Am i just a really weird shape??

[ChatterMonkey]

So trying to find some new clothes, in particular having a look at holiday clothes. Last time I was on holiday i was a toned size 8, im now about 2 stone heavier and a lot wobblier....

The issue is that i still only seem to be a size 10? But that size just doesnt reflect how I look. The thought of getting a size 10 bikini is laughable when I look at my protruding belly, my massive bum and my wobbly legs and arms. How can I only be a size 10??

And its not like its older stretched stuff, recently bought some new tops and work trousers (from tesco so not sure if their sizing is generous) and size 10 is the perfect fit, 12 would have been too big. Same with a dress for a night out bought online, size 10 fit perfectly. So not just one shop where i get lucky and it fits.

Im quite hourglass shaped so is it just my waist thats allowing me to still fit into clothes that shouldnt fit me? Its so disheartening as when im looking at things, i lull myself into a false sense of security by thinking 'well im only a size 10 so ill try that unusual/fashionable/sexier style, then I'll get it and i look awful. Then feel humiliated at myself for thinking it might look ok.

Does anyone else have this issue where their clothes size doesnt reflect their actual size??

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get nice flattering holiday clothes? I like feeling attractive and on trend, but struggling to reconcile this with my current size.

Fitting into a size 10 at 10 stone doesn’t seem unusual at all, unless you’re under 5ft?

Im not 10 stone, im over 11 stone now. When i was a size 8, i was around 9 stone.

Op I used to be able to fit into weird sizes because I was hourglass shaped. Much much heavier than you (much) and I'd get into a 14 if the bottom was flowing.

Tesco clothes do come up large. Shops aimed at at a younger market such as Zara size smaller.

Well you can definitely be a size 10 and not toned. I was exactly that many years ago. I'm now an untoned 14. I try not to dwell too much about that and choose styles that cover me up more and flatter my waist which is still fairly small.

Supermarket clothes are bigger. Dress to your strengths and let go of any idea of what you used to be able to wear. As you're discovering it's about your shape and proportion, not size.

Well in that case I’m envious op. I’m 11 stone and a wobbly size 12 (at 5’8”).

True about supermarket clothes though. Size 12 in Tesco is very different to size 12 in Zara.

Just because something fits doesn’t mean it will be flattering.

Usually we can fit into more than one size, so it’s best to choose a couple of sizes and go with the one that looks / feels the best and ignore the sizing.

A dress in a size 10 might fit you as in you can do it up but it might look much nicer if you size up and maybe pin it or use a belt etc.

This is why a lot of stylist recommend having your off the peg clothes tailored to you, because not every size 10 has the same body shape! Of course, that’s not accessible to most unless you or a friend is a expert sower / tailor!

I live in lounge pants so I have no idea where to buy clothes but I would def recommend forgetting the size and just go for what feels the best on.

Tesco and other supermarket clothes are very oversized.

A dress in a size 10 might fit you as in you can do it up but it might look much nicer if you size up and maybe pin it or use a belt etc.

I quite often buy a bigger size and alter to fit my shape. Not everything lends itself easy alteration though. Trousers, for example.

I agree that you can fit into different sizes, the issue I have is that if I try a 10 and a 12, the 12 is a bit loose in places and therefore the wrong shape, and still doesnt hide the bits im less comfortable with (obviously the next size up cant make my stomach dissapear...) So the lesser of two evils is the size 10 where im still not comfortable with it but it fits slightly better.

So im stuck in this cycle of getting things that are designed to flatter apparently, but just make me look like im trying to hide myself, which draws more attention to it iykwim. Or wear things that arent that flattering on my stomach but generally fit elswhere, but make me look pregnant. Its depressing.

It totally depends on shape. I'm 5'5" and 8 stone 9lb and am a size 10 (unless the garment is stretchy) on the bottom.
I have hips and ass! My hips are 34" waist is 27"

Well how far away is your holiday?
You could lose 2 stone in 2 1/2 months maybe.

Lose 2 stone in 2.5 months? Sounds a bit extreme. Personally I wouldn't advise that at all.

My point is if she's not happy with how she looks, she can change that. 2-3 pounds weight loss a week is viable.

I have this a bit in that I have a small frame. I can put on weight (a stone) and still wear the same size (8/10). But the more weight I put on, the less nicely the clothes fit and hang, so much so that I start thinking I need new clothes - but the bigger clothes don’t really look any better as they swamp me. Unfortunately the only solution I’ve found is to lose weight. Then suddenly all my existing clothes work again. Other women seem to look great in just bigger clothes.

Can you afford to have your clothes tailored? We're quite often not the same size all over. Buy a bigger size that skins nicely over the hips and then get the waist taken in to fit?