Sizes getting smaller- annoying!

Shelga

Why have clothes shops been making their sizes smaller and smaller the last few years?? A Wear and Penneys are the worst offenders. I bought a dress in A Wear the other day and had to get an 8, usually in dresses I'd be a 10-12, definitely not an 8. It's just ridiculous, I don't need a shop to try and make me feel better by making their sizes smaller!

As with everything, I assume it comes down to money. Size 12 girl finds she can buy clothes in an 8-10, gets confidence boost, buys more clothes. I just feel sorry for girls who are actually a 6-8, these shops' clothes must look like tents on them!

Anyone else find this to be the case? Or any shops that are particularly bad for it?

princess-lala

Totally agree with you. I was in New Look yesterday and got myself a pair of jeans (I hate trying them on) Im usually a 8-10 so got a 10 and the leg is tiny and the waist is huge.

Also got a cardi a while back and had to get it in a 6 - Im far from a 6 :mad:

Princessa

I was in River Island about 2 weeks ago and the jeans i wanted they had loads o size 6's and 8's.

I used to be very happy to be between a perfect 10-12 but now its just annoying going in and seeing loads of 8 and even 6's in shops! :mad:

moonflower

I hate vanity sizing, it's so stupid! I wish someone would just decide on the measurements for each size and stick to them, rather than every shop having different sizes.

Miaireland

moonflower wrote: »

I hate vanity sizing, it's so stupid! I wish someone would just decide on the measurements for each size and stick to them, rather than every shop having different sizes.

I agree. I hate changing rooms and would love to be able to walk into a shop and buy my size off the rack rather that waiting for ages to get into a smelly little cubicle.

ApeXaviour

Surely you mean that sizes are getting larger (i.e. a size 8 is larger than it used to be )

As a man I can empathise. It's very annoying... I'm 5'10 and bordering on 12 Stone. Okay so I'll probably never be a professional basketball or rugby player but I've still got an okay build; I'm certainly not small! Yet for some reason to get a t-shirt that fits it always has to be a Small.
Ordered a T-shirt on Zavvi and it arrived yesterday. Small size but it's bloody swimming on me!!! I feel sorry for the 9 stone 5'6 lads out there.

jellie

Shelga wrote: »

Why have clothes shops been making their sizes smaller and smaller the last few years?? A Wear and Penneys are the worst offenders. I bought a dress in A Wear the other day and had to get an 8, usually in dresses I'd be a 10-12, definitely not an 8. It's just ridiculous, I don't need a shop to try and make me feel better by making their sizes smaller!

As with everything, I assume it comes down to money. Size 12 girl finds she can buy clothes in an 8-10, gets confidence boost, buys more clothes. I just feel sorry for girls who are actually a 6-8, these shops' clothes must look like tents on them!

Anyone else find this to be the case? Or any shops that are particularly bad for it?

eh surely you mean getting bigger? I do find awear sizes bigger than some other shops but not penneys.

iguana

Miaireland wrote: »

I agree. I hate changing rooms and would love to be able to walk into a shop and buy my size off the rack rather that waiting for ages to get into a smelly little cubicle.

I shop with a measuring tape, it's quick and simple.

Herbal Deity

ApeXaviour wrote: »

Surely you mean that sizes are getting larger (i.e. a size 8 is larger than it used to be )

The number of the size which refers to certain measurements has gotten smaller.

gigawatt

shops cater the cut of their clothes to their intended market. the likes of topshop will have a smaller cut for the same size than say marks and spencers because their target markets sizes vary. An older woman may be a 12 on the waist but would typically thicker in the hips/ thighs. so shops targeting those markets will cut their clothes to suit. it goes back to oldfashioned pattern cutting. if you buy any dress pattern now it will come in misses/petite(a slimmer overall outline) or womens( a fuller figure, may have the same waist measurement but a heavier bust/ thigh etc). the perfect example of this is tesco clothes, if you try a cherokee 14 jacket (aimed at a younger market) the bust will be narrower and the sleeves slimmer and more fitted than a florence and fred size 14 jacket. you need to know what size fits you by the shop

Dark Phoenix

I just find all the shops vary one day in river island I bought a top in size 12 and a skirt in s size 6 and both fit - im normally an 8 on top and an 8-10 on the bottom!

In penneys their dresses never ever fit me its just bizarre but their trousers and tops do. I just try everything on as it makes it easier!

