I've found that my size can greatly fluctuate depending on which designer and department I buy my clothes from. In "trendy" young adult/teen clothes, I've found that I often wear a 12, except for A&F and Old Navy, in which I wear a 10. However, in my professional/business clothes, which are targeted to a more broad audience, I've found that I can wear an 8-10 in some of the pants, and even as small as a 6 in some shirts and skirts. In trendy clothes, I wear a Large for fitted tees, but in more professional/"grown up" clothes, I tend to be more of a medium and occasionally even a small.

So... does anyone else notice the semi drastic size differences in correlation with age? And what are your philosophies behind it? Is it to keep older ladies feeling like they haven't gained an ounce since their teenage years, or to maintain body dysmorphia among young women?

My only theory is that high school girls don't have hips/thighs. Even at my skinniest 3 years ago, I wore a size 4 womens and a size 13 in juniors. But did I mention that even at size 4 I had thick thighs and nice wide hips?

I've noticed this also I have sizes 4-10 in my closet and drawers most of my shirts are medium and small. It drives me insane you never know what size to tkae with you to the dressing room you feel like you have to take the whole rack "just in case" lol.

I try to keep up with my size by the name brand. As long as I keep going down in the George pants at walmart, i know i am going down. It is frustrating though to go out of your "comfort" zone and not know if that 10 is the right size or can you fit into that 8 or will you need a 12 when you go to a different store or brand. I try first to hold it up to my waist then get the larger size and the next down.