https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:06:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287782 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 22:14:07 +0000 DonnaF 1287782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm about 5' 1" (used to be 5' 1.75") with 5.5" wrists and have always considered myself to be medium-boned by U.S. standards and large-boned (heifer) from an Asian perspective.&nbsp; Oh, and small-boned from a Pacific Islander perspective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287653 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:45:26 +0000 Echo 1287653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think perhaps I either mis-phrased the question or perhaps we are mixing bone/frame size with build instead. There are plenty of people with both fine bones or heavier bones who have wide shoulders, wide hips, large heads, etc. That is body type or build. But within each of the types of build, there are small boned people and large boned people.</p> <p>I agree with Gaylene that bone size is independent of build.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287652 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:45:01 +0000 Sara L. 1287652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion.&nbsp; By these calculations I'm small boned but I always thought I was at least medium boned.&nbsp; I come from hearty peasant stock.&nbsp; My wrist measures&nbsp;5.8 inches and I'm 5'6".&nbsp; I went to pick baby boy up from daycare on his first day and one of the women, who I hadn't met before, made a comment on how tiny I was.&nbsp; Maybe this has something to do with her comment since at 5'6" I'm not tiny!&nbsp; I've never worn a size 0 or 2.&nbsp; I'm firmly in the 6 range. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287625 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:15:47 +0000 Suz 1287625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The numbers they give in that article are a little different than some of the other calculators you'll see. But not a huge difference. It does put me into the small boned category. Making Angie the SUPER small. &nbsp;:)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287523 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:40:24 +0000 rachylou 1287523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd call myself *medium* boned. I'm a heffer, tho, from the Asian point of view. A giant, olympian cow. Hehe.</p> <p>Ring size is a whole other matter. I was measured for a 7, but that size ring cuts off my circulation. A ring that I have, which works for me perfectly, is 7.75... however, this new ring I got - at 7.75, I have to be careful it doesn't fly off my finger. Anyways, though, I have really large, long hands. They're not at all proportional to my body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287424 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:08:28 +0000 Gaylene 1287424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's an interesting article, JAileen. From a medical perspective, the determination of whether or not some is "big-boned" is wrist circumference and height, not girth in specific body areas like shoulders and hips. According to that classification, my 7" wrists and a 5'7" height definitely put me into "big-boned" territory. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287386 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:05:17 +0000 JAileen 1287386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was beginning to think maybe I am big boned, due to some comments about big hands and feet, but according to this website I'm firmly in the medium boned camp:</p> <p><a href="http://www.youbeauty.com/body-fitness/ask-a-scientist-being-big-boned" rel="nofollow">http://www.youbeauty.com/body-.....-big-boned</a></p> <p>Although I too am sized out of women's gloves, it's due to the fingers being too short rather than the hand being too small. Men's gloves with fingers long enough for me are too big overall. And although I have big feet (size10) it's mostly due to my very long toes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287338 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:00:12 +0000 Janet 1287338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol Aubergine, I do think of Cartman when I hear "big-boned." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287325 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:46:51 +0000 Anonymous 1287325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I have some characteristics of a small frame, but not all the way. I've got&nbsp;really tiny hands and feet (am another one who can rarely buy bracelets that aren't custom-made or resized). But I think my shoulders and hips are wide enough that I've never looked "delicate" or been able to fit into a super-tiny size even at my thinnest, even though being really short should have given me a heads-up on both. I have a big head for my height too. Not that that&nbsp;translates to singing ability in my case!</p> <p>And I blame South Park for "big-boned" as a euphemism for fat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287301 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:30:26 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 1287301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating discussion. &nbsp;I am a mix too I think. &nbsp;I have long skinny hands and feet,&nbsp;smallish wrists and&nbsp;ankles, and a narrow rib cage but wider shoulders and hips. &nbsp;I am 5'5" and my mother is 5'8" and when we both weigh the same amount, I am at least a size smaller than she is. &nbsp;I think all of her extra height is in the neck and calves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287254 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 07:23:59 +0000 Lyn D. 1287254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another mixed-up one here- smallish head and hands with a 6'' wrist and average-sized feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287223 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 05:28:06 +0000 Carla 1287223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I come closest to Janet as a body twin though my top is broader through the shoulders without la belle poitrine! Limbs are definitely long and thin, but hips, rib cage, and shoulders heavier boned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1287183 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 03:51:53 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1287183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am definitely large boned (in both senses of the word, ha). Both of my parents are relatively tall but my build comes from my mom's side of the family - bigger hands and feet, all that. My dad is the same height as me but his shoe size and glove size are smaller than mine. I think I wear a ring size that's somewhere in the 7-8 range, and I'm often sized out of women's gloves.