Dress sizes now and in the past, is talking about vanity sizing helpful?

[Niftythrifter]

I have experienced it for myself the glee and disappointment of going on to a shop and either having to go down or up a size and the feelings associated, at least for me, of being happy that I can get in to a smaller size or disappointed at having to go up a size. It would be much easier if instead of numerical sizing for women’s clothes to have the same system as men in terms of measurements. That might or might not happen in the future but I also wondered whether or not the current sizing system should have a little revamp in terms of the actual measurements as sod coated with the numerical system that we use now. I don’t know anything about this but if we are basing the current sizing system around measurements gained in the past then accounting for changes in lifestyle and nutrition then maybe it’s worth a rethink?

I am pondering this because of the nature of the discussions around dress size and vanity sizing. I have seen clothes in charity shops labelled at least three sizes smaller in terms of modern sizing compared to the sizing back in the day when something was made.

I've thought about this for some time. Vanity sizing has certainly had a hand in current problems. Who wouldn't think, oh, I'm OK, I can still fit in a 12. But when that size 12 is the equivalent of a 16 20 years ago or whatever....it makes people think they are still a healthy weight when perhaps it is leaning the wrong way.

How would the garments be sized?
Waist and inside leg for trousers wouldn't give the hip measurement.
Collar sizes for shirts and blouses wouldn't give the bust size.

I think the sizing would be OK if it was consistent within brands.
I avoid brands that don't suit my body shape.

@Justkoko That’s part of the question I suppose in that do we need to look at revamping the sizes so that they are in line with the modern age rather than when the sizing system was created.

If you make your own clothes, or have someone make them for you, you need to be measured. The clothes sizes differ from shop-bought clothes.
If you are buying vintage, you may need to go up a couple of sizes