has anyone noticed crazy descrepancy in clothing sizes between one store and another,and between now and a few years ago??!!

I have size 12's (pants) that fit me great from about 5 or 6 years ago, and I've got some 14's that look good, but...
I went to Old Navy today and fit into 16's!!!!!!! I ended up buying about 5 pairs of pants, because they look good, but I sort of freaked b/c of the size!

it's so confusing and frustrating! But, I figure, better to look good and not worry about a number, keep exercising and eating healthy!
: )
Larissa

I am a big fan of What Not to Wear! Watching that show makes me feel better about myself, because I am learning to go with what looks good and then I feel good about myself and it's a wonderful cycle!

also - I know what you mean about low-rise pants - that's exactly the type of pants I bought, so maybe that's why they were a larger size - my waist is smaller than my hips and butt, and the low-rise pants are more flattering.
anyway - thanks for the great responses, it's nice to know that I'm not going crazy and you guys feel the same way!


Larissa

quote:

...size disrepency...

I wonder if part of the variability is country of manufacture. It seems that nothing is made in the USA anymore.

I saw a thing on the news once about "vanity sizing." Oftentimes, the more expensive clothes are larger than the cheaper ones. They do this on purpose. There are no guidlines regulating clothing sizes. Manufacturers can size them however they want.

This was a big issue when looking for a wedding dress. Every salesgirl started with "OK, now sized in wedding dresses run small, please don't be scared, just take the dress that fits you". My dress was a size 18, when I was wearing 14 in most clothing - very distressing at first, but I realized I looked good in the dress and hte size didn't matter. It really is just a random number (as is evidenced by the variety we get when we shop)...so go with what looks good, not a specific size - maybe I've watched too many episodes of What Not To Wear, but I really do believe it now!!

I heard a funny comment on this by a comedian - "How can they say, this size runs small, that size runs big. Next time, I'm going to pay for my $20. jeans with a $10. bill - and tell them Hey, it's OK, my 10's run big!"

Mel

I am reading the book, Portion Teller, and not only does it provide an exhaustive list of how food sizes have increased, but also how clothing sizes have increased! It mentions how that a size 6 30 years ago is not a size 6 today.

I concur that you need to buy what looks good on your, regardless of size. That is hard to do for me, especially since I have put on a few pounds lately. I also have learned that I have to spend a few more bucks to get good pants/clothes that fit well, especially jeans. It hurts, but they look good and actually last longer!

Robin

I think body shape is a big part of it too. My hips are much bigger than my waist so the low-rise jeans always required me to wear a larger size. I still don't like high-waisted jeans, though, because they make my butt look the size of a barn.

The dress I wore on Saturday had an empire waist so it made me look tiny even though I'm not.

Watching What Not to Wear has definitely helped me learn what flatters me, and I do buy what fits and not try to squeeze into a smaller size, BUT I do tend to like the brands that fit me in smaller sizes better.

You did exactly what Clinton and Stacy say to do (from What Not to Wear on TLC) so good for you!!!!! Looking good is so much better then buying clothes that look bad just cuz they are a smaller size

Well, this might be off the wall, but I quit looking at sizes when I buy new ones. For a variety of reasons, but mostly because what you are talking about. I have a size that I know that I fit the measurements, especially in pants, and jeans are even worse. But then I take 2 -3 pairs in the dressing room in different numbers. I take the pair that fit the best, in one brand it might be an 18 or 20; in another brand it might be a 16.....who knows. You just can't tell by numbers. THEN go try and pick out patterns; which I am doing to save some money....not only are the spendy now, but they don't match the ready made either....all you can do I am finding is go by measurements...and I do that anyway when the scale doesn't match my mind set.

Cathy

Oh, a sales lady who had lost 56 pounds told me if you find a brand and a size that fits and you like it.....wear them till the die, or buy that size and brand always.

I find a large discrepency between brands too.

You are a better woman than I - if I have to go up a size, I generally stay away from those brands ; )

What's even more frustrating is size disrepency within the same brand and same style. I have pants that are the same style, same brand, different colors and the black pair are bigger than the khaki pair.

I pretty much have everying in my closet from an 8-14 and it all fits.

Dawn

I always have to try on clothes. I can't just go by a size number.

I haven't bought any new clothes lately but in the past I have noticed that the way pants are made makes a big difference in what size I wear.

I haven't noticed a huge discepancy like you are noticing, but I di see a change ffrom maybe one size to another.
Note- I am not a curvy person- not a tiny waist and not "hippy"-- I tend to be more straight - Maybe body shape is part of the issue.

Oh, yeah, there is definitely size discrepancy among stores and brands. In some of my favorite stores, I wear a pant size that I can't get past my knee in other stores. That's why it's important to keep perspective.

If the size 16 pants look good and fit comfortably, don't be too worried about it. And you are wearing smaller sizes in other brands. Nobody but you can see the size label, after all. But if you've been buying size 12 or 14 in Old Navy and suddenly you're up to 16, that might be cause for concern.