https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:03:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119821 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 23:25:14 +0000 Suz 1119821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating discussion. I have nothing really to add except that Alexandra has made a personal study of the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-triumph-of-individual-style">Triumph of Individual Style</a>. And I know Steph and Vildy have also read it. I think Vix, too.&nbsp;</p> <p>I just got a copy recently via Alexandra's suggestion. The book itself is retailing for some ridiculous price, but if you buy the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bodybeautiful.net/product_details.php?prod=764.17910447761">"stylist workbook" y</a>ou get a free CD version of the book included.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree with Denise that thigh measurements and also rise measurements are as crucial to pants fits as the typical waist/ hip measures. Sometimes the manufacturers will give calf measurements; this is helpful to determine whether the pant will be "calf-sucking" on you, personally, or not.&nbsp;</p> <p>And I also agree that shoulder measurements for me can be more important than bust. This is probably because my shoulders are relatively wide for my small frame and small bust.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119677 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 20:44:44 +0000 Liz A. 1119677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In conjunction with Gaylene's comment, I think this relates to bottoms as well. &nbsp;For instance, I constantly have the problem of sagginess in the front if a pant fits in the rear. &nbsp;Most pants seem to be cut for a more even distribution of weight on both the front and rear side than I currently have </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119631 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 19:50:37 +0000 CocoLion 1119631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find that the deciding measurement for a garment may not even be listed in a size chart. &nbsp;For example, in jackets the shoulder fit is the most critical on me. &nbsp;Because I have narrow shoulders, if the shoulder is too broad then the sleeves will be too long and the jacket will look sloppy. &nbsp;So I will typically get a size 2 or XS in a jacket, if I can get away with the snugness around the bust (32D/32DD) or just leave it open. &nbsp;As I never see a shoulder measurement listed in a size chart, it's a guessing game.</p> <p>Another example of this is skinny or slim fit pants. &nbsp;While a size 4 might be fine in the waist and hips and rear, my thighs are on the full side so a 6 might look better, but I have only once seen thigh measurements listed on a size chart.</p> <p>On another note I was surprised that rectangle was the most common body shape, there are a lot of hourglasses on this forum. &nbsp;(Per the article that E linked to.)&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119603 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 19:03:12 +0000 Diana 1119603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, this makes sense. &nbsp;As I said above, I'm an extremely standard size 8&nbsp;on top (short waistedness notwithstanding), and reading the post that Jules linked as well as Gaylene's commentary confirms this. &nbsp;So, my bust measurement is 36", but the salient point is that I' wear a&nbsp;34C bra size. &nbsp;33" underbust and 34" above bust. &nbsp;Adding 2" (for the standard B cup sizing)&nbsp;to my above bust measurement gives me 36". &nbsp;So either way you measure it I come out exactly the same size on most size charts. &nbsp;I could see that it would be a hugely different story for people with larger cup sizes! &nbsp;</p> <p>Now my bottom half is an entirely different story and defies all attempts at logic! &nbsp;;) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119599 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:50:05 +0000 Gaylene 1119599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Using your upper bust, or rib-cage, measurement makes sense for some women but probably not for all.</p> <p>Two women could both measure 36" at the fullest part of the bust and therefore, wear a size 8 according to a company's size chart. BUT, if the first woman wore a 36A bra and the second woman wore a 30E bra, both could have trouble with that size 8 jacket because of the difference in their rib-cages--on the first woman the jacket would pull on the front because of her broad back while on the second the jacket would bag and sag on her small frame. Woman A would need to size up, while the Woman B would probably want to size down or have the jacket altered to get rid of the excess fabric. </p> <p>Circumference measurements are only a rough guide and don't take into account the actual shape of a person's body. That's why a women with a slender frame might be better off using her upper bust measurement (or rib-cage) because most manufacturers do allow enough fullness for a B or C cup. A slender woman with a very full bust, though, might have to find a company that cuts for a D or E cup to get the upper bust measurement technique to work; this woman might be better off to just get the required alterations done on a jacket that fits her full bust circumference. Our 36A woman is also going to have trouble unless the she opts for a stretch fabric, or sizes up in a label that cuts for a small-breasted shape; for her, using the upper bust measurement would lead to a straitjacket. </p> <p>And I'm not even going to think about all the differences that there might be between two women with the same hip circumferences! