So I went to buy some new jeans this past weekend because the stretch in mine had worn out and they kept sliding down. I had to buy a size FOUR. Now, I know there has been size inflation in general over the past, say, 15 years, but I bought size six last year and I weigh exactly the same now as I did then. I haven't even done any extra strength training -- if anything I have LESS muscle now than I did before.

So why did I have to buy size four jeans? Has anyone else noticed an excess of size inflation over the past year or so? I mean, it's kind of exciting to wear a size four, but I really am not that thin.

I think it totally depends on the style and cut of the pants. At old Old Navy the other day I bought a pair of size 6 jeans that I'm sitting in as I type and they're a little snug. At the SAME store, I purchased a pair of pants that are a 4 and they fit perfectly. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. And at The Limited I fit a size 2 skirt! But dresses? Usually a 10!

Don't get me started.

Different brands, different styles, different cuts, there are so many factors out there that it's hard to say.

Yeah, there is definitely a lot of variation in cuts. I have a pretty standard hourglass figure though so I've been consistently a 6 petite in most clothes in most stores for the past couple years. However, I've been buying exactly the same Levi's jeans for several years now (I always buy either 505 or 515) so it surprised me that the size changed!

I have had the same size, color and fit Levi's fit differently--- labels said one made in honduras, tho other in vietnam.

I have had Levi's fit me in two sizes of the same style before, too. Didn't think to look and see if they were made in different places. Interesting.

I think it depends a lot on the quality. When I shop at Old Navy, there's so much variation. I actually have two pair of the SAME PANTS from there that I bought when they were on sale because I love the color so much. I was a size 24 when I bought them, and I bought them in a 22 and a 20, and both fit perfectly. But I have another pair of jeans from there in a 24 that are still tight, even though I'm fitting into all my 22s comfortably now.

On the other hand, I have a few pair of Seven for All Mankind jeans from Lane Bryant, and they all fit identically despite having gotten them over the course of a few years.

I bet it's true with most similar stores, but Old Navy is the WORST with sizing.

Where were you shopping?

I've complained about this same issue many times (including on several threads in this forum!). Vanity sizing is exasperating and pointless. Is anyone really fooled when they're 10 pounds heavier on the scale, but buy 1 size down at the store? I don't think so. It just makes it impossible for women to buy clothes without trying on each and every garment. My husband orders his jeans and shirts online, and they fit every time!

Has anyone noticed this with shoes? I had been wearing size 9 for at least 20 years. Had some atheletic shoes fitted before weight loss and found I was really 8.5 a few years ago. Since weight loss I've been walking out of my size 8.5 dress shoes (they just fall off as I'm walking). So I went shoe shopping and ended up in 7.5! I can't recall wearing shoes that small since I was 13 years old (and my weight gain was at age 30).