That day I was wearing one of my old favorite shirts - a pin tucked denim shirt with a v-neck. It is comfy but it really is too big on me now, I was even wearing a t-shirt under it. It is a size 2X from Woman Within. The tops I was going to try on were knits and by eye I could tell I needed to try them in 3X.
Not one of those shirts fit. They were too tight, and not just at the hip, where I know I am larger than the average woman. (I have always had an "hourglass" figure - not busty but I have always had a small waist except now I carry more weight on my stomach and so the hip/stomach area is my hard to fit part.)
I wasn't looking for anything special, no occasion coming up demanding new clothes or anything. But I must admit to some chagrin that I have lost over 50 pounds and I can't fit into a size LARGER than the one I am wearing!
When I was a young woman, there were no size 0 or 1 clothes. I wore a beautiful size 12 dress to my Senior Ball. I still have it. My mom and sisters have borrowed it over the years because it is such a classic style. When my daughter needed a dress for an event and we didn't really want to spend money on yet another dress, I suggested she try it on just to see if she liked it enough to wear it.
At that time she was a serious athlete, very strong and fit and she wore size 8 clothes. She tried on my dress and it was too small. I was dumbfounded. It was my first introduction to how much manufacturers have changed the sizes over the years - vanity sizing they call it.
So my question is - if most women's sizes are cut bigger than they used to be...why are plus sizes being cut smaller? I know there are inconsistencies between designers and fabric types and all that, but has anyone else experienced this?
Clothing sizes are ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteI have found, overall, that clothing sizes have been steadily less consistent over the years. Vanity sizes is one thing but I do think the fact that nearly everything is made overseas maybe contributes. Maybe they're using different sewing models? Shoes too. Sometimes I wear 7 other shoes I need 8.5.
ReplyDeleteOh and I wanted to add I am now depressed. If yesterday's size 12 is really a size 6 .. what does that say about the size 14 I'm wearing today?
ReplyDeleteI've fallen victim to vanity sizing too - especially in the more expensive brands. Deep down inside, I guess I've always know it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, clothing sizes are ridiculous and completely inconsistent from company to company. Depending on the maker, I am any one of three different sizes.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why I like to stick to certain brands--I know what I wear. At Target or Kohl's I wear a large top, but if I were to go to Ross or Marshall's most things would be an XL--I'm assuming because they were originally higher end than the Target stuff.
ReplyDeleteI know its crazy - right now I have three pair of khaki pants - one size 8, one size 12 and one size 14, and they all fit exactly the same - crazy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that clothing sizes are out of whack. So, I just decide that sizes are similar to the scale and are just another measure of how I am doing. If one cannot get a true assessment of body fat, then measuring one's self is probably the most accurate reflection of outcome, besides behavioral ones.
ReplyDeleteJan
Thank goodness someone else has this problem! I thought it was just me! I very rarely find clothes that fit in Ross' or TJ Maxx. I shop J Jill, I am never disappointed but it would feel ever so good to go into any store and find clothes that are fashionable and fit.
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