Sizes stump me!
It seems like I've always worn a larger size than others in my weight / height range and I don't get it. I'm now 140 and wear a size 8. But I see others who are 155+ wearing an 8. It was the same at all my weights. When I weighed 175 I was in a 16 / 18. I don't have exceptionally wide hips I don't think. Maybe I carry more in the middle? I'd love to hear thoughts.
First thing... are you sure they do wear a size 8? Because lots of women lie about their size...
Besides that weight is misleading, since muscle weights more than fat. If you have more muscle than fat, you can weight the same as someone who has more fat but you'll be leaner and therefore were a smaller size.
I weight 141 lb and I'm a size 6/8. it depends how low the waist is... I have large hips so for low waist jeans it's usually a size 8.
First, I don't know a thing about sizes, except that I sometimes think blind monkeys randomly print the sizes on most clothes, so depending on brands, including shoe brands, it is difficult to compare sizes.
Second, I wanted to congratulate you on going from 155 to 140 and from an 18 to an 8. No matter what someone else wears in what size, whatever you did and are doing is super!
Original Post by pilgrimdude:
First, I don't know a thing about sizes, except that I sometimes think blind monkeys randomly print the sizes on most clothes
LOL! This just made my day.
Thank you for starting this thread, I was starting to think I was the only one! My friends that are a similar in weight to me all wear smaller sizes; I could never figure out why I'm the special one. I'm at 145 and am between an 8 and a 10, depending on the brand. Then again, I have one pair of jeans that is a 6, and another that's a 12, but they fit the same. Sizes are crazy...
Sizes: For example, I had bought a pair of black jeans back in the early 90's with a 34 waist according to the tag. Well, I could not get them buttoned for a long time without feeling as if someone had thrown me in a vise and was turning the handle. After I lost my 45 pounds, I now can fit into them comfortably. A couple of years ago I had bought some 34 waist casual/dress pants but now they fit loosely to the point I have to tighten the belt to keep them up. Also, I had bought some Wally World 34 inch jeans last year. What I did was take the black jeans and the2 pairs of pants and the Walmart jeans and put all of them (front pocket side down) on the carpet. Then I measured across the waist at the narrowest point. Ha! The black jeans measured 16 inches, the casual slacks measured 17 inches and 18 inches and the jeans measured 18 inches. Yet, all are labeled as waist 34. That means there is a 4 inch total waist difference between the old black jeans and the newer blue jeans.
I've always worn a small size for my weight. At 247 lbs (I'm 5'4) I wore a 22, at 232, a 20. I can wear an 18 at 210-215. I wore a 8 at 160 when I was in high school. I have yet to meet anyone my height and weight IRL that wears a smaller size then me, though many on this forum claim to (and some of the claims are ridiculous).
I think there are many factors. One is lean muscle mass, which I tend to carry a lot of. Another is distribution, even in a sz 8, my arms looked a little chubby, as did my legs, etc. I carry weight evenly all over my body, without any one place becoming larger (or being smaller), so I'm never fighting one part to get into a size (except for my boobs).
So if you have slim arms/legs and such, those without them might wear the same size but weight more, and are probably jealous because you look better in it : )
My best friend is around 30 lbs lighter and 4 inches taller than me, but we share clothes and wear similar sizes, but I would kill for her legs.
If sizes confuse you, all is right in the world. Don't ask why, it's just how it is.
If it makes you feel better, I wear 7/9 junior size and 4/6 misses size at 125lb. It doesn't make sense to me either.
Original Post by pilgrimdude:
First, I don't know a thing about sizes, except that I sometimes think blind monkeys randomly print the sizes on most clothes, so depending on brands, including shoe brands, it is difficult to compare sizes.
It's so true! I was in a shop yesterday and tried on a size 6 jeans. They were a bit snug, so I thought I'd try the 8. They were so huge that I could have fit both my legs into one pant leg! The sizes are so incredibly random, even within the same style and store. Size means nadda.
Vanity sizing is on the rise!
Original Post by laciemoo:
Vanity sizing is on the rise!
this is why i keep a few pairs of jeans from the 90s, to "keep in check".
The humorous thing about the black jeans I kept and now can wear is that they narrow at the ankles a lot more than the men jeans do now. Oh, well, I shall wear them anyway!
