Finding the right size clothes?

@karen1969 (1779)
June 17, 2010 8:41am CST
Today I went shopping, as I wanted to buy a nice strappy top or T-shirt for the weekend, when we are going to London and it is supposed to be hot weather. I found it really hard to get the right size. I am in the UK and I found that a size 16 was too tight on the stomach, but too loose on top, but size 18s were too big. The tops seemed to fall off on top and be baggy around the arms, then too clingy and unflattering on the stomach. I tried some different shops, sizes from 14 to 18 and various materials and designs, but found nothing. I ended up going to Evans which is a shop for plus-size women. There I found some beautiful tops that were a size 16 and fitted beautifully! There were tops up to a size 34 and no smaller than a 14 (which made a nice change for my size to be quite small!). I bought a light grey T-shirt in stretchy material with strappy sleeves for £5. They were doing 3 for £12 but we couldn't afford to spend £12 on clothes, so just bought one. I was very happy with it though and now know I am a size 26 in that shop. Do you find it hard to get clothes that fit you properly? Are you different sizes in different shops?
3 people like this
21 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Jun 10
One time I went to the mall, and to spoil myself decided I'd buy a new outfit. At that time I was around size 18. I went to Old Navy and 18 was too big. I got frustrated and went to another store where 18 was too small. I gave up and went to Walmart where size 18 fit just right. Long before I ever gained any weight I had a problem with 2 piece outfits. I had a very large chest, so my top was always a Large, but bottoms were always a medium.. so buying a bikini was a pain in the butt! As I gained weight I had a problem with pants. Anything that fit well in the waist would be too loose in the legs. Anything that fit well in the legs was too tight in the waist. I still have that problem to an extent because my tummy will never look right without surgery due to all the extra skin. And because of the skin I have a problem with tops as well. Too loose and they make me look larger than I am, too tight and they show off the flabby tummy. I think we need larger women to design more clothes!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jun 10
Before I started losing weight I still looked pregnant too.. actually a cashier at Walmart asked my boys if they were going to have another baby brother or sister. I don't look pregnant now, but my tummy will never be flat without surgery. It looks fat still.. but I know it's pretty much all skin. The bit of fat that is there will be almost impossible to get rid of.. though most days I still try.
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
Yes indeed! Larger women would understand the problems we have! I am the same with my stomach. I used to be a competitive gymnast then had 4 kids in 5 1/2 years which damaged my stomach muscles and I couldn't get them tight again. So I still look pregnant even though my youngest child is 14 years old!!!
@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
How did you get your stomach flatter? Just with diet or exercise too?
@much2say (55912)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Jun 10
I am short (not even 5 feet tall), have Asian short legs, small/slim but not petite, with broad shoulders and a "full" chest. I've noticed after having a second child last year, my hips seem to be wider (um, so is my waist!). Finding the perfect fitting clothing has never been easy for me - so I just deal with whatever sort of fits and work with it. I tend not to buy new stuff (mostly second hand). With used clothing there are a lot of small/medium sizes out there that no one buys up - so I get a good picking if I go thrift shopping. Often the small sizes tend to be too small (due to shrinkage), so most of the time I will get a size medium. A shrunken medium in used clothing seems to be a good fit for me - hee hee. But the length of pants . . . never a perfect fit. So I end up getting a lot of capris/shorts - hee hee!!
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@much2say (55912)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Jun 10
It seems like the "mainstream" thrift shops have started pricing their stuff higher in the past few years. I'm sure they have a big overhead too - but I just have to wonder if the money is really going to the cause . . . I don't donate to them anymore. But I do support the smaller thrift shops in our area . . . their prices are tons more reasonable than the mainstream shops. I am so cheap that I dig through the 99 cent racks - ha!
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
My Mum is just under 5 feet tall too and she has to buy petite size clothing, short length trousers and so on. I love looking in charity shops for bargains and have found some great stuff over the years, but these days the charity shops are charging exactly the same as some of the cheaper shops selling brand new items!!!
@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, it doesn't make sense for charity shops to price too high. We should all be recycling and wasting less, so buying good quality second-hand goods is great, but not if they cost as much as something brand new!
• United States
17 Jun 10
If I get jeans in WalMart I can not even get a 16 past my hips! But if I go to a store called Meijers (only in the 4 states around us) I can get a Gloria Vanderbilt size 14 stretch denim and they fit GREAT!!!! I have trouble with tops and they really depend on who made them. I have gave up buying clothes at Walmart.
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• United States
17 Jun 10
I do pay a little more at Meijers but at least they fit and look nice. Now I don't go anywhere else!!!!
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
Perhaps you have to pay a bit more for a better fit as tops in Matalan were £1.50 each, but Evans (which fit) were £5 for the same kind of top.
