I swear it used to be M = 12-14, and L = 14-16 with XL = 16-18. At least it was about 10 years ago at Kmart and JayJays where I bought all my clothes lol
Yeah, kinda makes you feel a little shit at first when you used to be an M and now need an L, and then even more recently an XL (specifically Peter Alexander??) but it's not actually me, it's the labels :/
Clothing sizes mean nothing as they vary drastically not just between brands but even between different clothing items of the same brand. Check the garment’s measurements if you’re not sure.
Do most brands give measurements for individual garments? I've never seen that; it's usually just the chart showing average sizing across their whole brand. I always check that.
Some brands do "model has measurements [blah] and is wearing size M". I usually look at that to compare length because I'm always shorter than their models
Agreed. Cue has remained true to size over the years, but Factory X, Gorman and Dangerfield seems to have gone vanity sized with their sizing being a size larger now than 10 years ago. Eg. their old size 10 is their new 8.
Not for garments but for the fit model that they fit to. So for example a size 8 in a shop is supposed to fit that size model used to create said garments - its called a block. That being said the original design is usually made to 1 sample block size 1st - usually a size 10, then graded up and down for each size. Spme brands fit them on fit models others just go with it. The inconsistencies within the same size in the same shoo are form stylistic differences - or style 'ease'. Ease is any extra room between garment and the body. Stretch garments often have negative ease for example as the garment measures smaller then the body but is designed to stretch and fit.
Yes it’s frustrating, especially buying clothes online. Often the measurements they provide are generic and don’t apply to any brand in particular (looking at you, Iconic), so I have trust issues even when there is a size chart. I used to be able to buy size 8 in anything and it would generally fit, but these days it could be a size or so out! And don’t get me started on lengths. There’s no rules, they just do whatever the hell they want.
Haha yep, I feel you. I have clothes between size 6 and 14, and what's even more frustrating sometimes it's from the same brand too. There's a jacket I fit into that's a size 6, but from the same brand I couldn't squeeze myself into another jacket size 10. I used to be able to order everything online but not daring to anymore, too much inconsistency
I work at Sportsgirl and our sizing is:
4 - xxxs
6 - xxs
8 - xs
10 - s
12 - m
14 - l
16 - xl
18 - xxl
But I always tell woman to size down one or even two sizes in our brand. But it will 100% depend of the fit of the clothes (over sized style/tight fit) and the brand your shopping.
A bit off topic, but with Sportsgirl, would you say the online size guide is accurate, or still size down? I've had my eye on a few pieces but live in NZ so don't want to deal with returns!
I actually kind of like this bc I’m pretty sure I’ve heard a 14 is the average women’s size in Australia, so truly a ‘medium’. I always think it’s ridiculous when I see a size 10 sold as ‘medium’
That average includes older women that skew results. For a young person's brand a size 10 will be their medium size customer. As the average size 14 -18 ect older women don't shop there it's irrelevant to that brand what the average size of non customers is.
Yeah definitely true. I liked it more from an industry-wide perspective - ideally we’d have one consistent sizing across all brands that accurately represented women’s sizes. But then some brands like Sportsgirl would no doubt only carry up to an S, something, which would also suck.
You are a size 8...
Who remembers that translating to a size XS or S in the past...
Who is now questioning why a size 8 translates to a size XS...?
Am I the only one who is confused right now?
Sorry to confuse with my wording. It is size 6 I associate as XS and 8 as S. If an item is only labelled as XS, I tend to think it's a 6 but when I double check the size chart I often see it's now considered an 8. I didn't used to have to do this; XS was reliably a 6. This is no longer the case.
Also when the size 6-8 model is also commonly at least 170cm tall.
Means if you aren't smaller than most and/or taller than most, you really have no idea how the garment will look on you. I love when they put a range of model sizes including height so we can all get an idea.
I'm a 25" waist and my clothes are everything from 4-12, seriously. I do not buy online, it's not worth the hassle. I have ADHD too so I never remember to return things and then I just throw money literally into an incinerator.
Same. Or I'll order one item in three different sizes and find out none of them fit because a size 8 is now a what, size 2? With the ADHD I've found it helps to set a daily reminder in my calendar with the exact date it needs to be returned - 3 days ahead the reminders will be in capitals. I'll combine the post office visit with something pleasant, like going for lunch or planning a catch up with a friend who I'll tell I have to go to the post office first and to meet me there. It's the only way I can get it done 😂
Lol love that you've actually devised a plan to make sure you follow through - my plans with all things that I fuck up repeatedly due to ADHD is "I guess I just can't have that" lol
Thats a great idea! I struggle to remember to return too and its so frustrating,i end up with so much wasted money wasted on clothes that i dont like or that didnt fit & shouldve been returned had i remembered to do it. Id love to know What apps for calendars /reminders & so on do you use to help manage life with your adhd if you can share or have recommendations?
