What Dress Size or Waist Size Am I Really ?

December 16, 2007 at 9:15 am · Filed under Style & Fashion

Ladies: What is Your Real Dress Size ?
Men: What is Your Actual Waist Size ?
This is a serious article that has taken some time and research, it is, I believe important, please do take the time to read it as there are implications beyond the obvious - thank you

How do most of us know how big we are ? We know by our clothes size !
Well, read this and see what is actually going on …
It is a matter of record that manufacturers and retailers have been ‘playing’ with sizes for some time now, commonly known as Vanity Sizing. Initially, those in the UK denied it but eventually admitted that clothes were now a ‘bit bigger’ than the label suggested. Their explanation was that people were getting bigger, well if that’s the case simply stock more bigger sizes !

In reality it’s a cynical marketing ploy to get people to buy their products. It is primarily aimed at women, as are the slightly concave mirrors in changing rooms that make you look very slightly thinner, in an attempt to flatter their vanity and make a sale more likely.
This is not an article poking fun at women, vanity or gullibility !

That’s OK I guess, if a woman is pushing a UK size 12 she’s not going to be too keen on buying a 14, therefore there’s more chance of selling a ‘more generous’ 12 !
No harm done really - everyone knows the game.

But what if it’s being pushed so far that it has health implications for people ?

Regulars will be aware of things I have written in the past concerning myself, such as Size 10 Trousers or 30 inch waist or indeed 29 inch, these are all a bit light-hearted and meant for general amusement, though absolutely true I hasten to add.
They did get me thinking though:
I decided to actually measure my waist … what was the outcome … have a guess … here’s a clue.
I wear jeans by various quality manufacturers and designers ranging 28″ - 29″ - 30″ and womens size UK 10 ( US size 8 )
It measured 32 inches !

OK, So What, Big Deal You May Say - But Consider This …

A man with a 34 to 36 inch waist doubles his risk of diabetes !

How do 99.9% of men know their waist size ? - by the trousers they wear !
Men can reasonably think when reading about the diabetic risk, No Problemo I’m a 32 !
In fact you’ll almost certainly be 34 to 36 !
All of a sudden it’s not just a bit of kiddum but a serious health risk !

I repeated the exercise on every pair of trousers I could - the results were the same everytime 3 to 4 inches bigger than stated but each time the leg length was exactly as stated.

Women’s Dress Sizes - The Truth

Given this information I enlisted the help of some ladies in order to extend the research (many thanks by the way) and set about measuring jeans and comparing them to the labels.
I’ve been saying for a while that I believe sizes are in fact one up from the label but it was worse, in all cases 2 whole dress sizes !

Here is a table of the results of my research, numerous measurments and garments used.

A Note on Sizes !
There does appear to be a slight difference of opinion in how UK/US sizes are converted, I have tried to use what appears to be the most common and authoritive.

The Results of Our Survey

Label Size	Should Measure	Does Measure	Real Size
UK 4	24"	28 inches	10
UK 8	26"	30 inches	12
UK 10	28"	32 inches	14
UK 12	30"	32-36 inches	16
UK 14	32"	38 inches	18

The above pattern happened repeatedly, in fact I could find no instance when it did not happen !
It also highlighted another issue …

The Great Size Zero Debate

You’ll note that our survey includes jeans in UK size 4, you know what that means - shock - horror - almost a dreaded (or desired) US Size Zero !
Oh My God - poor girl, anorexia - eating disorder etc etc
Er no actually…
The young lady is slim, attractive and healthy and does not live on coffee and Marlboro Lights !
The measurements now shed a different light on this - she is in fact a healthy and perfect 10 not an anorexic stick insect at all !

The Health Issues

This is the crux of the matter I believe, manufacturers kidding people and flattering their vanity is one thing but risking their health is another !
When a woman reads that the average British woman is a size 16 and at serious health risk weight levels and she’s a ‘12′ she thinks, phew! that’s not too bad, I’m OK …
But, that information is based on actual measurements and not label sizes !
Now it means You !

Dress Size Comparison Chart

We have put this table together to compare measurements and sizes in order to to convert should you wish. We have not just copied one this is researched and taken from British Standard measurements and then cross-referenced with continental authority sites.
You’ll note a 2 inch range in waist measurements, we’ve done this to cover all bases as there are some variants and not a specific and definitive guide.

