What's the perfect size?

[hipporina]

What do you consider the "perfect size" for an average woman? I know someone who is a 4/6 and still feels fat. On the other hand, I am down to an 8, occasionally a 6, and feel great! In fact, I came darn close to buying a bikini the other day (I'm 25, but feel a bit shy in one).

Then I calculated my BMI online and am considered borderline overweight. I thought an 8 was a good size, and don't feel overweight anymore. I don't know if it is just that I am heavy, not fat, or is my opinion of size messed up?

So what do you think? What is the "ideal" size?

I know that beauty comes in all sizes, so I don't want a debate. I've been several sizes larger and know lots of beautiful women much larger than me. I am just curious about what average people think. Not the fashion industry or media idea that you must be a 0 to look good.

Also, are you happy with your body or are you constantly wishing you could change it? Its so hard to find women who are genuinely happy with how they look.

 

[SherryNC]

I was afraid to open this.

 

[caitycaity]

there is no uniform perfect size. some people would look really fat as a 10, whereas i would be unhealthy if i were below a size 10. (that's what i was in college and i was right in the healthy weight range for my height).

for me - i am happy when i'm a 10. and i'm on my way to getting there again.

btw, we learned on our backstage magic tour that in order to be a princess you have to be a size 10.

 

[swilphil]

It all depends on height and build, especially with women. I would love to be in a size 8 again, but would probably look better in a size 6. I did wear that size when I was 25, but that was 17 years ago. Anyone want to start a eat healthy and exercise thread??

 

[L107ANGEL]

I think women tend to be overly critical with their self images. You rarely see men with that problem!
I struggled with that for years. It got so bad for me that I was once anorexic. That was when I was about your age.
First of all the size of your clothing should not determine your self worth. Also, a size 12 can look great on one person and not on another! You already said you feel great so that should answer your question.
I have a thing with my hieght, I am 5' 8" and although I have packed on a little weight (DISing all the time) I sill feel great! That is what matters to me.
When I was a size 5, I looked HORRIBLE! That being said, I am sure you are a catch!

 

[Briarmom]

It all depends on height and build, especially with women. I would love to be in a size 8 again, but would probably look better in a size 6. I did wear that size when I was 25, but that was 17 years ago. Anyone want to start a eat healthy and exercise thread??

I do! I want to lose those pesky 15 pounds before we go to WDW in Nov. I have been dying to start a thread here, but figured it would get moved to the WISH board (which is fine, but I am more comfy here at the CB).
I still look fat as a size 6-8. My build just is phooey.

 

[L107ANGEL]

PS. You need a "other" on your poll for DISer's like me!

 

[skuttle]

Gee, I really don't know. I remember feeling fat/over weight for my wedding/honeymoon. Now I look at those pictures...five years later and post baby...and think how SMALL I was back then!

 

[ziggystardust]

I'm a 6, but can randomly fit into a 4 (but yet at American Eagle I couldn't fit a leg into an 8...weird)

I'm content with my size, though I wish I had a little less tummy. Sit ups would be good, but I'm lazy - plus I like potato chips.

 

[inaminute]

Wherever a person feels most comfortable with themselves is their "perfect" size.

Personally, I think we all worry WAY too much about numbers and not nearly enough about substance. Who cares how much you weigh or what size you wear?

I'm more interested in finding out who you are and what makes you special.

 

[RadioNate]

I agree that it depends on lots of factors. I'm 5'3" and am a solid 8. I'm a 6 in some things and a 10 in others. I definately think I'm overweight. I'm talking my prepregnancy weight. I don't think I look good at all. Once I have #2 I will be working to loose the baby weight plus 15-20lbs. I'd like to be down to a 4 with the occasional 6.

I have a friend who is about 5'8" and at a size 2/4 she looks really skinny.

I think it just depends on your body type, overall height/weight and how you carry that weight.

I'd be happier with my weight if my top wasn't a 4/6 with an 8/10 on the bottom!

 

[Christine]

I am 5'7" and almost 150 lbs. I fit easily into an 8 at Ann Taylor and sometimes a 6. They sound like small sizes, but honestly, I need to lose 10 lbs. Because I am not short and bordering on tall, I can *look* a lot leaner than I am. So, I guess if someone was shorter than me and wearing my size 8 Ann Taylor jeans, I'd probably consider them mildly overweight but nothing horrendous.

For my height, I think a size 6/8 is a perfect size (leaning more toward the size 6). There really is no "one" perfect size because a woman that is 5 feet tall and wears and size 10 isn't going to look as good as the 5'9" woman wearing the size 10.

 

[Blondie]

Wherever a person feels most comfortable with themselves is their "perfect" size.

Personally, I think we all worry WAY too much about numbers and not nearly enough about substance. Who cares how much you weigh or what size you wear?

I'm more interested in finding out who you are and what makes you special.

That's the nicest thing I've read all day today!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Depends on the height and build of the individual.

I feel chunky in a size--that would be pretty awesome on a 6 foot tall woman (who would still feel compelled to wear half that size anyway).

Single digits to me is a good size--but if that single digit size means the woman looks like a stick--then it isn't a good size.

You can have a 5' tall woman and a 6' tall woman in the same size.

 

[Blondie]

Gee, I really don't know. I remember feeling fat/over weight for my wedding/honeymoon. Now I look at those pictures...five years later and post baby...and think how SMALL I was back then!

Girl, I can so relate to what you just posted! Just wait a few more years!

I look back on some photos from 15 years ago, when I thought I weighed too much, and wish I looked like that now!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Anyone want to start a eat healthy and exercise thread??

WISH board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59

 

[Hercules10]

I was afraid to open this.

 

[marybet]

Wherever a person feels most comfortable with themselves is their "perfect" size.

Personally, I think we all worry WAY too much about numbers and not nearly enough about substance. Who cares how much you weigh or what size you wear?

I'm more interested in finding out who you are and what makes you special.

If only everyone thougt like this, maybe than we wouldn't have bulimia and anorexia.

 

[tone.def]

I'm 26 years old, I'm 5'7. I wear 13/14/15 and I look GREAT! Last time I weighed myself I think I bordered 180 lbs. Scales are irrelevant - do we look good? Yes - let's carry on!

I honestly have a large bone structure - I'm not in denial and I love the shape of my torso, I have fabulous breasts. My tummy isn't tight, but it's not full of rolls. My biceps have shape to them. I can flex my butt to be as hard as a rock. A couple years ago, I went on this insane diet and over 4 months I withered down to a size 11, but my face looked too thin, so I now love what I look like. I probably wouldn't be so happy if I got bigger, but that's why I walk an hour everyday.

And in some ancient tribes in Africa - I'd be worshipped as a Goddess for my size.

 

[Aurora63]

There is no one perfect size, like everyone else has said. Plus sizes aren't standard anymore, so it really means nothing. I mean, I wear a size 4 at the Gap and Banana republic, a 6 at most other places, and an 8 in a few.

BTW, I am 140 lbs at am 5'5". I don't think I'm fat. At all. I'd like to tone up some, but I am not very disciplined right now. Anyway, I hate being judged for my weight, and it seems to happen a bit. Especially by my father and DH!! As if either of them have any business telling me what I should weigh. I just tell Dad to MHOB and DH to go get another woman who doesn't mind his receiding hairline and empty pockets!

Anyway, I think it doesn't matter, just enjoy what you have now! And walk with confidence, it does wonders.