What gives with my measurements? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Body Type

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

What gives with my measurements?

JR

Veteran

39-35-42 (I know. I have no waist.)

According to sizing charts, I am a 14 or a 16. But I wear 10s and 12s. They fit. 14 pants look like BF jeans, and keep sliding down.

This is an old problem. I was a bridesmaid for a friend way back when. They asked for my measurements, I sent them (I had moved away) and when I got to town for the wedding, the dress had to be taken in, big time. Everybody else's fit just fine.

I can't figure out what's going on, but this is another thing that makes me very, very nervous about ordering clothes from catalogues or online. Am I the only one? Should I just start pulling on the measuring tape till I'm squeezing out on either side?

Body Type

31 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Anonymous

I don't quite know what to say except that it's been my experience that:

Different brands fit differently.

Different brands have different size charts.

If I'm between sizes on the size chart, I usually have to order a size down.

When in doubt, I call customer service and ask for the garment measurements. Certain stores (not all!) have knowledgeable staff who can give this information.

Lastly, look for wording in the online ad that describes the fit (relaxed fit, close to the body, semi fitted, curvy, etc.) so you'll know what to expect.

Hope this helps!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Only thing I can think about waist measurements and charts is that lower rises can make the true waist sort of not important. But when it comes to dresses, it should factor in. Hmm, don't know what's up with that.

JR

Veteran

Ruth, good point about the garment measurements. Maybe I should stick to measuring my clothes and comparing that.

I had been thinking about getting back into sewing, and am really wondering about that now too. I am thinking that perhaps sewing patterns have not seen the same vanity sizing that clothes have over the years. When I was young and this weight, I was wearing 13s and 15s, so maybe size slippage has something to do with it too. Although that still doesn't explain the bridesmaid dress...

Mo, you're right about that. I obviously don't buy clothes with cinched waists. Since I'm short-waisted on top of it all, I look like a potato sack with a string around the middle if I try a belt at the waist.

Anonymous

I'm short waisted, too. When I buy a top, I go by the chest measurement. When I buy pants, I go by the hip measurement. I also go by the desired silouette I'm trying to create. The waist measurements on the size charts are usually not quite right, as my real waist is higher. I never belt at the waist, though. Instead, I look for garments that skim my body without clinging and that define my waist effectively without the use of a belt. This elongates my torso, which I like because I'm short and want the focus to be on my face.

Back when my mother sewed for me, I was a perfect size 6, and that was when I weighed 100 lbs. soaking wet. Now that I've had 4 children and weigh 120 lbs., I'm still a size 6 according to the retailers, but I'm absolutely certain that's not the same size 6 that the patterns were cut from. When my mother sewed for me, I had a 23-inch waist. Not anymore, sister! Now it's 27 inches and I work hard to keep it from getting larger. Same with my hips. They used to measure 34 inches; now they're 37 inches. So if I went back to wearing homemade garments, I'd have to size up, not down. The only saving grace I have is that when I gain or lose weight, I gain or lose it proportionately.

JR

Veteran

Ruth, I've had five kids in the interim so I hear you about the waist. I'm perfectly content to be a rectangle, mind you, but I am just flummoxed about ordering clothes. I would love to be able to do it, because I have chronic fatigue and shopping trips are very tiring, but I absolutely hate having to return things. If only this measurement thing would work out...

On the upside, I'm still losing weight, so if it's a little too tight, I just wait. But I am really looking forward to finding out what my permanent shape is going to be, so I can build a long-term wardrobe. Not there yet.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think we have the same problem!

I feel measurement charts do not always mesh with garment fit. Some brands are very accurate but many are not. According to size charts, I am a size 8 in the bust, and a six in the waist and hips. However, I almost NEVER wear a size 8, even at places like H&M or Zara which run notoriously small. I usually wear a size 4. My next most common size is a 2 or 6, equally divided.

The best results I have, are to go with the size that I usually wear which is a size 4. So go with the size that you most usually wear. Even if the measurement chart says I should be a size 8.

If it's noted that the garment runs small, then definitely size up (which does occur and I am thankful when there's accurate info).

Sizing is the most frustrating aspect to on-line shopping. I wear anything between an XS and an L in things I've purchased on line, as well as the size range stated above, if that gives you any consolation.

In denim, I wear anything between a 25 and a 28. But most often a 27 or 26. So, same problem.

Anonymous

...which is why you should only shop at stores that have excellent customer service and liberal return policies.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

EXACTLY!