UK	USA	EU	Waist Inches
4	2	32	20-22
6	4	34	22-24
8	6	36	24-26
10	8	38	26-28
12	10	40	28-30
14	12	42	30-32
16	14	44	32-34
18	16	46	34-36
20	18	48	36-38

Here is another chart which is very widely used

UK	8	10	12	14	16
USA	6	8	10	12	14
Continental	36	38	40	42	44
Japanese	7	9	11	13	15

Bust	32"	34"	36"	38"	40"

Waist	24"	26"	28"	30"	32"
	61cm	66cm	71cm	76cm	81cm

Hip	35"	37"	39"	41"	43"
	89cm	94cm	99cm	104cm	109cm

How to Measure Yourself Properly

How to Measure Your Vital Statistics

Bust
* With your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.

Waist
* Whilst upright, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline.
* Keep the tape comfortably loose, don’t pull tight.

Hips
* While standing with feet together, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your body between your waist and your knees.

In Summary

This has been a tour de force and I hope you got this far.
I don’t think people mind being flattered a little but I think, women especially, would object to being made a fools of and clearly deceived.
This has gone way past Vanity Sizing now and has serious implications for both sexes.

I hope you have found this both useful and illuminating. Please feel free to link to the page should you wish to share it with others.

Try getting the tape measure out and checking it for yourself, we’d be happy to hear your views.
We also welcome any serious comments or opinions - please do take part if you have an opinion, further infomation or just somethig to say about the matter.

Many Thanks to the ladies who helped with researching this article
Rod

To share this with a friend or somebody else you can copy and paste the address below into an email - thank you

http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/what-dress-size-or-waist-size-am-i-really

Permalink

58 Comments »

Rod said,

December 16, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

We’ve just been sent this information by one of our visitors who was intrigued to check after reading the article, many thanks for the input

Jeans: Stated size: 14 UK; 40 EU; 10 US - actual measured waist 36″
Trousers: Stated size: 12 UK; 38 EU; 8 US - actual measured waist 37″

As you can see the pattern continues !
A Retired Bookdealer said,

December 17, 2007 @ 5:44 pm

“I Have Been the Same Waist Size for Years, “Until Now”

The first thing that struck me about this article was the fact that I could very quickly see it being relevant to myself, the second was of course natural curiosity.
I am a 36 inch waist, have been for years.
But Sadly for me this may not be the case.

As I mentioned above the natural curiosity factor kicked in very quickly after reading this, so off I went in search of a tape measure.
I then found six pairs of jeans, all the same make.

The measurements of which can be seen below, note the New-recent purchases.

Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 37 inches.
Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 36 inches.
Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 38 inches, New - recent purchase.
Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 36 inches.
Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 38 inches. New - recent purchase.
Label size = 36 inches - Actual size 37 inches.

So there you go, it looks as though I may only be a 36 inch waist in my own mind, but comforted greatly by a label with the number 36 on it.
Rod said,

December 17, 2007 @ 6:31 pm

ARB
thanks for taking the time and trouble to post.
Interesting to see the new purchases though your results were closer than any I mangaed to achieve.
+ 3 inches was the closest I could get.

I will hopefully make people think about doing something as I suspect people may be happy to accept one size but not another and if they knew may take action and try to lose some weight
Thanks again
Regards
Rod
Jordan said,

December 18, 2007 @ 8:40 am

RC & RB

Look guys, if us women buy a size 10 (label) and its really a size 12, i am all for it! If its the other way round, i won’t buy from that shop, simple as!

Jordan - Ho Ho Ho - Deck the halls - Chestnuts roasting -

PS. Where is the Christmas posts?? Here is a topic for you …. The best ever Christmas Song …… (Put my royalty cheque in the post please)
Femme Fatale said,

December 18, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

Rod,
Truly interesting post, I never knew that the manufacturers could get away with it, but they obviously have!

I am with Jordan on this one.