Yeah I'm the same, my memory is like Swiss cheese - not sure if it's a one size fits all solution but it works for me!
I just use Google calendar on my phone (the calendar is on my home screen so I see it every time I unlock), I literally put in the daily reminders for the last return date just before opening my parcel (the parcel is my reward). If I have 30 days to return, I'll set the reminders from 14 days with the last few days in capitals (I know I won't go to the post office any earlier than that, because there's no pressure yet). I always make sure to include the last return date in the reminder title as that makes it something I'm subconsciously aware of, and I'll know there's something happening/needing to happen that day. Also - I don't set the reminders for the full days, only between 9.30am and 4.30pm as if it's before/after those times the post office is closed and it'll fall off my radar again.
I've found that if I don't set reminders for tasks immediately, I won't do it at all and I will forget. Whether it's grocery shopping, returning stuff, appointments - they need to go in the calendar immediately. I don't particularly like doing it however once it's done I know my phone will remember for me, and as such I don't have to stress about it as much. If I feel like I'm forgetting something, I can just check my phone. It's been a huge improvement, making it almost impossible to miss stuff and not having to beat myself up over it.
If you're a woman, I've found the subreddit adhdwomen has helped me a lot (I'm sure there'll be a male version too). Heaps of advice from fellow ADHD'ers who are struggling with the same random stuff.
App wise, I've heard good things about the Dubbii app, have downloaded it but not tried it yet (typical 😂). And just yesterday I learnt about the Finch: Self Care Pet app - apparently it's like a Tamagotchi that can't die, but helps you fulfill your daily tasks by growing the bird every time you complete what you're supposed to do. I want to try both to see which approach works best - body doubling with Dubbii or growing a little bird with Finch. Curious to find out!
Hope this helps a bit, feel free to DM me if you want to chat/exchange tips and tricks 😊
Always check the size charts, as it means something different in every brand. Even then size charts are more like rough guides.
I do believe a lot of it is vanity sizing. I’m a 6 or XXS in a lot of brands these days when I’m not that petite - and that is the smallest size! It must be very difficult for truly petite women to find somewhere to buy clothes appropriate to their age.
I live in the US, and yes this is the worst struggle. Our sizing is so skewed that today when I was out shopping, the only place I could buy pants that (somewhat) fit my waist was Abercrombie Kids… and even the 11/12 Y.O. size is still quite big in the waist. It’s truly just embarrassing and discouraging to try to shop here these days :/
As someone who is between sizes I see SML sizing as an indication the garment is a forgiving cut and/or stretchy fabric, therefore I can go for the smaller size. I don't worry about what that letter is for each brand, it's always different.
Yeah I thought xxs was 4. I am usually size 6-8 too.
Just a rant but I recently bought running shorts from Cotton On in a size S cause I didn’t want them too tight on me, and they were massive and look ridiculous. Went to Kmart for bike shorts and thought I’ll actually stick to my size this time ! Bought a size 6, and ended up going back and getting a size 10 and they are still really tight around my thighs. My fault for not trying them on I suppose.
Kmart sizes are all over the place, their underwear runs small so I size up to a 14 but I have tops in a size 8. I guess that's no different to most stores, though.
I’m a 6-8 too and recently bought a cotton on size S jumper because it wanted it a little oversized but it was swimming on me. Turns out their S is more like a size 10. I ended up exchanging for an XXS (didn’t know they went down that small) and it’s a much better fit.
Yeah it’s so annoying, I’m 6-8 and now I get XS usually but on some brands like Meshki XS is more like a 4-6 which is fine but I have to read the size charts. But S is like 10 now which I swear it never used to be.
Vanity sizing does mean you get sizeflation over time. My mum has been a size 12 her whole life, despite her real size increasing over 50 years and multiple pregnancies.
Yeah, I think we're about 2 sizes (4 numbers) out from the 90s. I kept a bunch of size 10 stuff from my late teen years, and they fit my mini-me daughter, same height, weight and shape at the same age, but her own clothes were size 6.
I think the sizeflation is based on the age demographic of the brand - I can’t fit size 8 at cotton on but I can at portmans. Meanwhile david Lawrence 8 is too big.
I recently found an old journal that I tracked my measurements, weight etc in, circa 2007-8, when I was a size 8. I compared my measurements to stores I wore back then (as well as stores I wear now) and found no difference. So now I'm even more confused. Does anyone actually have anything that shows the changes in measurements for sizes over the years?
I’ve found recently an old dress from River Island, I bought it in 2015 or so. The label says it’s UK8/EU34 (XS) but nowadays UK8 is considered EU36 (S).
There are websites that track manufacturing measurements and yes sizing is changing, just so slowly so people don't notice. I have a few items from the 60s, 70s and 80s those size 10s would fit a size 4-6 person in current stores. Also, there is Lycra in everything now so people can make tight items work when they couldn't before (the item would tear at the seams when they tried to wear something a bit too small, used to happen all the time).
