If you are quite slender, where do you shop?

[Yuja]

I've moved to the UK recently and am having real trouble buying clothes. I am quite a slim build, but I would not say exceptionally so. My height is 5'6 and I weight between 52-53 kilos. My waist is 26 inches and my hips 34. I'm nearly 38 year old. By these measurements I should fit comfortably in most XS or 6-8 depending on the shops. I check the size guides really carefully, order and then almost everything is too big. Today I ordered a next skirt in a 6, where they say a 6 is a 25.5 inch waist and 34 inch hips - the skirt is really big, I can't wear it. I ordered a pair of Zara jeans an 8 which matches with their 26 inch waist and these are also very big on me. See also, Boden trousers in a 6. So, I figure that the guides are not very accurate but I don't have a lot of time to go shopping and would like to be able to order with some reasonable confidence online. So I am asking any mumsnetters that fit a similar profile where they shop? What shops work well for your shape and size? Thank you

They all vary so much these days, it’s a nightmare.
Next is particularly bad, as is M&S.
There are shops where I can buy anything from a 6 to a 14 to fit. There just isn’t any consistency in sizing these days, even between different colours of the same item in the same shop! You really do have to either go and try on or order multiple sizes and return some.

Thank you for the reply - at least it's not just me having the trouble! I don't see the point in the size guides if they are so inaccurate

Chinese clothing stores. Smaller sizes.

DD15 is a size 6 and never had issues buying clothes from highstreet.

H&M and Uniqlo. I find their sizing a bit more consistent for fitted items. Oversize is anyone's guess.

You are 5'6 and an XS and you think you aren't exceptionally slim?

Well, I'm not 'exceptionally' slim looking and I'm a healthy weight, although I'm not suggesting I am big. This is also not the point of this thread in any way.

H&M and Mango for good jeans.
White Company for knits and tees.
Toast do make smaller sizes now and I have found them just fine for a UK8, although most oversized items like dresses would still swamp so I avoid those.

I love Poetry but their clothes are cut way to large for me, which makes me so sad. Even the crotch on some of their trousers sags half way down my thighs there's so much fabric.

I don't like the high street much so it is tricky, since most higher end high street these days tend to presume we are all much broader and taller. And I am average at 5'5.

I once tried Cabbages and Roses, and omg.....even the sleeves were at my knees.

I get my jeans from H&M and find their waist measurements to be correct.

Ignore this tripe, OP.
Threads by women who identify as on the thinner side do provoke aggression on here. This thread would have attracted a LOT more advice and kindness if you had said you were a size 18. There shouldn't be prickles whatever our size.

Monki, Uniqlo, H&M.
Also look at children's clothes. Age 12-13 or 13-14.

Thanks @LanternFields I did post in Style & Beauty so as to avoid aggressive comments about my size!

@KirstenBlest do the teen clothes for that age come with long enough arms?! I have tried this once or twice and found them a bit short...!

You are very slender, you probably need to look for size 4 clothes in teenage brands or try age 11-12 clothes. My teenage daughter has similar dimensions but is much shorter and so manly dresses in petite clothes from ASOS (who have a good range of petite). Petite clothes in all brands tend to be a bit smaller than the same size in non-petite clothes but that's not much good for you!

So, H&M might work, or &OtherStories but check where the clothes are designed, the Paris clothes are more slender than e.g. the Stockholm clothes. Hollister, UNIQLO all might work.

Some of the brands you mention, in particular NEXT, is designed for middle age spread so won't make clothes that are good for you. Same with M&S.

Ignore the snarky posters. I'm 5ft 4" and the same measurements as you.

I go to
All Saints
French Connection
Oliver Bonas
White Stuff (their 6 is true to size strangely)
Free People

Good luck!

Teenage clothes will be too short for anything below age 14 I'd have thought but will work for underwear, tshirts, shorts and some skirts.

Kids clothes don't work usually as sleeves are too short

My 17 year old DD is your size and height and it is very difficult to find high street clothes that fit. She is a size 6.

Hobbs are good for more work/smart clothes
Ted Baker and Karen Millen are great but pricey.
Coast and Ralph Lauren are very good fits too.

Essentially the cheaper the brand the bigger they cut generally.

Thank you so much for all this - super helpful. I had forgotten about French Connection, and of course uniqlo might be a good shout as it's Japanese - maybe a trip to London is in order. I love Ted Baker but yes a little pricey for my regular clothes

@Youneedtobelower what size do you tend to buy in Al Saints?

I’m 5’9 and about 54-55kg. I shop from higher end places at a discount eg the OUTNET, Nap sales, matches in sales / with offer code, Anine Bing sales. High street I quite like all saints (although the quality can be absolutely shocking) and Lululemon. Asos have a tall range which I use a lot.

@LanternFields hey I'm not being aggressive. Had someone said they were 5'2 size 20 but I'm not exceptionally large I would have questioned their perception too. Sometimes people face a distorted view of themselves

I go for size 6 or XS in All Saints. If you shop on line with them you get to choose your waist size which is super helpful x

I’m roughly the same height and weight as you. I like Arket, Cos, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, White Company, Bella Dahl and Holland Cooper. Cos sizing can vary depending on the item, so it’s always worth trying their clothes on before buying.

I agree that the cheaper the clothes the bigger they’re cut.

It's not what the OP asked though, would you prefer she came on and said I'm as skinny as a rake and have disordered eating? As a fellow 'slim' person, I hate being quizzed about my weight, she just wanted to know where to buy her clothes from .