</p> <p>Beth Ann et al, re ribcages and singing - I was in choirs through school and when I was otherwise skinny in high school, I often had to go up a size in structured dresses because the fit through the ribcage was too snug. I don't know if the two things were related. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286692 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:16:11 +0000 columbine(erin) 1286692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was fascinating, Beth Ann. I miss choir so much. Anyhow. I wear a 4.5 ring and have small bones except for my sturdy ankles! Too muscular to be in the delicate camp though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286689 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:10:47 +0000 Suz 1286689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating, Beth Ann.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a really big head for my size. And I love to sing. Someday I should come and get some lessons from you. &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286672 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:41:16 +0000 deb 1286672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth Ann, that is so interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286647 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:12:31 +0000 Beth Ann 1286647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dansko Girl:&nbsp; There may be something to the larger resonator space in the mouth and throat, and a larger rib cage can indicate larger lung volume.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; These can matter when you're singing unamplified over an orchestra.&nbsp; Still, there are tiny little coloratura sopranos who project just fine.&nbsp; Trained singers (and heavy metal screamers, interestingly enough), produce an overtone series called the "singer's formant" in the 2800-4000 Hz range -- this is a frequency range that's really weak in a symphony orchestra.&nbsp; Isn't that cool?&nbsp; There's a frequency hole just waiting for a voice to sail through!</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286450 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 06:51:45 +0000 danskogirl 1286450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beth Ann: I was intrigued by your comment that largish heads are very common for singers. Is that just a coincidence or is there something about having larger heads that make it physically more suited for opera singing? (Sorry to go off on a tangent here.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size/page/2#post-1286378 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 04:12:55 +0000 Beth Ann 1286378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ceit --- how interesting to have someone in your profession discuss bones!</p> <p>I'm another big boned person.&nbsp; When my weight fluctuates, my pelvis stays the same, so I can get flatter, but not much narrower, if that makes sense.&nbsp; My head is even largish --- very common for a singer, and my wrists are too large for many standard bracelets.</p> <p>I always wanted to be delicate, but I am grateful to be strong.&nbsp; Finding clothing can be difficult, although several costumers in opera have told me I'm one of the easiest to fit -- I have enough size to carry off a heavy, long gown and a easier time projecting a presence from stage.&nbsp; Apparently height, larger frame and high contrast coloring are a blessing on stage, but a blight on film.&nbsp; There goes my movie career! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286374 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 04:08:00 +0000 dashielle (Ann) 1286374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A timely forum post, as I've been musing on the topic of late due to what I've learned about myself on the forum. At 5'2", a 38" bra band and 5.5" wrists, I'm short and stocky with fine bones. I have a bit of padding now, but am also prone to bulky muscles, so no matter how much I lose, I'm still a sturdy gal. With all of that and narrow hips, I struggle with any clothing that is too feminine, which makes me feel like I'm in drag. I often tell folks that some of us were built for distance (like the willowy thoroughbreds) and others for bursts of speed (like the muscular Quarter Horse)! Also, if I wear too many masculine pieces, I look butch (which is fine, but not what I'm going for), so I have to balance carefully. Angie can carry the androgeny and the short hair that I cannot, due to frame differences. I could (and do) just squeeze her, she's so cute! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286354 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 03:54:53 +0000 Suzanne (ambergreen) 1286354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion! Had not thought about the possibility of women in my size/height/weight range being big-boned but of course it makes sense. ('Course, I thought this discussion was going to be about specs. I have a terrible time getting a good selection of small-enough adult frames.)</p> <p>I'm small-boned, yep (and also of Nordic descent)--biggest non-thumb ring I can wear is about a 6, wedding/ring fingers a 4, pinky about a 2. Pinky rings have been a HEWI of mine! </p> <p>Wrist is 5.25"...but hey, I've been working out. :D</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286340 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 03:22:51 +0000 Anonymous 1286340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I am somewhere in the middle to small. At 5'10" my ring size is 6.25 and my watches are usually on the last third of the wholes. I have skinny bony ankles but a fairly large rib cage. My mom is truly small boned and has the most delicate frame. She out weighs me but that is more to do with fitness than frame size. Even at my thinnest I never looked as willowy as her.