FF
xx
34" Waist said,

December 28, 2007 @ 8:02 pm

I’ve found that 34″ waist jeans have gotten so much larger than my waist that I they fall off my hips. Lands End 34″ jeans are actually 35 1/2″ or larger! Even Levi’s are affected. Size 33″ or even 32″ are now the correct size for a 34″ waist. This is insanity in the service of vanity. No wonder we (as a nation) have gotten so fat. We think the scale must be off and that our pudgy children are actually normal size.
Apparently Anorexic. said,

December 28, 2007 @ 9:01 pm

Hey, I wear a UK size 6 or 8 so according to this site I am a size 12 although I have a 24 inch waist which would imply I’m in fact a size 4. So how exactly is this meant to work considering my clothes fit me?
Rod said,

December 29, 2007 @ 9:22 am

34″ waist
Welcome to the Site.
I have 32 levi’s that I can pull down without undoing the button ! Ridiculous.

We think the scale must be off and that our pudgy children are actually normal size
You’ve hit the nail on the head !
This is the real threat with vanity sizing now it’s gone too far
Many thanks for you input and taking the time to comment
All the best
Rod
Rod said,

December 29, 2007 @ 9:29 am

AA
Welcome to the site and thanks for the comment.
If your waist measures 24 with a tape measure then you’ll notice the chart for ‘proper sizes’ means that is a 6 to 8.

One of the problems here is a proper standard for sizing.
There is a BSI standard but that soes not include waist measurements only hips.

The real point with the size 4s that we measured was that although the label said 4 they were being worn by a girl who was an 8 !!

I suspect all anyone can do now is what you do - find clothes that actually fit the labels are becoming almost irrelevent.
Regards
Rod
pinkmook said,

January 12, 2008 @ 11:16 am

I measured my UK size 10 (28 waist) jeans that I bought and they are 2 inches bigger than the stated size (at 30 inches) they are too big for me and I thought I had outgrown a size 8. But I have to say not all shops are like this and I find variation even within the same shop on different pairs of jeans…sometimes a size 8 wil fit and sometimes a 10. The label most defnitely seems to be irrelevant now and I have to faff about trying different sizes on instead of being able to just pick a style I like and go.
Rod said,

January 12, 2008 @ 1:03 pm

Pinkmook
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
Firstly congratulations on being too big for a 10

On a serious point it has become a farce and certainly renders buying clothing as presents for others all but impossible.
What you say about differences in shops is absolutely correct so vary dramatically as do certain brands

Thanks again for commenting and you’re always welcome back
All the best
Rod
lil ms b said,

January 16, 2008 @ 11:46 am

thanks for the info!!!
i always found that trousers marked “size 12″ were way to big
even though that was the wast size i should have been
ill go for a size 8 in future
:)
Rod said,

January 16, 2008 @ 12:19 pm

lil ms b,
welcome to the site and thanks for the comment - pleased you found the article of some use/interest.
All the best
Rod
lazytoad said,

January 17, 2008 @ 10:04 pm

hi

Thanks for this useful artical, i find it almost impossible to buy jeans despite predominantly buying them from the same two shops all the time. Only last week i tried my usual size 10 in a very commn high street store to find that not only will the not fasten but they wouldnt come past my thighs!! If im a 10 im a 10 regardless of whichever sweatshop they buy there clothing from. Maybe part of the issue is the significant amount of clothing being made outside of europe clearly to different and various sizings.
Rod said,

January 18, 2008 @ 8:46 am

Hi Lazy Toad
Welcome to the site and thanks for the comment, please feel free to do so again.
They point you make about quality control is one I also considered.
Two things put me off this argument.

Firstly: The leg lengths were always absolutely spot on, only the waist was ever ‘wrong’

Secondly: The story was the same was expensive and very well made brands such as Diesel etc, made in Italy retailing at £160 a pair, leg length perfect waist always much bigger than stated.

In the case of Diesel it’s worse as they are specifically sized in inches on the label.
So there is not even the argument of actual dress size specifics

Thanks again for the comment
All the best
Rod
J said,

January 27, 2008 @ 10:07 pm

hi there

i think your missing the point that when you measure the ‘waist’ on a pair of jeans this isnt going to be the same waist measurement as the wearer - women have been wearing jeans for years now low on the hips.

So a label size eg 26 isn’t going to measure 26 on the waistband of the garment. Unless they are seriously high - so higher than the belly button!

When you measure it is naturally a few inches bigger than the waist label as theyr intended to be worn lower down.

It also totally depends on where you like your jeans to lie. Some people buy a bigger size because they want them to sit futher down the hips than intended.

:)
Rod said,

January 28, 2008 @ 8:55 am

Hi J
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
I understand what you mean but I did actually measure where the jeans sat naturally.
I specifically avoided really loose fit styles for the very reason you suggest.

