How much weight loss is one dress size, and....

[Tansie]

..whilst we're about it, how long is a piece of string ?

Yes, I know it's a ridiculous question but, maybe from those who've been there, how much weight did you lose (or gain) for you to go down or up a clothing size?

I am always a bit surprised when I read, on these 'weight loss' threads (I mention that to point out we're possibly not talking hyper-fit super-athletes here, a mass of muscle, just 'the rest of us'), about people who are 5'6", weight 16 stone and announce they wear size 14. I am 5'6", weigh 11st 12lbs and am still in 18s, having been 12st 6lbs six weeks ago! Admittedly, I don't favour figure hugging clothing, but I don't wear it wafting around in the breeze either! So an 8lb weight loss hasn't meant a dress size yet (not that I thought it would).

So, as I have a wedding coming up (6 weeks!) and am losing between 1 and 1 1/2 lbs a week- am I likely to need a smaller sized dress if I lose say 8 more lbs by then? I'm a bit reluctant to go out dress shopping, yet! I mean, I know something that fits me right now would, with half a stone less weight possibly look even better, but should I wait?

WWYD?

And in answer to your question

I don't know... Sorry but in my case whenever I think half a stone and I will buy my outfit then...I always put bloody weight on!!!!!!!

I would look for a good outfit that is pretty much the best fit at the moment, if it's a smidge "fitted" then that's probably a good thing as hopefully it will inspire you

That or buy two of the same outfit in different sizes and return one a bit closer too

I have lost 2 stone and for me it probably around a stone and a half before I drop a size.

size wise I find that 18's are too big for me and I fit into 16's when I am around 13.5/14stone OP -I am 5ft 6.

I'm 5'10" and 10st 12lb. I am a 12, interestingly I was also a 12 at a stone heavier. I am sometimes a 10 on top. Also however thin I am my thighs don't change so I can never get them in a 10. I have a pair of jeans from oasis that are a 14 and fit me fine. I really don't believe it's that simple tbh.

I can also never understand that people who are much bigger than me are apparently also a 12, it makes no sense.

Thanks very much for your observations, everyone. I'm glad it's not just me who is a bit "Wot?" sometimes! Note I didn't go because that implies fibbing about size. Which I haven't accused anyone of! And I'm also aware that many people are very comfortable wearing clothes that fit so well I, personally, would never dream of wearing.

As an aside, and sorry about the dig at The Sisterhood, but I am always 'surprised' at the number of female NHS managers I encounter who really, really should be wearing at least one size bigger! Nice, expensive clothing but bulging out all over!

I guess it goes to show that sizing is all over the shop- but I do wonder if most manufacturers use the same scale of proportion, iyswim, so even if one calls an piece of clothing a 12, and another, a 14, they both use the next size up to mean 'plus 2 inches', for instance.

no-one is fibbing. Dress sizes are not standard and are random. This is because it is assumed that women like shopping and are happy to spend all day doing it. If only clothes were sold with measurements.

this also extends to shoes - even in the same shop. The fugly 4 inch heel size 8s fitted, but the size 8 ones that had a heel that would actually allow me to walk didn't. Back to the trainers...

also there is vanity sizing, again because women are assumed to be stupid and actually bothered about the label in their knickers.

there is no standardisation at all.

er- Special- I think you misunderstood me. I said 'I didn't go because that implies I think people are fibbing'- and I know they're not!!!

And I go on to agree with you that sizing is all over the place!

As for 'women are stupid and bothered about the numbers on the label'- well, tbh, I have known intelligent women, personally, who have refused to buy an item that it was obvious would look sensational on them if they bought the next size up, but they point-blank refused to countenance that! So they walked away. I have been with them at the time and tried to persuade them not to get caught up in the numbers, but they won't have it!

I find this a really useful webpage for working out what size you need from different shops - sizing varies enormously.

At 5'6" and 10 st 3, I could be a 10, 12 or 14 depending on what I'm buying and from which shop.

ah, I see - apologies.

