Vanity Sizing Is Insane (Or Maybe I'm Just Really Old)
 

OK, so my jeans were getting pretty baggy, and today I decided to treat myself to a new pair. This is literally the first pair of jeans I've bought since 2003 ~ that last pair were Tommy Hilfiger size 16. Then I gained 150+ lbs, now I've lost 100, have gotten too small for all the clothes my sister gave me when I gained all this weight, but still far too large for all my old size 16s.

I went to Catherine's first, because I had a coupon . . . I also needed a light jacket since Spring is coming. I am 5'8" and as of this morning I weigh 266 lbs. I tried on a Liz Claiborne 22/24 jacket. It was falling off! Weird. So I tried on the 18/20. It fit! It zipped up! In fact it fit great. Still really weird!! So I tried on a couple more things, all Liz, and only the 18/20s fit. But I was thinking, well, Claiborne always runs large, no big deal.

Then I asked the lady behind the counter, hey, the Liz Claiborne runs large, right? And she said no, it runs true to size. Then I told her I was kind of freaking out, because here I am wearing a pair of size 24 jeans, albeit baggy and probably bought in 1995, and the 18/20s are fitting me. Then I explained I was a size 32 6 months ago, and the light went on in her head. She remembered me, but hadn't recognized me because of the weight loss. Then she wanted to know all about Atkins after I explained it.

But then, she said, girl, we got to get you another pair of jeans, those are ridiculous. Apparently Catherine's and Lane Bryant have developed some sort of jeans sizing system where you have to be measured because the sizes are a secret code or whatever. So she measured me, and told me I was a 4 Red. So I tried a pair on, they fit great, and I bought them and a couple other things.

While I was checking out, I asked: hey just out of curiosity, what is a 4 Red, like a 20 or 22? She said it's a 16! What the???? This is insane. I cannot possibly be a size 16. My Hilfiger 16s downstairs are so small I literally cannot get them much up past my knees. I knew sizes had shifted a bit, but really, this is insane? Then I went over to Lane Bryant to pick up a couple more things and same deal ~ 18/20s fit over there, the 14/16s were snug but didn't look half bad . . . this is extremely weird.

So am I just too old and still living in the 90s or what? Trust me I'm not complaining . . . but . . . this is so weird!

First of all congrats on your amazing loss!

I am familliar with that layne bryant sizing, and wore it until december, and I'm sure the lady is mistaken, because the smallest size they make is a 14 (and that is a plus size 14). When I stoped being able to shop their I was wearing a blue size 1 (plus size 14). I'm guessing a 4 is a 20. enjoy it while you can, I never liked other jeans as much as I like theirs!
~sara

maybe sizes have gotten larger since then? People surely have gotten larger.
I've also noticed that normal and junior sizes are way different. I fit into a 16 in womens, but a 19 in juniors. You think they'd make it a continuum, but no.

This is why my tape measure has become so handy. I use it to measure myself and compare the size info available online before I shop. I find that the higher end the stores: Neiman Marcus, club monaco etc. the bigger my size, at regular chain stores Banana, Gap etc.. my size goes down.

Sizes are confusing in general. I can wear my size 16's, 14's and 10's. They even came from the same (JCPenny). It's silly.

I wear a size 4 red in Lane Bryant and they fit exactly the same as the old size 22 regular. Exactly the same.

On a side note, I should be wearing the Blue because of my hip to waist ratio, but they look horrible on me.

Sunrose, thank you! Now that makes sense. Yes I think I am a "normal" (old skool) 22. That totally makes sense.

mescelestus, thank you too. I was wondering how "4" translated into a 14/16 even under weird sizing, when they only go down to a 14. I figured a 14 had to be a 0 or a 1 or something...it just wasn't making a lot of sense to me. I do have to say though the lady who measured and helped me was wonderful and kept telling me what a small waist I have ~ now THAT is something I have NEVER heard before in my life! It was really nice to hear.

OH Liz Claiborne...LOL My mother's favorite designer! Always a size or 2 off! I have 3 pair of size 16 505 Levi's I bought back in 2000. When I first started this journey my main goal was just to get back into those jeans. Well, I have finally made it and they fit perfectly. They are out of style, but great for hanging around the house and farm so I wear them with pride! Soooo I'm at the mall on Friday in Lincoln and think I should buy some new jeans for going out. There were some awesome sales going on in all the department stores. I tried on several pair and all the 16s were too big. WAY too big. The 14s fit pretty well in most brands. In Liz, a size 12 fit perfectly. Guess what pair I got?? HAHA But hey they were marked down to $14.00 originally $50...I would have bought any jeans for that deal, even if the tag said my old size 30.

Last week I bought several pair of Capri pants for $3 each, (last summer stock) in a size 12 also, but they are a little snug. Hoping to have them fit perfect by April/May when the weather here allows.

I have a pair of size 16 couderay Calvin Klein Jeans from high school, (25 years old...lol) It's going to take a good 25 pounds to get those baby's on. They are tiny. (I thought I was so fat in HS!)

There is at least a size difference change in just the last 7 years. Sadly that was the last time I was in a 16. Those 16s are still too snug for me and yet I can fit into todays size 14.

