And I say this because when I buy clothes online, I am almost ALWAYS about a size smaller than what my measurements dictate according to online size charts. Depending on the retailer, sometimes my measurements come out to a Misses 18, but I'm most definitely in a 16 right now almost every time I try on pants -- in fact, slowly but surely the 16s are starting to become loose too.

Do y'all have this problem? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

Well yes, I have this problem a lot, too. You want to know why?

Ease.

Garments are cut with allowances for ideal/comfortable wear, depending on the style. Many include 5-10% of the garment's width at a given point as ease, especially tops and dresses. But not everyone wears the garment with the ease the designer intends. I like my clothing more fitted or I look dumpy and heavier than I am, so I generally like close ease, an exact fit, or even negative ease in items like sweaters, when my bust or hips stretches the garment slightly and it hugs my figure.

This is very normal, but one of those things about clothing that one generally doesn't learn without doing a fair amount of garment construction and sewing. That's where I picked it up

I guess it all depends on how clothing items are tailored. Some pieces I like very tight on me, while with others I prefer a loose fit. When it comes to sizing, I'm just completely in the fog. I have to take 3 sizes of the same item in the changing room with me and just see which one fits best. I wish I could just custom design and tailor my own clothes and be done with it. That would be too expensive though.

yeah it all depends on the clothing you are wearing.

Yes! If I go by waist/hip measurements on size charts, I'd often be wearing clothes 1-2 sizes bigger than I am, and they would be falling off of me.

I take issue with the size charts online. They seem to believe every woman is an hourglass. Do I go with the smaller size to fit my hips or the larger one that will fit my waist? I really avoid online shopping as much as possible

I have "fit" into 3 different sizes my entire life: from being 135lbs to 260. My measurements never add up to the charts. I always picked the size in the middle and ran with it...it usually works. You aren't the only one.

As you get smaller and smaller, try wearing more tailored clothing without much stretch. You'll look super put-together, and the tighter fit will be even further motivation! I think it really is a self-fueling cycle - my larger sizes (Which I'm in now!) are all stretchy and eased fit... so I can eat more without feeling like I might die. Adding the structured clothes will keep you on the straight and narrow! My smaller clothes are all cotton, no stretch, with set-in waist bands... you get the idea.
Last night I went to a BBQ and was afraid I'd stuff my face, so I belted my Grecian-style top. It really worked.

I agree with thundahthighs here! As you get smaller and smaller do wear more tailored clothes. It's great motivation to keep you from over eating. I have been at my weight for 3 years now and everything I own is tailored or purchased to fit. I have no clothes that are baggy because it does make you more inclined to not pay attention to what you are eating. If anything starts to get uncomfortably tight.....time to re think my diet.

As for clothes......the measurements never match the garment no matter where you buy it from. It seems to be all trial and error.

Oh, I've -always- worn clothes to fit me, no matter how large I was. I felt like baggy clothes always made me look bigger than I was, on top of me being in delusion of how big I actually was. I have never made a correlation between eating and my clothes fitting, lol.

My measurements have never matched up to my size either.

I've run into this issue for years, mostly because I used to have to buy larger sizes to have the width in the shoulders, or have it not hung my belly.

Trying not to get discouraged now, because on my first shopping spree for smaller clothes, I bought everything from a 1x to a 3x in tops. (cause that's not at all confusing.)

I try to take my measurements before I order online, and prefer to try it in person because depending on how the top is cut, I could wear anything from an 18 to a 22. Its definitely weird.