SueWho

Another trend I have noticed is the shape of clothes- they seem to be designed now on the assumption that we all have excess belly flab.

Tops especially seem designed to accomodate a big gut/ muffin top. So if I buy a size ten and it fits me around the shoulders, bust and arms there's often a big sack of spare material around my middle- A wear and Pennys are big offenders.

mood

Shelga wrote: »

Why have clothes shops been making their sizes smaller and smaller the last few years?? A Wear and Penneys are the worst offenders. I bought a dress in A Wear the other day and had to get an 8, usually in dresses I'd be a 10-12, definitely not an 8. It's just ridiculous, I don't need a shop to try and make me feel better by making their sizes smaller!

As with everything, I assume it comes down to money. Size 12 girl finds she can buy clothes in an 8-10, gets confidence boost, buys more clothes. I just feel sorry for girls who are actually a 6-8, these shops' clothes must look like tents on them!

Anyone else find this to be the case? Or any shops that are particularly bad for it?

As a size 8 yes it is very difficult. In the past two year I have had to buy loads of size 6s and I am the same size. Clothes that are years old still fit me or are even a little too small. The big waste thing is really annoying. Jeans etc never taper in at the waste - hello we are women not men!

Once in a shop I tried on two jeans in the same style and cut but one were blue jeans the other black. They were named or numbered so should have been identical in size. One was too big the other wouldn't close at all.

I think this makes buying online a total gamble.

Maybe we should all start e-mailing offending companies to complain. They will have to listen is enough people hassle them.

iw82

Just had two pairs of trousers from Toast delivered but they are at least a size too big. I even measured them against a pair of Toast trousers that fit me perfectly and are supposed to be the same size.... but there's a difference of at least 2 inches in the waist measurements!

So annoyed... the shipping wasn't cheap and now I have to pay for return shipping :mad:

iguana

SueWho wrote: »

Another trend I have noticed is the shape of clothes- they seem to be designed now on the assumption that we all have excess belly flab.

Tbf, I think that's just the current fashion. For the last few years most clothes look like maternity clothes. Great if you are pregnant, sucks if you have a slim waist.

Especially if you have big boobs and a slim waist.:mad:

foundry

iguana wrote: »

I shop with a measuring tape, it's quick and simple.

Lol really??

chocgirl

This really annoys me as well, I think Dunnes are really bad for it and actually think the sizes in Topshop and Oasis have gotten bigger recently too. I often have to bring three different sizes into the dressing room with me, I 'm really bad at judging by eye and can't rely on my size anymore.

The measuring tape sounds like a good idea, although I think I'd find it a bit of a chore after a while.

mags cherrywood

oh this drives me mad. im a size 8 usually but in alot of shops the stuff is huge....I dind Jane Norman reliable but recently found a few things are a but too big. and i havent lost weight not an inch.. find it very hard to pick up nice trousers etc for work when selection is limited. anyone know anywhere in cork that you can shop in and know your size is there???

Stonypockets

Shelga wrote: »

I bought a dress in A Wear the other day and had to get an 8, usually in dresses I'd be a 10-12, definitely not an 8. It's just ridiculous, I don't need a shop to try and make me feel better by making their sizes smaller!

Surely if this is the case shops are making their clothes bigger? Anyways, I'm not sure whether this is a recent thing, every shop has a different sizing standard, and some have no defined standard at all, as a result I've been having these problems for years!

For example, in river island, last september in one week I bought 2 different pairs of jeans, the first pair: a size 8, the second a size 10.

In topshop I'm generally a 12 on top 10 on bottom, oasis a 14 on top, D. Perkins a 10 on top and 12 on bottom, in river island a 10-12 on top and an 8-10 on bottom! and so on... it seems to be very random that one can fluctuate from 8-14 in a few different high street shops and makes it very difficult when shopping!

In fact, a little off topic, I was in a shop in London at the weekend where there was only one of everything, and there were no sizes on anything, there were all sorts of materials, some strechy and others not so much so!

dancingqueen

I'm a size 6-8. I also have a short leg.

AWear size 6 doesn't fit me, jeans are massive, tops are ok because I'm bustier than your average size 6 - and they are too long.
River Island Jeans don't go up my legs (apparently size 6 girls have matchstick legs) hence making it very difficult to find skinny jeans to fit me. Have to go for Straight leg.
New look skinny jeans up to a size 10 don't go up my leg yet, the waist would be massive on me... also, they are too long.
No chance of getting trousers in Penneys or even a coat, huge.

