I find Gap for me is bad that way - I wear one size in their long & leans, a different size in their black straight leg dress pants, and a different size again in their skinnies.

Angie was saying:

"The whole size thing is even trickier at the moment because of the very on trend "opposing trends":

- Body con
- Volume

You often need to size up for body con, and size down in volume. "

This is useful! The blouse I recently ordered from Nordstrom in a medium was really large on me and I was very surprised, but the thing is - it's a "volume" style. I will have to keep this tidbit of wisdom from Angie in mind when shopping for things that might be part of the opposing trends category.

I agree with you, Una. The big issue is with online ordering. I bought skirts at Target once and needed a size 4 in one style and an 8 in the other. It didn't matter since I was at the store with my tape measure and took home what I needed. But when I'm paying return shipping for something that SHOULD have fit, it's aggravating. I don't have a big budget and I hate to see it wasted on unnecessary shipping costs.

And I could commit to buying more in brick and mortar stores... but then you come back around to how I need petite sizes half the time and stores don't have them except online...... sigh.

Hmm, I didn't realize that J.Crew was cut for a slim rectangle. Now it makes sense why I am always a size smaller in J.Crew than Anthropologie (which I suspect is cut for a slim hourglass, because in fitted-waist styles I have to either pass or size up significantly). For example, I take a size 0 in J.Crew's pencil skirts but 4 or 6 in Anthro pencils... my waist is the most "out of proportion" from standard size charts, as I'm a rectangle with apple tendencies. I'm 5'2" and 118 pounds, which always seems "heavy" for wearing a size 0/2.

VANITY SIZING! (I range from an XS to M, (2-4), (26-28)! I know how you feel!

I no longer care about the #'s on the tag, so long as it fits, I'm buying it!

Im sorry/relieved to hear smaller ladies have the same gripe I do! Tops I usually get a XL or L in, but pants range from 16-20, which drives me crazy, because I get so freakin' hurting/worn out trying more than 3 pair (which is a joke, cuz even if they 'fit' you still need to see if you like the style, cut, etc on you) Ive totally given up buying pants online, unless it's a duplicate of what I have-just a different color....dresses are not usually a problem, luckily

Lets add to that the confusion of european sizing, indian sizing and usa sizing... I am totally at loss at what fits me now

In my closet, I have everything from size 4 to size 6 and from size XS to size M. While most of my clothing is petite, I also have misses' short pants and misses' regular tops. In the end, what matters is the fit. Cut the tags out if you don't like what they say, lol! What makes shopping so difficult for me is that my favorite online store, Coldwater Creek, has inconsistent sizing. On top of that, they recently changed their sizes. When in doubt, I have to call and ask a sales rep. for actual garment measurements. It's annoying, but at least I manage to find stylish clothing that fits.

I only buy from stores with free shipping and where I can return in store. There's no other solution for me because I otherwise am going to trek all the way out to the store where my petite size or desired color may not even be in stock. I can try things on in the privacy of my own home.

The inconsistency in fit from brand to brand doesn't bother me because I feel it's fair - some brands should be cut for rectangles and some for pairs and no one brand is going to be able to make an article of clothing fit every different body type. What I'd really like is accurate sizing charts - if you tell me that the S is supposed to fit people who have 34-35 inch busts, I shouldn't need to size up to an M!

I agree, Sylvie. Just a couple of weeks ago, I called CWC to order some tees. The size chart said that an XS(4-6) is supposed to fit a chest measurement of 34 to 35 inches. When I asked about the actual garment measurements, I was told that the extra small had a chest measurement of only 33 inches. Had I not called, I never would have guessed that, and the kicker is that it wasn't a top that had a lot of stretch or that was supposed to fit really close to the body. Go figure! CWC has an excellent return policy and great sales. I just wish they'd make their sizing consistent.