https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:03:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414867 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 03:58:25 +0000 Sal 2414867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I buy less online than most I think, but do agree from my experience that sizing is a mess.&nbsp; I have size Small to XL in my closet at the moment and almost bought an XXL tee recently.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I find shoes quite consistent and have more success with shoe sizing across retailers than clothing.&nbsp; It has put me off online shopping to a large extent.</p> <p>Yes weight loss drugs do seem to be having an impact; there are lots of good things about that, but there are a few worrying things too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414866 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 03:58:25 +0000 Jenni NZ 2414866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I suppose Suz this is why I am still mostly a die-hard bricks and mortar shopper. I do do a lot of research online if I am unfortunate enough to need to replace a favourite item due to wear, but then I try to attend an actual store (most of our websites will say find in-store so I can work out if a local branch has the item or even one in a different size so I can feel the fabric etc and then maybe order a different size). This is acceptable to me because I buy minimal amounts of clothing these days and so a small amount of trawling around stores is able to be coped with, I can usually tie it in with some other errands. I really hate doing returns and only do it occasionally for shoes from Styletread. I just find it so random how various items fit and thus prefer to try them on in store. If they don’t work at least I can leave them there and not have to package them up, get them to the post, etc.<br /> I fully realise that most Fabbers have moved to online shopping. Think I am going to be a die-hard who doesn’t change! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414865 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 03:32:23 +0000 Suz 2414865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Irina</b>, yes -- that was exactly my experience with the Gap jeans. They were a replacement for a worn item. Same size -- but different fit. I have read that jeans in different colours can fit differently because blue denim differs in the weave from solid coloured denim in other colours. But stll...</p> <p>I did look at the item measurements for the items I ordered at MD and at their recommended size -- and items were still too big. But you are right -- knowing how it is all made helps explain some of these problems. I think you are right that taking a philosophical approach is the way to go. I've just been shocked at the range of issues I've had this year across so many brands. I usually experience this a couple of times a season, but not in every single store I shop in!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Lisa,</b> interesting to hear that about the Ozempic / sizing connection -- I'm not imaginging things.&nbsp; And yes, I typically find bottoms more difficult to fit, too. In any of the stores. Though lately, it seems as if tops are equally bad!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Roberta,</b> good points and good to keep in mind. As Irina notes, some manufacturers also do item measurements. MD on some items, and Boden and a few others. I should always remember to delve that far when ordering.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414864 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 03:18:20 +0000 Irina 2414864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Massimo Dutti provides measurements on items that I find useful. But even with using it, still fit is unpredictable.&nbsp;<div>Learning history of universal sizing made me more philosophical about how well can made-to-wear clothes fits.&nbsp;</div><div>What annoys me the most is when I do a repeat purchase of a same item but in different color or new this season and it fits different from a previous purchase.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414862 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:31:32 +0000 LJP 2414862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And as to your musings about an Ozempic connection , I read an article just last week ( I can’t remember where ) posing that same , um , thought , I guess . Women’s sizing is trending downward now as GLP use becomes apparently so common . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414861 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:16:15 +0000 Roberta 2414861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's one thing to be said in favor of buying on eBay or Poshmark; they usually show the measurements of the actual garment. At least that way you have a decent chance of it fitting you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414858 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 01:11:30 +0000 LJP 2414858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh yeah - all the time for me . BR and Gap are the worst offenders in my case . I used to rely on them specifically for their consistency in denim sizing . Now nothing seems to fit yet my old stuff is just fine . I’ve given up . Zara is a sizing nightmare and I don’t order anymore . If I happen to get into our local , I only buy tops and jackets . Pants and denim simply do not fit - and I haven’t the time more energy to experiment . I have bought the Aritzia Lodge pant in different fabrics and lengths and sometimes need an M and other times an S is fine . Yet I can’t even squeeze into a fitted vest in a 10 . I hate all of this !!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/box-store-sizing-what-is-up-or-down#post-2414857 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:43:10 +0000 Suz 2414857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p></p> <p>Is it just me, or is box store sizing even more out of whack than usual this year?</p> <p>Here is a list of sizing misadventures I have experienced so far.</p> <p><b>COS:</b> Often when I've tried on clothes there, I've been sized out of almost everything, by which I mean everything is too wide, too long in the body/ length, and/or both. Yes, I have gained a bit of weight following on my accident and resultant inactivity. But I was still wearing my same size clothes. They were just a little more snug at the waist.. But on a recent in store visit, the small in everything I tried was too tight,&nbsp; and the medium was too wide, and the lengths in the body/ armhole etc were entirely wrong for me.. Result: frustration. I <b>love</b> their clothes but I rarely get a fit. Sigh.</p> <p><b>ZARA:</b> yes, their sizing is always inconsistent. But how can it be that in one order, I’m <b>swimming</b> in one item in the recommended size (which is a size smaller than my usual size); another item in my regular recommended size fits perfectly, and still another in my recommended size cannot go over my hips!</p> <p><b>GAP</b>: I order a replacement pair of jeans in my recommended size (a size and style I currently own and that still fits perfectly). The jeans are so small I can’t zip them up. I have to size up <b>two</b> sizes. Ditto for a t-shirt bought as a PJ top. I feel like I’m back in the 90s wearing a shrunken tee! I order a skirt, though, and oops! I need a size <b>smaller</b> than my normal recommended size. Meanwhile a top, admittedly billed as oversized, is wide enough in the body for a linebacker and almost reaches to my knees. Fortunately, returns are free.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Massimo Dutti:</b> I have less experience ordering from them but they make a recommendation based on my measurements and I order two items. Both are a size too large and I have to return and re-order. The size down fits. I buy the items in this new size, but their system does not make note of the fact and they continue to recommend the size up when I browse further items.</p> <p><b>J. Crew:</b> several tops I tried on this year were so snug in my regular size that I could not get them off fast enough. Needless to say I did not buy. (Granted, they were smocked tops, but still.)</p> <p><b>BR</b>: a pair of jeans fits in a size down from my usual, even though my own weight is up a little bit. Meanwhile, in looking at the size charts I notice that I will need to order <b>up</b> from my usual if I’m hoping to get a top that fits.</p> <p>Speaking of the sizing charts, I wonder if Ozempic and similar drugs may be driving a change. It may be my imagination but some of the measurements seem to have shifted in a downward direction at some stores. So someone who was on the borderline between sizes might have to order up a size vs. down a size. But again, it is not consistent, across items or the brand. </p> <p>Anyone else have similar experiences this year? Anyone have great fit experiences with a particular manufacturer/ store?&nbsp; </p>