It's not all great being tiny either... only certain shops will have clothes to fit your frame and won't always have stuff in stock. I buy most tracksuit bottoms in kids section of shops anyway. Age 10-11. And I'm 25!!!

anothernight

I'm a size 6, but the type of tiny size 6 that sometimes needs a size 4. It used to be hard to find clothes my size, but now it's nearly impossible. I've definitely noticed this trend of making clothes bigger and bigger. Some stretchy tops are ok. I've found the odd size 4 that was too big on me... And I haven't lost weight!

mood

anothernight wrote: »

I'm a size 6, but the type of tiny size 6 that sometimes needs a size 4. It used to be hard to find clothes my size, but now it's nearly impossible. I've definitely noticed this trend of making clothes bigger and bigger. Some stretchy tops are ok. I've found the odd size 4 that was too big on me... And I haven't lost weight!

I am sick of having to pay to have clothes altered! I never had to years ago apart for shorting leg length!

Stonypockets

mood wrote: »

I am sick of having to pay to have clothes altered! I never had to years ago apart for shorting leg length!

Yeah, and the prices that are charged in some shops, I had a funny moment recently in a seamstresses, I bought three pairs of pennys trousers for work at €5 each, I needed to have 2 inches cut off, and the seamstress wanted to charge €10 per pants ... twice the price of the trousers!!!! And I'd have to wait a week for them!

Needless to say I laughed at the guy behind the til and asked him was he joking! I showed him the receipt for the pants from pennys and explained that that was extortionate to turn up a pair of pants! He told me that it didnt matter how much the trousers cost this was their price, I said I was sorry but I wouldnt be using his services and high tailed it out, got them turned up down the country for €4 each within the same day!

I know rents are high but it is a joke! I can honestly say I have a degree, work very hard but I definitely dont earn €10 for 10-15 mins work!

mood

I pay about 8 euro a pair and not in Dublin. Must look else where.

iguana

chocgirl wrote: »

The measuring tape sounds like a good idea, although I think I'd find it a bit of a chore after a while.

It's far less of a chore than having to use changing rooms. It also means I know exactly what measurements fit me so I have no problems shopping online.

ascuteasabutton

anothernight wrote: »

I'm a size 6, but the type of tiny size 6 that sometimes needs a size 4. It used to be hard to find clothes my size, but now it's nearly impossible. I've definitely noticed this trend of making clothes bigger and bigger. Some stretchy tops are ok. I've found the odd size 4 that was too big on me... And I haven't lost weight!

I'm so glad that i'm not the only person that has noticed this!!! I wish my mother could read this thread, she thinks that because I now need a size 4 that I must be starving myself or somthing when the reality is I have not lost weight in the last year ...its the clothes!!!

I find that in the last year all high street stores have introduced a size 6 to their ranges which I thought was brilliant considering it was so hard to get that size before and now I find that its just impossible to get a pair of jeans to fit me unless I go somewhere like Tommy Hilfiger and pay a fortune for them! I want to be able to shop in Pennys too like everybody else

ApeXaviour

Herbal Deity wrote: »

ApeXaviour wrote:

Surely you mean that sizes are getting larger (i.e. a size 8 is larger than it used to be )

The number of the size which refers to certain measurements has gotten smaller.

lol, cos that makes much more sense...

jellie wrote: »

eh surely you mean getting bigger? I do find awear sizes bigger than some other shops but not penneys.

Stonypockets wrote: »

Surely if this is the case shops are making their clothes bigger?

Anyway...

SueWho wrote:

Another trend I have noticed is the shape of clothes- they seem to be designed now on the assumption that we all have excess belly flab.

Yeah what's with that!? Shirts and T-shirts that would fit perfectly around the neck/arms/shoulders almost exclusively then go bell-shaped around the midsection.

I suppose the lesson here is that we should all get our clothes tailored. Or at least find a brand or two that fit well and only buy from them. Most clothes retailers are going to shape their clothes by the common denominator, or what they think will sell more.

Herbal Deity

ApeXaviour wrote: »

lol, cos that makes much more sense...

