UK people - clothing sizes there? help

I want to do a bit of shopping on my trip to London, but last time I went, the fitting rooms has GINORMOUS lines to them, so I ended up either just buying clothes I knew would fit me by eyeing them (loose style) or gave up on some skirts/pants and tight dresses.

But maybe I could just buy my own size? Except that with vanity sizing, I have no idea what I am. During winter I was 34/28/39 and yet I fit a UK10 for most pants, skirts, and even UK8 for some flowy dresses. But those measurements are suppose to be be a size UK12 or even 14 according to online standard sizing.

Now, after I lost weight, I'm 33/24/36. I'm currently wearing a pair of US2 (uk6) stretch skinny jeans, and I also own a pair of US4 (uk8)straight cut jeans that are a bit large on me. The pairs are from Zara. I went and tried on 4 styles of different jeans cut-off shorts  and I fitted into all US2, with just one pair being a bit tight on me (but still fitting me easily.)

But once again, a 36in hip isn't suppose to be a size 2! Crazy vanity sizing...

So if anyone can tell me, maybe with similar measurements, what they fit in stuff from Topshop, Forever21, and other youth oriented shops there that I may not know of. For refference, I'm 5'4 and my 24 in waist is naturally high (above my belly button), for about 2 in below my belly button I'm more like 28-29in.

Thanks

jump up 2 sizes from your US size; eg a US size 10 is a UK size 14, US 6 is a UK 10...etc also just look up size conversion on google xx

The difficulty is that sizes vary from shop to shop (and clothes to clothes). I can be an 8 or 6 in H&M, but then a 10 in Topshop... In fact, today I bought shorts that were a size 10 in Topshop but a blazer that was a 6. Argh! Be particularly careful in Topshop, their sizes run quite small I think. New Look sizing is quite big.

totally agree! ALWAYS try things on in Topshop, there is no consistency to their sizing..grr! never assume a topshop item will fit the same as another item by them, theyre measurements are all over the place. also Miss Selfridge is a bit weird, their UK size 6 is TIIIIINY and generally ive found that their sizings are off around the waist and shoulders; eg, shoulders of tops/dresses hangs off and are too tight around my tummy.

The UK is notorious for lack of consistency in sizing, so be careful and try every item on!x

I also really wanna know about the forever1 sizes in pants. Anyone who has a pair of forever21 pants ?

I use 26 and 27 in diesel and 1.80 tall and 59 kgs

my measurements are roughly 33-26-34ish??? i'm kind of guessing from memory cause i rarely measure myself anymore. i am 5'5. so you are a bit shorter and slimmer than me. i usually take an 8 on top and an 8-10 on the bottom. you may need a 6-8 or a 10 because as others have said, sizing is really inconsistent. just try everything on if you can, especially jeans! with tops i think you'd be safe with an 8.

i find that topshop jeans are incredibly inconsistent, i have three pairs which are different sizes but fit me exactly the same. but if you can get a pair that fit you just right they are faithful and super comfy :) 

You're right, it is vanity sizing.

Generally, if you're a US4, you're a UK10. A UK10 is 38 in French stores and 40 in Italian stores (eg Benetton).

However, sizing is really inconsistent - even within the same store! You really do need to try things on.

Good luck and happy shopping.

UK clothing sizes are awful. They're so inconsistent! I can be a 10 in tops in some shops, and a 14 in others. Trousers range from 12 to 16!

So, I would say brave the queues and try everything on. It's the only way you're going to know if something fits.