Thanks again J
Regards
Rod
Dee said,

February 1, 2008 @ 4:09 am

Very interesting article, but just a few points.

I’m a female and my waist measures less than 28 inches, but I’m certainly no size 4. If you are measuring the waistbands of trousers, bear in mind they almost always sit several inches lower than the natural waist at the navel. So therefore they will be several inches bigger than the waist measurements stated on the size chart. I only have one pair of jeans that go right up to my waist and they do measure around 28 inches. All my other jeans measure more than this because they all sit several inch lower than my natural waist.

When experts say a woman’s waist should be no more than 34 inches or a size 16, they are referring to the smallest part of the waist above the belly button. Unlike men women do not measure their waists around the navel. In women, the navel is typically 3-5 inches bigger than the natural waist due to the expansion of a woman’s hip bones. You will rarely find a woman with a navel measurement of less than 27 inches unless she is seriously underweight.

So taking this into account a woman wearing a size 4 with a 28 inch waist band should have around a 23-25 inch waist size. This would make her a size 4 according to the size charts.

Dee
Rod said,

February 1, 2008 @ 9:10 am

Hi Dee
Welcome to the site and thanks for the very interesting contribution, very helpful and I appreciate you taking the time.
I take the point you mention which is why you’ll see some flexibility in the charts.

It’s clearly gone way passed this grey area though, especialy in America as they are going to start using minus sizes in clothing - going below double zero !!

Even without using a tape measure you know there is something wrong when a girl in the UK has jeans in her wardrobe which range from size 4 to 10, incidently the size 10 being the tightest !

Thanks again Dee, you’re always welcome back
All the best
Rod
Cherry said,

February 5, 2008 @ 6:02 pm

Hi,

Yesterday I measured my waist and it says 30″, which based on what you say is a size 12. I’m 5′8 and 125 pounds, so I dont’ see how as size 12 would exactly be accurate. I understand vanity sizing, but usually wear O-2, but 12??

please explain

thank you,
Rod said,

February 5, 2008 @ 6:54 pm

Hi Cherry
are you perhaps inAmerica ?
If so you may have confused the UK and US measuring system - you’ll see a comparison table above
Regards
Rod
Annie Flinn said,

February 7, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

Here is a chime in from an oldster in California. Back in the day, we were always told that Levis would shrink an inch to an inch and a half after washing and drying. Though I always use a cold/cool setting when washing my jeans–from any brnad–they always shrink. Could that be the difference in the actual measurement vs the stated measurement?

And here is another gripe: Lower slung jeans are the primary style being sold in many stores. There are MANY of us who grew up wearing jeans, and would like to continue to do so, but we now find that when we buy jeans/trousers we are suddenly Baby Butt-crack. This is not a good look for us, nor is it particularly comfortable. It would just be nice to have a proper range of choices, and to have it acknowledged that not everyone is a twenty/thirty-something young thing who still has her body parts up-tight-and-out-of- sight.
Witches of Eastwick said,

February 7, 2008 @ 8:42 pm

Rod,

We agree with Annie and are currently looking for some ‘under the arm pit’ jeans to cover every eventuality

WoE
Rod said,

February 8, 2008 @ 8:51 am

Annie
sorry to hear the good ole US of A is failing to to provide for your needs. I would have thought every style in every size would be available - given the size of the market.
It’s true here that fashion chains tend to go all one way for a season or so but they do aim their businesses at the sub 30 year olds.

I cannot even buy my size around here at all - never mind choose the style !
Regards
Rod

WoE
very wise
RC
Annie Flinn said,

February 8, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

I have ventured out recently to see what the shops have to offer, and found, to my amazement, that several of them are steering away from the Plumber’s Delight in pants. Catalogs, too, are reflecting this trend. Sounds as though there has been a surge in the rear action front, and that saner minds have prevailed.
Witches of Eastwick said,

February 8, 2008 @ 7:10 pm

Annie,

a surge in the rear action front … we doubt Father Rod (Wybers Wood’s most infamous monk!) will agree with you on this matter although who knows what goes on at the Goldeneye Hermitage

We loved your term ‘plumbers delight’, looks like some of us won’t miss them now the high waist is back… builders everywhere will be distraught!