The women you meet may be ordinarily intelligent, but to worry so much about the label in knickers makes me think that over a century of battling for equal rights has been a waste of time. I'm afraid that this is behaviour that is, er, not very smart.

obviously we need to look after ourselves and not get too overweight - but labels in clothing are not the way to judge it. I keep clothes a long time (partly due to hating shopping) and I have quite a range of sizes that ALL fit.

I would completely agree re my friends who judge clothes by a label in the hem!

I'm sorry but a minority of people are fibbing. Flame away.

toby I image that some are deluding themselves- or are wearing inappropriately small clothes! I work with one, She's always proudly announcing what size her uniform is but it looks ridiculous on her as it strains at every seam!

And I also confess that I had to go dress shopping yesterday (yes, poor me; awful, isn't it? ) for an upcoming wedding. I am a bit barrel shaped imo, with a particularly 'sturdy' lower half. After gritting my teeth at the £100 plus tag on the really classy, nice dresses, I persuaded myself to try on a particular dress, as usual going in armed with an 18 and a 16. I was aware that such dresses in such a style in John Lewis would maybe be aimed at 'the more mature, 'MC'' stylee woman thus might be a bit vanity-sized, but the 18 fell off me and the 16, initially I thought -'Ah, this is right', but then thought 'Actually, I can grab a small fistful of fabric either size of my body at boob level- so I got the 14 and lo! Perfect.

Just an observation!

the dress... which I shall wear without the belt.

I am 8st 3lb and 5ft2 I am a comfortable size 10, wouldn't get near an 8. I am always amazed by how much difference a few inches of height can make to how much weight a person can carry and still fit in size 8/10 clothes.

I carry all of my weight on my belly

I should also add that I have a pear shaped figure -I have big boobs and hips but a small (in comparison) waist.
I don't wear trousers often as wear dresses a lot so because of my shape size 16 tea dresses/skater dresses may fit me as they go out from the waist and skim my bottom half but if I was trying to get my giant thighs into trousers I would need an 18.

5 ft 6 inches, weight 12 stone 7 lbs. Size 16 top, 14 bottom (M&S)

I lost a stone recently - before that at 13 st 7 lb I was size 16-18 top, 16 bottom (M&S).

Looking to lose another stone. I would guess at 11 stone 7 lbs I'd probably be a size 14 top, 12 bottom.

So, for me, losing 2 stone means only 1 drop in dress size (but MUCH looser e.g. tight size 16 to very loose 14).

I also think it depends on shape. As I am busy but large-waisted and slim-hipped - could fit in a 12 bottom except for waist!

As stated earlier, it does all seem very individual.

I also haven't really noticed that much the first stone I lose. Clothes a little looser but not much, though a few people have noticed. Maybe I look less jowly? I read somewhere the first fat weight loss is "visceral" ie around organs (which is the worst kind of fat to have).

So 5weeks ago I started dieting and working out again after going up to the heaviest I'd personally been. I was 9st 6 and upto a size 12 and a 29.5inch waist. Im 5ft 6 and it may not seem like much but i have a petite back size so when i gain weight i look much heavier. 5weeks later I'm now 8st 9. So ive lost 11lbs and I've went down to a 25.5inch waist. Dress size wise I've went from a 12 to some 8s being slightly loose.

It depends. I’ve lost circa 20 pounds (stone and a half) and dropped 2 dress sizes on top and one to two on the bottom depending on cut. I’m working out though which leads to more inches lost per pound.

I think how you carry weight, if you are exercising, and how big you were at the start make a big difference

I'm 5ft 4 and 2 stone has seen my drop 2 dress sizes.

What an interesting thread.
I am one pound short of losing 2 stone. I am still in all of the same clothes. They are looser fitting but still fit. They weren't tight to start with!

I am 5ft 7 and weigh 16 stone. I have lost 5 kilos, and the size 20 clothes I bought in desperation 5 weeks ago are now a bit big. I am quite fit and muscled.However my weight is all up top, and my knickers vary between size 12 and size 16. 18 for your weight seems large., I think you could try a 16, or even a 14;now.