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Original poster

Is Zara sizing really small, or am I fatter than I thought?

31 replies

pleasechange · 28/10/2009 14:16

I'm a 12 on top and 10 bottom half. BUT in Zara, the Medium is really tight and the large just about fits

i'm thinking it's not just me, because they've always run out of Large, with just mediums and small sizes left

Why on earth do they do this? Maybe it doesn't help that I'm big-chested?

OP posts:
BunnyLebowski · 28/10/2009 14:18

Oh you're not abnormal. I've had a few experiences where I've ventured into Zara a small 14 and left red faced after failing to squeeze into their large dresses.

Dodgy sizing if you ask me.

Meglet · 28/10/2009 14:19

I think they cut small. I used to be dead skinny size 8 and even then I often had to go a size bigger in there. While I'm slim I have broad shoulders and, ahem, athletic thighs .

Original poster
pleasechange · 28/10/2009 14:20

and now I think about it, the Medium jumper I bought for my fairly skinny DH was quite tight on him

OP posts:
traceybath · 28/10/2009 14:20

Zara notoriously small sizing.

traceybath · 28/10/2009 14:20

Zara notoriously small sizing.

Original poster
pleasechange · 28/10/2009 14:22

I tried on a medium today - just about got the zip closed with a squeeze and held my tummy in. I ended up buying it in the hope that it will make me lose weight for xmas

OP posts:
SCARYspicemonster · 28/10/2009 14:24

It's bloody tiny - I am a 12 but with a big bum and boobs and I can't buy anything except for skirts in there. It is designed for the boyish of figure

GetOrfMoiLand · 28/10/2009 14:24

Zara comes up incredible small.

Go to M&S or French Connection for a vanity shopping experience. I fit into 8 (M&S) and small (FC) in these shops even though I am 10-12.

francaghostohollywood · 28/10/2009 14:27

Zara is on the small side, it's Spanish so smaller sizes. Or so I've been told

anniemac · 28/10/2009 14:31

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MORgueOSKY · 28/10/2009 14:38

It is small, I can remember sobbing in there post dd

GladysFox · 28/10/2009 14:39

I'm a 12 in most shops but a large in Zara

I find H&M the same - I'm a 14 in there

We british must be chubsters compared to the rest of Europe.

Pinkjenny · 28/10/2009 14:41

Agree with GladysFox - I've always (pre-pg) been a size 12 and a L in Zara. The generic sizing, i.e. S, M, L is cut much smaller than the clothes that are sized 10,12 etc.

Original poster
pleasechange · 28/10/2009 14:41

glad it's not just me then!

OP posts:
Buntytea · 28/10/2009 14:42

Same over here, am a 10-12 but need a medium in Zara. Although, sometimes I wonder if their clothes are meant to be worn super tight? I once tried a dress on in Zara and thought yuck far too small for me, but then saw a girl wearing it about (in Italy, incidentally) and it also look very tight on her...

kingbeat23 · 28/10/2009 15:21

Absolutly right Franc - Ive worked in "fashion" retail for years and years and every store is different, basing it on where you get your clothes made in.

I work for a notorious "bargain" fashion store now - and even there, we have size issues. Some size 12 will be a size 12 on everyone and some size 12 will be smaller on others, on account on them being made in India and Bangladesh.....sizes differ all over the world...very odd and very very annoying if you are someone like me, who hates clothes shopping (its something akin to a busmans holiday) and I would rather internet shop any day.

Having said that, I have been looking for a capsule working wardrobe for when I finish my ML. I have looked at what I want and am now preparing to go into a few stores and try on the size 12s and the size 14s (wish I was back into size 10, but hey ho!!!) and see what size i am in each store....pain in the posterior, but then at least i know what size to order from internet sites.

Am glad that I am not the only person to feel like this btw, I felt like an enormous freak when I came out of there!!!

browntrout · 28/10/2009 18:34

a member of staff in Zara told me that even their baby clothes are cut very small -I asked her whether that was to make women feel fat right from being 6 months old.... it really is very silly. Can't they just standardise at least a bit.

kingbeat23 · 28/10/2009 18:53

yes baby clothes included...had a 6 - 9 month dress for my 3 - 6 month baby!!! what a way to get eating disorders started huh???

anniemac · 28/10/2009 22:06

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tulpe · 28/10/2009 22:11

Very odd sizing in Zara. I have items from there in XS, S, M & L!! I am a size 8 . Depends largely on cut, I think. Trousers are definitely cut small and always need at least a size if not 2 sizes larger.

VerityBrulee · 28/10/2009 22:12

Whenever I buy something from zara, I cut off the size label so it won't depress me

Their trousers are great for ds2 though as he's soooo skinny.

fluffles · 28/10/2009 22:18

zara is cut for no boobs ime. medium fits fine in the waist for me but large is too small in the bust (and i'm only a 34DD).

steaknifethroughtheheart · 28/10/2009 22:24

I used to live in Spain - there are plenty of ample ladies there too, but they do seem to like their clothes tight.

French and Spanish baby clothes are tiny, but then I found British, especially Tesco and Mothercare, sizes huge on DD.

Interesting about where the clothes are made up affecting the sizing. I would have thought the shops designers would use a standard sizing so it wouldn't matter where things were made.

But yes, Zara tiny with stupidly long leg lengths. Kookai and Mango also tiny.

busybeingmum · 28/10/2009 22:36

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poshsinglemum · 30/10/2009 08:46

Spanish ladies are very slim. grrrr. Hence the small sizing. Lovely shop Zara though.