size in clothes
 

Okay, what's the deal with sizes? Aren't you supposed to be one size all over - or two at most?

Right now I wear size 10 pants and size 12 shirts, but I can't get into underwear (esp. bras) which are size 14 and hardly made it into a size 14 swimsuit... all in one store, Target, so I would expect them to have the same measures...
I could probably fit into size 8 pants (the 10s were tight when I bought them, but have gotten quite loose since) and maybe size 12 bra, but no change in shirt.

Can anyone shed a light on this mystery?

I think it's because every size 12 person isn't built the same way. For example, I am heavier on the bottom than I am on the top. So, my shirts are smaller in size and my pants are bigger. The reason the sizes aren't the same at stores like Target probably has more to do with the manufacturer than the retailer. It could also be the fabric or style of the clothing.

I've been dealing with that recently. I'm fitting into 16's but only some of them. In fact I bought two pairs of size 16 jeans from Old Navy (thus same manufacturer) and only one fit. Sooooo can't say I can shed any light on the situation other than to say to not put too much emphasis on the size.

I have put on a size 31/31 in Silver jeans in a certain cut...tried on the EXACT SAME style/size jean and it fit differently! You have to take into account the brand, cut, fabric...everything! Annoying huh!? :)

I'm a guy so I get actual inches as measurement :\

But yea, sizes don't have to match for everyone--some people are more top-heavy and others are more bottom-loaded.

Also, many companies engage in "vanity sizing" where they intentionally lower the number to make their customers feel better. (Same way goes for guys too I think, I can fit into either 31", 32" or 33" inch jeans :D)

You could also try typing in a place on the net called fitme.. It is great with sizing you up with all kinds of brand name jeans, tops, dresses, ect.

i always have this problem... I wear a size 12 in dress pants from the Limited, and yet I can't fit into their jeans... and a size 12 in jeans from Abercrombie, yet I can't get into a size 12 Lucky brand jeans... i have a size 16 :(. I get so discouraged going up sizes that I just wear what I have until I lose more weight! :)

Originally Posted by Sushi Penguin:
Okay, what's the deal with sizes? Aren't you supposed to be one size all over - or two at most?

In a perfect world, yes :p But here in reality, women are all different shapes and sizes. Women's weight can be distributed differently--sizes are typically made based on every woman being a perfect hourglass shape, but you KNOW that's not reality! I wear a larger shirt than I do pants, but not because of a big chest--I just happen to have a lot of back fat (now isn't that a pleasant image?). I also span 2-3 sizes in both tops and bottoms depending on manufacturer, style/cut, material, etc. For example, I find that many clothes with spandex or lycra in the material are actually cut smaller because they figure it will stretch. Umm, hello, in plus sizes, I don't want shirts that have to STRETCH to fit because that means they fit TIGHT!

I was just shopping today for a birthday outfit and came accross the same problem. Mark and I buy our jeans at Old Navy b/c they're cheap and look good. I currently wear a size 12 there, and found a pair of paints I really like that were kinds like courduroy. They were too big. So I tried a 10, WAY to small.
Plus I HUGE boobs (GRRRR!!!) and can't find shirts they fit into, but the ones that are "plus size" are too big . . . Maybe I should go naked, no better yet, wear a garbage bag!

I wish I was the same size all over... well I wish I could fit into the sizes on bottom that I do on top. I think I look relatively proportional and have kind of an hour glass figure (if you overlook the back fat.. muhaha...) but I still wear different sizes from different places, etc.
My roommate is a perfect example. Extra large on top, but small-to-medium skirts and pants.

I'm just surprised, that's all... except for the swimsuit, the other clothes are the same brand, and I bought them all within 2 week's time. I'm supposed to be "proportionally built", and if anything, I'd say my bottom part is heavier than the top one... AND I used to wear XS tops and size 1 bottoms from Smart Set... It's just weird, that's all. :)
Thanks :)