Can anyone explain why vanity sizing exists in children's clothing?

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I am back-to-school shopping and my daughter wears a size 12 or 14 at Target, Walmart, and Old Navy but she is a size 10 at Justice, Macy's, Children's Place and Kohl's. JC Penney is a toss-up, their sizing is dependent on the brand and we have to try on size 10, 12, or 14 in whatever she wants to buy. Why does this have to be complicated? Is consistent sizing too much to ask for?

I get why vanity sizing exists for women, it's much more fun to say that we wear a smaller size, so then we are more likely to shop at the store that appeals to our vanity where we can say we are a smaller size. But why are we doing this to children? Or is it unintentional?

 

[kdonnel]

I get why vanity sizing exists for women, it's much more fun to say that we wear a smaller size, so then we are more likely to shop at the store that appeals to our vanity where we can say we are a smaller size. But why are we doing this to children? Or is it unintentional?

To train the children so when they are adults they understand and accept the lunacy that is vanity sizing.

 

[amberpi]

Vanity sizing is infuriating, period. I don’t care if I’m a 00 or a size 10. Just tell me what size I am!!!! Argh!!!

Sorry, pet peeve. Also, 00 is a dumb size.

 

[fly girl]

Good question. I know for adult women certain stores definitely have vanity sizing -- I'm looking right at you, White House Black Market!!

My daughter is right in where your daughter is (ranging from 10-14) but I haven't found the sizing to be drastically different. I think some brands size a little larger so you can put them in the dryer. The biggest trouble we have is with sleeveless tops and dresses. The armholes are SO BIG that you can see her bra. The pants are only tricky for us with length vs. width (dd has legs of 14 but waist of size 10) so we have to buy slim most of the time.

 

[DisTXMom]

I find it’s as much how different sizes fit. Some brands are longer and leaner cuts, others are boxy and shorter. Certain brands are cut to fit my DD’s size/shape and others will just never work.

 

[fly girl]

Vanity sizing is infuriating, period. I don’t care if I’m a 00 or a size 10. Just tell me what size I am!!!! Argh!!!

Sorry, pet peeve. Also, 00 is a dumb size.

I have been this size most of my adult life. I am thankful for it as regular 0 doesn't fit me the majority of the time. It was very hard when I was a young adult to find clothing because it was before 00 became a size. I get that you think it should just start at 0, but when the 0's don't fit I am happy for the 00 (otherwise I have to go to girls dept which is even harder with hips and not wanting childlike clothing.)

 

[DLgal]

They should just use inch measurements like they do for men. I know some women's jeans are sized this way, but it should extend to ALL clothes. Tops and dresses can use a combo of waist and bust sizes. Like how men's shirts have a collar and arm length sizing system.

 

[amberpi]

I have been this size most of my adult life. I am thankful for it as regular 0 doesn't fit me the majority of the time. It was very hard when I was a young adult to find clothing because it was before 00 became a size. I get that you think it should just start at 0, but when the 0's don't fit I am happy for the 00 (otherwise I have to go to girls dept which is even harder with hips and not wanting childlike clothing.)

I understand. It’s my current size as well. I just think they should start with the smallest clothes at 0. The 00 just seems silly and a bunch of other things I shouldn’t get into here, but I know of at least one friend who tried so hard to get there and it was not healthy for her.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I understand. It’s my current size as well. I just think they should start with the smallest clothes at 0. The 00 just seems silly and a bunch of other things I shouldn’t get into here, but I know of at least one friend who tried so hard to get there and it was not healthy for her.

I hear you I am a medium any thing smaller or bigger does not seem healthy to me that is just my opinion

 

[DenLo]

To me if clothes are slim fit and smaller then they should be labeled as a smaller size. Also so many of the clothes made in Asian countries do not have the correct sizing for American women. I really think if we went with inches or even metric sizing we would be able to have better fitting clothes.

And then are shoe sizes. Why do I wear a larger sized sport shoe than a dress shoes? And then some brands of the women's shoes are extra narrow, so that medium B width is the equivalent to a Narrow A width.