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings/page/2#post-1119472 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:20:38 +0000 RoseandJoan 1119472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adding the post I referred to above<br /><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/size-chart-revelation-do-they-apply-to-you" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ply-to-you</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118723 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 12:40:47 +0000 Jaime 1118723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wanted to add another plug for The Triumph of Individual Style, which I bought on ebay cheaply a couple of years ago when someone here recommended it (sorry I don't remember who it was). It is really a must read for fashion book lovers - art appreciation brought to style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118689 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 11:05:37 +0000 E 1118689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was such an interesting&nbsp;thread to read (I don't have much time to be on the forum this week or next week so have to snatch some minutes here &amp; there). Those size charts confirm for me that even though I'm small busted, if I wear a woven shirt that fits my bust, it's always a size too big in my waist. And vice verse, a woven that fits my waist pulls on my bust. For me nowadays I just accept a loss of waist definition or tuck in to a fitted skirt (in high school and college I pretty much only wore knits, because I didn't want to surrender my waist).&nbsp;I can't even imagine what busty women do!</p> <p>Also, despite leaning towards IT rather than pear, I always need a size bigger on bottom than top; I think because my hip measurement is in my rear instead of my hip bones, so from the front my shoulder line is stronger, but I need to size up so the trousers don't fit too tightly/outline too much. Sizing is just weird. :)</p> <p>Here's a relevant blog post I read recently:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://americanagefashion.com/?p=3470">http://americanagefashion.com/?p=3470</a>&nbsp;talking about US sizing. From it, I learned that the first standard sizing was based on a small sample of young, white middle class&nbsp;women from 1939. About ten years ago, the Commerce Department did a new survey and discovered only 8% of adult women are 'hourglasses.' 'Rectangles' are the most common shape across ethnic groups, although percentages vary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118446 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:50:40 +0000 Tania 1118446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been a fascinating read.&nbsp; I think I'll have to go back to this when I have more time.&nbsp; I recently came to YLF and I've been trying to sort out my body shape and how that impacts what clothes to buy.&nbsp; </p> <p>RoseandJoan, I'll have to try the armpit measurement trick.&nbsp;&nbsp;My bust measurement often&nbsp;places me&nbsp;1-2 sizes more than my waist/hip measurements.&nbsp; Or at least I need to remember to drop down a size if there is stretch in the fabric.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118419 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 23:43:15 +0000 Keix 1118419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In Theory's size chart, I'm a size 2 bust, size 10 waist, and size 2 hip. Guess it's pretty obvious that I'm a rectangle with apple tendencies, haha. But actually I wear a size 0/2 in most brands, including a 26 in (low-rise) jeans, because sizing an hourglass-cut garment to my waist would require extensive alterations. So I shop around for garments with enough ease through the waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118360 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 21:49:06 +0000 RoseandJoan 1118360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an interesting subject, thank you for starting it Tanya.</p> <p>Perhaps I am an anomaly but I&nbsp;no longer&nbsp;measure the fullest part of my bust for size charts, I measure above the fullest part of my bust directly under the armpits on the advice of a seamstress on YLF some years ago. </p> <p>If I measure the fullest part of my bust a size chart will guide me in the direction of a top three sizes larger than my actual size and I am&nbsp;simply not THAT busty.</p> <p>In fact if you look at the various&nbsp;clothing diagrams&nbsp;highlighted by this google search they appear to advocate measuring under the armpits too perhaps for some this correlates to the fullest part of their bustline also.