Gaylene

Veteran

I know what you're talking about, except that my hips are smaller than my bust (that IT shape) with barely a 5" difference between them and my waist. I've finally figured that the problem lies with the sizing model used by many designers. Judging by the posted measurements, most ready-to-wear garments seem to be designed for a pretty pear or hourglass figure. If I chose a size based on waist measurements, the garment would look like a tent on me.

My solution has been to study the style and decide which measurement (hip or bust) would be most important for that item. If the top is loose-fitting, I choose the size according to my hip measurement. If the top is close-fitting, I normally find my bust measurement is a better choice. I also am quite careful when buying online to stay away from items that have a defined waist. Straight-cut dresses or pants/skirts that sit on my hips usually fit well if I use my hip measurement as a guide. Knits are also more forgiving than woven fabrics.

I used to sew quite a bit. My trick for fitting pants and skirts was to add 1-2" on the side seam allowances when cutting my fabric. I'd then assemble the front and back and fit the garment to my body by pinning the side seams for a perfect fit. Once I'd finished the fitting, I'd stitch the side seams, trim the extra fabric from the seam allowance, and cut the waistband to fit my waist circumference. Because dresses are harder to adjust in the bust area, I'd usually buy the pattern to fit the bust as closely as possible, then use the above trick to fit the waist and hip area.

Keix

Veteran

JR--I had exactly the same concerns when I first measured myself. Size charts assume that everyone resembles an hourglass shape on at least half the body, which is not usually the case for rectangles.

I measure as 31-28.5-33 hip/36 seat, and if I follow the conventional advice to size to my largest measurement, I'm a size 6. Actually, I wear a size 2 in most fitted clothes and a 0 in waist-surrendering styles. In denim I'm a 26 low-rise, 27 mid-rise, and 28 high-rise (approximately)--and of course, the higher the rise, the less well the legs fit. I tend towards apple rather than pear, so you probably won't have this particular problem.

The one time I tried to buy a custom-made pencil skirt to measurements, it was a disaster. Better to start with your "usual size" (ignoring the charts) and modify your guess as necessary depending on if the particular piece runs high-waisted, runs narrow in the hips or thighs, runs large or small in the bust, etc.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I've noticed exactly Cocolion's phenomenon - I almost always wear a size or two smaller than I 'should' according to the size chart. Until reading this thread, I'd thought that there was vanity measuring as well as vanity sizing!

JR

Veteran

It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I will definitely keep in mind to look at the crucial measurement for any given garment, and when they give the actual garment measurement, to compare it to items I already have.

Not too sure what to do about pattern measurements, but seeing as most patterns come with several sizes in the envelope, that is less likely to pose a problem.

Anonymous

With patterns, they have several lines for 3 different sizes, so you can cut where you want to cut. If you need a size 8 on top and a size 10 on the bottom, for example, you can cut out the pattern to work with your body measurements.

Alternately, if a garment only needs minor alterations to make it fit, consider hiring a tailor.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sizing charts are strange beasts born of the brand's fit models, their own ideas about how the clothes should hang (which doesn't always correlate to the marketing photo, since photoshoots often just clip the clothes in the back), and so on. As others have said, they differ from place to place.

I've noticed that, for me, I have to go by what the charts say for bust and hips and totally ignore the waist measurements. My waist is usually at least 2 inches bigger than what the charts suggest, but if I went with that, then the garment is big all over. Maybe you could experiment with something similar?

JR

Veteran

Rae, I will pretty much ignore waist measurements, yes. While never buying anything tight around the waist... ;o)

But maybe I'll be better off not buying online until my weight has stabilized. The thing is, sometimes there are really good deals. *sniff*

Aziraphale

Veteran

You're not alone. I just ordered an article of clothing from a website for the first time (usually I shop in brick and mortar stores) and bungled the sizing. Normally I'm a size 2 Petite, but when I looked at the J Crew size chart, it said 2P was 32.5" bust and 25" waist. My bust is 33.5" and my waist is 27" -- a full 2" bigger than the suggested measurement. Nothing's worse than a button-front shirt being too tight across the stomach and bust (hello, gaping), so I ordered size 4P. Haha. When it came, I was positively SWIMMING in it.

I am not going to order off websites any more. I am just going to be grateful that I live in a city big enough to have good stuff in the real stores. I need to try things on!

D'Ellen

Veteran

On most size charts my measurements put me in the 14 range. I've never worn that size. I'm mostly a 10-12, sometimes an 8...and I think I have one pair of pants in size 6. Funny thing is, I used to be a solid 10 or Medium in everything from anywhere.

