What Happened To Size 12/14

[cecil39]

I have been wearing size 12/14 for years, but have found that size is becoming rare, 10/12, is too tight, 14/16,is too big, a size seems to be missing lately, seperates that come in a 14 can vary a lot and means trying on lots to get the right fit, has anyone else, had this problem, or am I being awkward?

[emmie]

if it's M&S, their sizes have gone with the wind...

[albaqwerty]

No, you're not being awkward.
Different shops have their own weird and wonderful idea of what constitutes a certain size.

[askyourgran]

I've found that too I don't buy 12/14 etc. sizing at they rarely fit me. Better getting a straight size 14 or whatever. M&S are rubbish nowadays I used to be able to buy a medium leg length approx 29" long, now they can be 31" and I'm having to take them up.

[emmie]

i have clothes from 14 to a 20, not many fit me in any category.

[Nibble]

AYG, are you sure you're not shrinking???

:)

[askyourgran]

I have lost half an inch in height nibble, onset of osteoporosis, wish I could lose the same around the rest of me. I've actually taken a tape measure with me to make sure they are the right length, M&S vary so much nowadays.

[Iluvspikey]

sizing everywhere has gone AWOL. In Marks, I'm a size 8 and even then sometimes that can be big on me, In Next sometimes its 8 or 10, or an S, I tried a cardigan on in there and it was a 12, and tight! Designer names I'm an 8 in Jean Muir and Stella McCartney, I wish there was a universal size
a UK 8 is an American size 4, European size 36 and an Australian/NZ a 6. In one day's shopping I've been everything from a 6-14!

[Robinia]

Sizing nowadays drives me mad. I'd say I'm a 10 but can be anything from 8 to 12. Gone are the days I could grab something from the rail and know it would fit without trying it on.

[cecil39]

glad i'm not alone in this, and yes m&s has gone to pot, I used to buy a standard length and they fit, now I have to take at least 4 inches off, and I have not shrunk, yes its time for universal sizing, but doubt if we will get it.

[mazie]

I'm in between sizes and always have been which makes it even worse :o(

[EcclesCake]

I've just had a pair of jeans delivered. They are apparently a Size 14, I could invite a friend to join me for a party in them.

I recently bought a dress online from a company that I know quite well but having only bought t-shirts and other non size critical items I got the tape measure out. I fell between two sizes and obviously settled on the larger size. I could probably go down two sizes :-(

As I hate shoppng and hate trying stuff on even more, I do wish there was a standardisation of sizing.

[albaqwerty]

Whilst I wholeheartedly agree on a standard sizing, I don't think that would ever happen.
Some ladies are petite and well upholstered, others are tall and really slim (grrrrr)
Some of us can be a (hah) 16 on top and a 12 underneath for example.

It's blooming irksome.

[anneasquith]

id like to see a size 13 in the shops !!!!

[giveup]

I bought two identical bra's from M&S,one fitted perfectly,the other was miles too big.How do they do that?

[EcclesCake]

anneasquith, Orvis do 'odd' sizes.

[bednobs]

my hb is a size 8.5 foot - slippers seem to come in 7-8 (too small) or 9-10 (too big)!

[rowanwitch]

Sizing is used as a marketing tool as well... some stores deliberately 'size for flattery' for example Wallis always used to be a shop where a size 14 woman would find she would get into a size 10 or 12 and they know given a choice that lower size label confers an added degree of desirability... the reverse is true of Evans and similar who until you get into the highest sizes are cut small to reinforce the idea in the customer they are bigger than they are so they are less likely to try mainstream shops... The trick is go by eye and try on as often as possible consider the size label irrelevant of course we won't because we have a degree of vanity I am a size 12 really I just buy a 26 for comfort!!!

[cecil39]

yes I think there is a degree of mental trickery involved in sizing, but must say it don't work on me, if I buy a good well fitting garment in a particular make i will go for that make again, I hate trying things on in shops, the fitting rooms allways seem so hot, so nowadays I always seem to be returning things to change them as I think, I know what size I need, I used to think Bon-Marche were sized well, but we don't have one locally now, but no doubt they have gone the same as the others. thanks for all your replies.

[Robinia]

Do you know Bonmarche are online cecil?
http://tiny.cc/pqyfqw

[cecil39]

thanks robinia, no I did'nt know that, I will give them a look, one other thing on sizing though, do you find that clothes makers seem to think that the bigger a person is round the middle the longer their arms must be? my brother had a jumper for Christmas, the body part of it was fine but the arms were about a foot too long, yes he does need to lose weight, but his arms won't get longer, he's very difficult to buy for.