Clothing sizes

[Formerly SK]

So I was letting my mind wander this morning when I realized that when I got married nine years ago I weighed about 140-145 and my clothing size was 10/12.

Today I weigh 130-135 and my clothing size is a 4/6.

How can only ten pounds difference result in 3 sizes? Has "size inflation" really been that bad in the past decade? Anyone else notice this or is my body just weird?

[Deleted]

It's called Vanity sizing and they do it on purpose. It's very annoying.

[Formerly SK]

Yes...given I want to lose another ten pounds or so I'm wondering if there are negative sizes. I mean really, what do tiny Asian women wear? I'm not that small....what do all the women smaller than me do? Shop in the pre-teen section?

[Tiny]

You aren't crazy - it's called Vanity Sizing. The size of women's clothing is relatively meaningless - other than for whatever Warm Fuzzy you get from seeing that size on teh label.
The last time I had my current measurements (back in the mid 80's) I was on the verge of needing to shop in the "Plus sizes" side of the department store. Today, it's called size 6. I really do need to loose some more weight. I've still got a spare tire around my middle and I really do have thunder thighs. I'm kinda wondering where all the non fat people shop for clothes... they must be wearing size Negative 2 and smaller. I've never seen this size at the stores.

hmmmm.... maybe they shop in the kids clothes? Could this be why Kids Clothes seems to have gotten sexier and more adult? Because they aren't selling them to kids but to adults who need small clothes?

[Deleted]

Yes...given I want to lose another ten pounds or so I'm wondering if there are negative sizes. I mean really, what do tiny Asian women wear? I'm not that small....what do all the women smaller than me do? Shop in the pre-teen section?

Honestly, in order to find a leather jacket that fit last fall I ordered one from ebay that came directly from China because that is the only one that I liked that would fit me. I order a lot of clothes from Victoria's Secret because they come in XXS and XS. I also shop in the Junior's departments because they tend to have smaller sizes, though I don't like a lot of the styles. In college I wore a size 3-4 and I'm the same size now as I was then.

eta: I tried shopping in the children's department and that doesn't work either. The cut is different and although the overall size fit, there was no place for my chest to go.

[Formerly SK]

Admittedly, I shop at lower end stores (JCPenney, Fred Meyer) as I'm cheap and just want basics. But I'm now too small for ALL JCPenney shirts (they don't carry XS) and it is rare to see size 4 at FM. Even shopping online I don't see many size 2 in the cheaper jeans (ie Levis). It makes me nervous to lose weight.

I *hate* the mall. Sigh. I guess I'll check out VS.

[Deleted]

I should have said that I shop online at Victoriassecret.com. They don't carry clothes in the store near me. Have you checked Kohl's? That is where I buy my jeans. They aren't designer but I have found some that fit great in the Junior's department. I have to try them on though because they all fit differently.

[Deleted]

That is true, MM some of the junior clothes are cut a bit differently. I do seem to have good luck with junior's jeans though. I guess I'm built like a high school freshman.

[dancinmama]

I have dealt with this problem my entire life. Woman's clothing was usually too big and junior clothing was too immature looking. When I was a working gal I always had to have my suits altered so that they would fit. After I became a SAHM, I had to settle on jeans (I needed ones that fit a figure that was very small but still curvy which were EXTREMELY difficult to find) and turtlenecks to wear in the winter and elastic waste capris (thank you Fashion Bug) and t-shirts for my summer wardrobe. When you have a tiny waste and curvy hips, finding "bottoms" that fit is almost impossible.

I think I found a cure for the "problem" however; it's called menopause.

[tractor]

Maybe if you would just start wearing mens cloths you wouldn't have that problem. A medium, is still a medium. Although, I would admit, the selection sucks. I've often contemplated shopping in the womens clothing section just so there is some variety, the mens section of most stores would fit in the back of my truck. (OK, I'm not a cross-dresser, but I am a closet shopper, I love to shop, but can't admit that to any of my guy friends.) Anyone need a tour guide to the Mall of America? I feel a shopping trip in my future.

[Deleted]

LOL.. bitch! ITBIC!!!!

I've been called worse.

Tractor, I've tried on my husband's shirt before and it was not at all flattering to my figure.

[Deleted]

You are lucky MM! Mine needs lots of help. ;D

[Deleted]

Fam, the secret is to pair your husband's shirt with the right undergarments and heels...

I did that once when I went to the grocery store. It wasn't a good idea.

[tractor]

Jul 18, 2011 13:16:49 GMT -5 @familycfo said:

Fam, the secret is to pair your husband's shirt with the right undergarments and heels...

I did that once when I went to the grocery store. It wasn't a good idea.

I don't think she meant out in public, better yet stay home and do without the undergarments.

[tractor]

Jul 18, 2011 13:14:29 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

LOL tractor on you being a closet shopper. My husband likes to shop as well... and can be a bit of a clothes horse if I don't reign him in.

