"Normal" weight and sized out - YouLookFab Forum

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"Normal" weight and sized out

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I'm a "healthy" weight and in no danger of being considered overweight, according to BMI ranges--yes, they're a poor proxy for health, but that gives you an idea of my size. Today, I tried on a few Mackage skirts, one mini and the other, an asymmetrical half-mini/half-midi. In both cases, the 10 fit me too tightly. It is really frustrating--and also economical, I suppose--to be sized out at this weight. I have never been thin, but I don't understand why non-designer brands stop at sizes that are still considered healthy for most people. I ran into this problem a few years ago with All Saints, but swept it in under the rug. Now to seek solace in my AG Beau Jeans. Anyone else have this challenge?

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Anonymous

I can't explain it either.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sizing can be very frustrating, and I feel for any one who cannot get their size in the item that they want. We should be able to, right?

FWIW, it works the other way too. I'm a regular size XS or 0 but am usually sized out from the other end these days because XS's and 0's are larger than they used to be - unless there is an XXS or 00 in the size range. And some brands only start at a size 2.

Gradfashinista, don't take it personally. It's the way manufacturering goes these days. VERY inconsistent. I have no explanation from a retailer or manufacturer's point of view - perhaps is IS all economic? But I also know that I have fun shopping every season and a closet full of yummy stuff - which means that there IS enough that fits and makes me feel fab.

anne

Veteran

While I haven't run into this problem I suspect it is related to where I shop. It is ridiculous. An disappointing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

On the whole though in my experience, because I dress people for a living and all the time, I would say that clothing has gotten bigger and not smaller over time (excluding Premium denim). So this is the opposite of what Gradfashionista is experiencing. L and XL size ladies often fit into Medium sizes these days - for example.

cindysmith

Veteran

Gradfashionista, I feel your pain. Sorry you had such a frustrating experience.

The number on the tag of a woman's garment has as much to do with anything rational as a bag of flour has to do with the rings around Saturn. It is absolutely insane and it sometimes makes me want to go on a bleep-fest, but I don't want to get thrown out of a store or arrested LOL.

I've had the following sized pants in rotation at the same time before: an xs gap sweatpants, a large 5Preview legging, size 6 pants from cache, size 28 Helmut by Helmut Lang jeans, size 29 Joe's Jeans, size 10 GoSilk pants, size 8 H&M skinny jeans, size 30 Paige denim pants, size 2 NY&Co jeans, size 4 NY&Co trousers, and Italian size 46 Patrizia Pepe pants.

And tops? I'm anything from: size small Helmut Lang top, size large Helmut Lang top, size 14 Rick Owens sweater, size Medium AG knit top, size 8 (Italian 42) Just Cavalli top, and a size 14 Calvin Klein overcoat.

For the record, I'm somewhere in the 8-10 American size range. It makes no sense that I am wearing everything from xs to XL, because I am neither xs nor XL.

It is nonsensical. I have quit looking at sizes on tags and started actually looking at the garment to see if it looks like it will fit; that's how I pick things to take to a dressing room. I have mostly limited my internet shopping to yoox because they list Italian sizes on garments that are made to them (and if yoox says something runs small or large in letter or American number sizes, it really does); and etsy, because I can converse with the actual designer/maker and make sure I'm ordering the correct size. Anything else on the internet is a total crap shoot.

I have sat, and thought, and smoked on this matter and I have concluded that the problem is not my body and it is not your body and it is not any other woman's body. The problem is manufacturers. They can't even maintain consistency in their own size 6 jeans because the pieces are cut by machines that cut giant stacks of pieces of fabrics; therefore the piece at the top of the stack is a different size than the piece at the bottom of the stack. Forget where I read that or I'd link to it, sorry.

People like us who are sized out on the upper end of some brands' size range AND people like Angie who are sized out of the bottom end of some brands' size range are just stuck having to put in extra effort to find things that fit. And it stinks.

