How much to lose to move down a dress size?

  • Hi,

    I am in a size 16, and am wondering how many pounds would I need to lose to be able to fit a size 14? I have a pair of pants that I love, but they are a size 14. How many pounds did you have to lose to get into the next size?
  • I hit a size 16 at 212 and it took me hitting 200 to go into a 14, 186-188 for a 12...My height and most likely my shape, are different from yours though :P so I can't answer when you'll hit a 14, but most likely between 10-20 pounds lost
  • I am a size 16 at 205. I am not able to get into a comfortable 14 until I hit 189. I am 5'9" tall.
  • At the higher weights - 15-20 pounds. Now, at lower weights (more specifically - less body fat - I am fairly lean for my weight because I have a large frame), it's more like 10 pounds for a dress size.
  • I don't know if it's really a matter of losing pounds though. Is it? I weighed 130 5 years ago and was wearing a size 11/12. I'm 153 today and am wearing the same pants but I'm also training harder. So I don't really see how it corresponds to weight. =/
  • This website might help. http://www.mybodygallery.com/index.html

    Its a data base of women at different weights/height/frames and lists their sizes.
  • I'm in between sizes too. I'm between a 16 and 18. Some 18's are way huge and the 16s are tight. So frustrating. I'm 211 and 5' 4". 1X tops are too large and X-large tops are a bit too small. Almost there.
  • It really does depend. When you're in the plus sizes (even the smaller plus sizes) it can take 15-20 pounds to go down a size. It depends on your body shape and where you carry and lose the weight though. If the weight comes off your hips, then it might take less weight to go down a size.

    As you go down the sizes it will take less weight to move into the next size. Generally it seems when you start hitting the single digits that it's 10lbs per size, but the lower single digits can mean even less weight.
  • It really does depend on your body shape and how YOU specifically lose weight.

    That being said, we're similar-ish in height and in trousers/jeans I was a US 16 in the 220s as well. I was a US 14 around 210 lbs. Onederland (late 190s) took me comfortably into a US 12, late 180s was a US 10 and late 170s was a US 8. Strangely enough, in the early-mid 150s now, I'm a US 6, not a 4 as I'd have expected but ah well...

    YMMV, but that's how it worked out for me.
  • I'm 5'6 and started at 22 Torrid jeans and 2x tops.

    At about 238 I bough size 20 jeans at Old Navy & 1X tops at Kohls.

    At 228 I bought size 18 jeans at Old Navy and some XL tops fit at Kohls. My new work shirts at size 16 from Lane Bryant.
  • It is individual, but for someone who cant wait I'd rather be obsessed with that than food again. I looked it up and I know its individual, but just wanted a ball park figure, no pun intended.

    LOVE the my body gallery website although a few seem to be stretching the truth a bit, but most seem dead on. I have a very poor body image no matter what I weigh. I think this is good for people to check in. Also might be a good idea to take photos and crop your head off and view it as someone else if you have body image issues. Just a thought, there is no one way for anyone!
  • You've already gotten great advice (depends on body shape, etc.) but thought I'd give my info in case it helps. I'm 5'6"ish and my weight is evenly distributed. At 265 pounds I wore a size 24 and a 3x top. I started working out A LOT, which for me means that I can fit into smaller sizes at higher weights. I'm 208 now and am very comfortable in a size 14 and a size XL shirt, even some Ls, with one of my size 12 jeans fitting well too. I hope to be in all of my 12s by 190 - 195!
  • It really does depend on your shape and the jeans. I have some jeans that are loose on some parts of my body that is a size 16. However I have a size 16 skirt I can hardly zip.
  • Huge difference in weight/dress size
    Just to note the huge difference between bodies- I am 5’7”, weigh 212, and am a US size 20 or 2X. This thread has been quite a shocker for me. I can’t imagine being my weight and wearing a size 16, but that appears to be more common than my size.

    Quote: Hi,

    I am in a size 16, and am wondering how many pounds would I need to lose to be able to fit a size 14? I have a pair of pants that I love, but they are a size 14. How many pounds did you have to lose to get into the next size?