WoE
Floxyfaire said,

February 18, 2008 @ 5:01 am

at the risk of sounding like i feel off the turnip truck yesterday. whaaat is a “plumbers delight” ? i heard that when they measure you at the stores they take 10 inches off the tape measure and that is what they use in waist and bra etc size is this how this works.

bewildered wondering
Rod said,

February 18, 2008 @ 9:13 am

Hi Floxy
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
‘Plumbers delight’ is new to me as well but my guess is, it’s a man’s butt showing as his trousers hang down when he bends over etc, I believe in the UK and Australia the term is ‘builders crack’

I don’t know about the tape measures but I know some stores use slightly concave mirrors so that your reflection appears slimmer !
Regards
Rod
Haylee said,

February 19, 2008 @ 3:27 am

Hi,

I live in the US and I have a pair of jeans that are 26. In the UK what kind of dress size should i be looking at??

Thankkk.
Rod said,

February 19, 2008 @ 8:20 am

Hi Haylee
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
That waist size would be about an 8 to 10 over here.
That said, you’d have to try them on due to the variance, once again indicating part of the problem
All the best
Rod
gaz said,

February 22, 2008 @ 7:11 pm

Hi,

I am a very straightforward person when it comes to clothing. I like to know if things fit me well or not and don’t want to take hours upon hours to shop ending up with only one item that doesn’t entirely thrill me. I think it would be great to have more brands out there that only do their sizes according to actual dimensions. Additionally, clothing falls on various body shapes differently. A size 8 woman with a long torso & small chest will fill out a dress quite differently than a size 8 with a short torso & large chest. I say, bring back tailors to more stores or have their services more widely available. Perhaps measure taping “the world” would get people to be aware of their true shapes and make it easier to shop.

gaz
Rod said,

February 22, 2008 @ 7:23 pm

Hi Gaz
thanks for taking the time and welcome to the site.
I quite agree with what you say. It does waste a lot of time and mess people about.
Clearly we all need to try clothes and and sizes or styles willl have some effect on how they fit but if someone is size ‘x’ then size ‘x’ clothes should basically fit.

They may not suit us or our figure, may be a little tight or loose but they should be somewhere near.
I fail to see how this vanity sizing nonsense benefits the customer at all
Thanks again Gaz
Regards
Rod
Mix said,

February 26, 2008 @ 1:57 pm

If you think that is bad, you should check out a store called ‘Lane Bryant’. They “offer” a range of clothing starting at size 14 and up into larger sizes. Truth is, there isn’t a thing in the store that someone with a size 14 waist could put on and keep on. Often times their size 18 is a size 22-24. I don’t see how they can get away with it. They’re catering to grossly over weight women, and letting them indulge thinking that they ‘not that bad’ once they look at the lable on their jeans.
Anyway, great article.
Rod said,

February 26, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

Mix
thanks for taking the time to comment and for providing yet another example of this vanity sizing issue.
Greatly appreciated
All the best
Rod
Annie Flinn said,

February 26, 2008 @ 6:06 pm

To Floxyfaire and Mix,
The Plumber’s Delight pants to which I referred (my own inventive name for them) would be ones that don’t cover a plumber “butt crack” when he bends over or squats down. I generally refer to such men as Baby Butt Crack, but did not want to offend any of Mr. Rod’s readers. He was right on with the “builder’s crack” description.

My sister has renamed Lane Bryant to Lane Giant. That tells the whole story right there. Not only are the clothes sized for our full-figured sisters, they go to special lengths to ensure that the clothes are made of cheap materials that hang like potato sacks on one’s body. When one goes there, she feels not only humiliated by the sizes, but it is also re-enforced that she doesn’t deserve clothes that are well-made.
Annie
Naz said,

March 3, 2008 @ 7:48 pm

Thanks for the article, I found this after googling for women’s sizes vs their weight. I have a girlfriend but have no idea what her real size is since it’s always different. I know her weight and measurements though.
However, the manufacturers are not risking anyone’s health. You cannot confuse a slim stomach with a pudgy 36 inch gut. Even without clothing sizes, it’s easy to tell if you have some fat to lose or if you’ve been eating more than you should.
Rod said,

March 4, 2008 @ 8:22 am

Hi Naz
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.

