Sizing - YouLookFab Forum

I am convinced that you can't put too much stock in measurement size charts. I just read that to take your waist measurement you stand with your hand on your hips and bend to one side. Where your body bends is your "natural waist". Then to find your hip measurement, measure 8" down (if you're not petite) and measure around that area.

Ok, so I did that. First of all, my "natural waist" is about 3" above where I wear my pants. And according to Ann Taylor's measurement charts, my waist measurement is a size 16. That's a little crazy, since I wear pant size 8 or 10. Then I measured 8" down from my "natural waist" and measured my hips. My hip measurement is a size 8 or 10 at A.T.

I can't be that much of a freak of nature! I know that I am top heavy, but I'm not twice as big on top as I am on bottom. And what would that make me? An upside down pear? And is that anything like a pineapple upside down cake? And what bothers me the most about this...is how easily my husband can measure into clothes. Why don't women's clothes come in exact measurements like men? Pick your waist and hip and inseam and voila, perfectly fit pants! Grrrrrr....I think I'll throw out all my measuring tapes now!!!!!

18 years ago

mayapple

Active Member

I am with you Nicole. Size charts are never accurate for me. According to Banana Republic's size chart, I should be a 4. Instead I usually end up being a 0 or a 2 if I'm shopping in the petites section. In many other stores, I'm one size in the bust, another size in the waist, and yet another size in the hips.

Even when I buy my jeans or pants by waist size, there are too many variables. i'm usually a 26, but sometimes my monster thighs force me up to a 27. Men don't have to worry about that so I guess it's easier. However, I don't understand why men get a choice of inseam and women don't. Most petite inseams are too short for me and regular inseams are too long. I have to choose between 29" and 34" when I'm smack in the middle at 31". I can't tell you how often I see women with rolled up cuffs or too-short pants. Very few seem to achieve perfect pants length, and understandably so. I don't have anything against tailoring, but even that doesn't always help.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sizing and size charts are a nuisance ladies and this is a worldwide phenomenon. Size charts do not take into account the ease in garments and that’s one of the reasons you can never be sure which size you are. And as we’ve said many times before, sizes are not created equally. Men are generally straight and woman are generally curvy which is why sizing and pattern making is easier when it comes to men’s clothing. Your best bet with any on-line shopping is trial and error and I’m positively sure that you are not a freak of nature Nicole!

Nicole

Veteran

Angie, How feasible is it for someone to design women's bottoms using three measurements (opposed to men's 2 measurements) ? If men can have a wall of jeans organized by waist and length, why can't someone figure out how to offer waist/hip/inseam measurements in 2" increments for women? Can you imagine how popular a store would be if you could walk in and look for your exact measurements? I know this would create more sizes, but men have more sizes and that doesn't seem to be a problem?

Now I'm going to call my mother (remember she used to be a dress designer), and see if she thinks this is doable.

Interesting concept Nicole. Making patterns is not easy and this was a subject I did not enjoy. Jeans are a very good example of an item that’s the easiest thing to fit on men and one of the hardest things to fit on women precisely (I think) because we need to take into account more measurements for the perfect cut. Women’s curves are too variable and so are their clothing styles.

Also, I have a friend who measures exactly the same as me (bust, waist and hip), and she’s the same height; but clothing fits us differently because she’s wider on the shoulder then I am and because I’m somehow curvier. Let us know what Mum says.

pinkcobra

Maya, I have the exact same problem as you. Petites are too short, regulars are too long. In fact the pair I'm wearing right this minute are cuffed once. I tend to be a little straighter through the hip so I have a problem with having excess material there. Nothing like saddle bags that aren't even yours!

Sarah

I too have the problem of petites being far too short and regulars much too long. That's the main reason I got a sewing machine.

pinkcobra, I wish I had your problem--the alternative is no fun. It's much harder to get rid of saddlebags that ARE yours!

Category