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ladies+size+charts&amp;hl=en&amp;qscrl=1&amp;rlz=1T4ADFA_enGB379GB379&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=P2mzUqi_IInOhAe5hIDIBw&amp;sqi=2&amp;ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=582" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.co.uk/searc.....8;source=l</a><br />&nbsp;<br />So how would the Theory sizing chart work if your bust measurement was taken from directly above or below your bustline? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118337 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 21:10:26 +0000 Alassë 1118337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's normal to be all over the place - I am too. But with time I've found that there must be more ease in skirts, since the supposedly way-too-small hip measurements (pear/hourglass here) fit me fine, IRL, when I choose according to my waist size. At least in many cases.&nbsp;</p> <p>I wonder if you being a slender hourglass is why you can look pear, IT, or hourglass when you choose to emphasize different features?</p> <p>And how weird is it that "ideal" bust proportions would require nightmare tailoring of every single&nbsp;garment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118331 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 21:04:46 +0000 Lisa 1118331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Inconsistent sizing is one reason I prefer to shop in person for clothes versus online.&nbsp; I'll order online more often when I know how the sizing runs but when it's a new brand I'm trying out, I prefer to shop in person.&nbsp; More recently, I order two sizes and just return one.&nbsp; But that's a pain so I try not to do this too often.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118309 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:52:03 +0000 Mo 1118309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I remember reading years ago about the average woman having a 2 or 3" 'drop' in measurements, meaning the bust is 2 or 3 inches smaller than the hip. &nbsp;But the 'ideal' did not reflect that, having the same bust and hip, or even larger bust, measurement. &nbsp;<br />I can say that the size charts verify for me that I am lucky in most off the rack clothing fitting me pretty well. &nbsp;I'm almost dead on most charts' size 4 measurements, from top to bottom, within half an inch. &nbsp;The variation that I deal with is height and short torso. &nbsp;The charts&nbsp;are for a 5' 6" I'd guess on average, which I'm not &nbsp;But with lower rise jeans, my short waist is a non issue, as they sit on the low waist/upper hip. &nbsp;That leaves dresses with fixed waists,&nbsp;jackets, and armholes as my fitting nemeses, but that's small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1118292 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:35:53 +0000 Liz A. 1118292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>See this is why I never trust sizing charts, and instead I spend hours scouring the reviews of any item to find out how it will fit someone of my size and shape (still not foolproof).&nbsp; I tend to rarely if ever buy an item that doesn't have plenty of reviews unless I am familiar with the line and what size I would be.&nbsp; Either that or they have free shipping and returns :)</p> <p>That being said, I feel relatively safe ordering one size down from whatever size my bust measurement places me in.&nbsp; This works with most anything with stretch (not button down shirts), and otherwise my waist will normally be swimming in fabric.&nbsp; The exception would be if I want an oversized look, I'll order the recommended size for my bust. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117944 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:25:03 +0000 Gigi 1117944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Caro's recommendation of the book *The Triumph of Individual Style*. I got it through my library on interlibrary loan (had to send it back before I was done...but I've requested it a second time and am waiting), and I love and accept my body so much more&nbsp;because of this book! The authors refer to the body shape used by retailers for clothing patterns as "the easy-to-dress" body, not the "ideal" body or "perfectly proportioned" body. The authors reprint lots of artwork from the great master painters showing all types of female figures--large busted, small busted, large hips, small hips, etc. Every body type is represented in the artwork. And I saw my own body type and thought, "Wow! A painter thought that my body is beautiful!" I highly recommend this book to everyone. It talks about different ways to dress your body in flattering ways.</p> <p>One of the other amazing things I learned from this book is that if you have what is generally viewed today&nbsp;as a beauty liability, such as a very small bust or very large hips, your only option is not to try to camouflage it! You can actually *highlight* the body part! So you can highlight your small bust or your short neck or whatever. And it looks beautiful!