Why do clothing companies mess about with sizes?

[Deleted User]

Prices and profit margins - that's the bottom line and because of it consistency in size and/or quality can never hope to happen.

My favourite example was from a high street brand/shop; bought 3 pairs of the exact same style/colour/length/etc jeans in 3 different sizes - 1 up and 1 down from my usual size aswell as the usual one.

Each size was made in a totally different country and the sizes were completely inconsistent, the largest, by label, was actually smallest, the smallest, by label, was my true size/fit, and the correct/true size was small ...... so i conclude that because each country has its own size chart the clothes are always going to be inconsistent.

I'm sure people can't enjoy clothes shopping any more, it's a pain in the *ss, it really it's made me start buying from dearer places because the problem appears to be less apparent with them.
Mass production etc. etc. etc.

jon81uk

Manxman_in_exile said:

 Trousers with pleats and turn-ups are an eternally classic look - why don't M&S sell them instead of suits for matchstick men (or boys)?

Trousers with pleats isn't that classic, they are very much a style from the 80s and 90s. Flat front was quite prevalent in the 70s. Trends come and go, although a suit has been worn in some fashion for the last 200 years or so, the styles have changed every 10-20 years. 2005ish to now has been about slimmer fits, but loose fit and wide leg is coming back for men.

Manxman_in_exile

Pleated trousers and turnups were a classic look throughout most decades of the 20th century.  (I know that because I'm watching Talking Pictures right now!)

There were a lot of abominations in the early years of the seventies, but cool people definitely had pleats!  A lot in some cases...

Manxman_in_exile

More classics - not from the 80s or 90s  (Bit low on the pleat count though...)

Get a load a' those turnups!   Sartorial heaven!!!

Manxman_in_exile

Yaaaaay!  Go Tom!!!   Show those muppets at M&S!

(I hope this isn't an advert for a M&S suit...  doubt it... )

Norman_Castle

[Deleted User] said:

Prices and profit margins - that's the bottom line and because of it consistency in size and/or quality can never hope to happen.
I'm sure people can't enjoy clothes shopping any more, it's a pain in the *ss, it really it's made me start buying from dearer places because the problem appears to be less apparent with them.
Mass production etc. etc. etc.

Price is probably part of the problem. I recently bought a padded jacket from Decathlon (I had a voucher to get rid of), £30 on offer at 50% off so £15. Its a bit tight at the top of the arms, clearly I'm more muscular than the twiglet models, but it was acceptable for the price. A similar but better branded padded jacket is £60-£120? which at that price I wouldn't have bought it with the tight sleeves.

Manxman_in_exile

More pleats not from the 80s or 90s...

Clark Gable

and this bloke - the 60s synonym for the well dressed gentleman...

Manxman_in_exile

Pleats and Grace Kelly... what's not to like!

Pleats and turnups from the 40s

eamon

Yes I know this thread is getting old and I'm sorry to revive it. I concur that the current M&S range of mens trousers sizes & styles are poor for the older man (the skinny look doesn't belong on any male that isn't  a stick insect). What other options are out there? BHS, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Burtons have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Am I really only left with the mail order option? What are Chums like or for that matter any other online retailer?

Pollycat

Just noticed this thread.

Loving the old photos of pleats and turn-ups.

And Tom Hardy...?

Wow!