 

[barkley]

The pants are only tricky for us with length vs. width (dd has legs of 14 but waist of size 10) so we have to buy slim most of the time

for years this was the issue w/ds. super thin but getting taller by the month. the boy's pants w/adjustable waistbands were a godsend. it was the only way short of sweatpants we could find anything to fit him (on the bright side-we were never at a loss for cut-off shorts for him b/c while he would outgrow them in length within months they would last him for a couple years as shorts).

 

[DLgal]

To me if clothes are slim fit and smaller then they should be labeled as a smaller size. Also so many of the clothes made in Asian countries do not have the correct sizing for American women. I really think if we went with inches or even metric sizing we would be able to have better fitting clothes.

And then are shoe sizes. Why do I wear a larger sized sport shoe than a dress shoes? And then some brands of the women's shoes are extra narrow, so that medium B width is the equivalent to a Narrow A width.

And for that matter, why are men's and women's shoes sized differently? Should be based on length and the same number should correspond to that length for both men and women.

 

[fly girl]

To me if clothes are slim fit and smaller then they should be labeled as a smaller size. Also so many of the clothes made in Asian countries do not have the correct sizing for American women. I really think if we went with inches or even metric sizing we would be able to have better fitting clothes.

And then are shoe sizes. Why do I wear a larger sized sport shoe than a dress shoes? And then some brands of the women's shoes are extra narrow, so that medium B width is the equivalent to a Narrow A width.

YES! I find shoe sizing to be more annoying than clothing sizes. Those should be the same, yet I have worn everything from a 5 1/2 to a 8! That is insanity.

 

[fly girl]

for years this was the issue w/ds. super thin but getting taller by the month. the boy's pants w/adjustable waistbands were a godsend. it was the only way short of sweatpants we could find anything to fit him (on the bright side-we were never at a loss for cut-off shorts for him b/c while he would outgrow them in length within months they would last him for a couple years as shorts).

Yep! Even with the slim pants those inside adjustable waists are cinched in good!! Very thankful for those. I tried pants that had the elastic waistband and most of the time even those would slide right off (or show plumbers crack, )

I wish women's clothing would have the adjustable inside waistband. Some pants I don't want a bulky belt ruining the smooth lines with my top.

 

[disneychrista]

I’m not sure it is vanity sizing as much as it is different brands fit differently. To me vanity sizing is that a size 8 today used to be a 14.

 

[amberpi]

I’m not sure it is vanity sizing as much as it is different brands fit differently. To me vanity sizing is that a size 8 today used to be a 14.

Seriously. It’s just a number. Keep that number the same for goodness sake. I have some staple pieces from high school (wool skirts in particular) that are size 2 and 4 and now they are the same as 0 or 00. I’m not vain enough to care what my label says, but I do know it gets into some women’s heads and I hate that for them/us.

 

[disneychrista]

Seriously. It’s just a number.

I totally agree. The fact that my pants are a "smaller size" doesn't mean a damn thing. I know what I see when I look in the mirror or step on the scale. You aren't tricking me because you decided to change the # on the tag.

 

[Imzadi]

It's for the vain parents who want to state that their children are 2 sizes smaller than they actually are.

I wish women's clothing would have the adjustable inside waistband. Some pants I don't want a bulky belt ruining the smooth lines with my top.

Yes! Those would be great. I actually wear my belt buckle on my side, instead of in front, when I have on tops that can go over my belt. There is no belt buckle bulge that way.

 

[Skippy918]

With my kids, I find there are more gaps in the sizing especially for things with the small, medium or large especially in pants and shorts. Medium in some stores is a 10/12 but others it’s a 12/14. But then the small is an 8/10 which is too small on my ds but the 12/14 is too big. For girls a medium is 7/8 and large is 10/12.

 

[disneychrista]

With my kids, I find there are more gaps in the sizing especially for things with the small, medium or large especially in pants and shorts. Medium in some stores is a 10/12 but others it’s a 12/14. But then the small is an 8/10 which is too small on my ds but the 12/14 is too big. For girls a medium is 7/8 and large is 10/12.

Heck I have that problem in adult clothes too. Something might be 10/12 or 14/16 but I need a 12/14