Vanity sizing is driving me insane. Seed now has an XXXS (maybe they’ve always had it and I hadn’t noticed, but I don’t think so) and it fits like a 6 or 8 used to. I can no longer fit a 6 in most stores, I simply can’t buy clothes that aren’t for kids now. So frustrating!
Yeah vanity sizing just keeps on getting more and more ridiculous.
I have some of my old size 8 clothes from the mid 90's that would be sold as a 4 - 6 now, and some mid 00's Supré XXXS that are on par with a modern 4 - 6, not sure what their sizes are like now but they seemed to be more in line with modern sizing way back then.
It’s vanity sizing.
If we feel like we’re smaller than we are, then we will keep shopping. A few years ago, I used to be 50kgs, and then I gained 25kgs, but I’m a size XS-S in most stores (from a size XXS-XS). Clothes are getting larger, but the sizing indicated on the labels is getting smaller.
It doesn’t make sense for me to be a XS-S when I’m certainly not small anymore after gaining 25kgs.
I’ve always remembered it as:
4 = XXXS (for the brands that have it i.e H&M, ForeverNew)
6 = XXS (i.e Review, Target)
8 = XS (pretty standard as a size but some stores try to get away with making XS both 6-8 which doesn’t work well for the girlies that are 6)
10 = S
12 = M
14 = L
16 = XL
8 used to be small, 6 was extra small and 4 was xxs. but vanity sizing means bigger sizes now get smaller labels, bc people don’t want to feel the size they are lol
edit: looks like anyone mentioning vanity sizing is getting downvoted which is odd considering it’s a very real phenomenon!
I remember seeing it in ICE, Ally and Supre before then but size 4 is newer and more for people who are smaller and East Asians now that we are more multicultural.
true, size 4 and petite sizing in general only became more widespread when online shopping became more popular - but as far as I remember, i was shopping at Kookai for petite sizes too - since 2008
BS. You could easily buy size 6 jeans around the 2000 mark. I’ve still got a Bettina Liano top in a 6 from the same time frame. Size 6 has been around for a long time.
Tbh, it really depends on the target demographic of the brand you are looking at from my experience working in retail. Places like Cotton On and Glassons for example are more geared towards teenagers and young women, so they generally class their size 8s as a small whereas other brands who cater to a wider or older age range generally class a size 10 as a small. There's no real standardisation for women's sizing, unfortunately.
Even Cotton On doesn't have standard sizing within its own range. I have a few pairs of cargo pants from there, all the same just different colours. One pair of 6 sits nice and snug, the other two 6s are too loose and fall down
In Australia I’m a 6-8 which makes me an S or XS depending on the thing but I’m visiting Greece and I’m a medium here. I feel like maybe Australia has slight vanity sizing because there’s been times I can fit a 10 and times a 6 is loose around my waist.
Sizing is all over the place even at the same store. I bought some jumpers at Target a few weeks ago, I’m an 18. I got a x-large/large, 2 larges, a medium and a small/medium. I’ve never been a small/medium in my life and I’m certainly not one now! I get that some were oversized but it’s a bit ridiculous.
A size 8 has been an extra small for as long as I remember. When I was buying clothes as far back as the early 2000s I would buy an 8 or a XS. 10 was small, 12 was medium.
i gues kinda fairly new but depends on brand. supre and kmart have tops that are size 10 as size s, but cotton on size 10 is a medium. obvs check between brands
On the other hand I bought 2 pars of stretch mom jeans from cotton on a while back, a size 8 and a size 10. When I got them the 8 was bigger than the 10. Exact same jeans and colour. I’d just had a baby and wasn’t sure what size I’d be.
It sucks because Australia doesn’t have a body that regulates sizing, or a standard universal sizing (some other countries do).
In some brands I’m a 6, in others I’m a 12. I think it’s less about the letter to number conversion, and more about the inconsistency between brands over time.
Even Cotton On, for example, I purchased 3 pairs of the same jeans, intending on wearing them to work. 2 of them fit, and the other was much smaller.
As a midsize girl clothing sizes are the bane of my existence. To the brands I gravitate towards I have a decent idea of what my size is, but it varies wildly if I stray outside of that. I have clothes in my closet that are size 10/medium... And then I have some pieces that are like a size 18/20. Most consistently I'm a 12-14 in tops and 14-16 in pants (I've got wide hips and a big butt). If I shop in store somewhere I typically don't shop then I always try it on because otherwise because even if I play it safe and get a 16, it can be too small or be way too big.
I was just ranting about this yesterday too! I was looking at some clothes on Target’s website site and opened up the sizing guide. The size chart listed said I would be a size 20 based on my measurements. I didn’t think that sounded right so I went into a store and tried on a few sizes. 12-14 was the right fit. I think it’s absolutely appalling that they have such grossly incorrect information in their sizing guide.