However, the manufacturers are not risking anyone’s health

I would beg to differ. When medical research illustrates health issues based on size they use actual sizes. i.e. men diabetes risks etc.
When we then consider our size we don’t measure ourselves but think of trouser or dress size.
Although I take your point that it’s easy enough to see you’re over weight and it has to be said, that the manufacturers are giving the public what they seem to want !
Regards
Rod
Nef80 said,

March 6, 2008 @ 2:42 pm

Oh my god! I have recently lost 4st and thought I was doing well being able to get into a size 12 or 14 depending on the store. I have just see your survey on what sizes actually measure if thats right then I have been buying clothes labelled 12/14 but really they are 16/18 how depressing is that!!! ( I dread to think what i used to be. My measurements are roughly 38-29-39. Having read the entire article i feel more confused (and fed up) than i did before i read it!

Have i missinterpreted it?
Emma
Witches of Eastwick said,

March 6, 2008 @ 4:25 pm

Dear Emma

Feeling more confused and fed up after reading one of RCs articles is not unusual…. stick around you’ll soon adapt By the way we think your stats sound just right so don’t concern yourself there.

WoE
Rod said,

March 6, 2008 @ 4:40 pm

Hi Emma
thanks for the comment ad welcome to the site.
I wouldn’t worry about what the label says it sounds like you’re doing really well
Good luck and keep it up
Regards
Rod
Nef80 said,

March 6, 2008 @ 9:27 pm

Thanks that cheered me up a bit.

Something I thought might interest you…

Last week i tried on a pair of jeans in a 12 and 14 couldnt do up the 12 and 14 was TIGHT it was totm so i decided to go back this week this time i took the 14 in and it was huge round the waist what really made me laugh is the girl working on the changing room told me that their jeans can differ by up to 2″ ON THE SAME SIZE she said to always take more than one of each size in!!

There’s just no way to know your correct size. I’m not going to let it get me down now if things dont fit in a certain size.

Emma x
Jordan said,

March 7, 2008 @ 8:36 am

Hi Emma

Well done you! As WoE say confusion after one of RC’s articles is the norm (RC most certainly is not!)

Your measurements sound great to me also, keep up the good work.

Jordan
Rod said,

March 7, 2008 @ 8:48 am

Hi Emma
that is a great anecdote, perfectly illustrates the situation

the girl working on the changing room told me that their jeans can differ by up to 2″ ON THE SAME SIZE

That backs up everything I’ve been trying to say - hope it wasn’t a confusing message
Pleased you are a bit happier as well
Regards
Rod
Nef80 said,

March 8, 2008 @ 12:51 am

Hi Rod

I think when i first read the post i read it without reading it…if that makes sense.

Initially you see the figures and automaticly have the the age old female reaction of oh my god so basically i am fat! My female blinkers lead to confusion with the point!

Blinkers off I see it for what it is!

Thank you

Emma x
Nef80 said,

March 8, 2008 @ 12:54 am

Hi WoE & Jordan

Thanks for your messages

I’ve had a look around, opened my mind and can safely say i will be coming back to see more!

Emma
x
Rod said,

March 8, 2008 @ 8:44 am

Hi Emma
thaks for that, much appreciated, you’re always welcome here and don’t hesitate to comment - especially if you want to join the girls and have a go at me
Best
Rod
Witches of Eastwick said,

March 8, 2008 @ 6:03 pm

Emma,

If you have already opened your mind to this site then we may be too late…. any sign of giddiness yet? Our host certainly needs plenty of female advice and he gets it in spade fulls when the mood takes us…. please feel free to join in, we could do with a fresh new look at his foibles and anything else that grabs your attention.

WoE
Kitana said,

March 26, 2008 @ 9:51 am

Hi all……
Thanx for this article, i found it highly interesting…….for years i was a size 10 - 12, and i was happy enough with that, i am a single mum, and have little spare cash for clothes and just took care of what i had……however, i lost weight recently, i am now very slightly underweight, my clothes were hanging off me slightly so i got the old tape measure out and measured my waist at 27″ (at the navel, my personal smallest point), so i decided a size 8, or 8-10 would fit me!
i remembered buying clothes from market stalls, and how mostly they were foreign made, and on the small side, although not overly small, so i decided to go for a 10!

the jeans are a higher waisted design, however, they are round my hips every time i move, so off i go today, to do something which should have been done first time round……my weight always went up and down making me between 8 - 12 during my teens, and i have never needed to ‘try things on’, my measurements were always accurate, and the size i thought i was, fitted!!! My only problem ever with clothes was finding what i wanted in a longer length (33″ leg) now i have two tasks…….finding my real size (dependant on the store) and finding it long enough, without ending up with clothes i cant afford to buy!!

anyway, thanx for the insight, glad its not just me, and glad im not really a size 6-8!!
Rod said,

March 26, 2008 @ 10:11 am

Hi Kitana
Thanks for taking the time to comment and welcome to the site - please do return
Your experience simply highlights the situation which really helps nobody at all.

