Size chart revelation! (Do they apply to you?)

I've always (ok, I mean as long as I've bought my own clothes) been confused by the size charts.
Why? Well, for me, they for the most part don't work. They are completely inaccurate for me.

Or so I thought...

I was reading the sewmamasew blog, and came across a fascinating post. It's called Full Bust Alterations (or Adjustments).
"Well" I thought. "I sure need those for my clothes."

Whilst reading, I came across the following:
"Most commercial patterns are drafted for a B cup*...
The first step in determining what size to start with is to measure your upper bust. This is the area above your bust, around your body under your armpits. Use this measurement instead of your full bust measurement to determine your size. By using your upper bust measurement, you will be choosing a size that fits your frame, not your fluff."
*Note: It is assumed that a B cup is 2 to 2.5 inches*

My mouth dropped open. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!! (sorry for yelling, but I'm excited, ok?)

This is why clothes that should fit my bust are too big in the shoulders!
If the size chart says that a 37 to 38" bust should fit in a size 10 to 12, the size charts mean that a woman with shoulders and ribcage of proportion to the 37-38" bust will fit in a 10-12!

When I measure above my chest, directly under my armpits, I measure 31". 31+2.5=33.5
A chest of 33.5" indicated a dress/shirt size of 4 (which I don't wear due to the ridiculous pulling around my bust. I usually size up to an 8 or ten-at which point the shoulders are far too broad and the bodice is too long) but my shoulders would prpbably fit!

So, 4 on top, 4 on bottom- now here's another question: How am I a 4 in pants/jeans? What measurement relates to your pants size? Hips. I think that (at least for the lower rises that I prefer) the waist has little to do with pants size.

Well, I didn't set out to write a book, but here this is...
Does anyone have... anything? Agree, disagree, experiences in the store or behind the scenes? I am completely off the mark?

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

14 years ago

bran888

Active Member

Size charts are confusing...It must just be pretty common to have approx 8 inch difference between bust and waist and 10 inch difference between waist and hips. Luckily, I think different body type variations are the new clothing trend (at least it looks that way in jeans, a lot of brands have "regular" and "curvy" fits)...

I guess that my body type is fairly common, except that my hips are slightly "big" for the rest of me (according to the size chart)...eg my measurements are 33, 24.5, 36.5. I don't have a lot of issues with fit, but I do often get the gap in the back of jeans, sometimes pulling across the hips, and things of that nature.

In any case, the size chart makes some sense when you're talking about a dress, but it's pretty hard to get your mind around for jeans...jeans don't sit at your natural waist, they sit below your belly button...so what do those measurements actually correspond to?

I find that each brand is different, and the only way to find my size is to try things on. When you don't have an off the rack body type, sometimes you just have to fit the largest part of you and get things tailored :/ Maybe the jeans trend will catch on with tops and dresses soon, too!

(website)

Veteran

I have to admit I never have size chart troubles. My measurements are right in line with most charts as a 4 or 6. I would agree using hip measurement is best for jeans because of the rise issue.

esenin

bran888-You're right about the tailoring, but it's still difficult when neither the shoulders nor the bust will fit in any given top/dress.
You'don't have big hips at all! Just a very small waist

I have always been under the impression that for jeans, You measure the fullest part of of you're lower half (which is supposed to be around your seat) and that will correspond to you jean size on the chart.
I've found that when jeans use your waist in inches, it is arbitrary. I can wear anything from within 4 inches of my actual waist measurement!

Have you ever tried getting something tailor made, esenin? I am doing it for the first time -- I bought a dress on Etsy. You give all of your measurements and voila -- perfect fit (hopefully!). It's not as expensive as I thought it would be (about $80-$100 for a dress..I know that's not budget, either, but maybe worth it?)

I think that for jeans, the waist is some number in between your natural waist measurement and seat measurement which is determined according to some magical formula that differs by brand...I guess it is what they calculate you *would* measure under your belly button if your actual waist and hips measurement corresponded to the size chart? If you are less curvy or curvier than average, then you'll wear a "waist" size that doesn't correspond to your actual waist.

crwilson

I find size charts impossible, but what you said makes sense. I do have a full bust, as well as a full waist and (proportionately) small hips. So for a dress size chart, each part of my body fits into vastly different sizes. I've gotten used to the way a few brands run, and I usually just order things in the same brand so that I can ignore the ever-frustrating charts.

Anonymous

Yes, I think many of us have at least one measurement that is "off" where we either have to alter, or compromise fit. Maybe there are certain styles of garments which would work better for you than others, where the waist measurement isn't a deciding factor.

I have this issue often, when in many charts, a dress size is with the bust measurements smaller than the hips. In my case, bust and hips are balanced, ans sometimes , bust is bigger. That's why I like brick and mortar shops.

ButterflyLady

Here in the UK, size charts vary so much between stores/brands, that I tend to order/try lots of sizes.

I think the problem is that there is no one 'normal' body shape (well it's not a problem, it's just that there are as many different body sizes/shapes as there are women!) and bodies are also three dimensional, so a circumference measurement is not always particularly helpful (for example, a 37" bust could be all boob and not much back, or a very broad back, but not much at the front! That would really affect how things fit.)

From my experience, sewing pattern sizing is always way smaller than store-bought clothes sizing.

rae

Hm, I am like Mo; size charts are usually very helpful to me - IF they provide measurements, that is. This business of telling me that a UK 10 corresponds to a US 6 and such is all over the map and quite useless.

RE the lowrise pants/jeans, I go by my true waist size - a size 26 jean usually has a true waistband size of about 30, so if I bought a size 30 jeans I'd end up with several sizes larger than I am. What you could do, if your waist-hip ratio is out of line with the size-chart norm, is make a note of what a chart "thinks" your waist should be in relation to your hips, and go with that waist size.

*has started a Discussion*
Well, we're certainly enthusiastic about sizing chart, aren't we?
May the industry will listen up.

Everyone seems to have a gripe...or three!

rae-I too think that jeans are more often what the size chart "thinks" my waist should be in relation to my hips-which is rather comical to me! I do not have a 26inch waist.

The first/last time I bought a garment (other than a t-shirt) online, it was a dress for chorus. I ended up getting a 6, and 8 and a 10. None fit. The 6 wouldn't zip up past the waist, the 8 was very obviously made for a different body shape, and the 10 fell off my shoulders.
We (mum and I) ended up getting the 8 tailored-but it was then twice the price of the original dress! (a $70 dress tailored for ~$150)
Not fun. Since then, I've bought nothing online. (not that I did before) The return shipping alone is almost too much.

Scarlet

Size charts have never led me to the right size. I think I have a problem with the lower half as well as upper half. That is interesting about measuring above the bust though.

Elly

For me, it isn't so much a size chart issue is that I have less flesh and more frame than most people of my measurements do. That means I end up with sleeves that are way larger than my arms and waists that are huge, but busts, shoulders, and behinds that are tight.

Jaynee S

Member

Depends really if its accurate or not. I've realized that you can't always expect numbers to do the work that you need to do and I think a lot of people forget that. You know your body and you know if you've been 34.5, then you are always going to be 34.5 - it just depends on how the brand looks at that number for that particular fit.

I have been using http://www.coatsize.com for a lot of the stuff when it comes to figuring shopping online in the UK when I'm really from the US. Sometimes I need to convert things so this helps.

Overall, you just need to know your basic size and if you need to convert it, than you need something to convert it.

Category