@ellie333 (21016)
17 Jun 10
Hi Karen, I am a UK 14 and have never reallyhad any problems other than the fact that I am short so therefore I have to search out the petite ranges otherwise the dresses are down to my ankles (slight exagerratinon lol) and the tops way too long, same with jackets anbd the length of the arms, people come in all shapes and sizes but a lot of clothing manufacturers still don't cater for this although more do these days. I am really pleased that you found sometops that fitted well andalso at minimul cost - havea lovelytime in London, yep it will be hot and usually hotter there as no see breeze etc to cool. I find I can be a 12 in M&S but 16 in Primark or Peacocks so I always try on as they do differ so much. Huggles. Ellie :D
@ellie333 (21016)
22 Jun 10
Good glad you enjoyed yourselves :)
@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, my Mum is just under 5ft and my daughter's around 5'1" or 5' 2" and they have to be careful the length isn't too long. We had a lovely day in London, thanks and I was happy with my new top!
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
17 Jun 10
I used to have trouble finding tops that fit right until I discovered that something else that I was wearing was the wrong size. My bra. I was wearing a size too small (B instead of C). Oops! Once I discovered this and bought new bras, tops all fit now. I used to have no problem finding my size, back before I began taking medication for panic disorder and gained weight. I was a size 5. Size 5 tops, size 5 pants, size 5 ring and size 5 shoes. It was pretty simple for me. Now, I'm all mixed up. I still wear a size 5 shoe (2 1/2 UK size) but everything else is, umm, somewhat larger. Not much, but I discovered that I'm now wearing size 7/8, now that I have the right bra size. Of course, different stores have different sizes for the same sized clothing. In some, I'm a 7/9 and in others I'm an 8/10. Actually, sizes are different even between brands. I've found one brand of jeans that fit me perfectly. None of the others do. It only took about 10 years to get the perfect fit. LOL
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
17 Jun 10
Oh, I forgot, those jeans that fit perfectly are a 6 p (petite). Most pants are too long for me because I'm short but 6 petite works great in width and length.
@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
Oh yes, jeans seem particularly hard to get the right fit. I find they are either too tight round the waist, too long or they are baggy in the thighs!!!
@sblossom (2168)
19 Jun 10
It's my big problem now. Before I moved to the UK my size was bwtween 12 and 14, now my size is between 14 and 16. I feel very sad. I want to lose weight, but can't find any way to get the goal. I tried to be starve but it didn't work. Now my way is not to eat dinner but it can't help either.
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@sblossom (2168)
23 Jun 10
Yes, you are right, it's quite difficult to lose weight in our age, but I don't expect I can be slim again as I was in my 20s. I just want to lose a little weight or at least don't put anymore weight on. I wish I can have clothes from 16 size to 14 size then I will feel a lot better. I always say I need to lose weight,but never seriously do it. Swiming is a good way for me to keep fit, however now I can't affort it. Hope England can win this afternoon.
@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
I am finding it much harder to lose weight now I am 40 and even in my thirties. When I was young, I was slim and fit, but not anymore. I lost a lot of weight but then my weight seems to "stick" and I can't lose anymore.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
17 Jun 10
i know what you mean. i am pretty short and i always have trouble buying pants and jeans! forget different shops, i am different sizes when it comes to the clothing makers!
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
Yes, the sizes often seem pretty random!!!
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
18 Jun 10
I use to have trouble getting clothes to fit me, they use to drab and old fashioned. Now here in Australia we have a number of plus -size shops and they have nice trendy looking clothes and very up market. I am a small in there sizing which makes me feel good lol. I always shop at these stores now as I do not even bother with the department stores as it only depresses me as they never have my size there.
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@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, department stores can be very depressing places to shop unless you're a size 8!
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
17 Jun 10
I am fairly tall for a woman. I am 5'9" tall or maybe a little shorter than that...no one has given me the same height twice in a row...LOL! Anyway, when I was a kid and even into my 20's, finding pants that fit me in length was a battle. It was only around the last decade that designers started figuring out that there are tall women in the world that don't want to look like they are expecting a flood any second. So, they started making pants with longer inseams. It isn't universal yet. I still struggle to find jeans and dress pants that are the right length for my long legs. But, it has gotten better and continues to improve my shopping time. That being said, the best way for me to get pants that fit me in length is to order them online. There is a popular store that only sells clothing for tall and petite people online. You can't find those same items in their stores in the malls. And, there are two other companies that have pants that never fail to fit me. I wear between a 33 and 37 inch inseam, depending on the designer and the style of pants. It is unfortunate that I usually have to resort to ordering pants online because I then have to pay the extra money for shipping and, I have to wait to get them in the mail or through delivery companies. But, I guess that it could be worse. This could be a little over a decade ago when no one sold pants to fit my height. As for being different sizes in different stores...yes. It depends on the designer. Sizes aren't universal. Not from designer to designer and not even from country to country. I don't know why not. It sure would make things easier if they were universal. But, then again, sometimes I am a little grateful for the differences because, I worry that if it was universal, I would never find stuff to fit me. As it is, not only do I have a hard time finding pants that fit me in lengthy but, I have an even harder time finding long sleeve shirts and jackets or coats to fit my long arms. I am a very lanky person. LOL! It is truly a pain in the rear to find clothes that fit me. Shorts, capris and short sleeved shirts are really easy for me to find as far as fit because I don't have to worry about the lengths in the legs and arms in that sort of wardrobe. I guess I wish I lived in a climate that was warm 100% of the time. ;)
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@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, I can imagine it would be hard for tall women to find clothes that fit well. In the UK, we have a shop called Long Tall Sally and there is a male version too.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Jun 10
hi karen I am the same way here in the US, I can get a t shirt that is too big in the shoulders yet pulls across my tummy and the sizes seem to vary from one store to another so go to Lane Bryant as their sizes seem to be made to fit a womans body.they fit me across my shoulders and are loose in the waist so I feel comfortable. Lane Bryant caters to us bigger women and thank Goodness they do.