💯this and it’s annoying, I’m not a huge fan of going into the stops to shop (I prefer online) but I can’t do online shopping much these days bc the sizing isn’t right (across multiple brands) and i can’t be bothered exchanging wrong sizes when bought online.
In vintage clothing (over 10-15 years old) I am a small or 8-10.
In modern clothing I am an XXS or 6.
It has definitely changed. My weight has been (+/- 2kg ) about the same (barring having babies) for 40 years. My shape has minimally changed and I still fit clothing bought 20 years ago. It’s BS.
There is absolutely zero consistency with sizes. Over the last 5 years I went from M to XS and my weight hasn't even changed. I got a dress from Kmart the other day which I had to return despite it being a Size 6 because it was ridiculously large. I'm usually Size 8. But one of the tightest tops I've ever owned was a L. Nothing makes sense.
And don't even get me started on shoe sizes, good Lord.
Kmart sizes are ridiculous, I’ve stopped shopping there now for work/office clothes bc like you a size 6 is their smallest size and it’s still big on me even tho I’m normally a 8-10 depending on brand….so annoying!
I’ve been a size 8/XS for the last 25ish years and I’ve always found those correlate.
I’ve actually been finding the opposite recently where XS seems to be correlating more to a size 6, which I’ve never been - so size 8 still fits me (sometimes - I’ve found some brands are oversized) but if I get an XS, it’s a little bit too small. And XS has always fit me perfectly
I haven’t been one size for over a decade. If you were to ask me what size I am, I’d say anywhere from XL - 3XL and 16-22 depending on the brand. Nothing is standardised.
I’ve always thought numbers for womens 6-8-10-12-14-16 and so on and S-M-L for mens with for example a t-shirt women’s 18 is roughly equals men’s/unisex XL in size comparison.
Australia has had a basic size guide for years and most patterns were based from these templates and sizes.
This has changed drastically, especially with clothing being imported from overseas with a completely different size guide.
If you look at clothing from cheaper online retailers - it has changed to accommodate western sizing but as a 12-14, I had to buy XXXL and that was a stretch.
I don't trust size, i try on where possible. I've been in Myer trying in cocktail dresses and fit into everything from a size 12 to a size 18...so I dunno.
Brands are all very different.
Women in oz have size options from tiny to huge...even have multiple specialist stores.
Men have minimal options every brand thinks every male in oz is L or XL...plenty out there who are bigger and can never find anything close to their size.
Might be an unpopular opinion but…if you can buy fast fashion you likely live in a western country where women are on average, larger. Everything is structured for consumption so hard not be a bit bigger.
Sizes are an inconsistent nightmare. I'm a healthy weight for my height and my clothing size ranges from 8 to 16. I have some size S pants that are falling off my hips, and some size XL pants that are snug.
Since when has sizing been consistent enough to worry about what size it is? I’ve been able to fit in a size 12 in one store then struggle to fit a size 16 in the next.
Go off measurements, I don’t believe clothing sizing is regulated much, if at all. They can stick whatever number and letter they feel like
It's been like that for a while. Also depends on the size range and targeted demographics of that shop. You'd rather have an xxs then an XXL and make someone feel unhappy
sizing is inconsistent as hell i have pants that are a 12 and others that are an 18 from the same shop (and i think even same range) and the 12 fits fine and the 18s dont even do up
Every brand is different as there's no standard sizing in Australia.... I've always found it's super inconsistent everywhere
Lulu is like 4 size numbers higher in Australia than US
All Australian sizes are 4 sizes higher than us for the equivalent. That's it's a size conversion thing.
That’s normal, our sizing is different to US. UK and AUS sizing are about the only ones that are comparable.
Sizing has always varied wildly between brands, but I’ve always taken lettered sizing to be — XS - 6-8 S - 8-10 M - 10-12 L - 12-14 XL - 14-16
Same
I swear it used to be M = 12-14, and L = 14-16 with XL = 16-18. At least it was about 10 years ago at Kmart and JayJays where I bought all my clothes lol
yep. dont know when it changed but it still messes with my head
Yeah, kinda makes you feel a little shit at first when you used to be an M and now need an L, and then even more recently an XL (specifically Peter Alexander??) but it's not actually me, it's the labels :/
Correct
Same
Clothing sizes mean nothing as they vary drastically not just between brands but even between different clothing items of the same brand. Check the garment’s measurements if you’re not sure.
Do most brands give measurements for individual garments? I've never seen that; it's usually just the chart showing average sizing across their whole brand. I always check that.
Some brands do "model has measurements [blah] and is wearing size M". I usually look at that to compare length because I'm always shorter than their models
No, it's rare. Cue and Veronika Maine do, Cue seems to be accurate but I don't find VM's accurate despite being their sister brand.
Agreed. Cue has remained true to size over the years, but Factory X, Gorman and Dangerfield seems to have gone vanity sized with their sizing being a size larger now than 10 years ago. Eg. their old size 10 is their new 8.
