What is the deal with the sizes of ladies clothing?--a vent

[NMAmy]

Gosh, this is frustrating, First off, if you dare to need a tall size, clothing manufacturers seem to believe that you must also be bigger around. I wear a 6 or an 8 in a skirt. A size 8Tall is just enormous. Okay, I take that back. SOMETIMES, it is enormous.

I bought two pairs of Levi's last weekend. Non-mom jeans, you'll all be pleased to hear. I tried on one style of Levi's--size 8T, slim fit, faded blue. They fit well so I also picked up a pair in a darker color. Same style, slim fit, same size. I get home and try them on--they are freaking enormous! I had no idea that the color of pants makes such a huge difference. Maybe it has something to do with darker sizes making me appear smaller.

I also get annoyed that I'm never sure what size I'll wear in a certain brand. I hate clothes shopping and this means I have to try everything on. When I shop online, it usually means returning at least half of everything I've purchased so I had to stop that.

I realize that manufacturers are making sizes larger than they used to. I just wish they could make a unilateral decision as to what measurements a certain size should be. Since I'm the same size I've always been--I hardly ever get rid of clothes. I have a full range of sizes in there--everything from a 4 to a 10--and they're all the same size if you compare them!

Anyone else care to vent along with me?

 

[Luv'sTink]

I agree I wish they would just make a universal sizing chart!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I hear ya. I'm 5' 9", but I'm very thin. I have a hard time finding pants where BOTH the length and the waist fit. I'm also large chested, so I have a problem finding shirts that fit too. The mediums are usually too tight in the chest area and the larges are too big at the shoulders/torso.

 

[NMAmy]

I hear ya. I'm 5' 9", but I'm very thin. I have a hard time finding pants where BOTH the length and the waist fit. I'm also large chested, so I have a problem finding shirts that fit too. The mediums are usually too tight in the chest area and the larges are too big at the shoulders/torso.

Together, we'd make the perfect person on top. I'm small chested but have enormous football player shoulders (I have never needed shoulder pads in my clothing!) and long, monkey arms. (As dd calls them.) So, I have to buy a large and then take it in along the sides.

Maybe I just need someone to make my clothes for me.

 

[Brianne]

I'm a bit pooh-sized but I'm short. It seems like they expect me to be really tall because the legs of any pants in the size I need are always extremely long! Men have it easy when they shop for clothes.

 

[agnes!]

I hear ya. I'm 5' 9", but I'm very thin. I have a hard time finding pants where BOTH the length and the waist fit. I'm also large chested, so I have a problem finding shirts that fit too. The mediums are usually too tight in the chest area and the larges are too big at the shoulders/torso.

I'm with you on the shirts not fitting. I've always thought that Dolly Parton should design clothing because she *understands*.

It's funny. I have friends who are size 6 or even smaller sizes - they have a hard time finding clothes that fit, too.

agnes!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Maybe it has something to do with darker sizes making me appear smaller.

Nope. At the Gap (or at least the Gap outlet) the darker jeans are smaller. Been there, made that mistake
I'm on the shorter side of things. I tried on jeans that were "short" last week, and they were TIGHTER than the average length. That's totally abnormal. Most companies seem to assume that short people have a bit more to them, and make short pants a bit bigger
Now I typically shop juniors but the size problems exist there too. Nothing is ever the same. Even shirts aren't the same size anymore.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I had no idea that the color of pants makes such a huge difference. Maybe it has something to do with darker sizes making me appear smaller.

I realize that manufacturers are making sizes larger than they used to. I just wish they could make a unilateral decision as to what measurements a certain size should be. Since I'm the same size I've always been--I hardly ever get rid of clothes. I have a full range of sizes in there--everything from a 4 to a 10--and they're all the same size if you compare them!

Anyone else care to vent along with me?

I so agree with you. I have 3 pairs of jeans that I wear and are comfortable, and they are 3 different sizes. Why can't the manufacturers pick a size and stick with it a while,

 

[Hercules10]

Just imagine how us guys have to cope while trying to shop for a woman on her birthday or Xmas.

"Size???? I dunno. Uuuum about your size but with smaller hooters and a larger butt....?"

Thank gawd for gift receipts!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I HATE clothes shopping. I can never find anything that fits. DH thought I was nuts when I said the same size shirt in a different color may not fit. That is, until I actually showed him.

I wish that they would make a universal size chart. If you shop QVC they have one. You pretty much know that if you are a small, everything labled small will fit.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Not all designers are created equal.

I know that tall is different from regular (as it should be - you may have a longer body, as well as, longer legs)

I know that petite is different from regular (for the same reason).

Find a brand or designer that fits you best and wear them.

 

[RitaZ.]

I think all woman have this problem. I hate trying on clothes, but if I don't, I always have to go back to the store to exchange or return it. Even if two garments are the same brand, size and color, they may not fit the same way.

 

[Becky2005]

LOL! I get this from DH all the time with "what is it with sizes?" when I tell him you CAN'T just go into any store and pick up size X whatever because every single one of them will be different. You have to try on everything, which is why it takes me forever to go clothes shopping (plus DD who has her own issues with length issues but being a peanut...we have learned once we find a style that fits, you *must* buy 1 in every color (after trying on) and sometimes 2 just because it's so hard to fit her!)