I knew I wasn't the only one, but bringing it out in public is against the guy code.

[Deleted]

I knew I wasn't the only one, but bringing it out in public is against the guy code

Could you and MM's husband get my husband to join your secret society?

Of course MM meant at home, she's the sexy one. ;D

[tractor]

By "guy code" you mean a scratch, two grunts and a burp, right? [/quote]

If I told you what it was, I risk being visited in the night and having my guy parts removed. It's something that we don't need to talk about. All guys know what I mean.

Fam, I'll take your husband shopping anytime, as long as I can watch you try on a few of his cloths.

[steph08]

I don't know, I am 5'4", 109 pounds, and shop mostly at JCPenney. I usually wear a 4 petite or a 7 in juniors. In shirts, my best luck has been with Worthington petite, usually a small petite. But anything that is not petite swims on me.

[Deleted]

Fam, I'll take your husband shopping anytime, as long as I can watch you try on a few of his cloths.

That is fine with me, we just have to talk him into it.


I can't wear petite clothing because the arms and legs are always too short.

[teen persuasion]

Jul 18, 2011 13:02:58 GMT -5 tractor said:

Maybe if you would just start wearing mens cloths you wouldn't have that problem. A medium, is still a medium. Although, I would admit, the selection sucks. I've often contemplated shopping in the womens clothing section just so there is some variety, the mens section of most stores would fit in the back of my truck. (OK, I'm not a cross-dresser, but I am a closet shopper, I love to shop, but can't admit that to any of my guy friends.) Anyone need a tour guide to the Mall of America? I feel a shopping trip in my future.

But men's clothes aren't small enough! DS2 has trouble finding pants w/ a small enough waist (29 would be perfect, but it is pretty rare) but long enough for his now 6' lanky frame.

I have got some hand-me-down jeans from DS2, they're about a boys 14 slim. I'll wear them gardening (since they are sturdier than girls jeans), but they are cut too slim in the hips, even for me.

[swamp]

Jul 18, 2011 19:58:22 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

Jul 18, 2011 13:02:58 GMT -5 tractor said:

Maybe if you would just start wearing mens cloths you wouldn't have that problem. A medium, is still a medium. Although, I would admit, the selection sucks. I've often contemplated shopping in the womens clothing section just so there is some variety, the mens section of most stores would fit in the back of my truck. (OK, I'm not a cross-dresser, but I am a closet shopper, I love to shop, but can't admit that to any of my guy friends.) Anyone need a tour guide to the Mall of America? I feel a shopping trip in my future.

But men's clothes aren't small enough! DS2 has trouble finding pants w/ a small enough waist (29 would be perfect, but it is pretty rare) but long enough for his now 6' lanky frame.

I have got some hand-me-down jeans from DS2, they're about a boys 14 slim. I'll wear them gardening (since they are sturdier than girls jeans), but they are cut too slim in the hips, even for me.

Men's clothes also dont have curves. If the pants fit on the hips, I could have a party in the waistband, and the thighs will be too snug. Men's shirts don't have room for boobs and they cling on the hips but are too big in the waist.

[flopsy]

i've found that at store like gap or express that there can be wide variety with in each size depending on the style. this is probably true of all stores but i haven't been shopping much recently. the pair of 00 jeans i bought at gap fit loose on me while i could barely squeeze into a size 2 of another style gap jeans. as for vanity sizing i now have to buy things in 00 whereas 10 years ago i was a 2 or 4 every where i went. it is such a pain since a lot of retailers don't carry 00s. i hate shopping.

[Deleted]

I think the key to looking good no matter what your size is to find clothes that fit your body type. That can be incredibly challenging and frustrating.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Sizing is out of control, I can range from a size 5 to a size 0 and that is within the same brand! I have two pairs of Arizona jeans one fits just right, the other I have to wear a belt with and they are supposedly the same "size".

I fit into petite jeans but the legs are not cut right, petite pants seem to be designed under the assumption that you have tree trunk legs. They fit in length but I look like I have freakishly long thighs that end somewhere below my knee caps.

I just recently discovered "short" jeans at JcPenny and Kohls and so far they seem to fit just right in length. ::knocks on wood::

What I don't get is at Vanity they go by waist/inseam. It's where I have bought my jeans for years. All of a sudden a size 25'' waist falls off. I looked at their size chart and if I have a 25- 26 inch waist I should be wearing a 24'' waist pair of jeans. How exactly does that work?

[Formerly SK]

Jul 19, 2011 14:03:26 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

What I don't get is at Vanity they go by waist/inseam. It's where I have bought my jeans for years. All of a sudden a size 25'' waist falls off. I looked at their size chart and if I have a 25- 26 inch waist I should be wearing a 24'' waist pair of jeans. How exactly does that work?

Hmmm...maybe the same reason why a 2x4 doesn't actually measure 2" x 4"?

[Deleted]

Just sayin'