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Original poster

If you are quite slender, where do you shop?

68 replies

Yuja · 16/10/2023 15:24

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

OP posts:
GreekDogRescue · 16/10/2023 17:16

The problem is that people are getting much fatter and to flatter them into buying, shops pretend a size 10 is a 6 and so on.
I do quite well on Amazon, perhaps because the clothes come from China where the population are slimmer. But Amazon is so exploitative I feel guilty.

trickyex · 16/10/2023 17:16

Am a similar height. I weighed less than you for a while and found H&M good, Zara too.

Sunshinedahlias · 16/10/2023 17:21

Mango are pretty good in the small sizes

KirstenBlest · 16/10/2023 17:21

@Yuja , you'll need to check the size guide. I find them OK but I'm shorter than you. H&M is too short but M&S, Gap kids or New Look might not be.

Libraryloiterer · 16/10/2023 17:24

Whistles, &OtherStories, Uniqlo

potatoheads · 16/10/2023 17:26

@Youneedtobelower if someone one came on talking about their annoying dh on a post about where to buy good chocolate, people would talk about the former. That's how MN works. How long have you been on here?

3WildOnes · 16/10/2023 17:27

I'm a similar size. I shop in whistles, & other stories, Gap for jeans, H&M, Zara. I don't buy any kids ranges.

madeinmanc · 16/10/2023 17:29

We really need to switch to measurements for size, e.g. 27 is a 27 inch waist for skirts and trousers. It's getting ridiculous.

I'm not slender as such but I can tell you M&S and Boden run massive (I mean their clothes are much bigger than expected). I've just bought a size 6 skirt in Boden, and I'm a large size 10 or small 12.

Zara are just very variable, another time you might find something else that did fit you.

Mango are good as already suggested.

Also if you can go in TK Maxx in person they have designer labels in larger stores (possibly only in cities) which tend to run small as already mentioned by someone else.

Original poster
Yuja · 16/10/2023 17:30

potatoheads · 16/10/2023 17:26

@Youneedtobelower if someone one came on talking about their annoying dh on a post about where to buy good chocolate, people would talk about the former. That's how MN works. How long have you been on here?

I don't get this. How am I meant to talk about clothes sizing if I don't mention my size? Like I said in my original post my actual measurements match the size guides but the clothes are too big so looking for some advice on where people with similar measurements shop.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yuja · 16/10/2023 17:31

madeinmanc · 16/10/2023 17:29

We really need to switch to measurements for size, e.g. 27 is a 27 inch waist for skirts and trousers. It's getting ridiculous.

I'm not slender as such but I can tell you M&S and Boden run massive (I mean their clothes are much bigger than expected). I've just bought a size 6 skirt in Boden, and I'm a large size 10 or small 12.

Zara are just very variable, another time you might find something else that did fit you.

Mango are good as already suggested.

Also if you can go in TK Maxx in person they have designer labels in larger stores (possibly only in cities) which tend to run small as already mentioned by someone else.

Edited

Thanks. I think im going to give up on Boden. I quite like some of their stuff on the page but it's not working for me. TK maxx is a good idea there is an out of town one not too far from me

OP posts:
floofbag · 16/10/2023 17:34

All saints is as big as next IME

Supportyourlocal · 16/10/2023 17:48

Sorelle do all clothing in an XS and it actually fits an XS unlike some other stuff

dontcallmelen · 16/10/2023 17:52

I’m short thin & old so triple whammy of difficulty finding clothes.
french connection skirts fit me & usually tops, whistles/jigsaw occasionally dresses depends on the style, agree with fat face the size six is usually TTS.
I given up on next & M&S sizing is nuts I’m having real difficulties finding jeans & trousers I check sizing but they rarely measure as they say, I’m 33” inch hips & 25” waist it’s like the sodding holy grail finding something that fits now.

dontcallmelen · 16/10/2023 17:55

Zara very hit & miss a case of going into the shop & having a trying on session.
Boden apart from jumpers & occasionally tops everything else comes up very large.

yikesanotherbooboo · 16/10/2023 18:00

DDil is size6 and 5'6; she is very trim and petite but not thin.She buys from H&M , Zara, primark and sometimes Whistles and depending on the garment size 8 in things where sleeve length and body length are relevant.

TheBirdintheCave · 16/10/2023 18:05

&OtherStories is a good shout. Bought a cracking pair of shorts from them in a 25 waist and wore them loads until I got pregnant and went up a couple of inches after I had my
son. Still gutted that I had to give them away 😭

FastFood · 16/10/2023 22:10

I'm 5'5 and a 6 and generally shop at Cos, Whistles, Uniqlo, Monki, APC...
But I also wear a lot of oversize stuff, especially for tops. What I buy in small size are mostly bottoms and I generally end up using a belt.

Recently bought a leather jacket from All Saints, went for a 6, seems to be the good size, I can still wear a jumper so its not too snug.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 16/10/2023 22:27

Hollister is good for casual clothes for slimmer waists.

Original poster
Yuja · 17/10/2023 07:55

Thanks again all. Does anyone wear Sezane? If so how do you find their sizing? Some of their stuff looks beautiful but quite expensive

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 17/10/2023 08:01

Sezanne sizing is ok. The clothes are nice but expensive for what they are, IMO

StamppotAndGravy · 17/10/2023 08:20

If you like Sezanne, have you come across Sessun? They're a bit cheaper and more casual. They fit French, so true to size and less room for hips. I've had some lovely coats from them.

Werewolfnotswearwolf · 17/10/2023 08:22

At 5’6’’ and 53kg you are in the underweight category so definitely an exception. Zara run pretty small usually.

genesis92 · 17/10/2023 08:28

Go to Zara and you'll be an XL

Cazziebo · 17/10/2023 08:29

I've bought some nice things from Sezanne. I'd say I'm a size 10 (used to be 12 - I've not changed, sizing has changed!) but I'm XS in Sezanne. I have a small waist but larger hips.

I usually shop in Jigsaw or Hobbs. (5ft 8" 9st 7) BMI is bang on normal despite often being told I'm too skinny 😡

Original poster
Yuja · 17/10/2023 08:30

Werewolfnotswearwolf · 17/10/2023 08:22

At 5’6’’ and 53kg you are in the underweight category so definitely an exception. Zara run pretty small usually.

I am not classed as underweight.

OP posts: