Yesterday I saw this beautiful dress at Target:



I thought it would be sweet for Valentine's Day with a little red belt in place of the sash. I debated whether to get it, because we don't have a lot of money to throw around right now. But it was on clearance for $13.98 plus shipping, so today I decided to go for it. I was so happy to see that they had it in my size (8), and was about to click "Add to Cart" when I decided to double check the sizing chart.

My measurements are 35.5-27.5-38, which according to Target is now a size 6. Well, yay, I've reached my size goal without actually losing weight, but they don't have any 6s! 8 is the smallest available. Which means I get no dress.

Sears says I'm an 8. Old Navy says I'm an 8. Even Walmart says I'm an 8--why doesn't Target agree? Vanity sizing is so lame.

Same thing happened to me at Target! I have similar measurements (35-27.x-36.5) and got a dress in an 8 that is way too big. That is a cute white dress though.

That is so frustrating! I haven't been that size in a LONG time but when I was I never really know what my actual size was! Every store it was different.

But even know some 16 jeans I have are too big, but then I have some work pants in a 16 that fit just right. But i have some 12 jeans from another place that fit snuggly, but still fit. They need to have a UNIVERAL size plan or something.

I never order offline for that reason

I don't think you need vanity sizing as an explanation. Companies all size a bit differently. They can't all be the same unless someone thinks it's worth federal law.

Plus, an explanation I've heard that makes sense is that a size in the middle, say, 8, is defined as the average size they sell, and patterns are cut up and down from there. If they cut every thing up from a 2 (or down from an 18), there would be more fit/scaling problems. Therefore, as their average shopper gets bigger, so does size 8.

you know i hate this, and i don't shop for clothes at target because I have also noticed that their clothing size is always different then others.

and jcpenny is another one. grrr they make me mad.

Julie makes a good point about taking measurements 'from' the standard size -- but I wanted to note that not all brands cut their clothes from size 8. I've found as I've shrunk that some company's clothes no longer fit as well (ex: Gap, Tahari suits at Macy's). Quite apart from size or vanity sizing, the fit is just plain goofy. Other lines fit *much* better in my smaller size.

Then I checked the labels. 'Designer' clothes (trendier, more season-specific, more youthful styles) tend to be cut from smaller sizes (often 4, sometimes 2!) while classic lines such as BR are really designed for size 4/6/8 women. And it absolutely shows in the fit... because I'm short-torsoed like woah, I own a petite XXS blouse from BR (talk about vanity sizing) that is actually too large. (Just for comparison, I just bought an awesome dress from Urban Outfitters that is sized "M/L" -- essentially, size 8/10 -- which fits like a dream).

Clothes sizes are all a lie. You know your measurements and that's what matters.

Can an older person post in 20somethings?

If not I apologize.

If so, I sympathize. I have the same problem on the other end of the spectrum. When I shop for clothing, I'm anywhere from a 22 to a 28 depending on the manufacturer and the cut. So many stores don't go over a size 24, and then I don't know if I'm going to fit their idea of a 24 or not. But when I'm sewing, I have to make sure I check measurements, because a bought size 24 could be a sewn size 30.

I think it's the same principle. They still cut from near the middle of the range (I assume those designers aren't selling size 18, but more like 00 through maybe 10?). Although I imagine if a designer has disdain for anyone over a size 4, he/she won't care if his clothes don't scale up well into larger sizes

I agree with Target sizing, it is different than others. I buy most of my clothing at Target though, so to me all the other companies are out of whack! How do you feel about the same dress in another color? The cherry is pretty, and they have a size 6 in that. I hope you do find a dress you like.

The cherry is pretty, but it's a little too girly, you know? That does sound odd since I'm shopping for a cute dress, but I like more subdued colors. I wish the navy one was on sale, but for some reason it's $40 instead of $14. With all these cutting issues, it looks like I'll have to go the old-fashioned route: actually get my behind to the mall and try things on!

tkm- check out forever21.com They are SO cheap. Dresses are great there, and they have a TON to choose from.

Oh wow...how come I haven't heard of them before? Their selection is HUGE. I'm only on page three of the casual dresses and I have ten tabs of items open to examine. Thanks for the tip!

Any time! Is there one near you? Their jewelry is amazing also. But, one of my rings from them just broke the other day. I suppose you get what you pay for maybe? But they seem pretty quality....

I second the jewelry idea! Their stuff isn't amazing quality, but it's very affordable and there's a lot of cute stuff. I'm actually thinking about putting in an order on the website now for some random accessories... It's definitely the store I miss the most at grad school.

Designers are notorious for this kind of crap. Back in the day, I was a size 6 at Ann Taylor, a size 12 at Bebe and a size 8 at J Crew.

Now, I just squeeze into a size 32 AG jeans, yet.. I can't even get my leg into a size 32 of true religion jeans past the knee!!

It is really disturbing and stoopid.