Question about clothes sizes.

In my experience the clothes sizes vary MADLY between shops. I wear a 16 from most shops but recently tried to get a size 16 dress on from M&S and omg it was so tight. But even in 'nice' shops like Joules, Laura Ashley and Pepperberry I'm a 16. And yet I've got a size 18 top from New Look and it's pretty tight, despite the fact I'm definitely a 16 in most of their other clothes. I got a size 16 from Evans not long ago and it fitted me just the same.

So....answer? They're all over the bloody place hon. :D Even from the same place you'll find the sizes change depending on the cut. I don't think the specialist stores are any closer to an 'actual' size than regular shops or supermarkets. Who's to say what an 'actual' size 16 is really hon?

Edit: haha I just read that back and it's a TOTAL ramble!! To answer your question, in my experience there's no huge difference between specialist and normal stores. xx
 
I totally agree with sneeze, I haven't got experience of size difference with Evans but I have found that size does vary throughout clothes shops.

I have found clothes size more varies with bottoms than tops. Majority shops I buy size 12 (however primark makes me a size 16)

With trousers Ive got size 12 right through to size 16 from various shops. I've also noticed over the years the sizing has got more ambiguous, as sneeze says who can say what a size 16 is
 
I think it also depends on the cloth or material used for the blouse or skirt. There are shops that I can wear a size 20 for a lousy shirt but when I get a size 20 for a regular blouse then it looks like a swimwear to me.
 
There is no standard sizing in this country and also if the garments are made in china and you have a bust you are in trouble ! I am 4'11" and currently over 13st and I have great difficult getting clothes to fit I can go from 14 to a 22 depending on manufacturer. I have recently taken to making my own as I have to alter the bought stuff so much anyway. I find that when I go to the states their sizing is much better and things actually fit especially bust area. I was speaking to someone in a sewing group and she said there is a lobby to standardise sizes so that if you do buy a 16 in M&S it will be the same size as EVans or any other. I do wish they would hurry and do this it would make life much easier for many women. This does not seem to happen with men's sizes by the way
 
I agree, all wildly different!

I got a load of pants from Matalan a few weeks ago, 2 linen crops in a 10, a pair of cropped jeans in a 12 and two pair of cropped yoga pants in a 14! And they were all from the same shop!
 
my wardrobe ranges from 14s to 20s in tops and they all fit, some from different shops and some from the same shop.
i usually guess by looking and then take two sizes to the changing room.
 
I guess you just have to try stuff on... I know what people mean about things in the same shop being different sizes!! So infuriating! I've walked into Evans wearing Evans size 18 jeans yet nit been able to get into their size 22 jeans?! Madness... Doesn't do much for the self esteem!!!!

Good luck :)
 
I will totally agree with all comments already made.

Sizes vary massively in the same shop & from shop to shop.
My wardrobe consists of sizes 16 - 24!!! But I don't think any one items fits me properly all over! Its absolutely crazy.

I have also heard that there is a lobby trying to push through standardised sizes across the british high street.

I spend most of my time taking things back to shope cos they don't fit correctly as I hate changing rooms & rarely if ever try things on first. xx
 
Yeah I know what you mean about stuff never fitting properly... I only ever have one or two pieces in my wardrobe that fit nicely, and even those stretch or warp with time... or I change size. I'd really like it if place would standardise... I understand about different materials yes, but definitely not measurements.

A size should be a fixed number of inches and that be that.

I am a 22 now, and hopefully shouldn't be long before I'm a 20.. I don't want to go into the likes of next or m&s, pick a 20 and it be miles miles miles too wee... would rather wait until I know FOR CERTAIN that I will fit into something there, even if I have to wait 'til I'm a friggin size 14 :p


I went to H&M once (they used to do bigger sizes but I don't think they do now) and I wanted a pullover top thing, and their biggest size (a 24) fit me. I was a size 20 at the time and it was really a horrible experience, which made me feel bad for months :(
 
hannata said:
I went to H&M once (they used to do bigger sizes but I don't think they do now) and I wanted a pullover top thing, and their biggest size (a 24) fit me. I was a size 20 at the time and it was really a horrible experience, which made me feel bad for months :(
Click to expand...

I do most of my clothes shopping online where possible as I hate going into shops & having to buy something that is 2 or 3 sizes bigger than what I am. :(
It just makes you feel so crap about yourself.

