How to get size 8 clothes (1970s size 8 that is)

Spendless

Try the cheaper shops which tend to be less generous with their sizing?

I've got a 12yo dd who is 4ft 6, she fits into age 11-12 clothes, but is starting to want more 'adult' clothes, like her friends are wearing. Primark size 6 in the ladies range fits her just as well as the sizing in the kids section.

Hermia

My petite 65 yr old aunt loves Zara so it might be worth trying them. Otherwise if she is not too tall maybe petite brands. I would suggest the more expensive ones like Precis rather than high street ones. I find the more expensive brands seem cut for a smaller frame. If she has a decent shopping outlet near her it might be worth trying that (ie one like Bicester that has more obscure, foreign or designer brands that mght size their clothes differently).

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I wish I hadn't read this post and your signature.

Waking up to find I'm actually a size 16-18 sucks.

I have lots of my mum's size 12 clothes from the 1970s and they are tiny. More like a modern 8. I started sewing a few years back and it was a sobering experience properly measuring myself and looking up the sizes for the first time. It made me realise how insane shop sizing is.

pigpen

Hermia wrote: »

I started sewing a few years back and it was a sobering experience properly measuring myself and looking up the sizes for the first time. It made me realise how insane shop sizing is.

My dressmaking tutor said when using a pattern cut it 2 full sizes bigger than what you think you are/wear and reduce on the areas you need to!

My far-to-skinny 5ft1 18 year old fits in the petite range at Next. They do a lot of their 'more mature' range in petite sizes.

La Redoute so an older ladies range too and their sizes are teeny tiny.

theoretica

It isn't only the sizing that has changed - the shapes do too. Partly I think a quest to have the same clothes (not) fit all body shapes.

I would second the suggestion about finding someone who can make clothes, or with the price of fabric versus ready made nowadays someone who does alterations and can take things in to fit. Especially if she has quite a few things to be done at once she should be able to find a practical lady who would do this for her at a reasonable cost - possibly not a highstreet place.

moneyistooshorttomention

thriftwizard wrote: »

Are you anywhere near anywhere with "vintage" shops/emporia? Asking because I myself am a "vintage" trader, and I often have to move quite lovely, well-made, elegant clothes on very cheaply because they are simply too small for people nowadays; .

There is a vintage clothes shop near enough for her to go to and it certainly has some interesting stuff in there I know - but its more things I can see a younger agegroup wearing as a "fun thing" - but Little Old Lady does want modern-style clothing and I'm not totally sure I'll be able to persuade her into upmarket dress agencies that have previously-used clothes. I'm darn sure I wouldn't persuade her into a vintage clothes shop I'm afraid - she's probably worn some of the styles first time around - but wouldn't want to now.

moneyistooshorttomention

Thanks everyone - I will suggest she checks out the shops mentioned (and...yep...she is quite short too - as in not what I would call short...but in comparison to many these days she is).

Hermia

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

There is a vintage clothes shop near enough for her to go to and it certainly has some interesting stuff in there I know - but its more things I can see a younger agegroup wearing as a "fun thing" - but Little Old Lady does want modern-style clothing and I'm not totally sure I'll be able to persuade her into upmarket dress agencies that have previously-used clothes. I'm darn sure I wouldn't persuade her into a vintage clothes shop I'm afraid - she's probably worn some of the styles first time around - but wouldn't want to now.

If she is just looking for basics it might be worth trying a kid's range in a better quality shop. I have a lovely grey jumper I got from the school uniform section of a department store!

moneyistooshorttomention

Looks like a few gaps should be able to be filled.

I think possibly the biggest problem is those pop-socks (ie how to find ones to replace those Marks & Sparks ones that are now made in too big a size). Also skirts - as she obviously wants ones in a length that will go down to cover her knees. In fact I'd say she wears her skirts about as long as they can be without being maxis iyswim.

iammumtoone

I second the suggestions at trying next petite range they as I remember they seem to be small. Sadly I no longer fit a next size 6 I have put on weight (ekk) and am now a size 8 (if I am lucky)-10, however this does mean it is now easier (and cheaper) for me to find things to wear.

Regarding the pop socks could she not cut off and keep the top elasticated part of her old ones that do fit and use these over the tops of the larger ones to hold them up iysyim. I appreciate this won't look very elegant but no one sees the top of the socks and it would do as a stop gap measure whilst she finds a source that does fit her.

missbiggles1

A friend of mine has been buying Asian clothes online - they're very cheap and very small!

She'd need to be selective (they're a bit young in style) in her choices but she could look here.

http://www.sammydress.com/Wholesale-Black-Dresses-c-349.html