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
That sounds like our Evans. I certainly found Evans clothes fitted me much better than the other shops I tried. I ended up feeling quite down after the first two shops, thinking I must be a really weird shape!!!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 Jun 10
I tend to go to a lot of op shops... There I have even picked up designer label for a few dollars. The trick is to visit those shops often because the stock updates frequently and it is always a bit of a surprise what you can find. When it comes to sizes, I found that they can vary from one another. It is a matter of trying different things...
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@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, the perfect clothes are out there somewhere, but you need time and patience to find them!
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
18 Jun 10
Hiya karen, Sounds like they have become like they have over here. They sort of look uncomfortably at you if you are not a size 38 to 40 which I suppose is a size 10 or 12. Having said that I´m not really sure as it differs from one shop to the other. I don´t have a wispy like waist and never have had so that is where the problem starts. I have problems finding a skirt that fits me properly not so much tops but skirts yes a lot. Skirts are either far too short or too long I always have to take up the hem for them to suit me. I have been in Evans before but that was ages ago now. I am just hoping I might find something in the C & A here but I am not crossing my fingers either. The same goes with Shoes my right foot is slightly bigger than my left and now that there are two size types being made it is much more complicated. Thank God those square toed things have gone out of fashion they were just pure hell to try on too. So Blouses I can get away with although I have bought a couple of casual tops and combined them with a Summer Jacket instead works out much less expensive as well. Have a great Weekend in London I love that City.
@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
London was great, thanks and not too hot. Yes, there are some shops where you feel awful for not being a perfect shape, it can be an unpleasant experience shopping in those kinds of places!
• India
18 Jun 10
Yes it very often happens with nowadays coz i have put on a lot of weight.I really get irritated at times thinking that is there any rule that fat people cant dream to look good or stylish.Nowadays i have stopped looking for readymade garments.I get cloth pieces and sew it at tailors shop.Different sizes in different shops is also very common coz i think it varies from brand to brand.
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@karen1969 (1779)
22 Jun 10
Yes, it is unfair and annoying that there aren't so many nice clothes for bigger women. When I got married, I couldn't even find a nice wedding dress to fit me properly and not too expensive, so I wore a lacy ivory blouse, skirt and jacket.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
17 Jun 10
Yes, I think almost everyone is a different size in different shops and brands. I have to get much bigger sizes than I normally wear at Mango, for instance, because the cut is different somehow. But it does not really bother me, I do not care about sizes, the important thing is that the fit is good! Congratulations on your new stuff by the way! Enjoy!
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@karen1969 (1779)
17 Jun 10
Thanks. At least when I get some more money to spend on clothes, I know which shop to go to and which size to buy!
• Philippines
18 Jun 10
I do fit clothes very easily. I look at myself as chubby but I fit on the medium size. Here in my place there are more available medium size of clothes. No problem with me. The only problem is the lining up on fitting room and paying, because there are times you find the right fit but it doesn't fit the budget. That is what makes me shop for longer time. For real, I don't like shopping for longer hours, and lining up to pay. As much as during sale , as much as I want to buy clothes, I avoid falling inline.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Jun 10
I always have to try clothes on before I buy. It really does depend on the brand of clothing as to if it fits. Shirts are easier for me to "just buy" than pants or shorts are.
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@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
18 Jun 10
Hello Karen, With reference to your main question - yes, I also find it hard to shop for the right size of clothes. Especially now that I gained a lot of weight. I remember one time, when I tend to buy a summer blouse, just like you, some sizes which I used to buy does not fit me at all. So, I need to look for another brand that suits me. I spent more than 1 hour to buy a piece of summer blouse. Well, in some instance, I have a different size in other stores. Wherein, in some stores, my size is just medium while in the other stores, my size is only small. It depends upon the style and type of fabric that they used. Some in loose fabric, my size is only small. However, in stretch fabric, my size is sometimes medium or large. Happy Shopping.
@deafdiva (242)
• United States
18 Jun 10
yeah I am very petite 4 feet 9 inches or something like that LOL so sometimes I do have to have stuff tailored-especially to have jeans hemmed.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Jun 10
I don't find it hard finding clothes that fit me. Though I am different sizes with different brands. Some I can fit small or x-small, some I have to get medium, and etc. Though I am find with giving a little effort in finding the right size that fits me.
• Philippines
18 Jun 10
My size is Medium. I am 6'0'' and my cloths fit well. You just have to double time in finding the right kind of clothes for you. Sometimes, even medium is too big for me, and Small is literally too small for me too. I had this kind of dilemma for quite some time now.
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