It makes perfect sense...

chocgirl

iguana wrote: »

It's far less of a chore than having to use changing rooms. It also means I know exactly what measurements fit me so I have no problems shopping online.

Yeah I suppose, I have a cool springyy one for work, might dig it out!:)

ha-ya-said-what

Nike & Adidas are making the clothes tiny, you actually have to buy a size 14 or 16 in the jumpers to get a not skin tight top!!! I'm an 8 and I bought a size 16 in Adidas hoodie and I swear it is tiny!!

Lewis82

€10 per hour is the average price to get a pair of trousers shortened. Would you be rude to the person washing your car because he charges the same price to wash a cheap car as to wash an expensive car? Or would you be rude to the cobbler who charges you €10 to re-heel your cheap shoes but also charges €10 to the person who has paid €200 for their shoes? It is an absolutely ridiculous argument. Dressmaking is a skill and more often than not, cheap clothes are more difficult to work with because they are cut out & sewn together poorly, not something your average person may notice but when it comes to shortening the hem, it may need to be straightened first and then shortened. The price you paid is irrelevant to the person carrying out the alteration.

jennyoo

iguana wrote: »

Tbf, I think that's just the current fashion. For the last few years most clothes look like maternity clothes. Great if you are pregnant, sucks if you have a slim waist.

Especially if you have big boobs and a slim waist.:mad:

well aren't you very very lucky!!

convert

Stonypockets wrote: »

Yeah, and the prices that are charged in some shops, I had a funny moment recently in a seamstresses, I bought three pairs of pennys trousers for work at €5 each, I needed to have 2 inches cut off, and the seamstress wanted to charge €10 per pants ... twice the price of the trousers!!!! And I'd have to wait a week for them!

Needless to say I laughed at the guy behind the til and asked him was he joking! I showed him the receipt for the pants from pennys and explained that that was extortionate to turn up a pair of pants! He told me that it didnt matter how much the trousers cost this was their price, I said I was sorry but I wouldnt be using his services and high tailed it out, got them turned up down the country for €4 each within the same day!

I know rents are high but it is a joke! I can honestly say I have a degree, work very hard but I definitely dont earn €10 for 10-15 mins work!

:eek:

I usually end up having to take up the legs in jeans and trousers because apparently if you're a size 8 you must also be very tall. :mad:

It's not that hard to do, and doesn't really take that long to do (and I'm not the most domesticated of people, esp when it comes to a needle and thread). And it saves on 8-10 euro and waiting a week. Plus, the more often you do it, the quicker it gets!

Corruptedmorals

Very annoying when you're a 6-8 too- Penneys especially- dresses, skirts, forget it. Casual clothes only. A-Wear I only like their dresses nothing else- if they DO fit they're weird, strange cut on most of them I find. Dunnes I know their sizes are big in everything except casual tops, but I don't buy anything there, just know from working there. Forever 21 need to stock XS in everything not just a few things- the S is MASSIVE in loads of things, very frustrating and makes me feel like I must be a skeleton. Same with their jeans, had to get 24inch skinny jeans and they're still not beat on- but 25inch jeans would be anywhere else ie. very difficult to take off. Sooo frustrating because I love forever 21. I find Topshop's and River Island's sizing fine but I rarely buy from them, rip-off.

rainbow kirby

I've bought a few vest tops recently (in various places) which were a size 8 and were a perfect fit - I'm normally a size 12 and I'm big on top. :eek: Also tried on a dress in a size 12 in New Look a couple of weeks a go which ended up being so big on me that to get one that fitted would have meant going down to a size 8 or 10.

Rockery Woman

Back in the early nineties I was stick-thin. I looked anorexic tbh. My clothes were size 8. Im size 12 nowadays but I have noticed that clothes sizes arent what they used to be. I believe clothes up until the mid nineties were mostly cut to templates that were standard sizes in the 1950's, I read that in a magazine a few years ago and would love to learn more about it....

Womens shapes have changed considerably since then due to a drastic change in diet and lifestyle. Clothing companies recoginsed the change in womens shapes and changed the cut accordingly. Clothes made in China are generally a smaller fit, German and Danish clothes generally a little more generously cut (eg Esprit, Mexx). A size M in Germany is often regarded as size L in France (I just checked my Edc Esprit shirt there)

The small waist and large hips with no-stomach shape wouldnt fit most women nowadays. I would love to try on a pair of Levis jeans from the 80's and see how they compare to the modern "relaxed/slouchy/stretchy low-slung shapes that are more fashionable nowadays - I reckon I would be a size 16 in an 80's cut....:eek:

So what is my real size - God knows???!!!!

