I am sure that sizing has been discussed ad nauseum here. Indulge me a bit and allow me to offer one more rant:

I LOATHE vanity sizing!!

Since all of my size 22's are slipping off my body, I went to the Avenue, looking for size 20's. Their size 18's were incredibly loose on me. I left empty-handed because I KNOW I am not a size 16, not even close yet, and I do not want to lie to myself. I headed over to Old Navy for their 1.97 clearance items (always a rack of these at ON) and found 3 pairs of size 20 pants that fit perfectly. Of course, I remembered that a friend had once said ON clothing runs large, so I found myself doubting my size 20 (which is rediculous since none of my size 22's fit anymore, so I must be a 20). Now, my friend is thin so perhaps the thinner sizes run large. I don't know. Then I remembered that I do have 1 pair of size 22's from Lane Bryant that fit loosely, but not so loosely I would need the same pants in a size 20.

So how the heck are we supposed to track our progress by sizing if the sizing is not only sporadic, but deceitful? Are we supposed to be lured into a false sense of perfection by vanity sizing? Are we really so easy? Which brands have fairly true sizing in your experience?

Thanks.

I feel your pain. I seem to fit in 26's, 24's and 22's right now, depending on the brand. So I measure, rather than focusing on size. I find it an easier way to gauge progress.

Another way, try on the clothes that fit you at your HW! That's fun!

I know exactly what you mean. I can wear a 10 in stretch jeans, 12 in regular jeans and 14 in most other pants. I still have a pair of 16s that I can wear though they're a bit loose. Sizing is all over the place.

~Dee

I've never tried jeans or trousers over here, so I'm pretty clueless about the sizing. I'm still going through the clothes I emigrated with that were too small.

I'm currently between sizes, or maybe it's just because the jeans I'm wearing are different styles. I have one pair of Marks & Spencer size 18 that I'm still wearing, but the rest are far too big now. The 16s are nowhere near as comfy, but they do fit.

I'd like to see some consistency in sizing. IMO, when clothing is labelled for a particular size, that size should fit regardless of the cut or style. Otherwise what's the point?

I agree....it's really messed up!!!! I'm currently in a 14 at 178 pounds which is kind of funny because the last time I wore a 14 was in high school and I weighed around 145 pounds....hmmmmmmm...must be a culprit of the vanity sizing rage. Actually....Old Navy really messes with my head!!! I have a pair of 14's from there that fit perfectly....I went back to get some more jeans and I couldn't even get most of the 14's over my hips.....yet the 16's are way too big on me. It's really frustrating because I like their jeans and they are fairly inexpensive for someone that's going down sizes. I totally know what you mean about the vanity sizing though......I always think to myself...gosh...what size am I really??? Even worse...I think back to when I was a tight 24....was I really a tight 28?...u know? I get their point in a way though.....I feel great about being in a 14....(maybe I'm really a 16 or 18)...but me..getting into those 14's...makes me want to buy the smaller size....it's quite the ploy....but I can see where it's beneficial for the clothing companies.
hugs,
Olivia

Go to a fabric store and read the measurements on the back of a pattern. Be prepared for the shock of your life. I'm 2-3 sizes *bigger* when I go by measurements than when I go by what 'fits' off the rack. Talk about horrifying!

It always amuses (and irritates) me when I think about the whole "Marilyn Monroe was a size 14!" thing. Yes, she was, but do you know how big a size 14 WAS back then? Approximately an 8-10 now. And Elizabeth Hurley saying she'd kill herself if she was as fat as Marilyn...don't get me started. How shocked would Elizabeth be if she found out that her* "size 4" figure would have been a size 8 or a 10, back then?

I have always found Old Navy to run small. Interesting.

The Avenue is the only IRL plus sized store in this hick town, and their 18's fit me in a nice loose way right now. And in most of the other plus sized lines that either Macy's or JCP carry, I'm in an 18W right now as well. Like Olivia mentioned, ON totally messes with me too! In some styles I can wear a 20 and other styles they are too tight. Plus, I don't think they cut them as a "W" size and just continue in the "M" cuts? Same with the tops...I have some 1X's that are perfect and then some 2X's I tried were way too tight. It must be the same for everyone no matter their size if there's no consistancy there. At least I know my 2 year old fits into their 2T's!!

My next goal is just my 16W's and then onto my regular 16M jeans. Gotta shrink a few more inches to zip them though...

...did Elizabeth Hurley say that! So shallow. Oh well...

All brands are inconsistent and i dont think it will ever change. You just have to know your own body and go from there. I kind of like the stores that allow you to fit in the smaller sizes, it makes me feel better about myself.

I just wish that women's clothing would get off the of the 14-16-18-20-22 etc etc.

When I lost alot of weight (I was about 250lbs and not quite a size 18 in women's levis) I wore Mens Wranglers. I was always able to get a perfect fit because I knew my waist and inseam. Jeans were always long enough, fit just tight enough in the butt and hips, and the rise was high enough to be comfortable (but not so high as to be goofy). I hate shopping in women's sizes. Not only do the manufacturers resize for vanity purposes, but some of the styles they have for large women are not at all flattering and look like couches from the 1970's that should have been burned. I might be fat, but I can pull of some pretty cute outfits if I can find the right size and style.
I hate clothes discrimination.

Argh!!! I am seriously with you on the whole size thing. I think it's a conspiracy or somethin!

Yes, I was a 14 or a 12 when I was a teenager and had a 37 26, 35 figure. 12s if they didn't have to fit over the bust, 14s otherwise. And yet I was only in a 16 when I weighed 220 pounds!... HUH? What was that all about?

Frustrating to not even know what size I need to shrink to, to be back where I was. Good thing I tried on my ex husband's pants. I fit into them fine at 30/31. I guess I will need to wear men's clothes if I ever reach my goal, just to know that I'm there!

I hear ya. And I think Old Navy sizes are weird... if you're buying a shirt you'd need to go a size smaller than you normally do, and pants would have to go bigger. Last year I was trying on jeans (for the first time in years; I always hated pants) and was almost a 12 at Gap and almost a 14 at Old Navy, which surprised me because I always thought Gap would be tighter. Ah well. I guess the best way of keeping track of your size is to just go by the same store! If you have a pair of pants from your highest weight, just keep going to where you got those to see how you've changed.

That is why I go by the tape measure. I have pretty much all 10's in my closet but from years ago, I am 15lbs heavier in them than I was then. It surely is aggrivating.

Old Navy's sizing drives me INSANE! If I wear a 16 at the GAP, why would I be pushing a 20 at Old Navy? They are the same darn company!! I think it also depends on your shape... for some people Old Navy fits them very well, definitely not for me tho!

It's interesting to see the different weights we are, and the different sizes... because when I'm in a size 14 thats about 210-220. I suppose it depends on the store as well...

Clothes sure are frustrating.. What I'd like to know is why NO ONE makes ultra low rise flared dark denim jeans!! I bought "low rise" jeans from Avenue, they come WELL above my belly button.. not a great look.. sheer desperation though..

-Aimee