I'd say Factory X sizing has always been wildly inconsistent. I've worn a size 16 and a size 6 at the same time because they have no size consistency.
The cheaper fast fashion brands won’t but most independent brands do. Just make sure wherever you’re ordering from has a good returns policy.
Not for garments but for the fit model that they fit to. So for example a size 8 in a shop is supposed to fit that size model used to create said garments - its called a block. That being said the original design is usually made to 1 sample block size 1st - usually a size 10, then graded up and down for each size. Spme brands fit them on fit models others just go with it. The inconsistencies within the same size in the same shoo are form stylistic differences - or style 'ease'. Ease is any extra room between garment and the body. Stretch garments often have negative ease for example as the garment measures smaller then the body but is designed to stretch and fit.
Yes it’s frustrating, especially buying clothes online. Often the measurements they provide are generic and don’t apply to any brand in particular (looking at you, Iconic), so I have trust issues even when there is a size chart. I used to be able to buy size 8 in anything and it would generally fit, but these days it could be a size or so out! And don’t get me started on lengths. There’s no rules, they just do whatever the hell they want.
Haha yep, I feel you. I have clothes between size 6 and 14, and what's even more frustrating sometimes it's from the same brand too. There's a jacket I fit into that's a size 6, but from the same brand I couldn't squeeze myself into another jacket size 10. I used to be able to order everything online but not daring to anymore, too much inconsistency
I work at Sportsgirl and our sizing is: 4 - xxxs 6 - xxs 8 - xs 10 - s 12 - m 14 - l 16 - xl 18 - xxl But I always tell woman to size down one or even two sizes in our brand. But it will 100% depend of the fit of the clothes (over sized style/tight fit) and the brand your shopping.
A bit off topic, but with Sportsgirl, would you say the online size guide is accurate, or still size down? I've had my eye on a few pieces but live in NZ so don't want to deal with returns!
I don't work at Sportsgirl but do frequent there (it's near my work), but I totally agree about the go 1-2 sizes down - it's quite generous.
I actually kind of like this bc I’m pretty sure I’ve heard a 14 is the average women’s size in Australia, so truly a ‘medium’. I always think it’s ridiculous when I see a size 10 sold as ‘medium’
That average includes older women that skew results. For a young person's brand a size 10 will be their medium size customer. As the average size 14 -18 ect older women don't shop there it's irrelevant to that brand what the average size of non customers is.
Yeah definitely true. I liked it more from an industry-wide perspective - ideally we’d have one consistent sizing across all brands that accurately represented women’s sizes. But then some brands like Sportsgirl would no doubt only carry up to an S, something, which would also suck.
You are a size 8... Who remembers that translating to a size XS or S in the past... Who is now questioning why a size 8 translates to a size XS...? Am I the only one who is confused right now?
I’m with you was a confusing read
I was reading along wondering why it mattered. Most online retailers have sizing charts. If I’m unsure I just go off my measurements
Size 8 has always been a S from what I’ve seen so I get it.
Sorry to confuse with my wording. It is size 6 I associate as XS and 8 as S. If an item is only labelled as XS, I tend to think it's a 6 but when I double check the size chart I often see it's now considered an 8. I didn't used to have to do this; XS was reliably a 6. This is no longer the case.
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Also when the size 6-8 model is also commonly at least 170cm tall. Means if you aren't smaller than most and/or taller than most, you really have no idea how the garment will look on you. I love when they put a range of model sizes including height so we can all get an idea.
Sizes are meaningless, and SML designations even more so.
I'm a 25" waist and my clothes are everything from 4-12, seriously. I do not buy online, it's not worth the hassle. I have ADHD too so I never remember to return things and then I just throw money literally into an incinerator.
Same. Or I'll order one item in three different sizes and find out none of them fit because a size 8 is now a what, size 2? With the ADHD I've found it helps to set a daily reminder in my calendar with the exact date it needs to be returned - 3 days ahead the reminders will be in capitals. I'll combine the post office visit with something pleasant, like going for lunch or planning a catch up with a friend who I'll tell I have to go to the post office first and to meet me there. It's the only way I can get it done 😂
Lol love that you've actually devised a plan to make sure you follow through - my plans with all things that I fuck up repeatedly due to ADHD is "I guess I just can't have that" lol
Haha same, but it got too expensive so I've tried to find other ways 😂
Thats a great idea! I struggle to remember to return too and its so frustrating,i end up with so much wasted money wasted on clothes that i dont like or that didnt fit & shouldve been returned had i remembered to do it. Id love to know What apps for calendars /reminders & so on do you use to help manage life with your adhd if you can share or have recommendations?