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117937 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:04:24 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1117937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suspect that a majority of women have a hip measurement that's bigger than their chest measurement, which is reflected in the size charts for these mainstream retail stores. Visually, I think you've gotta be substantially bigger in the hip than in the top half to look "pear shaped" and a few inches more in the hip than in the bust will not do that. This idea of a balanced figure, bust and hip equivalent, is a figment, I think. If you look at sewing patterns and their sizing, whether current or vintage, the bust measurement for a size has always been 2-4 inches smaller than the hip measurement for that size, for the vast majority of pattern companies and sizing schemes. This reflects, I think, that most of us will fit somewhere in that set, or at least manage to make do with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117928 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 06:50:06 +0000 Tanya 1117928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Gaylene, there is nothing to forgive you and no need to apologize at all!&nbsp; I&nbsp; was feeling bad for being unclear.&nbsp; I knew what I wanted to say, but did not find the right words (English is after all not my native language). And my brain is very fuzzy right now, for reasons too complicated to explain. Also, your original response was not a downer, I am just in a bit of a touchy mood.&nbsp; So how about we agree to stop apologizing to each other? :)<br />I always enjoy reading your comments, as you are very eloquent and wise. And if this is a topic you care about deeply, then by all means please do express yourself!&nbsp; You can go off on any tangent you like.<br />I find a lot of things you have just posted deeply fascinating.&nbsp; Strange how complicated these matters are. While it is true that the idea that the "balanced" proportions being considered "ideal" comes from the 50's, I think that there is still a lot of that floating around these days. You can still read and hear in many places that the "ideal" female body is an hourglass which is&nbsp; characterized, according to these sources (not Angie), by equal chest and hip measurements. And then I look at all these size charts, and regardless of the fit model, and also regardless of whether the sizing runs small or big, in all of them, within a single size, the hip measurement is always 3-4" bigger than the chest measurement. This all so contrary to me that is mind boggling! Some of us feel bad that we do not have the ideal balanced measurements. And some of us feel that, when we can not fit a size right of the rack - lets assume we are talking about a dress, there is something wrong about our body.&nbsp; But it is simply impossible to have both at the same time!&nbsp; This realization was simply astonishing to me.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117925 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 06:44:09 +0000 Caro in Oz 1117925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found this book very interesting:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Triumph-Individual-Style-Dressing/dp/1563672693">http://www.amazon.com/The-Triu.....1563672693</a></p> <p>it was written in 2002 &amp; the basic premise is we are better off looking at ourselves as individual works of art rather than measuring ourselves against some manufactures/designers ideal. The best thing about the book for me was the paintings the authors used to make their points. Lots of different "types" with different bodies, hair, colouring &amp; personalities.&nbsp;&nbsp;A lovely way to appreciate diversity.</p> <p>Please keep posting Tanya, this is very enjoyable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117913 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 06:15:40 +0000 Gaylene 1117913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Tanya, it's my 60+ brain that is fuzzy, not yours, so I'm the one who needs to be apologizing, not you!</p> <p>Truthfully, I think that all of the issues that you've raised above are important because they play so much into how we feel about our bodies, and our frustrations and dismay at not fitting into "normal" sizes when we are in the dressing room. I've got so many ideas rattling around that I just didn't want to go off on a tangent that had nothing to do with what you were intending with this thread. I have a bad tendency to get on a soapbox whenever the topic of "ideal" female proportions gets raised any where near me.</p> <p>For what it's worth, I think only handful of women would ever fit exactly into a manufacturer's ratios for a given size. As Caro points out, even a fit model whose proportions are being used as the standard might need to have a specific garment adjusted for a perfect fit. For centuries, women depended on dressmakers to turn bolts of cloth into garments; the whole notion of ready-to-wear clothing where people are expected to fit into the clothes instead of the clothes being made to fit the individual is a relatively recent innovation. It's as if everyone started thinking that women's bodies suddenly became standardized fifty years ago into half a dozen sizes.