Sizing is totally crazy, I can't believe the range, but I have found the more higher end you go, the smaller the sizes are. And can I add a little rant here? The jeans "Seven for all Mankind which I've been coveting for ages, don't go past a size 32 for women, "all mankind?" I think NOT!

No you're not old and living in the 90s LOL

I'm shocked by it too since I've had to shop at Lane Bryant for the past 6 years. I think it's nuts that I fit into a size 12 jeans from the GAP! I saved one pair of jeans from when I was smaller. They are from American Eagle, size 14 and I must have bought them in 98. You guessed it they are smaller then the 12's I just bought?!?!? I can fit into them but I've got some major muffin top action in them :D

Same as you DC I'm not complaining but I think its weird too!

They don't pull this k-rap on men you know...

Ladies, it gets no better once you are into the smaller sizes either. I can fit into a range of sizes from 4 to 10. And then there is the weird sizing system at Chico's, where I wear their size "zero." Makes me wonder what the really skinny women wear, because I am far from skinny.

It's all like a big, hard math equation. I went shopping for Jeans at JC Penney this weekend...SO frustrating. I left with nothing. Again.

I tried on Levi's in a size 4. Fit fine in the waist, but were too short at the longest length (medium) and baggy in the butt. Got Levi's in another style...size 6 fit fine, but again, butt bagginess. The length was OK. Another pair of size 6 Levi's in another style was too small.

Gonna have to change brands...just ran out of time to mess with it.

EXACTLY! I wear lots of 2's and even a couple of 0's and I am by no means "skinny" and by no means the smallest woman around. Where in the world are the real skinny people shopping? I can't imagine where. I've wondered it many times myself.

Gosh I've never really thought about that. The super skinny must have the same problems as the super overweight. I was in tears when I was too fat for the "fat stores" like CJ Banks, and The Avenue. (I could get stuff online to fit, but not at the stores). The thin people probably have to special order everything too.

I work with some really tiny gals and they told me they shop in the children's department sometimes. I can wear anywhere from a size 2 to a 6 and I am much bigger than they are. I don't know how they find adult jeans to fit!

Wow, they shouldn't confuse us like this. hehe I think it would be great to one day walk in a clothing store and be able to buy something you know is your size in any store. I don't mind going back in forth to the dressing rooms but it's annoying when they are locked and you have to keep getting assistance to open them. At least where I shop I have to do that.

Congratz by the way! =D

Sizing is terrible for girls. D: I can't fit into plus size clothing, it hangs off of me like no other. But then like 12's in womens can be snug. And 14 plus size is huge. I mean, really? I wish sizes just went up, instead of changing things around like that.

I actually do have *some* problems shopping. I can't fit into smalls. So I need stores that carry extra smalls. That elminates a LOT of places. Ann Talor, Limited, H & M - they carry smallish sizes. I shop at junior stores very often, but it's not like the whole store is available to me. Ummm being 45, the last thing I want to look like is a teenager.

I will take this dilemma over the old one any and every day - having only 3 stores to shop in. 3 stores that sell overpriced, poorly made and poor selection of clothes.

I think whatever size you are, there are probably very few people who can go into each and every store and wear EVERYthing that is offered. We all have different shapes and trouble areas.

All my b*&$#@*g and moaning aside, shopping now is an absolute JOY. An absolute JOY!!! :D

Sizes are different everywhere and it's crazy. From JCPenney, I'm a 16 in jeans (17 in juniors), but at other places I can't even fit in a size 16. However, I have a pair of size 13 shorts that fit great.

I was at a department store a few days ago and tried on a few shirts. I could wear a large in one brand, but I couldn't even button an XL in another brand.

The sizes are crazy from one brand to the next. I sometimes wonder if they're using the eeeny, meeny, miney, moe method.

I don't fret about the sizes, I just try everyhing on. I agree with rockinrobin , it is a joy to shop !

Junior department.
:)

Not to say I KNOW personally because I am far from what I consider skinny. I have friends that fit the category however.

Yes, I would say that shopping is a joy! Dressing is a joy! Every day is like playing dress up. :)

Ah, yes. The game is: "What size am I today?"

Don't know about you, but I tend to buy the same clothes over & over again. This winter, I've had a passion for collecting long-sleeved v-neck cashmere sweaters with square hems. Very classic, very basic. Because of the recession & the incredible sales run by the dep't stores, I have hit several 75% off sales that have allowed me to indulge in this lovely soft hypoallergenic (for me) but rather pricey fabric.

So the sweater's styling is pretty close. I am not comparing apples to oranges. Right now, I am wearing a large sweater from Bloomingdale's Sutton Studio line. But when I go to Macy's, I wear medium petite in their Charter Club line. And when I got a sweater at the L.L. Bean Outlet Store in Upstate NY, the small fit the best.

I've given up. My modus operandi is to pull a medium off the rack & start from there.

Twice this winter, I've gone into dressing rooms with like 20 items at a time (handed to me in relays by the salespeople) to figure out what now fits me.

