General Chat

Why on earth can't a size 16 be a 16 be a16?

Just been in to town to get (I hoped) a pair of shorts, don't really need them but I fancied a new pair.

The ones I have that all fit are BHS size 16 plus one pair of M&S size 16.

So why don't the size 16s in the shops fit me? The 16s are to tight on the waist but fir everywhere else. Size 18 swamped me.

And I have just been sorting my bras, all M&S, all the same style and size. Some are definitely shorter across the back than others.

There is an article in the DM today, a girl trying on clothes in H&M, she takes a size 10 normally, in H&M a size 16 was too small for her.

Sooo frustrating. :-( :-(

It annoys me too Ann, especially with bras. Once I find one that fits, I buy several now. Years ago, when I wore size 12 (not any more sadly!) clothes would at least fit on my waist and hips wherever I bought them from. Nowadays you need to carry a tape measure with you! :-S

I have also noticed with men's clothes too, it first came to my notice with M&S. Because my size stayed pretty constant, I was always able to buy without trying on.

Then all of a sudden perhaps 7 or so years ago, the size I usually bought was too tight. In fact closer comparison against a near identical product bought a couple of years earlier confirmed that had skimped on material all the way round, seams, hems everything.

On a different note, I remember watching the Ideal Shopping Channel (only for a few minutes I might add....!) soon after it first started broadcasting when they were selling clothes for, shall we say, very, very, well made ladies.

The sizes were all in the range 8 - 22 which seemed a bit odd, given the audience they were aiming at until they produced a conversion chart. Yes you guessed it. Their size 14 was actually a size 32.....!

Shoe sizes are just as bad...one shop size will not match another shops very annoying

When I was a size 12 ( yes, many moons ago), And 5ft 2.5 I could buy trousers/jeans in M&S without trying on. Daren't do that now, OK 16s usually fit but the lengths vary and it becomes when is medium medium, or sometimes because they change the labelling, when is standard standard. Short are too short, long obviously too long yet these days I often have to take up standard. I think it happened when they stopped making their clothes in UK.

The only problem I have with shoes is the width. The lengths seem to be fairly standard.

Clothes though, are a different matter. Size 16 can be anything from "will just about fit if you breathe in" to " a generous fit with lots to spare". As for the 16 - 18, with the next option 20 - 22 :-( :-( :-( don't ask.

I read a while back that people have changed their average shape, and clothes sizes have been adjusted to match. This explains why M & S size 16 from 10 years ago is not the same as size 16 now. (I think).

The measurement that really makes me cross though, is sleeve lengths. About 60 years ago I stopped growing. My sleeve length, determined by the bones in my arms, was 19". My dress size has gone up (and occasionally down) over the years, but my arms are still 19" long. Barring accidents, they will probably be the same until I die.

So why are all my sleeves about 6" too long?? I am now expert at taking out the unwanted extra length on most things, but it shouldn't be necessary. :-(

It makes us feel better about ourselves because we think we haven't put on much weight (even if the mirror shows we have) and if we are happy we buy more.

When I got married 54 years ago I was a slim size 12. I do generally now have to have a 14 in skirts/trousers but I still have a size 12 top. Yet I am a stone heavier and about 6" wider round the middle than I was then. Dress sizes have expanded at about the same rate as I have

Trouser lengths are annoying. I am 5'8" and always used to buy long or extra long. Now I have to try everything on and sometimes find the long is too long. They must be made for giants.

EDIT Andysmum, I am usually happy with the sleeve length now as in the past it was always too short for me!

Oh, the recurring nightmare! I find that different styles, same size, from the same brand (and not a 'cheapie' one either) can vary quite a lot. I often have to upsize in tops because the cut on the shoulders is very skimpy. I always have to try on jeans and trousers and sometimes there is very little difference between 2 sizes.

As a ' shall we say very,very well made lady' , I didn't even know clothes went down to size 16.

Sharron :-D :-D :-D
So size 0 is beyond you then?

Needs a three in front of it for me.

Needs a three in front of it for me.

:-D :-D

In my 'youff' nothing fitted me. :-(
At 20, I was 6 and a half stone, everything was too big. Children's clothes not quite right.
Had children, went up to 7and a half stone - I was a 'size' - size 8, but couldn't afford the clothes.
After the age of 40, (8 stone, size 10) I went up by a stone, and a dress size a decade :-| :-| :-|
This stuff called 'fat' that now protects my inner organs keeps bl**dy moving!!
One month a top/trousers will fit me - then they won't :-S
6 months later, the fat has changed position (my weight stays the same) and the top/trousers fit again :-\

My pet hate is tops - just because I am bigger round the middle and bust than I was, doesn't mean I want a top to be 3 inches longer than the smaller sizes. I have several that I will be shortening soon because they aren't what I want.

So infuriating!

Lizx

What is even worse is that sizes can vary from brand to brand and/or shop to shop. I should take a size 14 in tops but often have to buy anything between a size 14 and 20 :(
I now ignore the labels and buy "with my eyes". It's only a number.
;-)

"or lack of space."

Bottom area too tight splitting maybe???
:-D

I became my own 'tailor' through necessity - to make clothes that fitted my tiny frame :-D

I once made my ex a pair of jeans - not the easiest of things to make - but I was quite a trendsetter.
'Twisted legs' on jeans became fashionable about 20 years after I'd made
his!! :-D :-D

...most things turned out okay though!

Tailors and dress makers ok if you can afford it. :-|

Ann I am 16 tops but they vary so much .have bought tops for summer Tshirts they are fine but a blouse no way can I find comfortable size without buttons opening .,.when I was younger was in 12-14 tops .& 14 bottom half if only x .but love my food so will keep looking for a decent blouse <3