Women's clothing sizes keep changing

[TheRod]

If you are buying used women's skirts, keep this this chart in mind:

I assume that the trend has continued since 2011.

[crfriend]

"Vanity sizing" run amok. Wow! No wonder it's "trial by fitting-room" now.

Thanks for that one.

[r.m.anderson]

This is why it is necessary to ask for the measurements bidding/buying off Ebay
and when visiting a thrift charity vintage goods strore - the sizing and measurements
are dealing in ancient history clothing sizes version 1.0 circa mid 50's !

Notice the addition of the size 00 in 2011 bumping up all the sizes by 1 increment.
With current vanity sizing one can no longer apply the old rule of take your waist line and
subtract 20 i.e. a 32 inch waist - 20 = a size 12.

And then factor the Juniors sizing (Young Misses) sizes in ODD numbers.
Gone are half sizes - Plus sizes have gone to number/letter marking 1X 2X 3X etc.

When buying clothes ask NO DEMAND the actual measurements with the a
yard/meter measuring device ! At least that remains unchanged for the moment !

[Stevie D]

If you are buying used women's skirts, keep this this chart in mind:

I assume that the trend has continued since 2011.

Looks like the beginning of exponential growth to me!

[Tor]

There have been times I've thought to shop for clothes - from either side of the aisle, but discarded the notion when I realized I'd forgotten my rule. Even shopping for so-called men's trousers, it isn't worth taking them to the fitting room without proving by measurement that the rise is expected to be adequate. With clothes of such random size labeling that it is already down to "trial by fitting room", it seems not worth the effort to try without a first-pass thinning by measurement.

[onew1946]

People have been moaning about sizes for the better part of a century. When you go in any shop you will find various collection of dresses with different sizes.

[skirtyscot]

A thought about that chart. We all know that people have been getting fatter on average over the decades, but does the chart tell us that the average waist size is going up more and more quickly?

[crfriend]

A thought about that chart. We all know that people have been getting fatter on average over the decades, but does the chart tell us that the average waist size is going up more and more quickly?

Likely not, and one would have to go back to the old charts to see what the physical measurements were that corresponded to the "size numbers". Over time, western humans have been growing larger (both in height and girth), but I'm not sure that it's been nailed down scientifically. Feel free to contradict if I am wrong in this regard, as I'd be interested in knowing that.

What's interesting is the perception of things. I believe that Marilyn Monroe was a "size 16" and today would be regarded as moderately obese -- my how times change! I've mentioned this issue in the past and how it can work in "our" favour (as guys) -- as the slab-sided "male" look is further pushed as "women's-wear" it can only benefit us as we tend to be slab-sided by nature and don't have to starve ourselves to get that "perfect body-type".

[moonshadow]

And lets not forget the Asian imports... 18inch waist... size XXXL...

Okay, I exaggerate a little... still yet though, I do wonder if there are some Asian women who could actually squeeze through the eye of a needle!?

If so... that would certainly be a size "M"....

[stevelous]

Some 20+ years ago I was trying to buy some jeans in the Philippines, there the stall holder used a very strange method of ensuring the waist fit.

The method used was to fasten the waistband of said jeans and then try them around my neck. The thing was they fitted and were exactly right. Goodness knows how or why, I still use this method when fitting clothing, including skirts, as it is an easy way of judging the fit.

[r.m.anderson]

Beware buying clothing from India Pakistan - it seems that their method is to do the fitting
like the cut-out-paper-figures of circa 50's. It is all 2 dimensional leaving no room for the
projecting butt - beer belly - and other normal anatomy features. Thus no ease of movement
in the crotch.

Think of it as fitting in the flatscape - cut out the figure and fasten the tabs over the model.

If the price of the clothing seems low and out of the ordinary beware of the flatscape measurements !

Also with the labor situation in those countries the price can be outrageously low but the shipping
expense 2-3 times higher than the cost of the goods.

If buying on Ebay check the Feedback and if fewer than a hundred auctions (sales) take care.
Have had some degree of success buying custom kilts from Pakistan and then disasters that PayPal
stepped in for a refund.

Something here about one common application of the method of measuring the human body.

As moonshadow noted about the sizing from Asian countries to fit American and European folks
having to be in algebraic terms of multiple "XXXX's" also beware of the sleeve lengths of garments
Dem people over there must have short arms - nothing by wrist or even close !

So be that buyer beware if you can not try for size before purchasing that clothing item !

[Jim]

I just noticed the size on this skirt changed between the two tags!

DSCF5113cs.jpg

DSCF5112cs.jpg

[moonshadow]

I have to say Jim, I've had a few size 12s fit snug and a few 10s be loose, but I don't think I've ever successfully squeezed into a 7... or a 5!

[nzfreestyler]

I have several US size 6 dresses/skitys and they fit well...
I wear a size 8 and/or a 10 Australian.
I am a 26'' waist, 35'' low hip, 29'' umderbust (we'll keep the overbust covert for the moment)

I don't know about sizing evolution but I know that there is so much variation in sizing - in particular to your figure - so its more about how much hip you have or your breasts, or your leg length in terms of the clothes size you also need. You really need to try them on beforehand.

cheers
NZF

[PatJ]

I am not sure if it's women's sizes change, or my size changing.

Normally I have been wearing 34 inch waist blue jeans for outside
work, but when I went shopping, I tried on a 36 inch waist and they
felt so good that I bought 38's.

Now with all this stay at home, and not getting any exercise, I may
to get some 40's.

Your sizes may vary.