The same thing happened to me. I have a comfy pair of size 10s thats I wear and they started getting lose, so I went out to biy more. I wanted to cry when a size 13 wouldn't fit.

Like my sister said, it's all about how you carry your weight. She tells me I look worse when I refuse to buy a pair of pants/shirts/dress that are baggy instead of getting clothes that fit me perfectly, regardless of the number on the tage.

My solution three-fold. First - I visit a lot of "vintage" and second hand stores for classic pieces.

The second part of my strategy is to check out the outlet malls, and stores. I have found that Petite stores carry some things that fit me well in size 2-6, depending upon the store.

Finally, I re-acquainted myself with my sewing machine. Whether it is sewing from scratch or tailoring store-bought finds, this is my "ace-in-the-hole" when it comes to clothing that fits and looks terrific. I've worked way too hard to not look my best wherever I go.
I've become a shameless clothes-horse :o

It is without a doubt one of the best benefits of becoming a healthy weight. I too can't believe what I clothes horse I've become. I really need to stay out of the stores. My closets and drawers are packed. I've taken up every inch of extra space in this house with all of my clothes. :D

Oh I wish I knew how to use a sewing machine. I should probably learn. Because yes, finding a good tailor is essential.

rockinrobin, you and I are kindred spirits, I have run out of closet space, I have clothes all over. I sometimes put on 3 or 4 outfits before deciding which one to wear. This is supposed to mean you have too many clothes. Do I care ? NO! I remember when I wore a lot of sweats ( The fat ladies friend) and of course the elastic waist pants that never look good. I do not want to go back to wearing clothes whose size starts with an X.

I'm dreading shopping. I'm between sizes, well actually, I'm a size smaller than the jeans I presently have. I hate trying on clothes at the stores. Used to be I always wore the same jeans, so I could just go to the store, find my size, grab about 4-5 pair and head to the check out.

I'm driving truck this next week coming up, so I can just wear a belt and be OK, but, the next week I'll be working on the ground and I don't really want to moon all the guys at work by accident(only if it's on purpose:s:), so shopping I must go.:mad:

Maybe, once I'm closer to goal and know I won't have to do this every couple months, I won't mind shopping again. I might even start buying the good(read "freaking expensive":eek:) jeans again.;)

Slide over and make room for me on the shopaholic bench, Bargoo and Robin. :o I have plastic sweater boxes under the bed, tiered pants hangers so I can hang four in the place of one pair, took over some of DH's drawers, and now I commandeered DS's whole closet since he moved out. Of course, all the summer clothes are still in the attic storage closet. And with all the awesome sales these days, how can you resist?

Hey Bargoo, I bet you have some "X" smalls in that closet! Beats X-L any day. :lol:

:o Add me to the the "step AWAY from the sale rack" set.

My sale finds are in under the bed boxes, DS1's closet, the closet rod in the laundry room, the cupboards above the headboard, and a whole drawer for nothing but BELTS! Every color, fat ones, skinny ones, shiny ones, silky ones :dizzy:

I am looking forward to spring so I can wear all the things I found last fall on the clearance racks :D

And isn't it amazing to be able to buy things on sale in the off-season because you KNOW they'll still fit perfectly when the right time of year rolls around? I haven't changed sizes in almost seven years. Good-bye, size rollercoaster! :cb:

okay that is weird because its opposite for me
I can wear a 24 in Tommy Hillfiger very comfortably and 24s in lane bryant are too tight....

Bargoo, Robin, Meg---scoooooooooooooooch on over...another shopoholic on board here...scarves, skirts, camis, shoes, jeans, you name it, nothing cute is safe in my town...they are in danger of being claimed for my empire! :)

When did you buy yours? I bought these 16s in 2000 I think. They fit briefly, I went up about a size, then they were baggy in 2003 for a few months until I put all this weight on all of a sudden.

Shopping is such an experience when you are used to wearing the large sizes . I was almost at goal and needed a dress for my nephew's wedding. I automatically went to the large size department and the clerk diplomatically informed me I was in the wrong department. On another occasion I picked up couple of t shirts and not trying them on went to check out. The clerk said if these are for you they are too big. Holy moley!
These experiences are soo much fun. I have given away all of my old wardrobe and hope I never have to go to the fat ladies department again.

Sizing aside, if you've had significant changes in your body (pregnancy, weight loss etc) you can carry a little more or a little less weight and fit into the same size as before.

I am a size smaller than I was last time I was this weight -- and I was this weight only 3 years ago, so sizes have not changed that much. However, I had a baby so nearly all of my weight is in my chest and belly.

Quite the scenario. Me and DH head to mall to each buy a new pair of pants. He's 34/34. Walks into 1st store, goes to shelf, reads label, confirms label on pants, walks to checkout. Done. Me: 6 stores later, at least 30 pairs later (spanning 4 different size labels), and 3 freakin' HOURS ... I have a pair of pants. Forgive the rant, but this is just more marketing horse$^*$ specifically designed to make you feel great about parting with more money. Maybe I don't really WANT the world to know that my hips are 43 inches around, but it sure would save a whole lot of time and aggravation! Give me a waist, hip, and inseam and let's be done with the whole thing!