I hear you on leg length, same hear I can buy the waist size but not in a 33-34″ leg, so it’s not just the girls that are having problems
Regards
Rod
Lindi Lou said,

March 28, 2008 @ 4:30 pm

Always an interesting discussion this one but at least from the size charts for sizes as they should be, I am rather chuffed to think that I am actually a ‘real’ size 10 round the waist and not a ‘vanity’ one. Whoopee! Made my day.
Kitana said,

March 30, 2008 @ 10:33 am

lol……being a 10 is perfect eh (*;*)
iva riggs said,

April 2, 2008 @ 7:29 pm

I was totally fooled by this. I used to be a size 12 all through my college years, and always thought, “Well, size 12 is average, so I’m average.” And I thought I was plenty healthy and didn’t worry about my size/weight. Of course, I am shorter than the “average” woman and I didn’t take that into account. After college when I slowly crept up to size 14, I thought, “Well, I’m only one size more than average, that can’t be too unhealthy. I’m ok.”

Then I learned about BMI and found out that I had a BMI of just about 30, which is OBESE! I would have NEVER thought I was obese before. I started to lose weight and am now in a healthy BMI range.

But now this bothers me: every dress/clothing chart online or in a catalog says that according to my measurements, I should buy a dress size 12, or maybe a 10. But when I go into a store and try on dresses, sizes 6 and 8 fit me best. And pants, don’t get me started - in a store I can almost always fit into the size 4 (and no, it’s not extremely tight, it fits just right) but on size charts I am supposedly an 8 or 10. I don’t get it.
Rod said,

April 3, 2008 @ 8:01 am

Hi Iva
thanks for taking the time to comment and welcome to the site, please do return.
Great news on the healthy BMI range and a very interesting account.
Once again it proves both the dangers and problems this vanity sizing is causing.
Your points illustrate it perfectly and I’m sure the many numbers of people who visit this page will appreciate they are not on their own being confused
Thanks again Iva
All the best
Rod
sandi said,

April 18, 2008 @ 8:14 pm

can anyone help me..what size am i supposed to be.. bust varies from 34 to 36, waist 22 to 24 and hips 36. i wear size 8 clothes but they’re often snug round my bust and everythings too big for my waist
Rod said,

April 19, 2008 @ 8:44 am

Hi Sandi
thanks for the coment and welcome to the site.
As has been mentioned so often here the label size now means nothing. Your measurememnts suggest say size 6 to 8.
Personally it sounds to me like you’ve nothing to worry about and that quite a few women would want to have your dilemma
Regards
Rod
Dee said,

May 6, 2008 @ 11:59 pm

Sorry for the delayed response, but thanks for the warm welcome Rod.

I get what you are saying though. I have sizes ranging from an 8 to a 14 in my wardrobe. My actual measuremenets are 34-26-38 which should be a size 10/12 in standard modern day sizing, however in vintage sizing it is a size 12/14 and in some high street shops that use vanity sizing and often add a couple of inches to their garments it can be a size 8/10. Just proves clothes sizes mean very little these days!
Dee said,

May 7, 2008 @ 12:03 am

Sandi, in UK sizing sounds like you would be a size 10/12 bust, size 4/6 waist and 8/10 hips.

And to Hayley, a size 26 would equate to a US size 2/3 or UK size 8.

Hope this helps : )
Rod said,

May 7, 2008 @ 8:10 am

Hi Dee
welcome back and thanks for taking the time to comment - please feel free to do so and any of the other threads.

I love something you have put and with your permission will take it up as an ‘official term’ alongside what has now become known universally as vanity sizing we can add to that term
Vintage Sizing for traditional ‘proper sizing’
Perfect Dee - absolutely perfect
All the best
Rod

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