I HATE shops who pander to vanity sizing.

[SmugColditz]

It makes me really really angry that people are being lied to about their size. I wouldn't weigh myself from one year to the next, would continue thinking, I'm a size X, I'm fine, step on the scales - TWO STONE HEAVIER! How does this happen without me realising?

Vanity sizing in shops. A size 16 now is an 18 of 5 years ago, I'm convinced of it!

And, and I think the sizes should be standardised and labeled "Pear", "Apple" and "Pillarbox" and it should be the FUCKING LAW.

Tops should be cut to size AND shape. Large, medium and small should only be on the label in relation to the size of the tits compared to the size of the top.

Yes, I am sick of everything I try on dangling from my pendulous norks, sick of having a baggy arse and squeezed waist, and sick of having to try EVERYTHING on because I am a 14 in some shops and would be a 22 in others if they went that big - and yes, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, I'm looking at you. A size 10 in DP is about a 14 - 16 in Topshop! But they all swear they use a standard sizing chart. The liars.

It's bonkers. I have just bought my first ever size 10 dress and its not tight. And I consider myself a classic "boden size 12". Those T&S body shapes are a scream - not seen those before.

Well, last year I went from 12st down to 9 1/2st and from a size 16 waist to a size 12/14. So does all this vanity sizing mean I am still a size 16?? Bum! My BMI is under 24, but I am still wobbly of stomach. I don't care what anyone says, I am a size 12, I am, I am!!!!

Oh God yes, I was moaning about this to a friend the other day. I have two pairs of size 12 trousers from the same chain shop, one bought recently, one bought about 8 years ago. The old pair are a tight fit. The new pair are far too big. Yet they are both size 12! As you say, it's dishonest - yet my friend thought it was great as she could kid herself she wasn't any heavier than she was a few years ago! Madness, I tell you.

And what about bras? M and S cut all of their bras different shape and size.

I got a bra from the Katie Price range at Asda and my "normal" 36f bra was waaaaay to small - a bloody 36G!! I used to love my norks now they are just a comedy feature to match my belly....sob...sob

I agree that very difficult to say what size you are when someone asks. You are alll, well in Topshop I am a .. and in DP I am a .. I actually have no idea what size I am to be honest. I had a look at the size charts in Next and according to their measuremnets I am a size 6 , but don't really like Next so havent seen if I could get it on. Don't think I would btw. I am 5ft 1 and 9 stone with dd boobs so hardly skinny!!

Every shop has their own grader though, well not shop but group. That grader bases their sizes on the groups 'average' customer. So say M&S (women who have had babies/menopausal etc + bigger around the middle) Its all about keeping their menial customer happy. Its wrong though

For my fashion degree we make everything to standard size 12 and believe me its tiny. Its well known that sizing has got bigger

FCUK are really generous in their cut too! I am a size 8 in fcuk. Ten everywhere else.

Liliclaire, you sound like my friend. She was five foot 11 and a half, and she used to feel bad about being size fourteen but she looked THIN to everybody else! She WAS thin in fact. Definitely Thin. Knowing that she was a 14 makes my mind boggle reading models the same height being a size zero. How do they muster up the energy to rattle down the catwalk.

I use the sizings in any shop as a starting point. I don't expect them to always be the best fit. I always take a 12 and a 10. Usually the 12 is the best fit but sometimes not. Sometimes it's 10. Sometimes the 12 is too small . But I agree with the general idea - sizes should be the same wherever you go.

quite with regards to tall people. My friend is 5 9 and a 14 and like a bloody beanpole

ARen't they in the process of standardisation though? I can't wait. I hate when you are trying a few things on and you have to bring them all into the changing room in three sizes! And you're only allowed five items, so you put back some, and then you can't be bothered..

I'm sure they'd sell MORE if they standardised.

I doubt they will standardize. they want to sell things and flattery to their customers is the way to go obviously. Dont forget the vast majority of women so not share the same intelligence as the mumsnet posse

Angry "rargh yeah" of agreement!

Cut ALL tops to nork sizes like bravissimo.

Make all sizes the same - I am a 10 in some shops, 14 in others... what the hell is that all about?

What is it with H&M with s/m/l - how the hell are you meant to know what you are???

Put pictures on dresses saying "Hourglass - don't even think about it!"

Hourglass!!! Who is hourglass, because if you have big boobs and big hips, the chances are you are a little overweight so that reduces the likelihood of having a small waist.

WEll. That's what I would say. I am not overweight and I still don't really have a waist.

Oh sorry, I misunderstood your post pp! YOu are hourglass. LUcky you!

I believe all the Arcadia shops (Top Shop, DP i think and others) did a big size regrade 2 or 3 years ago, where loads of women were measured up. I'm sure I remember some press release about women's body shape changing, owing to diet, since the UK system was invented, and they wanted to cater for 'today's woman' or somesuch. So that explains their ampleness.

But agree its bloody annoying to have to run the gauntlet in busy changing rooms with variations of size. Online shopping probably a bit of gamble too, unless you know your onions.

In Next I tried on size 12 Long jeans and 12 Regular. The Regular were a bit short but otherwise a good fit. Great I though the 12 Long should be just right. Wrong! They were too tight. How could that be?

I think the last time women were measured was in the forties, when the waist was even more revered than it is now. Now general thinness is the thing. Thin with boobs! Back then I think it was trim all over with a waist and a small bosom.

So I'm sure some of the women who were measured had either just taken off a restrictive corset or they fibbed a bit about their wasit measurement.

I actually have two identical pairs of Next wide leg linen trousers - exactly the same size, model and length.

I went back bought the second pair as I was so happy with the fit on the first and it is so rare for me to find trousers that fit well. And guess what, the second pair is considerably bigger on the waist than the other and has to be adjusted with a safety pin, grrrrrrr

Having moaned about that though, Next is one of the few places that do reasonable trousers for pear shapes.

I find it nigh on impossible to find appropriate work wear clothing because of this size phiasco.

I'm a hospital doctor so I need to look relatively smart but also practically dressed. I'm am very slim but definitely not skinny, ie I have boobs and a bum, I am also average height at 5ft 5in. Today I am wearing size 8 black trousers from Miss Selfridge that I suspect had their target market as a teenager's school uniform. They are too big on my waist but hey beggars can't be choosers!

If anyone can direct me to small fitting work wear at a reasonable price then I would be very grateful.

damn i always feel skinny when i go to new look

sigh, i guess their dastardly plan has worked!

Totally agree about the sizing thing. It's mad. I was a size 8 or 10 at 17 (over twenty years ago) and I'm now a size 8 or just under. I assure you, I'm not skinnier than I was at 17!

i want a bench thumb hole top but with 36 e chest not a hope in hell

MadameCholet - I have an oddly high waist which I think probably makes me look more hourglassy than proportions (if that makes sense?)

This company specialises in slim waist/big boobs clothing dilemmas, I'm not on commission . Looks like delivery might take a while though .

yeah, Next sizing also too generous, and their leg length in trousers ridiculously short. and for that matter their arm length too.