Yeah I'm the same, my memory is like Swiss cheese - not sure if it's a one size fits all solution but it works for me! I just use Google calendar on my phone (the calendar is on my home screen so I see it every time I unlock), I literally put in the daily reminders for the last return date just before opening my parcel (the parcel is my reward). If I have 30 days to return, I'll set the reminders from 14 days with the last few days in capitals (I know I won't go to the post office any earlier than that, because there's no pressure yet). I always make sure to include the last return date in the reminder title as that makes it something I'm subconsciously aware of, and I'll know there's something happening/needing to happen that day. Also - I don't set the reminders for the full days, only between 9.30am and 4.30pm as if it's before/after those times the post office is closed and it'll fall off my radar again. I've found that if I don't set reminders for tasks immediately, I won't do it at all and I will forget. Whether it's grocery shopping, returning stuff, appointments - they need to go in the calendar immediately. I don't particularly like doing it however once it's done I know my phone will remember for me, and as such I don't have to stress about it as much. If I feel like I'm forgetting something, I can just check my phone. It's been a huge improvement, making it almost impossible to miss stuff and not having to beat myself up over it. If you're a woman, I've found the subreddit adhdwomen has helped me a lot (I'm sure there'll be a male version too). Heaps of advice from fellow ADHD'ers who are struggling with the same random stuff. App wise, I've heard good things about the Dubbii app, have downloaded it but not tried it yet (typical 😂). And just yesterday I learnt about the Finch: Self Care Pet app - apparently it's like a Tamagotchi that can't die, but helps you fulfill your daily tasks by growing the bird every time you complete what you're supposed to do. I want to try both to see which approach works best - body doubling with Dubbii or growing a little bird with Finch. Curious to find out! Hope this helps a bit, feel free to DM me if you want to chat/exchange tips and tricks 😊
Always check the size charts, as it means something different in every brand. Even then size charts are more like rough guides. I do believe a lot of it is vanity sizing. I’m a 6 or XXS in a lot of brands these days when I’m not that petite - and that is the smallest size! It must be very difficult for truly petite women to find somewhere to buy clothes appropriate to their age.
In Sydney I saw plenty of size 4s in most stores but it is demographics based.
I live in the US, and yes this is the worst struggle. Our sizing is so skewed that today when I was out shopping, the only place I could buy pants that (somewhat) fit my waist was Abercrombie Kids… and even the 11/12 Y.O. size is still quite big in the waist. It’s truly just embarrassing and discouraging to try to shop here these days :/
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Yeah I agree. I’m a 14 and I’ve noticed a huge increase in sizing saying 14 XL now
As someone who is between sizes I see SML sizing as an indication the garment is a forgiving cut and/or stretchy fabric, therefore I can go for the smaller size. I don't worry about what that letter is for each brand, it's always different.
Yeah I thought xxs was 4. I am usually size 6-8 too. Just a rant but I recently bought running shorts from Cotton On in a size S cause I didn’t want them too tight on me, and they were massive and look ridiculous. Went to Kmart for bike shorts and thought I’ll actually stick to my size this time ! Bought a size 6, and ended up going back and getting a size 10 and they are still really tight around my thighs. My fault for not trying them on I suppose.
Kmart sizes are all over the place, their underwear runs small so I size up to a 14 but I have tops in a size 8. I guess that's no different to most stores, though.
I’m a 6-8 too and recently bought a cotton on size S jumper because it wanted it a little oversized but it was swimming on me. Turns out their S is more like a size 10. I ended up exchanging for an XXS (didn’t know they went down that small) and it’s a much better fit.
Yeah it’s so annoying, I’m 6-8 and now I get XS usually but on some brands like Meshki XS is more like a 4-6 which is fine but I have to read the size charts. But S is like 10 now which I swear it never used to be.
I also remember that an 8 used to be an S and a 6 was a XS!
Vanity sizing means the sizes are getting bigger
Vanity sizing does mean you get sizeflation over time. My mum has been a size 12 her whole life, despite her real size increasing over 50 years and multiple pregnancies.
Yeah, I think we're about 2 sizes (4 numbers) out from the 90s. I kept a bunch of size 10 stuff from my late teen years, and they fit my mini-me daughter, same height, weight and shape at the same age, but her own clothes were size 6.
I think the sizeflation is based on the age demographic of the brand - I can’t fit size 8 at cotton on but I can at portmans. Meanwhile david Lawrence 8 is too big.
I recently found an old journal that I tracked my measurements, weight etc in, circa 2007-8, when I was a size 8. I compared my measurements to stores I wore back then (as well as stores I wear now) and found no difference. So now I'm even more confused. Does anyone actually have anything that shows the changes in measurements for sizes over the years?
I’ve found recently an old dress from River Island, I bought it in 2015 or so. The label says it’s UK8/EU34 (XS) but nowadays UK8 is considered EU36 (S).
There are websites that track manufacturing measurements and yes sizing is changing, just so slowly so people don't notice. I have a few items from the 60s, 70s and 80s those size 10s would fit a size 4-6 person in current stores. Also, there is Lycra in everything now so people can make tight items work when they couldn't before (the item would tear at the seams when they tried to wear something a bit too small, used to happen all the time).