He just looks at me and goes HUH? Why don't they just do it like guy's jeans with actual MEASUREMENTS...you know 32 waist x 32 long or whatever....those measurements don't change since it uses a standard measure -- he goes to the store, looks for his 2 measurements, grabs the pants and goes.

 

[PrincessPatty]

I totally agree. I am 6 ft - all legs. I haven't found ANYONE (even the Gap) that sells jeans that are long enough for me. Usually I need about a 36-37 in. inseam. I have to order all of my pants from the internet. And let me tell you NO 2 pair of jeans EVER fit the same! Even the same brand! And it gets expensive, not only are the jeans waaaaay more expensive, I spend a ton in shipping and return shipping fees.

I also have found that if I want "non-mom" jeans I have to order them from a teen catalog (I dont like jeans to come up past my belly button) but the juniors barely cover my butt crack!

Ugh it is so frustrating, I wish I could find someone that would make my jeans for me!

 

[agnes!]

I think all woman have this problem. I hate trying on clothes, but if I don't, I always have to go back to the store to exchange or return it. Even if two garments are the same brand, size and color, they may not fit the same way.

Something I learned a long time ago from my mom is to always check the manufacturing plant/country, if the clothing is identical(same brand name), but a different color/fabric. Often different countries/plants seem to have different sizes.

agnes!

 

[CheshireVal]

I totally agree. I am 6 ft - all legs. I haven't found ANYONE (even the Gap) that sells jeans that are long enough for me. Usually I need about a 36-37 in. inseam. I have to order all of my pants from the internet. And let me tell you NO 2 pair of jeans EVER fit the same! Even the same brand! And it gets expensive, not only are the jeans waaaaay more expensive, I spend a ton in shipping and return shipping fees.

I also have found that if I want "non-mom" jeans I have to order them from a teen catalog (I dont like jeans to come up past my belly button) but the juniors barely cover my butt crack!

Ugh it is so frustrating, I wish I could find someone that would make my jeans for me!

I have the same problem. I can usually wear Gap jeans in Long, but probably couldn't get away with wearing heels with them or they'd look too short (not that I wear heels all that often anyway!) You can get Gap jeans in Extra Long online, though. I believe they have a 36" inseam.

 

[CheshireVal]

LOL! I get this from DH all the time with "what is it with sizes?" when I tell him you CAN'T just go into any store and pick up size X whatever because every single one of them will be different. You have to try on everything, which is why it takes me forever to go clothes shopping (plus DD who has her own issues with length issues but being a peanut...we have learned once we find a style that fits, you *must* buy 1 in every color (after trying on) and sometimes 2 just because it's so hard to fit her!)

He just looks at me and goes HUH? Why don't they just do it like guy's jeans with actual MEASUREMENTS...you know 32 waist x 32 long or whatever....those measurements don't change since it uses a standard measure -- he goes to the store, looks for his 2 measurements, grabs the pants and goes.

Some brands do size their jeans this way (Guess is one that comes to mind), but sometimes that can be depressing to see your waist size right there staring back at you!

 

[NMAmy]

Not all designers are created equal.

I know that tall is different from regular (as it should be - you may have a longer body, as well as, longer legs)

I know that petite is different from regular (for the same reason).

Find a brand or designer that fits you best and wear them.

I understand that tall sizes take into effect a longer body size (although all my length is in my legs--I have a normal sized torso.) However, just because it's LONGER doesn't mean my body is bigger AROUND. It just doesn't make sense. And when you're buying non-teenager clothes, it becomes even harder to find brands that carry a size smaller than an 8T.

And I found a brand that fit and purchased two pairs of identical jeans (except for color)--and ended up with one pair that was about 4 or 5 inches wider around than the other pair.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who is frustrated. Luckily for my dd, she's having an easier time than I ever did at her age (being tall and REALLY skinny.) Back then, it was pretty darn impossible to find jeans that fit me. DD can just bop into Hollister and find several dozen pairs of jeans that fit her well--she's a 0 Long.

 

[agnes!]

I just want clothes to *FIT*. I like going to Nordstrom's for certain things because the salesladies there will actually fit me & I don't waste time driving from store to store. I'd be willing to spend a fortune (to me anyways) on jeans & swimsuits if I could just walk into a store and pick up jeans or a swimsuit that would look nice and fit *WITHOUT* having to try on every single (*&%@* thing in the store that doesn't fit AND looks awful to boot!

agnes!

 

[helenabear]

I understand that tall sizes take into effect a longer body size (although all my length is in my legs--I have a normal sized torso.) However, just because it's LONGER doesn't mean my body is bigger AROUND. It just doesn't make sense. And when you're buying non-teenager clothes, it becomes even harder to find brands that carry a size smaller than an 8T.

They do the opposite for petites. They take off about 1/2" or so on every measurement in addition to making the torso, arms and legs shorter. Trust me, that one really sucks. They also proportion the hips to be more slender. So short people are all built like boys.

I'm a very curvy 5' size 2 wearing gal. Thanks to vanity sizing as well as misses not going to down to 0 in most stores, I can hardly find a thing to wear. I don't fit in the Juniors department (the hips are too narrow for the waist size... thus giving me a HUGE gap in the back if I get the hips to fit) so I am mostly screwed.

I hate shopping.