</p> <p>My girls are an interesting study in frame size. Both are off the charts tall and thin. My oldest though has the narrowest hips and shoulders, she looks much more delicate. My youngest looks thin compared to her peers but thick next to her sister. I image it would be the same if you could compare my mom and me at the same age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286338 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 03:18:03 +0000 Gaylene 1286338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, with a 7" wrist and hands large enough to size out of XL ladies' golf and ski gloves (mine are men's mediums), I think I easily fit into the large-frame club. Team that with a fairly well-developed, athletic body and the end result is a body shape that never fit stereotyped notions of dainty femininity. But, now that I'm in my mid-sixties, I m reaping some benefits: strong bones, good muscle tone, and erect posture. And, yes, chunky jewelry works much better-- large cuffs, a man's watch--and, I tell my husband, serious chunks of gemstones. Dainty diamond studs don't work for me; I need to size up on those carats! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286330 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 03:07:18 +0000 Diana 1286330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have fairly small wrists and hands (5.75" left wrist, 6" right, and my wedding ring is a 4.5) but relatively large rib cage, wide pelvis, and big skull. What does that make me? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286325 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:51:45 +0000 JAileen 1286325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is very interesting. I'm not sure I'm big boned, but I'm definitely not small boned. My mother who is the same height as me (5'6") but outweighs me by a lot, has much smaller wrists and ring size. As a child I was described as sturdy. Even when I was in my early twenties and very slender, people could not guess my weight correctly. They always thought I weighed less than I did. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286311 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:27:05 +0000 Suz 1286311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So glad the bone loss is under control, Angie. You are a model to us all of a positive attitude.&nbsp;</p> <p>And yes, you can bet I am happy that you can suss out sizes at NAS!!! &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p>I could not agree more about chunky jewellery looking great on larger boned women, whatever their height. Also, chunkier footwear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286307 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:23:08 +0000 lyn* 1286307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to think I was pretty small boned, but my ring size is a firm 7; occasionally I do wear an 8. I don't think I'm huge boned (I've seen patients with HUGE bones) and never thought of my weight reflecting this.</p> <p>I definitely have an angular pelvis though. Hard to find comfy chairs to sit in </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286303 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:20:26 +0000 Aida 1286303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm I didn't realize that being smaller framed puts one at risk for bone density issues but it makes sense now that I think about it. Guess I'll have to watch for that, although I don't know that the other small framed women in my family got anything at a younger age or more&nbsp;than they should've. My mom is a similar frame to me (just a bit larger) and has only a very mild amount due to her age. Interesting!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286302 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:15:11 +0000 MsMaven 1286302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tall--over 5'8" and small boned. &nbsp;I have long, narrow bones and a narrow rib cage. &nbsp;I'm not very muscular, either. &nbsp;I've had doctors worry about the strength of my bones, but so far bone density tests shows I am above average for my age. &nbsp;I don't know if it was all the milk I drank as a kid, and the vitamin D I was exposed to (which now means frequent treatment of pre-cancers.) &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/frame-size#post-1286294 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:05:57 +0000 Angie 1286294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look at least 5ft 8, Sir Ceit. You STAND tall.</p> <p>Thanks for the hugs Sveta and Suz. The osteoporosis is completely under control despite my too low bone density.&nbsp;I'm as strong as an ox - well, a small framed ox.&nbsp;</p> <p>High five, Gigi. My fingers are 3s and 4s too. The only place on earth I have been able to find an ADULT real pearl&nbsp;ring that fit and did not need to be resized was in HK. And my wrist measures 5 inches.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, Sveta. <b>A size</b> you want to reach is as good a goal. BMI's are not a good measure because bone structure plays a huge role either way. Too low if you're small framed and too high if you are large framed. My own BMI is a joke. It's best&nbsp;to go with your general state of health and get on with it. To Janet's point - weight - the number - is quite&nbsp;arbitrary.&nbsp;</p> <p>Suz and Aida, gosh. I have never thought of "large boned" as being a euphemism for being overweight. I live under a rock. Curvy - yes - but not large boned. I learned something today.&nbsp;</p> <p>Suz, isn't it handy that we wear a similar size. I can sass out the stuff at the NAS especially accurately for you - same goes for client Fernanda who is YOUR height. I think you and her are body doubles.&nbsp;</p> <p>Large boned ladies - despite their height or weight - rock chunky jewellery. I have several petite clients (that means short ladies),&nbsp;with large bones who prove this.&nbsp; </p>