What's my real size? Make consistent sizing please

[coupon girl]

love this thread everything is so true-now for shoes -went to buy some the other day different makes are bigger or smaller than my regular size -i dont know how people buy shoes on line

[wolfwoman]

Let's not even get started on bras!! I've wasted so much money of "pretty " bras. I need a good solid harness that won't move even in an earthquake. And the freaking costs of them sucks! Just when you find one that works great for you, it gets discontinued. Think I need to start a boob operation fund, sigh.

[BC Gal]

I went to a vintage clothing shop the other day and wow, what a difference a size 8 was then and now. They definitely have changed the standard, or maybe there is no standard sizing anymore. One good thing though is if you can eyeball your size, you can find some awesome deals on clearance racks. Many times I have gotten a nice shirt or pants because the size said way larger or smaller than what it really was.

[DianneS]

Here`s a trick to save time on trying on bottoms. Take the bottoms off the hanger and wrap the waist around your neck, if it goes around your neck 9 times out of 10 it will fit your waist. I usually grab the next size up as well just in case the first size is too tight in the legs or whatever.
I know it sounds nutty but a stylist friend of mine told me this trick years ago and I never have to try on more than 2 pairs of bottoms to find one that fits now.

All I can say about this Lynn, is that sometimes shopping for clothes is so frustrating that I do feel like wrrapping something around my neck....and it ain't a pair of pants!!!

[wolfwoman]

I've used that trick and it works!! Although you do get the odd weird look!!!

[dizzyb]

My clothes range from a size 2 to 12, and it all fits. ???? My biggest peeve is finding clothing that is long enough. I'm so pleased that manufacturers have recently been making sleeves that are very long on the average build , so they actually reach my wrists! Sadly, I haven't found the same with outerwear. All the sleeves are way too short. If I want a long enough sleeve, I'd have to buy a coat several sizes up, and then I'd be swimming in it. Or I could just have one tailor-made. 'Cuz of course, I'm made of money. That's why I'm here, right? *sigh*
Same for pants. I've been finding that most sizes 2-4 fit in the waist/rear, but on me they look like I'm waiting for a flood. UGH. Nothing ruins a great top/pant more than too short sleeves/inseams!
Looks like I need to follow my grandmother's footsteps and become a seamstress. Too many shapes/sizes for manufacturers to fit us all with just a dozen sizes...

[sweetmomma]

Reminds me of these fleece tights I bought from Giant Tiger. They looked so warm and cozy--these are the prewrapped kind so I grabbed the "Queen" size checking the package dimentions. For a 5 ft 4 to 5 ft 11 woman ranging from 210-260lbs. Assuming these would fit as I couldn't try them on.

Anyhow I am quite aways from the weight chart but thought I would buy them bigger. Tried them on at home and they just barely fit to the point they're uncomfortable and if I bend down they will likely rip or show my butt.

Just shoes how sizes vary!

[Abby5]

Reminds me of these fleece tights I bought from Giant Tiger. They looked so warm and cozy--these are the prewrapped kind so I grabbed the "Queen" size checking the package dimentions. For a 5 ft 4 to 5 ft 11 woman ranging from 210-260lbs. Assuming these would fit as I couldn't try them on.

Anyhow I am quite aways from the weight chart but thought I would buy them bigger. Tried them on at home and they just barely fit to the point they're uncomfortable and if I bend down they will likely rip or show my butt.

Just shoes how sizes vary!

I always buy regular tights and hose. I am just shy of 5ft 8in...and I swear I can pull them right over my head and tie them there!!!

[Ciel]

Socks-they used to fit me if they were Sears/Jessica brand until about 4 years ago. Not only are the elastic tops tight, the formerly 9-11 range used to fit my >11 toes. I have had to make do with Reitman's socks (limited colours/patterns so I wait for the buy 3 for $10 deals) and the odd pair at Town Shoes outlet at Centre on Barton. Generally, socks made in Korea don't fit. As most socks are from China, it is a guessing game to find which pairs will fit (whether a cotton blend or wool blend).

[xox2010]

The store I hate the most for this is American Eagle... I purchased a pair of skinny jeans from there that were size 6, so I wrongly assumed that I would wear a size 6 in every other style. I ordered a couple only and it turns out that the size 6 in the other styles are humongous on me. I had to all the way down to a 2 in one of the styles. I understand that the first pair I bought were skinny jeans so they're designed to be tighter, but shouldn't the waist be the same throughout? Or am I wrong in assuming that it should be?

[TudorChick]

today i bought a new winter coat..seems easy enough right? nope... tried the large.fit me good in the arms and the waist but the boobs were tight...tried the xl and the boobs were comfy but the arms were huge and the waist was bulky...too big...ughhhhh....finally i just went with the large...

[TudorChick]

le chateau is the worst...i fit a size medium in a skinny jean.so naturally i go buy 3 more pairs in legging material..nope...too tight..realize those were stretchy...get all depressed i am fat..lol....

[RebeccaRYoung]

Stores have a very hard time making sizing consistent because of how the clothing is made. In the past clothes were cut one at a time, so all of the pants in a specific size were all the same. Now what happens is the material is put into a giant pile and cut with a die-cut machine. These machines are a funnel type shape that cut the pile. The workers then separate the cut clothing into size categories. In doing this the companies spend less money in the sewing and cutting of material, however, none of the sizing is consistent. By cutting the fabric this way each size six will be different, one slightly smaller and one slightly larger. It's all just a cost cutting measure.

[chevygirl_z28]

Stores have a very hard time making sizing consistent because of how the clothing is made. In the past clothes were cut one at a time, so all of the pants in a specific size were all the same. Now what happens is the material is put into a giant pile and cut with a die-cut machine. These machines are a funnel type shape that cut the pile. The workers then separate the cut clothing into size categories. In doing this the companies spend less money in the sewing and cutting of material, however, none of the sizing is consistent. By cutting the fabric this way each size six will be different, one slightly smaller and one slightly larger. It's all just a cost cutting measure.

OOOOOHHhhhh, that makes so much SENSE! LOL
It sucks. But it makes sense - explains why sizing is so out of whack at "cheaper" stores and a little more consistent at the high(er) end stores.

I hate pant length (I'm just over 5'9", so unless I buy TALL it won't fit!) and sleeve length.

Oh, and wedding dress shopping -- I'm usually a 6-8 in dresses so I was expecting to order a 14-16 in my wedding dress. Then the girl measures me and says "nope - your top is quite proportional but your bottom is kind of large." The style didn't take into account my "bottom" so I got a 4, no alterations required.

Now I'm all self-conscience about my bottom being "kind of large"

:S