Keix

Veteran

I agree with Rae--the actual garments will usually allow several inches of ease in the waist compared to the idealized hourglass size charts. This can be the bane of small-waisted curvy women, but it's a wallet-saving tendency for straighter-shaped folks. I usually will just pass on a dress if it requires me to fit to my waist and tailor both the top and bottom.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Size charts aren't that helpful for some brands - but I find once you figure out how a brand fits you it's pretty consistent.

Re sewing patterns, they haven't had the "size inflation" that ready-to-wear has over the last 20 years, it's true. I buy a 16 or 18 in RTW but sew a 20 or 22. The big 4 American pattern companies - Simplicity and Butterick/Vogue/McCalls - tend to have an excessive amount of ease built in, though, so people often sew a size or two smaller than their measurements would suggest. European and indie patterns tend to be cut closer to the body.

Anonymous

I rarely order brands I'm not familiar with because the brands that do fit me are fairly consistent. Also, I'm locked into online ordering because the stores at the mall either don't have petite departments or they have a very small selection of petite sizes. Further, the petite clothing they do have is not my style. It's just not worth the drive over there anymore. Same goes for shoes. The mall doesn't have D width shoes, so I order online. Again, I know which brands fit me, so I rarely have to return anything.

Once you figure out which brand(s) fit you best and which silouettes flatter you, online ordering will be much easier and much less of a hassle.

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean. It's pretty much across the board with stores and brands for you? I find the sizing just varies so much. If I'm ordering online, I mostly stick to a few favorite stores where I know my size already. I stick to exploring new brands at the mall.

ManidipaM

Veteran

My sympathies! This is indeed bizarre. I confess I typically have the opposite problem --- clothes are tighter than I expect from my size.

Anonymous

You are not alone. My measurements always put me a size up from what I'm really at. I know by now to use the size chart as reference, to then go a size down. Works like a charm. I think the charts generally err on the side of a more loose fit. My body hates loose fitting clothing. I need to have structure somewhere.

Anonymous

I've always wondered about the size charts. Seems to me like they put hourglass measurements on the charts and then construct the garments for stick figures. Seriously, if you're the least bit curvy, finding clothing that fits properly involves some work.

JR

Veteran

JennyAnne, in stores I don't have a problem, because I just try the clothes on without worrying what the measurements are supposed to be. I start with 10s or 12s and work it from there. But when ordering, I have to trust their measurements, and that's scary. Sears doesn't intimidate me; I'm used to their sizes, their shipping fee is very low, and I have a counter I can return things to within walking distance.

Of course, between weight loss and menopause (like I really needed my waist to get thicker...), it seems I never know exactly what shape my body is going to be from season to season, which just adds another layer of complication. Being in Canada adds another layer or two of complexity and expense if I want to look at American retailers. I think I'll just find the good Canadian ones.

I have to admit, I really do like the idea of measuring garments when ordering.

I feel like such a newbie at all this, because for years I refused to buy really good clothing. I didn't want to invest in being fat. And now I have so much to figure out.

Freckles

Veteran

Me too JR, I never order online.

Since I live in the East I dream about the Canadian stores on the West Coast of course. Not sure where you're located but maybe a few boutiques are in your shopping future, even if it's just to try things out.

I think the shopping/style mojo is hard to figure out at our age. I thought I knew what I was working towards only to buy shoes in a totally different style and have to rethink. I then went out and bought pants yesterday and believe I made a major fail. Will think and post to see...

We'll get there eventually, the road just has a few more curves than expected. Have fun doing it all though and don't get frustrated.

rachylou

Veteran

I have the same issue. I think it's all due to ready-to-wear pattern making. One pattern for a size has to accommodate a range of actual measurements.

If you're a 10 or 12 usually, I'd order 10 or 12 when shopping online.

Anonymous

No matter what the brand, I always end up with size 6, size 8, or size 6/8. In the items that are sized S, M or L, I wear either a S or a M. I don't have any size 4s or 10s or Ls in my closet. So while the sizing may not be standard across brands, it's standard enough that I'm in the ballpark. It's rare that something I order online doesn't fit, and I attribute it to the occasional flukes due to the fact that so many garments are no longer made in the U.S. A few petite jackets I ordered from Coldwater Creek, for example, had arms that were way too long--like they were made for a monkey or something. This is not normal, but it doesn't keep me from shopping. The stuff that doesn't fit gets sent back. They have an excellent return policy.

Another tip: Whenever I shop at a regular store, I take a tape measure with me. That way, I can get the garment measurement before deciding if I'm going to take it to the dressing room or not.

rae

(website)

Veteran

One thing you might consider for the next round of sales is to try things on and become familiar with your size in your favorite brands before the sales hit. Then you can get the online deals and not even look at the chart.

12