Clothing sizes....have they changed? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

sherry7 · 12-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Have clothing sizes changed over the years?

Currently, I'm wearing a size 12 petite jean...Lee Rider brand. They're starting to get roomy around the waist, so I'll be in a 10 petite pretty soon.

Yesterday, I took on the huge task of cleaning out my walk-in closet. Most of the stuff was too big of course, and it got boxed up for Goodwill. However, I found a box of clothes (which were at least 12-15 years old) with pants and shorts in the 13, 14, 15, and 16 sizes. I tried on most of them, and none of them came remotely close to fitting me...most of them were several inches too small around the waist.

I've heard about "vanity sizing" before. I just read this article, 0 is the new 8 - The Boston Globe, and this particular quote jumped out at me: "As a result, what was a size 8 in the 1950s had become a 4 by the 1970s and 00 today. The size labels just keep getting smaller, so it's no surprise they're diving below zero now, Ainsworth said."

mistymee · 12-28-2008, 12:37 PM

Yep.. my size 14 petite jeans are getting loose, but I have several pairs of size 18 jeans from back in the 1980's and are severely tight..

Really kind of silly, if you ask me. I wish women's pants were sold like men's, by waist & length with further sizing by full cut or narrow cut or what have you..

sherry7 · 12-28-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

Yep.. my size 14 petite jeans are getting lose, but I have several pairs of size 18 jeans from back in the 1980's and are severely tight..

Really kind of silly, if you ask me. I wish women's pants were sold like men's, by waist & length with further sizing by full cut or narrow cut or what have you..

Yes, I would love to have men's sizing for pants. I'm 5'5", but my legs are super short in comparison to my body. Even the petite length pants are too long sometimes.

I know that Levi jeans used to be sold that way for women (like when I was in high school!), but I don't know if they still are.

I'm still not completely finished with that darned closet...spent about 5 hours working on it yesterday, and I did make a lot of progress though.

oregoncora · 12-28-2008, 12:52 PM

I got married in a size 9 dress in 1956 when I weighed 125 lbs. I am your height. Of course I have no smaller clothes to speak of to test out when the time comes. If I was to fit into an equivalant size now like you are saying I am afraid I would gain weight from my swelled head (ego).

Katie Belle · 12-28-2008, 12:59 PM

I don't think sizes are accurate. I went to Macy's the other day and bought a pair of jeans that are 9\10's.juniors. That just doesn't seem right?! Agreed, it is nice for the head!!!!!

)

bakes2 · 12-28-2008, 01:09 PM

I agree sizes have changed throughout the years. My sister-in-law gave me a pair of jeans with tags on she found from a few years ago. They were 24 my size this spring. They didn't fit me at all. Even after losing 54 pounds since June I am still wearing a size 24, but still can't wear those jeans. I am really bumming about not going down a size in pants. I know I have lost weight in both my bust and my feet though. Two places I really didn't want to. Oh well, hopefully when I can start doing more than walking (3 more weeks) I can do something about my waist.

moniram8 · 12-28-2008, 01:32 PM

ya sizes are def different then they used to be. I now weigh around 150 and am 5'7" and I am in a size 6 pants and S/M tops, some with some room too. The last time i weighed what i do now was prob when i was 16 and i could swear i was an 11/12 !! lol

LizzieShell · 12-28-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherry7

Have clothing sizes changed over the years?

Currently, I'm wearing a size 12 petite jean...Lee Rider brand. They're starting to get roomy around the waist, so I'll be in a 10 petite pretty soon.

Yesterday, I took on the huge task of cleaning out my walk-in closet. Most of the stuff was too big of course, and it got boxed up for Goodwill. However, I found a box of clothes (which were at least 12-15 years old) with pants and shorts in the 13, 14, 15, and 16 sizes. I tried on most of them, and none of them came remotely close to fitting me...most of them were several inches too small around the waist.

I've heard about "vanity sizing" before. I just read this article, 0 is the new 8 - The Boston Globe, and this particular quote jumped out at me: "As a result, what was a size 8 in the 1950s had become a 4 by the 1970s and 00 today. The size labels just keep getting smaller, so it's no surprise they're diving below zero now, Ainsworth said."

Sherry,
Yesterday I did the same thing. I am 208 and into (down from size 22 in 8 weeks) 18's and I can zip 16's but they are snug. I carry most of my weight in my tummy area, so sizing is tough for me. I'm 5'3" and things that fit in the waist are baggy in the butt and tight.

Now I have a question for you - How do you feel about giving the clothes away, or just plain getting rid of them? I am a bit panic stricken, myself. How do you feel?

sherry7 · 12-28-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizzieShell

.........Now I have a question for you - How do you feel about giving the clothes away, or just plain getting rid of them? I am a bit panic stricken, myself. How do you feel?

It's weird that you asked me that Lizzie, since I was just thinking about it recently. As I went through my closet yesterday, I had some feeling of regret for clothes that I really liked and don't fit me anymore. Yes, that's totally weird!

I mean, I've went from a size 24, and I'm currently in a 12. Why would I regret wearing a much smaller size?

I thought about it, and came up with this....currently I don't have a lot of clothes that fit. Since I am still losing, I've bought a minimal amount of stuff. I think that when I get to my goal weight and buy more clothes and have more variety, I'll be fine with it.

But, I'm definitely getting rid of stuff...I've actually boxed up stuff before to donate, but not to this extent. I refuse to keep clothes that are too big for me, because I know how easy it is to regain weight and "grow" back into them. Believe me, if I have to start re-buying BIGGER sizes, that would definitely wake me up.

timidcharm · 12-28-2008, 07:58 PM

Im thinking of taking mine to a consignment shop or even EBAY them .Ive still got a closet full with tags on in size 18 . I thought about getting the suits altered professionally but it wasn't cost effective . Im in 14 and some 12s and i still feel FAT ...

Martha