Pants: Have the sizes changed? - Page 2

[spughy]

Originally Posted by nmbutts 

regarding the part I bolded, I think they are starting to mess with waist measurement sizing, too. Right out of high school I would fluctuate between sizes 27-28, but ten years and two babies later I'm 25-26?  Wha??  I don't like my clothes lying to me.

The problem with selling pants by waist measurements is that women's pants rarely actually sit at the waist.  I prefer a waistband at or below my bellybutton, which is significantly lower than my natural waist.  My waist may measure 28", but do I want a 28" waistband? Nope, I want one with a waistband about 30"-32". 

Oddly enough, though, some stores here DO sell women's jeans by waist size, and I do fit a 28-29.  I don't get that.

[Penelope]

I think it really varies by brand, too. In "classic" fits I'm usually a 2, but I have a lot of 4s and some 6s in my closet. Fifteen years ago and probably 10-15 pounds heavier I was an 8, maybe a 10. In some stores I can't find anything at all that fits in terms of pants, but then in, say, Banana Republic or J Crew there are plenty of clothes much smaller than I am. (I do buy those brands at the thrift store, but never new!)

[camracrazy]

I'd like to know where you all are buying your clothes!! Right now I am 5' 6", 113 lbs, skin and bones, and have been wearing size 7 and 8. I could probably go smaller if I had the energy to shop, which I don't. I guess now I know how those people on TV in the weight loss shows and commercials say, "I made it down to a size 4!" when it doesn't actually look like they lost a lot of weight.

[Sharlla]

I have found that with european sizes i wear a 29 or 30 but american size 10 (no stretch)  and size 10 in tops and dresses.  when I was plus size i did notice that the clothes labeled size 14 at avenue were very large and were more like a size 18.  also with the addition of stretch fabric it usually gives you an extra size bigger (so i would have to buy an 8)  I'm 150 lbs and 5'4.  6 years ago when I was 135 lbs i was in a size 6. I think this weight and size is about the same as I was back then when I was this weight.

[Sharlla]

idk looks like MM is a size 12 here to me 

[sewaneecook]

Originally Posted by camracrazy 

I'd like to know where you all are buying your clothes!! Right now I am 5' 6", 113 lbs, skin and bones, and have been wearing size 7 and 8. I could probably go smaller if I had the energy to shop, which I don't. I guess now I know how those people on TV in the weight loss shows and commercials say, "I made it down to a size 4!" when it doesn't actually look like they lost a lot of weight.

How old are your pants?  I've noticed a HUGE change in the last 5 years or so (ever since I had my first baby).  I'm down 2 pant sizes without changing measurements or weight.  I don't care if my pants are a size 0 or a size 20 as long as they fit right. 

DH has noticed a change in men's clothing too ... he's a fairly average build and 5'8" and he wears a small.  Sometimes the small size is too big!  What do small guys wear? 

[Ruthiegirl]

Dh has noticed it as well.  He now wears a med or small when he used to wear a Large.  I have noticed some companies are now stocking extra small shirts for men.  

[AdinaL]

I'm not sure this thread makes me feel any better. LOL  I have been steadily increasing in size since high school. I was a 7/9 when I graduated high school (still wore juniors sizes) and a solid 8 for a long time after that. Now I am a 12. I bought jeans a couple years ago, some at old Navy, some at JCPenney.  Right after I had my daughter I got into a 10 for about 6 months (nursing weight loss) and since then I have been in a 12. Does that now mean that I am actually wearing a 14 or a 16, or higher?  

That's sort of disheartening...

And why are my underwear sized differently? I wear a size 7 in underpants! LOL

[kristandthekids]

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Edited by kristandthekids - 1/16/13 at 6:44pm

[Bellabaz]

I find this to be very true in the US. I have consistently been a size 12 since probably 1999 (some execptions and currently working towards a size 10). About 6 years ago I remember going into a NY&Co and I fit a size 8! What!

I find this to be less true here in Europe and the opposite in Italy. Depressing to shop there =)

[Ellie'sMom]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/business/25sizing.html?_r=1

Some entrepreneur has turned this issue to their advantage. The obvious answer: a full body scanner that tells you your size at various retailers. 

[kythe]

Originally Posted by AdinaL 

I'm not sure this thread makes me feel any better. LOL  I have been steadily increasing in size since high school. I was a 7/9 when I graduated high school (still wore juniors sizes) and a solid 8 for a long time after that. Now I am a 12. I bought jeans a couple years ago, some at old Navy, some at JCPenney.  Right after I had my daughter I got into a 10 for about 6 months (nursing weight loss) and since then I have been in a 12. Does that now mean that I am actually wearing a 14 or a 16, or higher?  

That's sort of disheartening...

And why are my underwear sized differently? I wear a size 7 in underpants! LOL

Me too.  I was completely unaware of this size discrepancy until reading this thread.  I have gained a good amount of weight over the years.  When I was 18 years old I was a size 4, now I am a size 14.  So if clothes sizes have changed that much in the last 15 years, I'm not really a size 14 now.  I'm actually plus-sized, or what used to be plus-sized.  This really does not make me feel better about my weight gain. :(