo niece can't do it up and she has a 24 inch waist. It's absolutely tiny. I don't buy clothes much now and make my own to my measurements as I can't work out shop sizes at all. The variation is huge.

OP you're right about shoes, too. I have everything from a 4 to a 7. When I try on shoes in TKMaxx (favourite pastime) I range from the 5s to the 7s to find ones that fit. It's almost as though the sizing is random!

Vanity sizing really is ridiculous. 20 years ago I weighed 11.5 stone and was a size 16. I now weight 16.5 stone and am a size 18. That's 5 stone heavier and only up one dress size

I’m a good size 10 really

I always order a 6 in hush. Though those are getting way too big for me now. The Xxs sizes go so quickly. So I gave up

Hush also pissed me off when they dropped sale prices after buying some stuff. Which I know they can do. Just annoyed me. Lols.

Hush is ridiculous. Their recent (fab) onesies but everyone needed an XXS so constantly out of stock! Over sized is the fashion at the moment but they go too far.

I so agree with all these comments. When I was 18 I was a size 10; 40 years later I weigh the same but am a size 6, or very occasionally an 8. I'm only 5ft 2in and voluminous clothes look ridiculous on me. I find it infuriating when websites say, 'Fits large to size; we recommend you take the next size down'. There isn't a next size down for me.

As for size 4 - peak stupidity. Unless it's a cunning plan to eventually change our sizing to the US system.

I’m expecting some size 4 joggers from Hush to arrive tomorrow so I’ll report back if they fit or not!

I’ve been thinking about clothes and brands etc. I have a gorgeous occasion dress from Damsel in a Dress and similar from Karen Millen from when they had actual shops. Both are a size 8 and fit perfectly but are stores which are above my “general work and and casual wear” price point. But when I try to go cheaper, but not budget, I struggle and end up sizing down further than it’s possible or I get pushed into brands which are aimed at a much younger market and are rarely appropriate for my lifestyle.

So, if I’m looking for items at approx £40-60 pounds for a 40+ professional woman size 6/8 where should I buy?

I agree siding is ridiculous these days. I used to be an 8-10 on top and a 10-12 bottoms. In the last few years I've put on 3 stone due to ill health. I can now be anything from an 8 (really!?!) to a 16. It's ridiculous.

I agree op.
I’m a similar size to you and find myself increasingly frustrated with too-big clothing.
I’m a ‘traditional’ size 8. Always have been. In fact I am now the owner of a Mum tum and need more ‘give’ in my clothes these days.

However, I’m finding that often a size 6 is getting too big. Case in point I just ordered a midi dress from All Saints in a 6. It’s too big!!! They do have some size 4s but not in this particular dress.

Do I start shopping in the children’s section at age 47?!

Are the size charts/guides (measurements) stopping before your measurements, for those of you at the lower end of the size range? Just being nosey!

Sizes are pointless it seems, and I’m not small, I typically buy a 12 in the stores I shop in but it does vary. I buy based on my measurements, I have a list of my main measurements (like chest, waist, hips) and general lengths (waist to knee, hip to knee etc). I compare these with the size charts as a starting point.

Big issue is the chest though, similar to another poster, I’m a 30JJ and finding items that are listed in measurements as fitting both my waist and bust are just non-existent. I need a tailor

@wonderspread

Are the size charts/guides (measurements) stopping before your measurements, for those of you at the lower end of the size range? Just being nosey!

Sizes are pointless it seems, and I’m not small, I typically buy a 12 in the stores I shop in but it does vary. I buy based on my measurements, I have a list of my main measurements (like chest, waist, hips) and general lengths (waist to knee, hip to knee etc). I compare these with the size charts as a starting point.

Big issue is the chest though, similar to another poster, I’m a 30JJ and finding items that are listed in measurements as fitting both my waist and bust are just non-existent. I need a tailor

Have you tried here? https://fairliecurved.com

@MaybeHeIsMyCat ooh, thanks! Never heard of it before, will check out their stuff

Hush is for a loose boho look for women with larger boobs / tummies than hips. That’s why they’re oversized. It’s a bit like Monsoon there - if you have a small waist or a defined pear / hourglass shape hips you need to shop elsewhere.

I should be a size 4-6 but some size 2 jeans drown me and size 8 tops are too tight. I own children's clothes that fit better than adults and aren't cropped or ripped. Clothes used to be fun but now they're fucking annoying