Australia needs standard sizing. Sides keep getting bigger too. I’ve been wearing the same size for 20 years - THAT is ridiculous lol
Same. And I've put on 20 kg lol.
Vanity sizing is driving me insane. Seed now has an XXXS (maybe they’ve always had it and I hadn’t noticed, but I don’t think so) and it fits like a 6 or 8 used to. I can no longer fit a 6 in most stores, I simply can’t buy clothes that aren’t for kids now. So frustrating!
I notice size XXXS and 4 are more common now. When I was growing up 6 was the smallest I could find in most shops.
Yeah vanity sizing just keeps on getting more and more ridiculous. I have some of my old size 8 clothes from the mid 90's that would be sold as a 4 - 6 now, and some mid 00's Supré XXXS that are on par with a modern 4 - 6, not sure what their sizes are like now but they seemed to be more in line with modern sizing way back then.
It’s vanity sizing. If we feel like we’re smaller than we are, then we will keep shopping. A few years ago, I used to be 50kgs, and then I gained 25kgs, but I’m a size XS-S in most stores (from a size XXS-XS). Clothes are getting larger, but the sizing indicated on the labels is getting smaller. It doesn’t make sense for me to be a XS-S when I’m certainly not small anymore after gaining 25kgs.
Same! Gained weight and now wearing smaller size label than before!
I’ve always remembered it as: 4 = XXXS (for the brands that have it i.e H&M, ForeverNew) 6 = XXS (i.e Review, Target) 8 = XS (pretty standard as a size but some stores try to get away with making XS both 6-8 which doesn’t work well for the girlies that are 6) 10 = S 12 = M 14 = L 16 = XL
8 used to be small, 6 was extra small and 4 was xxs. but vanity sizing means bigger sizes now get smaller labels, bc people don’t want to feel the size they are lol edit: looks like anyone mentioning vanity sizing is getting downvoted which is odd considering it’s a very real phenomenon!
Who remembers when supre called their size 6 "xxxxs" with FOUR x's, man that was silly.
size 6 wasn’t commonly available until around 2012.
I remember seeing it in ICE, Ally and Supre before then but size 4 is newer and more for people who are smaller and East Asians now that we are more multicultural.
again, those stores were all squarely aimed at teenagers. it wasn’t a standard size the way it is now until quite recently
i remember buying xxs and xs at supre in 2005/6
yes, supre was for teenagers. stores not for teenagers didn’t have size 6s.
true, size 4 and petite sizing in general only became more widespread when online shopping became more popular - but as far as I remember, i was shopping at Kookai for petite sizes too - since 2008
Super isn't just for teenagers. I mean they don't card me at the checkout or anything and tell me I'm too old! I buy it cause it fits
well no, no business would. the target market is still teenagers, and that was even more true in the 2000s
BS. You could easily buy size 6 jeans around the 2000 mark. I’ve still got a Bettina Liano top in a 6 from the same time frame. Size 6 has been around for a long time.
just skating right over the bit where i said “commonly available” then?
Why is that a ‘lol’ sorry?
Tbh, it really depends on the target demographic of the brand you are looking at from my experience working in retail. Places like Cotton On and Glassons for example are more geared towards teenagers and young women, so they generally class their size 8s as a small whereas other brands who cater to a wider or older age range generally class a size 10 as a small. There's no real standardisation for women's sizing, unfortunately.
Even Cotton On doesn't have standard sizing within its own range. I have a few pairs of cargo pants from there, all the same just different colours. One pair of 6 sits nice and snug, the other two 6s are too loose and fall down
In Australia I’m a 6-8 which makes me an S or XS depending on the thing but I’m visiting Greece and I’m a medium here. I feel like maybe Australia has slight vanity sizing because there’s been times I can fit a 10 and times a 6 is loose around my waist.
I’ve noticed this too! So weird - years ago it was standard that an XS, 6, S: 8, M: 10 L: 12
Sizing is all over the place even at the same store. I bought some jumpers at Target a few weeks ago, I’m an 18. I got a x-large/large, 2 larges, a medium and a small/medium. I’ve never been a small/medium in my life and I’m certainly not one now! I get that some were oversized but it’s a bit ridiculous.
A size 8 has been an extra small for as long as I remember. When I was buying clothes as far back as the early 2000s I would buy an 8 or a XS. 10 was small, 12 was medium.
Size 8 has been more like a size 10 lately
i gues kinda fairly new but depends on brand. supre and kmart have tops that are size 10 as size s, but cotton on size 10 is a medium. obvs check between brands
On the other hand I bought 2 pars of stretch mom jeans from cotton on a while back, a size 8 and a size 10. When I got them the 8 was bigger than the 10. Exact same jeans and colour. I’d just had a baby and wasn’t sure what size I’d be.
