I've been wearing a lot of Walmart clothes (to save money during my weight loss) and currently wear a size 4/6 top and petite size 8 pants.

Today I went to buy a bathing suit (my last one 2 years ago - and 60 pounds heavier - was a 22W) - I was shocked (and disappointed) to discover that I needed to weat a size 16 to fit comfortably into a one-piece suit.

Has anyone else found sucha disparity between their clothing size and bathing suit size?

Oh yeah! i wear a size 6 or in some things a size 4 and I bought a size 8 bathing suit that just fits. I have learned not to get upset about sizes. Some brands cut really big and some are small. It's like getting on the scale and being upset when you go up a pound. Scales lie. sizes are just a guide line.

I've learned that you HAVE to try everything on and don't look at the sizes, everything is different. Don't beat yourself up. If you like your suit, then that's all that matters!

Absolutely-- don't worry about the size. I'm a 12, and yet I had to buy my wedding dress in an 18. Now, I am working hard to lose weight to have it taken in a lot, but still, I get it-- a number, when its not the number you expect, can be really depressing. But then look at the other items that you wear you 'typical' size in-- its so true. Don't fret. Its just the manufacturer.

I agree with what everyone has said. Size is just a number! I can wear anything from a 6 to a 12.

clibrarian-My best friend is getting married in October, and when she tried on wedding dresses, she ended up getting a dress 4 sizes bigger than she normally wears. There are 'normal' sizes, then there are 'bridal sizes' I think 'bridal sizes' = you are going to get a larger size no matter what!!

Was the bathing suit also from walmart? It also depends as certain bathing suits fit me while others don't. Part of it comes from my long torso. I think I bought a size 18 bathing suit while the rest of my clothes are size 14/16.

I try not to pay attention to sizes for things like formal wear, lingerie and stuff like bathing suits

*raises hand for Walmart suit sizes*

I bought a swimsuit there last summer because it was cute and a size 22/24, which I thought would fit me. I couldn't try it on because the fitting rooms were closed, but I bought it anyway because it was the last one.

Took it home, tried it on. It would not even go over my thighs. I'm wearing it this summer, at 230 lbs when the rest of my clothes are a size 16/18.

Ugh, bathing suit sizes are one of those things I don't even pay attention to because they never make any sense to me. When I went shopping for one last week, at one store, I could fit comfortably into both a size 10 and a size 14. I just pretend the number doesn't exist.

Absolutely! Bathing suit sizes run small, just as wedding dress sizes do. I went to buy my first bathing suit from Macy's for the first time in many years. I'm normally a size 2/4, but i had to get a size 10 suit. Don't sweat it; it's normal.

I've given up on one-piece bathing suits for this reason... by the time I get a large enough size that it actually fits me (2-3 sizes above my usual), it's way too long for someone as short as me! I'll stick to the "tankini" styles I guess. (Well, until I can feel good wearing somethng skimpier, lol.)

I just stick to what look cute on me, the **** with the suit sizing I cut the tags out of them.
I love any thing that will fit over my over size breast and big butt and overly thick thighs. And it has to be black or brown (makes me look smaller) oh yeah looks good on my brown skin.lol

I think the clothing size doesn't matter, it's whether it fits or not. Bathing suits I think are more critical when it comes to sizing and fit. Any part that doen't fit into the suit becomes VERY noticeable.

I try to never go by the size, which after all is just a number. Try it on, and if you think it looks good, wear it. Even ask for the opinion of a friend, if you can, before you buy.

....deedee....

Well clothes sizes in general are tricky but one thing I noticed with one pieces are that they are too short for my torso so they are always digging into my shoulders and make me slouch. This might be what's happening with you too! This year I have opted for a 2 piece tankini with board shorts.