Until there is some sense to clothing sizes, I'll stick to the brands that I know have consistent sizing or that I can speak with somebody who can help me pick the right size.

Edit: fixed a typo

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hear you. I may have gained a little weight recently, but my size 30 Paige jeans from a couple of years ago still fit, as do my 29 Lucky jeans and dresses from 3-5 years ago that are size 6 and 8 (although the 8 is more comfortable at the moment). But tonight I tried on a dress in Nordstrom that I had to size up to a L. Not a juniors size L either. I had similar experience earlier this year shopping for dresses -- 10s were too small. However, a lot of tops still fit me in a S or a 6, perhaps mainly because oversized or loose cuts have been so prevalent. But I too have sizes in my closet from 28 to 31 in jeans, 6-12 in skirts/pants, and everything from XS to XL. If it's frustrating for someone my size, I can only imagine how frustrating it is for someone a bit larger, or who is on the other end of the spectrum (i.e. small and petite). Sigh.

Anonymous

Like Angie, I am often sized out at the bottom end of sizes and I wear larger sizes than she does. The brands that carry smaller sizes are usually more expensive. I can not shop at many retailers because their sizing does not work for me (Talbots, Lands End, anything at JCPenny's, Nygaard, etc.). We need to be thankful for variety in sizing among brands and just need to keep trying until finding what fits.
My sister would fit best in a size 14 Petite to fit her shorter arms and narrow shoulders except that she is too tall. I suspect that everyone has some fit challenges.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree with Cynthia, Janet and everyone else that has every size in her closet. I can eyeball an item and have a better sense of its fit than I can from any information on the tag. I can't even imagine a solution frankly because even consistent sizing does not account for specific fit challenges. Everything has become like shoes - you have to try them to know.

Ginger

Veteran

Joy said:

We need to be thankful for variety in sizing among brands and just need to keep trying until finding what fits.

This is a truly brilliant observation. In the midst of the frustration, we do need to remember that this variety means that we can find things that fit each and every one of us. It may be a hunt, but they're out there. If everything was truly uniform in sizing and shape, imagine how many of us would be totally out of luck! It's a flawed, inexplicable situation we're in... but I'm very grateful that the problem is variety and not the lack of it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Joy & Ginger. This is precisely why I believe that inconstant sizing is ALSO a blessing in disguise:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....-disguise/

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'll admit I've gained weight. Pretty much sized out of a lot. So I've stopped shopping.
Anyways one thing I've noticed & meant to write a post about...
Many standard designers stop at a US 10 or 12. Average US size is above that. I know Angie has said in the past that more size 8-10's are sold, if I remember correctly.
But as forum member Marianna pointed out there is a segment of the market "inbetweenies", US 10-14 ish.
I fall into this. I found plus size designers are going down the scale to capture this group. See Christian Siriano for Lane Bryant. And there are others, Marina Rinaldi. did not even think to look at plus size designers, plus there's the huge mental leap at shopping at a plus size designer.
But the standard designers don't increase their range up.
So I'm saving lots of money right now.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Well I've been a size 8 to 18 I can truly say that it depends on the Brand then who manufacturers the garment.it used to fustrated me and,depressed me. Then I learned to love me we my body at any size.

I think of it like this. The,Suze on the tag is the manufacturer suggested sizing. With the discovery of seamstress and tailiring. Tag sizes no longer matter.

cindysmith

Veteran

Well, I don't know if I'm optimistic enough to agree with Angie that it's a blessing in disguise LOL; however, I will say that it does mean I know which stores or brands to start with when I look for something. So even if I'm more cynical than Angie, I have to admit she's on to something there. I do know which stores, brands, or etsy makers are most likely to work for me that i don't have to go try on all the things in all the stores. It's such a prevalent problem that so many have complained about so frequently for so long that I did finally come to my understanding about how nothing is wrong with my body, which did worlds of good for my emotional well being. The numbers on the tag are irrelevant if it fits properly and looks good on me, and I can quit beating myself up for the weight gain and changes in body shape over the last years. "Nothing wrong with me, I can blame it on the clothes" kind of thought process.

edit: fixed typos

Gigi

Veteran

I used to be upset about inconsistent sizing, but Angie's article changed my mind about it. I am now grateful for it, because it means that people at both extremes of the spectrum can find clothing that fits. A wider range of sizes can be had, although not always at a single manufacturer.

