Supersizing - how sizes in women's clothing have changed.

[CinnamonGirl]

Back in the 1970s, I weighed 115 pounds and wore a size 10. I wanted to be a size 8, so I went on a diet and at 105 pounds was still a size 10. Now I realize that this is because I'm short waisted, and my waist was never going to be small enough to wear size 8 jeans - that is the size 8 of the 70s.

Today, at 139 pounds, I wear a size 8! Yippee, I've finally made it! How ironic. I believe that today's size 8 is equivalent to the size 12 of the 1970s. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

[ms_irreverent]

You are absolutely correct; sizes are larger than they used to be. Years ago that was a trick used by the exclusive designers, so that their customers would feel good about needing a smaller size and buy more. The increasingly overweight population has caused the rest of the industry to change its standard. I read something not too long ago that yet another resizing was in the works for the same reason; at this rate I will wind up in negative numbers! :mrgreen: I wear a 4 now, which is good for the ego, but I really feel that it's a joke. I have a very old blouse--something like 20 years!--from LLBean marked 8 that is a perfect fit.

[paperboy]

I've had this exact conversation with my wife a couple of weeks back.

Fudging the size is the same as recalibrating the scale so you "weigh less."

It's easier for men. If you're a 34 waist, that's it. But then you have people like my uncle who insists he's a 36 as his gut bulges overtop of the overstretched waistband.

And as Richard from Beauty and the Geek said, "What's a size zero? It means you don't exist!"

[Lorrie]

Another thing that bugs me is the inconsistancy. I have a size 4 skirt that's loose and a size 8 pair of jeans that's tight. Well, ok the jeans fit fine two months ago but still.
Did any of you see that Ab Fab episode where Eddy was shopping in an expensive store and the shop girl taunted her "I'm sorry, we don't carry your size!" and Eddy snapped back "I don't wear my size!" Some women shoppers have helped this along.

[CinnamonGirl]

Another thing that bugs me is the inconsistancy. I have a size 4 skirt that's loose and a size 8 pair of jeans that's tight. Well, ok the jeans fit fine two months ago but still.
Did any of you see that Ab Fab episode where Eddy was shopping in an expensive store and the shop girl taunted her "I'm sorry, we don't carry your size!" and Eddy snapped back "I don't wear my size!" Some women shoppers have helped this along.
That bothers me too. I have one pair of jeans (stretch) that fit me beautifully - size 4. I have another pair of jeans in a size 10 that I still can't wear comfortably.

Another thing -- the supersizing means that as we get smaller, there are fewer and fewer options - and while I do enjoy looking at the fashions for younger folks, I don't know if I'd feel comfortable shopping at the local Forever 21/Charlotte Russe. I'm wearing the smallest size Ts in the Chicos line, and I'm close to the end of my options for Lands End too!

[ms_irreverent]

LLBean has a lot of petites, as does Eddie Bauer. I like their clothing better in general. And I would think the VS tees would fit as well. Try a size S unless you have really narrow shoulders, in which case an XS oughta fit.

I have always had a problem with Lands' End--dresses are cut too short-waisted for my long torso; pants are too long in the rise but the petites don't fit either. (I'm really built like a taller person; the only place I'm relatively short is between the waist and the hips.) I can sometimes wear their XS top, but they offer relatively few, most of which are petites and consequently too short!