That’s it - I am giving up on real shops as nothing fits!

[Notcontent]

I have ranted about this before but I feel like the issue is only getting worse!

I am short and slim - but not unusually so. I had to go to some physical shops to pick up an item for my dd, so while there had a browse in a very large John Lewis. I was in one of those moods that I really wanted to buy something for myself. Could I did anything? No. I accept that unless I am buying a petite range I might have to get things take up but there were not even small sizes in stock. All the size 8s were sold out and I have noticed that often when brands do smaller sizes, these are only available online.

I know if I went to shops aimed at teens I could find things to fit me, but I am not a teen!!!

Rant over. I am sticking to online now.

Probably sensible …

Where d’you usually shop online? If you’re going to be relying on ordering going forward you might want some new places to try.

Slightly reluctant to share - but this brand has an excellent range of sizes.

As does Batsheva.

And Zara’s clothes are generally tiny.

I agree petite 5ft2, size 10/12 I have mostly been buying online, next do petite, but not much choice, don't get me started on m&s was told recently my local norwich store, now don't stock any petite, only online, when I looked its only dresses and trousers/jeans. I'm looking for petite tops.

Completely agree. I'm just under 5'3" and size 8 or 10 depending on brand. The current fashion for oversize clothing makes it even worse. I usually rely on charity shops as I really don't like buying without trying things on.

Yes zara clothing is tiny, it doesn't fit a bigger bust.

How is online better? You'd just end up sending it back?

This. Online sizes are as random as any in the shops. A size 8 might fit me in one style of dress but I need a 10 in another...and that's in shops or online.

I recently ordered a skirt I have been hankering after for a year or more. I ordered a small and prayed. It took two and a half weeks to come from Ireland and cost a lot in postage. I was worried it wouldn't fit and would have to go back at my own expense.

It fits like a glove. Couldn't believe it. The gods of internet shopping were beaming down upon me that day.

No point to this post except to boast. This never happens.

The point is you have an infinity of choice.

Yes it takes a bit of trial and error, but most adult women have been shopping in person all their lives and have some idea of their size and proportions. The important thing is to use online shops that make an effort to provide all the necessary fabric and fitting information. Maybe follow the brands on Insta, observe how their things fit, read reviews - and keep experimenting with new sources rather than remaining with unsatisfactory places just because they’re familiar.

The only reason I shop online, is petite clothing in stores, where I live are very hard to find.

Size 6 and 8 always seem to be sold out in shops so I stick to online now too

John Lewis is heading into clearance so range will be reduced as they don’t replenish lines before sales start (a staff member told me this earlier in the week).

@Notcomtent

All the size 8s were sold out and I have noticed that often when brands do smaller sizes, these are only available online.

Same as the larger sizes then! I feel your pain!

I can't find anything to fit atm.

It's the same in the other direction, as someone who's been a variety of sizes up to 24, there are lots of shops who love having signage saying how inclusive they are and that they have a 'fabulous curves' range but only online. Apparently they're happy to take money off us fatties but not to have us in their shops.

When ordering online, providing it's free returns, I tend to order 2 sizes as I never know which size will fit anymore.

Yeah I have exactly the same problem. There's a lot of shops I literally can't buy from at all. They might have a size eight but it's enormous. I'm not a size six, but I find even when they sell those, they're often also massive on me.

Can't buy from Next, M&S, Zara, New Look etc to think of a few and absolutely no chance in any supermarket brands. I'd have to be wearing a size four!

I'm average height and my BMI is 20. I should not be needing a size flipping four.

I definitely feel your pain. There's tons of clothes for everyone in the middle, but anyone not in that demographic is completely excluded.

Only catering for the average is leaving loads of us with no choice at all.

I shop online because of the petite range but still have to alter them. And the choice is rubbish. I don't get vest tops. I see many women of different shapes wear these yet I get massive armpit overhangs I don't see on others. I wonder whether the shape simply doesn't work on my frame.

I’ve found that some shops only out 4/6/8 out and if you are bigger you have to do the walk of shame and ask if they have it in stock. That’s in trendy shops though.