MovingFashionForward

Hello everyone, just dropping in after a rather long gap.

I wish that instead of what seems like arbitrary sizes, they would give the actual measurements of the clothes, and perhaps a suggestion for ease, so that one could measure oneself and have a much better idea of whether or not a given item would fit.

But yes, I agree re the whole sizing out thing. Do brands not realise that some of us are smaller and some larger, if for no other reason than height. I know Angie is tall and still a small size, but there are many who are a small size because we are short and average for their height (I'm 5'5" and often find children's sizes better). I am astounded to hear that you, Gradfashionista, are sized out the other way. You must be very tall indeed -- your photos in the leather skirt gave me the impression that you are very thin (not unhealthily, but still, most definitely on the thin side I thought! Stunningly beautiful figure, even if the skirt didn't perfectly show it off from the front.).

Sarah

Sisi

Veteran

Yes, it's crazy. I wear an Italian 44 (a medium size) but I recently bought some garments at Oltre, a brand that produces clothing for oversized women, and they fit me perfectly. How strange is that?! I think that fashion designers consider "overweight" everybody that is not just skinny.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I feel for you. Inconsistent sizing is just a pain (most of the time, anyways) From what I've seen in your WIWs, you have an amazing, enviable figure.

But I've noticed the same thing as Angie. Here in India, sizes regularly run too big. I buy a size L and sometimes even XL for most of my clothes. (I am a regular US size 10). Yet, I recently had a tough time shopping online for a bomber jacket from Reebok. After several 'exchanges', I finally kept size S! And trust me, no one who looks at me will ever think I could wear something size Small! I had a similar experience again when looking for sports tights. I've got size L & even XL in my closet but now have to buy a M. Makes life quite difficult when one prefers online shopping.

Not just that, I recently bought an H&M dress in size M and it fits just right! Go figure!! Manufacturers are definitely making clothes much larger than they were a few years back.

LaPed

Veteran

I'm typically sized out at the bottom end of the range. A lot of my old clothes are small or 4-6, but these days I have to look for 0s and 00s pretty consistently. I am the same size, if not an inch or two larger in the hips. So it's definitely the clothes changing, not me.

I do find myself sized out of a lot of skinny jeans, though. My calves and thighs, thanks to biking and hiking and genetics, apparently fall outside of the "normal" range for someone my size. Slim boyfriend jeans all the way.

Anonymous

Manufacturers ARE making their clothes much larger than they have in the past. I smile quietly to myself when I hear friends brag about how they are the same exact size since high school. No reason to tell them any differently.

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Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Does that brand usually fit you well, GF? If it does, maybe those skirts were a fluke. If this is the first time you've tried the brand, it may be that you're not their target customer.

I'm usually sized out on the bottom end of the size spectrum. Thank you, Sterling, for the picture. It helped me understand why size 4 that used to be a reasonable fit is now too big and I end up with a 2 or 0 fitting better. I prefer to sew my own clothes so the RTW sizing shenanigans are usually off my radar and then I have an interesting (ahem) experience on the rare occasion that I venture into a mall.

LaPed

Veteran

That graph is great Sterling -- and corresponds exactly to my experience. What really gets me is that in many brands is seems like the waist measurement is the ONLY part of the garment getting bigger -- sleeves and shoulders, hips and pant legs, all seem to stay the same tiny size...

