General Chat

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. :-(

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.

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

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.....!

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

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. :-( :-(