</p> <p>As for "balanced" proportions being "ideal", that concept seems to be more of a 50s PR/marketing idea than a societal perception from the studies that I've read. There <i>is</i> evidence that many cultures do see a narrow waist as a feminine ideal because a slender waist/full hip can be viewed as evidence of a fertile woman's high estrogen levels. The ration of 0.7 for waist/hip measurement is often cited as being almost universally seen as "attractive", at least from a male perspective. Interestingly, a universal "ideal" breast measurement isn't as easy to determine because societal preferences aren't the same the world over and, in addition, seem to be subject to the whims of current societal trends. Today's ultra-thin, small-breasted, boyish shape preferred by fashion designers would not be considered ideal by many societies--or by many individuals in our own society, as witnessed by the sales of push-up bras and popularity of breast enhancement surgery.</p> <p>Anyway, Tanya, I'm ever so sorry if my original response seemed a downer. Your musings are always fascinating to me because they send me off thinking in so many different directions. Please forgive me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117907 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 05:37:24 +0000 MsMaven 1117907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't forget that garments are cut with a certain amount of ease. &nbsp;I'm trying to remember what I learned ages ago. &nbsp;I think it used to be 1-2" in bust, 0-2 in waist, and 2" through hips. &nbsp;Not sure what it would be nowadays.</p> <p>The "fit" is also important to factor in and it seems like more online stores include this. &nbsp;Fitted, semi-fitted, loose and oversized--it depends on the style of the garment. &nbsp;Then junior, misses and so on. &nbsp;And now we have stretch to factor in. &nbsp;And as others have said, every brand has it's own fit. &nbsp;It's enough to drive us crazy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117906 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 05:33:50 +0000 Suz 1117906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of the size charts as very inaccurate maps. They give me an idea of the lay of the land, but for the actual route...well....I have to go there. :)&nbsp;</p> <p>In all seriousness, I have learned not to rely on them a whole lot and not to take them to mean anything about me or anyone else.</p> <p>Caro, that is absolutely fascinating about your job as a fit model. I don't think I ever knew that before. Amazing!&nbsp;</p> <p>I do wonder how the various manufacturers arrive at their "ideal" body. Does it have to do with their sense of what their market is (or their aspirational market)?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117880 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 04:22:26 +0000 Jaime 1117880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Please don't apologize Tanya - I think all of Gaylene's points are relevant and interesting to think about and everyone will just pick up the part that speaks to&nbsp;them. As for me, my waist always measures at least two sizes more than my hips on these charts and regardless I most often fit into a size 4. And that has been true for as long as I can remember - even though I was much slimmer in the middle pre-kids. The sizes inflated right along with me apparently.</p> <p>I had a hard time coming to grip with my post-twins shape but at this point I am just happy to keep reasonably in shape and not grow out of my clothes. I do think age is a big factor though - I don't think I was so complacent when I was your age at all. You have a terrific figure any way you slice it. Just remember that (and don't settle for shirts that don't button properly!).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117870 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:56:36 +0000 annagybe 1117870@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok so I thought US woman's sizes were developed in WWII. But I guess not</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_standard_clothing_size">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.....thing_size</a></p> <p>For me it is matter of finding manufacturers that fit me. For example I adore Smythe blazers, but they never fit me. In fact my sales associate at Nordstrom called me out on that recently as I was fingering one of their jackets.&nbsp;<br />I'm more of a true hourglass, with my bust being a smidge bigger than my hips. In dresses and tops I'm almost always consistently a size bigger than pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117869 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:52:27 +0000 Caro in Oz 1117869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My take on body types &amp; sizing charts is that they are just a jumping off point. Somewhere to start but they will never tell the whole truth Measuring is usually done in two dimensions &amp; our bodies are three dimensional.&nbsp;</p> <p>My first full-time job was a fit model for a local womens wear label &amp; it was there that I learned the importance of trying on clothes. They used to cut these clothes based on MY measurements yet they always needed tweaking on my body.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117867 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:46:57 +0000 Tanya 1117867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, I deeply apologize for not being very clear with my post.&nbsp; I am currently quite worried about something and was trying to keep busy, so maybe I&nbsp; should have waited to write&nbsp; this&nbsp; later.