Minnie

It can be frustrating.
I really don't care what number or letter my clothes are, as long as there is some consistency.
I own t-shirts ranging from size S to XL. Dresses from size 8 to size 14
Even my premium jeans range from 26 to 30
Add to that the fact that I'm 5'10" and have to consider the length of most garments and shopping can be frustrating.
Some shoes seem to have vanity sizing these days. I used to wear size 8.5 99% of the time, now I frequently have to go down to size 8 and I'm pretty certain that my feet didn't shrink. For example Stuart Weitzman runs large for me, but at least that is unchanging.
For those who actually enjoy in-store shopping, I can (kind of) see how sizing issues are a blessing in disguise.
However, I really dislike in-store shopping, I am a 99.99% online shopper and having to guess what size is appropriate can be a tad annoying. I usually shop online at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and lately Shopbop and all of them now either have suggested sizes based on my measurements/ previous purchases, or they give the model measurements and/ or garment measurements which I find helpful. When I find an item that I really want and am unsure which size to get, I often get it in two (or even three) sizes and return the ones that didn't fit. I do the same with shoes.
I am very appreciative that the above mentioned businesses make online shopping and returns very easy.

Carla

Veteran

What Angie says about clothes fitting larger. I've been roughly the same weight (140-150) and measurements (36-30-38) on a size 5ft 7in frame for the past 35 years. However, I was almost always a size 12 and sometimes 14 top (to fit broad shoulders). Now-a-days my closet is mostly size 8 with a few size 10s, and mediums vs large.

I actually had an epiphany about sizing about a year ago and had to purge some items. I had been at the lower end of my range for a period of time, but was buying size 10-12's, unable to understand or believe how I could actually be a size 8! Having wrapped my head around '8' being the new '12', fit is sorted - sort of. On-line shopping is tricky, and like GF, I find myself 'sized out' of some lines....and don't even get me started on the narrow width of most pant legs!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting thread, and a few more points:

Many chain store brands go to a size US14/16 these days in REGULAR sizes (do petites and talls too). Some even to an 18 (Boden and Talbots). That's sooooo much better than it used to be.

The most BOUGHT sizes in the US are 6 to 10. The most COMMON SIZE in the US are 12 and 14. They are different. It sheds light on why designers offer the sizes that they do.

Sterling. I rest my case. There you go. Good graph.

The "in-between" market Anna is talking about is GOLD because it's very undersupplied. I have written about that too:

http://youlookfab.com/2013/01/.....epartment/

Take control of the situation. The size on the clothing item is just a number. It DOESN'T MATTER what it says. Try to rise above judgments that make you feel bad about yourself, and focus on the fit of the item instead. That's a lot more empowering.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I echo what Joy said -- I simply don't shop some places because I know I'm sized out. She and I are a similar size -- larger than Angie but still too small for many brands. It's similar for cuts -- some brands/ designers simply design for a different body type and their clothing won't look right on me in the proper size. Ted Baker, for example, seems made for someone with more curves than me.

Gradfashionista, if I recall correctly, you are an hourglass/ pretty pear? And you were trying skirts. I don't know the cut you were trying, but skirts can be very tricky to fit and it could be that Mackage is cutting for a straighter body type.

Sal

Veteran

It is frustrating and I echo others thoughts here...

I think if you are muscular it is even harder because many women's brands are skimpy in the calf, thigh and shoulder area.. I have NZ size 10-14 in my wardrobe, and sizes M-XL as well. I am not a 10, and equally I am not an XL.

When I did the half marathon earlier in the year I pre-ordered a tee, in size L which is my preferred size for active wear. When I tried it on it was very clingy and unflattering and I went back and swapped for an XL which fits nicely. I got the last XL on the shelf. During the race I noted many many women with race tees that were too tight and clingy- obviously we had all ordered our usual size and the sizing was totally incorrect.

While it is equally frustrating to be sized out at either end, I do have to add that in my opinion it feels more negative to be sized out at the top end, for esteem issues.