Women's clothes sizes

harrys_nan

LavenderBee, I have sent you a pm x

Pollycat

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Try this for size (sorry)

Is this really 'vanity sizing' though? (which was the point we were debating).

I don't believe it is.

But I have made a mental note never to buy online from Bravissimo as the size that I know I am for every bra (and bikini) that I've bought is the right size and I'd end up with something that doesn't relate to my size at all.

The website doesn't explain that they are in a minority (or even unique) that 'does their own thing' as far as standard bra sizing goes.

Pollycat

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Now I am confused. Correct me if I am wrong but the traditional +4 way of determining the band size of a bra was to measure around your rib cage and add four inches... or five if it was an odd number.

I can't see how this would give you the correct size.

This is the way I've always known to be the correct way of working out your bra size:

However, if you are doing your bra shopping via the internet, here is Mumsnet wisdom on how to get the correct size.
"Measure your back size by using a tape measure under your bust. Pull it tight but not cutting off the circulation. This is your back size, no need to add any other numbers to it. Then measure your boobs round their fullest part (this can be with a bra on) and subtract the back size from the boob size: 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD etc. Then the most important step is to try bras on. Use your measurements as a start ,but you may need to go up a cup size and down a back size and so on, until you get something that you are happy with."

https://www.mumsnet.com/style-and-beauty/bra-guide

Pollycat

For those people who are unsure how cup sizes work, here's a good explanation:

3) WOW – you’re a Double D – that’s huge!


But is it really?


I’ll use myself as an example here: I wear a 30GG, however my boobs would also fit in a 40DD- that’s the same cup volume but cup sizes are relative to the back size they are teamed with.


(For Example all the following sizes are the same breast volume 28H, 30GG, 32G, 34FF, 36F, 38E, 40DD).


The cup size is always relative to the back size it is teamed with. All of these sizes are the same volume but look bigger/smaller depending on the body they are on.

https://www.curvykate.com/blog/want-to-know-the-real-reason-why-women-are-wearing-the-wrong-bra-size/

georgie262

I find it crazy the sizes in shops - 15/20 years ago I wore a size 12 - I STILL wear a size 12 and I am about a stone and a half (maybe more after an indulgent summer) heavier than I was then. I found an old black work skirt in the loft that I used to love same high street store that I still shop at label says 12 and I couldn't pull it over my hips at all. Sizes are definitely changing.

OneYorkshireLass

KittenChops wrote: »

Oasis - only stock size 8 and above - sizes come up big

Oasis now stock size 6. Definitely online, not sure about in-store.

I'm also tiny and struggling. I have always bought size 6 in Primark, but have now found that I'm buying a 4. My weight/shape has not changed.

Kathy535

Gingernutty wrote: »

Sizes are getting larger as they are based on the average proportions of the national average.

As we are all getting bigger, the average size 14 is getting bigger as well.

I'm currently a modern size 14-16 and a fan of vintage clothing.

I found a size 16 pair of trousers from BHS in the 80s and they don't fit. They are far too small. I can't do the button on them, let alone the zip.

As the average size is getting (unhealthily) bigger, the old size 10 is now equivalent to an 8 or a 6 and the old size 12 is roughly equal to a 8 or a 10.

I was so happy I'd lost weight and was a size 10 (many years ago, it's all back on and more now) - I picked up a size 12 skirt in a charity shop and was distraught to find it was no where near fitting. Sizes have got larger.

That said, if I go into H&M (I don't often, too old now) I can't find dresses to fit (size 14 in Next, M&S) because I need a size 18 and as the snooty young shop assistant said 'we don't do dresses that large!'.

I'm on a diet now.

Hermia

KittenChops wrote: »

(my bolding above)

I’m not happy… My weight / body shape hasn't really changed in the last decade or two. I used to buy mostly size 8 clothes and had no problems finding and buying them.

However, due to vanity sizing, over the last few years I’ve found that most of the shops here (large town in the south east) either don’t stock sizes lower than a size 8, or if they do, they’re loads bigger than they used to be.

I have actually found charity shops pretty good for small sizes and petite sizes. I have found lots of lovely hardly-worn items by good brands. I am not that great at altering clothes, but am trying to get better because it seems that is my only option.

The high street seems all over the place. I was browsing the M&S sale yesterday and they had some size 10 tops in there that could easily have accommodated a 38 inch bust. They would have looked awful on anyone slim. M&S keep whining about how their clothing sales are down. I think they just need to sort out their sizes and provide good quality basics in different lengths as well as plus sizes and petites. They keep making supposedly trendy clothes in the hope of attracting young women away from younger stores, but those sorts of shoppers are not going to find anything in their size in M&S!

Pollycat

Kathy535 wrote: »

That said, if I go into H&M (I don't often, too old now) I can't find dresses to fit (size 14 in Next, M&S) because I need a size 18 and as the snooty young shop assistant said 'we don't do dresses that large!'.

I'm on a diet now.

I would have smacked her across the chops.
Cheeky b i t c h.
There is no need for that.

But good luck with the diet.

ripplyuk

I haven't waded through this entire thread but I had a similar issue as the OP in TopShop a while back. Everything was tiny. They had loads of size 4 and 6, some size 8's but I could find almost nothing to fit me. My bmi at that time was 17, so not exactly 'large', so it must be upsetting for anyone who is even the average size 16, or bigger. I found it all to be totally unrealistic.

Also, we keep hearing about how people are getting fatter, but people are also just larger. As in, their bone structure is larger. They are taller, their shoulders are broader, their ribcages and hips are bigger. None of this is to do with fat. I can see why shops have adjusted their sizing in line with this as there is no point in making the '1950's size 8' etc.