&nbsp; I am also not among the best of writers, nowhere near most of ladies here. </p> <p>What I was musing about was a couple of, in my mind related, issues:<br />1.&nbsp; analyzing my own measurements and how they could be could be interpreted to lead to different body types <br />2. coming to piece with my own insecurities regarding those measurements<br />3. the link between the measurements, various difficulties with fitting clothes, and how sizing plays into that<br />4. the big discrepancy between the fact the bust and hip measurements are not balanced in clothing size charts (which should reflect, what, average women of a certain size?) and the fact that we are told in the popular culture that those measurements should be balanced to have the ideal form, which can lead to aforementioned insecurities&nbsp; </p> <p>5. your third interpretation </p> <p>Again, I apologize for my bad expression, and the unclear thinking that may have lead to it.&nbsp; I did not mean to frustrate anyone reading this.&nbsp; I will gladly delete this post or ask Greg to do it if it is generally annoying to the readers or difficult to interpret. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117852 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:27:51 +0000 Diana 1117852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IMO the theory size chart is very accurate in that my 36-29-42 puts me in a size 10 jacket and size theory-thinks-is-too-big to exist for the bottom, and that is almost always true when i try theory on.</p> <p>However, BR size chart is totally inconsistent, not only with my experiences but among their different fits. So I'm generally a 8 on top/waist (although I sized up for the blazer), as the chart suggests but I usually take a 10 in bottoms even though the chart would put me in 12-14. And I buy Martin pants usually, which is not even the so-called "curvy" fit. I tend to hate curvy fit pants by the way, as they emphasize small waist - big butt and I don't want that! </p> <p> Anyway in general I find my top/waist are pretty "proportional" in terms of sizing but with the hips I can never tell by using the size chart. Maybe it is opposite for someone with a proportional lower half and bigger (or smaller) top half. I guess what I am trying to say is that I think the size charts only work well if you fall nicely into the proportions they assume. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117849 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:19:02 +0000 Gaylene 1117849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, I'm not quite sure of what you are musing about in this post. Are you pondering the existence of an "ideal", intrinsically pleasing ratio for a female form? Or are you musing about how sizing tables vary in their bust/waist/hip ratios? Or that the vast majority of women do not perfectly fit into the measurements used by a specific manufacturer/designer for a specific size? Or all of the above? Or none of these? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117841 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:06:32 +0000 Tanya 1117841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting experience you have had in Kate Spade Gigi!&nbsp; You are quite right in what you say here.&nbsp; And you are spot-on about the challenge of finding a well fitting dress!&nbsp; I find it next to impossible to fit most dresses of the rack, especially very tailored&nbsp; ones.&nbsp; The only dresses that work of the rack for me are wrap dresses and stretchy body-con jersey dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-type-analysis-2---horizontal-proportions-and-size-charts-musings#post-1117835 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 03:00:26 +0000 Gigi 1117835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that most of us have the same problem of spanning different sizes on the size charts. And FWIW, oftentimes the clothing lines don't follow their own size charts. Individual pieces of clothing vary, which is why I always try to get exact measurements of an item before ordering online. Perhaps this fluctuation from garment to garment is one way that the clothing mfrs try to address the issue of varying proportions, at least in a minor way.</p> <p>When I was in Kate Spade the other day, the SA told me that Kate Spade uses body models (I think that was the term she used). She said that they measure a lot of women to find out what the proportions should be for the clothes. She told me this because I had tried on two different pairs of jeans there and had some funny crumpling under the pockets in both pairs, which she had never seen before. I told her that maybe it was due to my figure-8 shape, with the "shelf" hips and flat rear end. She was considering contacting the higher-ups to tell them that they were missing my body model type!</p> <p>I do think that the clothing mfrs are better about dealing with "real" female proportions&nbsp;than they were some years ago. I think that the curvy fits in pants are to help deal with some of the proportion issues you raise. This way, someone with a bigger hip-to-waist ratio actually has a chance of finding pants that fit. But a well-fitting dress would probably be a much bigger challenge, if not impossible. </p>