Hey everyone:

One thing that I've been grappling with on my journey is buying clothes. Sure, I knew what to reach for when I was a 3X. I didn't look good, but I knew what section of the rack I needed to be heading for.

As I lose more weight, I find myself more confused. I wear a L now, but how does this relate to actually numbered sizes?

Someone posted the list below at another web site I visit. I found it to be useful and interesting. Maybe I'm a dummy and the only one who didn't know this stuff, but I thought I'd share it anyways.

cut 'n paste = ON

XS = 4
S = 6-8
M = 10-12
L = 14-16
XL = 18

Super Plus Sizes:
1X = 16W-18W
2X = 20W-22W
3X = 24W-26W

Petites sizes:
XS = 2p-4p
S = 6p-8p
M = 10p-12p
L = 14p-16p
XL = 18p

cut 'n paste = OFF

I guess if you happen to be some of the odd sizes, like say a 5, 9, or 17, you're just out of luck.

Odd sizes are for juniors, and even sizes are for women.

Thanks, I didn't know it either. After wearing a 2X for such a long time, I still have a problem knowing which size shirt will fit.

What's the difference between juniors and women? Shorter? Smaller? I've always wondered that.

I think it is slightly smaller and less curvy for juniors. More like a slim fit.

Although to be honest - It has been 1/4 century since I wore juniors!

While I've seen these "standards" for sizes, I find that many brands are not true to them. I need to try things on, esp as I have a larger bust.

Juniors have a slimmer cut, plus the bust lines are higher.

I have a terrible time buying clothes no matter what my size. I'm very long-waisted, but my rise (between crotch and waist) is short, so I need petite pants. But, I'm 5'4" and the length on petites is juuuussst long enough. I never dare to put my pants in the dryer for fear they'll shrink up. Jeans are better - they're a little longer. And I'd like to shake some manufacturers, short and petite are not the same. Grrrrr.

I guess this is proof that we sag as we get older.

I am about 10lbs from fitting into my men's wrangler jeans (well worn jeans - just love those!!) - they are 42/34 and would be equivolent to a 22 Tall; my next size down will be 40/36 and close to a size 20. I have no clue what size tops I wear - completely depends on the brand. I'm still wearing some of the 26/28s that I wore 70lbs ago and am also wearing down to a size 22 in tops. I don't know why they just can't make clothes sizing consistent or why they can't size women's pants like men's - waist/inseam measurements. It would be easier for me to get the right inseam that way, which no matter my size has always been my problem. Finding jeans in a size 28 wasn't an issue, but a 28 Tall was - apparently its against the rules of the universer to be fat AND tall.

Depends on the brand of clothes for me. I am large busted so I normally go for a large top, sometimes a medium will work. In pants I can wear an 8 in Old Navy, but mostly a 9 in juniors. I actually have two pairs of size 6 capris in Old Navy that fit! So it all depends on brand and I was told that in the clothes factory that they put the pattern on a tall stack of fabric and cut around it, the patterns on the top are smaller than the patterns on the bottom so the same size in the same brand may fit differently. Isn't it a pain, there should be one general size chart that everyone has to follow.

OK, that's not what I'm seeing in the store. This is what I'm seeing:

S=4/6
M=8/10
L=12/14
XL=16/18

BUT: Even the numbered sizes are not all equal. In the more expensive clothes you run into vanity sizing. I'm an 18 right now, but if I walked into Dillard's and pulled an 18 off the rack, I'd swim in it (I know this from past experience).

Further BUT: In boutiques, the sizes often run small. I should, judging by what I usually see on the racks, be about in an XL. But I've had to pull 2X or 3X stuff in a couple of places.

Always try things on.

I always have a terrible time trying to shop for clothes with my 14 yr. old DD. Like me, unfortunately, her wt. is mostly in her waist. She still wants to shop in the Jr. Miss sizes. She is 5'4 and currently 130 lbs. Even the XL (shirts) in Jr's are too tight in the stomach. She'll pick these out and then be too self conscious to wear them without a sweatshirt or a jacket over them. I can't seem to convince her that a small to medium in women's would probably fit her a lot better. She also tends to want to get her jeans in a size 3 Jr's. and they end up so tight that it causes muffin top and most likely why the shirts all look bad. I did notice that all her friends wear their clothes the same way. I have also had a problem with her wanting to wear flannel pajama bottoms to school.

sizing is crazy all over the place. Prepregnancy for jeans/bottoms at Gap, I was down to an 8, I was an 8/10 at Old Navy, and a 12 at J Crew/Banana Republic. They're all owned by the same parent company but I definitely varied in sizes.

Now pregnant, I'm wearing size small Old Navy maternity jeans but I still fit into my old size 12's from Old Navy. Complete disparity!

I'm a size small in Old Navy maternity tops but my medium tops from Banana are too small in the bust. Argh!

Heh, now maternity clothes are a whole other species. I cannot wear maternity tops. Not enough boob room. You'd think, being that our breasts grow during pregnancy, maternity tops would be cut with a little more boob room. Nuh-uh. My boobs stick out more than my tummy most of the time I am pregnant (even when I'm showing) and maternity tops are made for it to be the other way around.

Ya, I suppose I should have added that the list is highly suspect because there appears to be no real industry standard. One shop's M might very well be another's L. I wish there were an easy way to know!

I just read the following on MSNBC:

(I inserted the bold.)

The link to the whole story is:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319430/site/newsweek/

No wonder I feel weird. Last time I lost weight, 10 years ago, I was able to fit into a size 8. I weighed 128. Now, I weigh roughly 140 and fit into a size 6. Yes, it makes me feel great, but, it's all a mirage.