Lorrrrraine

I've noticed that the legs have also gotten longer in jeans. I'm 5"3 but short leg jeans out of A-Wear, Dorothy Perkins and Pennys are always about three inches too long for me. They used to fit just fine.

E.T.

Lorrrrraine wrote: »

I've noticed that the legs have also gotten longer in jeans. I'm 5"3 but short leg jeans out of A-Wear, Dorothy Perkins and Pennys are always about three inches too long for me. They used to fit just fine.

I brought jeans from A-Wear to get the leg taken up, they said short/30" but were at least 2 inches long for me and normally this would be perfect for me in flats. The seamstress measured them just to have a look and the leg was 31 1/2". Wouldn't trust leg lengths or sizes at this stage.

rainbow kirby

E.T. wrote: »

I brought jeans from A-Wear to get the leg taken up, they said short/30" but were at least 2 inches long for me and normally this would be perfect for me in flats. The seamstress measured them just to have a look and the leg was 31 1/2". Wouldn't trust leg lengths or sizes at this stage.

A-wear short leg is a perfect fit on me. I'm 5'6". :eek:

iguana

E.T. wrote: »

I brought jeans from A-Wear to get the leg taken up, they said short/30" but were at least 2 inches long for me and normally this would be perfect for me in flats. The seamstress measured them just to have a look and the leg was 31 1/2". Wouldn't trust leg lengths or sizes at this stage.

Seriously, get a dressmakers measuring tape. They're about 50c, take up very little space in a handbag and will save you soooo much hassle.

tomissex

Awear's 8 Short used to be my perfect size but now the waist is too tight and they're too long! So annoying. New Look is now my favourite place for jeans cos they do 28" length! Perfect for us wee ones!

Chuchoter

I'm a weird size, I'm between a 4 and a 6. Not because I'm like crazy skinny or whatever I'm just like 5 feet tall and built small, last year or so my shoulders have got quite broad though because I've done loads of sport, so now I have no idea what size I am :P. Sizes have changed in the last year or two. Pennys 8 got bigger I think (It used to kind of fit me, now there isn't a hope). H&M got rid of their 6 for a lot of things, but New Look 6 and 8 definitely got smaller for jeans. I think jeans have got longer though

Ditzie

In one day i bought a t-shirt size 8, top size 10, coat size 14, dress size 12 and jeans size 10 all from river island.. i'm usually a 10 so needless to say i was confused, especially when i went to penneys and they're vests were so small looking that i ended up buying a size 16 so it wouldn't be skintight! great if you have time and want to bother but not so good when you have to catch a train!

dollybird2

Sizes in store are all over the place. I am a 10-12 usually across the board. Bought a coat in Dunnes last week - went for a 14 so I could wear layers underneath comfortably. Tried it on at home - perfect everywhere but the boobs. Wouldnt even close across the ladies. Ended up getting a 16. Likewise - in Oasis got a size 8 top and a size 12 jeans in the one trip. Crazy.

Delicate_Dlite

It's ridiculous!

I've always been a regular leg length, recently bought a regular length had to take up the hem 4 and a half inches! I feel like I'm Mrs. Twit with the shrinks! :rolleyes:

Also I'm an 8/10 and yet can not get a pair of jeans to save my life, apart from being too long, they're all made to accommdate a non-exsistant belly. Seriously, people I'm looking or literally 4 years!:eek:

I think that could be down to me having unusually large thighs for my build though.:( But I haven't bought any nice/well fitting clothes in soooooooo long.

rannerap

noticed the awear thing my self, have a lot of clothes from there and usually a size 8, sometimes a 6:eek: absolutely crazy, im a 10-12! bought a tshirt in h&m last week too, size 6, still a little baggy, they should just standardise the clothing sizes, its getting really annoying

Mary-Ellen

This drives me crazy, I refuse to bring 3 different sizes of the same thing into fitting rooms. If the two I bring don't fit, I give up.

For anyone taking up jeans/pants I use that magic web stuff. I even use the hair straightener to seal it to save taking out the iron
Job done in 5 minutes and way cheaper than the tailors