Why Are Clothes Sizes So Different?
By NailTech
@NailTech (6874)
United States
December 14, 2012 7:19pm CST
I was only 117 pounds in my teens and so very thin that I probably looked sickly, yet I was a size 10 in pants. I was 5' 4" then and the same height I am now. I wear a size 12 now or thereabouts when I'm now at about 134 pounds and some people that are heavier have said they are 200+ and wear 12-14 still. I don't get it. When I was 122 pounds a year ago I wore a 10 or maybe 9 if I could get it. Maybe some 6 to 8's. I know some people who are that thin and wore a 4 or so. I'm just perplexed on the variances of sizes and weights of people who wear them. If I was 122 lbs and could fit into a 6 or 8 then why couldn't I when I was 117 pounds 30 years ago? 
7 responses
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
15 Dec 12
Sizes have changed because people have got larger. We are all better fed now, do less exercise and sit and watch a lot of TV. Also a size 12 in one shop may actually be a size 14 in another and I agree that this is very confusing.
Perhaps part of the problem may be that 30 years ago the clothes were made in your home country and now they are imported. I know that a large size teashirt made in China fits me whereas a medium is my usual size.
Congratulations on managing to stay so slim over the years.
@sriroshan (2585)
• India
15 Dec 12
I can say almost all the brand have got their own size even though the number they mentioned as 20.30 and so one. For to avoid everything it is better to try out the cloth before buying them so that after buying and taking it home it would be problem
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
15 Dec 12
One of the greatest mysteries of life--men's clothes are logically sized--waist/length measurements--but most women's clothes aren't. I wear anywhere from an 8 to a 14, and my weight hasn't changed by more than 5-10 pound for years. It is very annoying to me, especially since I can't find a lot of pants that fit right, and nowadays, even if I stick to only a few brands, I still have to try them all on first. We women need to unite and demand the same standardized sizes men have. Equal Clothing Rights for All!
@marguicha (223129)
• Chile
15 Dec 12
I agree with you. I don`t know if they have changed the clothes sizes so that we feel slimmer, but the truth is that I cannot buy anything now without trying it on. That is absurd as it goes against another trend: to buy things online. I want some jeans, but I don`t dare buy anything except something I already have. It might be only fit for a doll
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
15 Dec 12
its because ideally made to adjust for different people and different age groups for sure
@kaichoukebz (1190)
• Philippines
15 Dec 12
Same as mine. I once tried to purchase clothes only though I am in doubt what size to choose so I came into conclusion not to purchase one. I then just go to malls so as to buy me clothes. Well, through it, I got the opportunity to fit the clothes for myself. And of course, I shall choose one which really fits me. 
@celticeagle (167071)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Dec 12
Different brands do make their clothes differently. SOme are very narrow and others have some give to them. So it really pays to try on new brands in the store before purchasing them just for that reason. ANd it depends on the material. Alot of material is stretchy so you can wear a 10 where you may have used to wear a 12. It really depends. In the last thirty years they have made alot of strides in materials. They use alot of Lycra in fabric/materials now days where they didn't back then.