I can't wait until I can walk into a 'normal' shop & buy a 'normal' size off the peg. I know I won't go & do that until I am at least a size 14. xx
 
I know exactly what you mean it is sooooooo soul destroying to have to keep getting bigger sizes when you know you are not that size. I visit my family every year in the US and I have to say do most of my shopping there cause things do fit especially underwear!! But tops fit nicely and clothing is much cheaper so I save up for my trip each year. I do wish they would hurry up and standardise though - I see some things here I would like but too much hassle to try on etc.
 
Have been totally annoyed about sizing problems over the years even when I wasn't overweight! Next and Laura Ashley and some Monsoon come up small but others come up big and lo and behold, some even come up OK!

I think it's just pot luck.
 
I bought a jumpsuit from Evans size 16 and it was tight but bought and exact same style on in a different colour from New look in the same size and it fit perfect :/ now ive lost weight they are both loose yipeee

So i think this shows all shops are different cos i expected the evans one to fit better than the new look one with it being designed for bigger sizes.
 
I see a marked difference between men's clothes sizes too, which of course all I have experience in (I don't want to be called Loretta :p). Mainly, I've found, it's the big name brands that tend to be a little less generous with their waist size. For example, I've bought a pair of farah trousers before and needed a 48-inch waist, but on the same day bought and got into a pair of 44-inch waist trousers from M&S. No two brands are the same really, so you have to shop around really...which is never a bad idea anyway. :p
 
Clothes size are ridiculous, for example yesterday I went clothes shopping. I went into Jane Norman and saw a gorgeous top but in a size 8. I fell in live with it and although I'm usually a size 10/12 I thought I'd try it on.....blow me down it fit me. I've never worn an 8 ( so I guess its a generous 8)

I then tried on size 14 jeans, they don't fit so had to try on 16.(I'm normally a size 14) I've got jeans/trousers in size 14 from this store so go figure haha

I didn't buy them from JN and ended buying 14 jeans out of Dorothy Perkins and they are loose.

It can be so demoralising but I just go what looks good and not worry too much over the size number
 
Cheekypasterfield said:
Clothes size are ridiculous, for example yesterday I went clothes shopping. I went into Jane Norman and saw a gorgeous top but in a size 8. I fell in live with it and although I'm usually a size 10/12 I thought I'd try it on.....blow me down it fit me. I've never worn an 8 ( so I guess its a generous 8)

I then tried on size 14 jeans, they don't fit so had to try on 16.(I'm normally a size 14) I've got jeans/trousers in size 14 from this store so go figure haha

I didn't buy them from JN and ended buying 14 jeans out of Dorothy Perkins and they are loose.

It can be so demoralising but I just go what looks good and not worry too much over the size number
Click to expand...

I always found the opposite in Jane Norman- had to buy a 14 when I was a 12. Guess it must just be what you try on because the 12s were always tight on my stomach too so i couldn't even blame my boobs.

I hate clothes shopping- in New Look I had a size 8 top (which was sleeveless and the straps always fell down because I must have skinny shoulders or something) when I was a 12 yet sometimes 16s didn't fit over my boobs and when I did squeeze them on, there would be enough space to fit another person in around my waist. Same with jeans- if it fits my hips, it's too tight around my thighs and also too big around my waist. :mad: Oh and even short leg pants and jeans drag on the floor with me :cry:

And bras. I have to have my shoulder straps as tight as they'll go yet they still end up flapping around my upper arms and I can't tighten them. Smaller cups don't help fix this as then they dig in under my armpits and now I'm finding a 32 back band too big and nowhere does a 30 band except Bravissimo and they're too expensive. Plus I find their bras are aimed at young women, not teenagers/just coming out of their teens like me. :(

Eek; sorry for the slight rant! :p Can you tell I hate clothes shopping with a passion?!
 
I hate clothes shopping at the moment I have a size 16 work dress which was so tight fitting as it is a shift dress although now its baggy :) tops are mostly size 12 although sometimes a 14. Jeans are the worst to buy I'm a14/16 in new look although then they are baggy round my legs which are quite slim. Most of my weight is roud my tummy; which Is so annoying when most shops the jeans are so low waisted I can not wear them as I'd have a huge spare tyre bulging over!!

Topshop I find are very small fitting same as miss selfridge. I avoid shopping there at the mo and would love to be able to walk in there and feel fab in the clothes as they are gorgeous!

Would love to be a 10/12 in jeans and a 10 on top
 
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