Oh sizes, how you amuse me

ironkurtin

Gonna preload this post with, I am in great shape and love my body. Just so no one gets the wrong idea.

But I cannot help laughing a little when I order pants from the SAME COMPANY in different styles and run anywhere from a 4 to an 8!

Just goes to show how arbitrary it all is. I must match their fit model for certain styles and not for others.

11 years ago

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I laughed at this very thing the other day. I am a 6 in one pair of pants, while a 10 is too snug in another. Same brand. WUT?? (And yes, I am vain enough that I didn't even go looking for a 12.) My jeans range from 28 to 31. My closet contains everything from XS to XL, from 4 to 10. I get tired of lugging multiple sizes into dressing rooms.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

IK, I find this very frustrating for my ebay addiction!

11 years ago

Anonymous

Oh same here ! Sometimes I laugh, and other times I'm convinced it's an industry-wide conspiracy to drive us nuts . And then, all too often I let it get to me and it makes me feel not in control of my body. It also reminds me of how much I let a number on a label affect how I feel about myself. It's all such idiocy:) And any of us who sew know that the actual difference in sizes on a pattern are often mere fractions of an inch . It's really a mine field for emotional response.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

IK - I would be naked but for the internet so this makes it so difficult for me to order. I constantly read size charts, if only they coresponded to the actual garment!! I don't mind buying different sizes, but I do resent not being able to figure out what size has a chance of fitting!! Very frustrating!

11 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

The measurements of the garment are available if you contact CS, but that isn't the most convenient step. I find the sizes to be ludicrous when I end up having to buy an XS in tops when I am an average size, and an L/XL in undergarments, when I am not overweight/obese.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Meredeth - That's why I cap my eBay spending hard and only bid what I can afford to lose. I've also pretty much sworn off buying pants there unless I've actually tried on that brand, style, and color and know how it fits -- although even then it can bite you!

Gryffin - Me too! I've just started buying multiple sizes to return. Annoying, but worth it when you find the perfect fit.

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I tend to avoid brands that are that internally inconsistent sizing wise. I don't mind having to try/buy multiple sizes, but I do want the same brand to have approximately the same fit across different items.

11 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I joke about being secure about my body or sizing would send me over the edge sometimes...I pay no attention to numbers anymore... I try size up and size down all the time... for exact pants...

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Sigh. I know this so well. It's one of the main reasons I do little internet buying, but, even in stores it can be time consuming to try on 10 pairs of pants in 3 sizes, only to have just a few fit.

My personal bugaboo is two garments --- exactly the same, but in fabrics with different weights and degrees of stretch. This can make a hug difference in the way the garment fits.

I just try to remember that standard sizing has it's drawbacks, too.

11 years ago

Anonymous

There is a range of 3 sizes in my closet right now, and all of those sizes fit me. IMO, it's really stupid to pay attention to sizes. Remember we're buying ready-made, not custom-made, clothing. That said, I think sizes within the same brand should be consistent. At the very least, information regarding fit should be included to benefit those who are ordering online. I've occasionally called customer service and asked what the actual garment measurements are in order to decide which size to buy. Unfortunately, not all customer service reps are given such information. A person should not have to order more than one size in order to figure out which fits best. I've done it before, but I highly resent having to do it.

11 years ago

Angela K

Veteran

I've started shopping with a tape measure! I measure my pants/jeans that I already own and love. Then I refuse to try on anything that doesn't mayptch those measurements. I do hate when I have to size up two or three sizes from my "ideal" but at least they fit comfortably and I don't get so discouraged trying on. When I shop on line I just order several sizes and then return. Only thing, sometimes none of them fit! I really hate that!

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hate it when I find a great pair of jeans that fit me well and then go to buy them in a different wash, only to discover that the same style name in a different wash is a TOTALLY different fitting garment. Grrrrr.

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I have a variety of sizes in my closet! Once I cared about the number on the tag, now it's almost irrelevant. In fact if you ask me what size I am, I would have to respond with "I don't really know" lol. It's is annoying and sometimes infuriating and size charts are often no help at all. I now order a lot of my clothing on line so as I get to know the labels I know my size (generally) but in store I find I often have to "look" at the garment rather than the tag to decide which goes into the change room with me.

What does make me cross is that there is no regulation sizing, it would make sense, make shopping easier and not play on women's anxieties .

11 years ago

Meow

Veteran

This is probably THE #1 thing that YLF has taught me - to try on different sizes! I used to go into a store pick "my" size (which is always the smallest that I've ever fit into :)) and if it didn't fit, go home and feel bad about myself. Not only are the sizes inconsistent but YLF also taught me to try different sizes for the "type" of fit - looser, more fluid vs. more structured. Of course I've heard that before but some times I need a sledge hammer to get it into my head.

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I find sizing amusing too. On the sad side, a couple of SAs have told me some women won't buy clothes if they have to take a larger size. This I don't understand.

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have learned to just eyeball garmets - and only use sizes to figure out if it comes in a bigger or smaller version.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Yep, many sizes in my closet too. You would think that it would be to a brands benefit to be consistent in sizing, especially between same or very similar garments. I am thinking of jeans, the ones that make you feel like a billion bucks. I would buy replacements or more of the same but in different colors/washes year after year if I knew they are going to fit the same. I have learned that my favorite seven's straights fit very differently in each wash. Stupid.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Yep. Lots of brands with this issue. Kut from the Kloth is the most recent for me. Hudsons too. I have Gap jeans from 2 to 8. And sometimes they do inch sizing (27 or 28) and sometimes the other way. Even more confusing.

11 years ago

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