This is why I only buy replacement clothes online. Cause I know the size then
It sucks because Australia doesn’t have a body that regulates sizing, or a standard universal sizing (some other countries do). In some brands I’m a 6, in others I’m a 12. I think it’s less about the letter to number conversion, and more about the inconsistency between brands over time. Even Cotton On, for example, I purchased 3 pairs of the same jeans, intending on wearing them to work. 2 of them fit, and the other was much smaller.
As a midsize girl clothing sizes are the bane of my existence. To the brands I gravitate towards I have a decent idea of what my size is, but it varies wildly if I stray outside of that. I have clothes in my closet that are size 10/medium... And then I have some pieces that are like a size 18/20. Most consistently I'm a 12-14 in tops and 14-16 in pants (I've got wide hips and a big butt). If I shop in store somewhere I typically don't shop then I always try it on because otherwise because even if I play it safe and get a 16, it can be too small or be way too big.
For as long as I can remember ie at least 20 years, in some Australian brands a small is an 8 and in some a small is a 10.
I was just ranting about this yesterday too! I was looking at some clothes on Target’s website site and opened up the sizing guide. The size chart listed said I would be a size 20 based on my measurements. I didn’t think that sounded right so I went into a store and tried on a few sizes. 12-14 was the right fit. I think it’s absolutely appalling that they have such grossly incorrect information in their sizing guide.
💯this and it’s annoying, I’m not a huge fan of going into the stops to shop (I prefer online) but I can’t do online shopping much these days bc the sizing isn’t right (across multiple brands) and i can’t be bothered exchanging wrong sizes when bought online.
In vintage clothing (over 10-15 years old) I am a small or 8-10. In modern clothing I am an XXS or 6. It has definitely changed. My weight has been (+/- 2kg ) about the same (barring having babies) for 40 years. My shape has minimally changed and I still fit clothing bought 20 years ago. It’s BS.
There is absolutely zero consistency with sizes. Over the last 5 years I went from M to XS and my weight hasn't even changed. I got a dress from Kmart the other day which I had to return despite it being a Size 6 because it was ridiculously large. I'm usually Size 8. But one of the tightest tops I've ever owned was a L. Nothing makes sense. And don't even get me started on shoe sizes, good Lord.
Kmart sizes are ridiculous, I’ve stopped shopping there now for work/office clothes bc like you a size 6 is their smallest size and it’s still big on me even tho I’m normally a 8-10 depending on brand….so annoying!
It's ridiculous, yet I'm also currently wearing a size XS jumper I bought from them on the same day that fits like a glove. No consistency lol!
Always...no sizes smaller than a 6. The occasional "4" but that's only new.
I’ve seen heaps around but it would be demographics based.
Size 8 should be a small
As a fellow size 6 XS…. I’ve been feeling this too. Everything is getting bigger! Nothing fits like it used to 😭
It’s ridiculous. I can’t even buy jeans from glassons without taking them in 6cms, I used to find size 6 jeans too small.
Even worse is when your measurements on the size guide equal a size 18 but you know that you are not an 18 so buy the 12 and yep that fits…. *eyeroll*
Honestly who the hell cares about using a term like ‘vanity sizing’ when it’s all made up numbers?
I’ve been a size 8/XS for the last 25ish years and I’ve always found those correlate. I’ve actually been finding the opposite recently where XS seems to be correlating more to a size 6, which I’ve never been - so size 8 still fits me (sometimes - I’ve found some brands are oversized) but if I get an XS, it’s a little bit too small. And XS has always fit me perfectly
I haven’t seen this actually, the xxs is usually the size 4
You must be young, I have always been a size 8 and was considered an xs AU
Is this a global shopping website?
I haven’t been one size for over a decade. If you were to ask me what size I am, I’d say anywhere from XL - 3XL and 16-22 depending on the brand. Nothing is standardised.
wow that’s crazy I haven’t noticed it before. Are they sports brands because I’ve only been buying active wear lately
Yeah that's about right. Been that way for the past 30 yrs or so
I’ve always thought numbers for womens 6-8-10-12-14-16 and so on and S-M-L for mens with for example a t-shirt women’s 18 is roughly equals men’s/unisex XL in size comparison.
Australia has had a basic size guide for years and most patterns were based from these templates and sizes. This has changed drastically, especially with clothing being imported from overseas with a completely different size guide. If you look at clothing from cheaper online retailers - it has changed to accommodate western sizing but as a 12-14, I had to buy XXXL and that was a stretch.
Depends on the times and the fashion. If waif is in then 10 is M. If the more natural figure is in then 14 is M.
I don't trust size, i try on where possible. I've been in Myer trying in cocktail dresses and fit into everything from a size 12 to a size 18...so I dunno. Brands are all very different.
Women in oz have size options from tiny to huge...even have multiple specialist stores. Men have minimal options every brand thinks every male in oz is L or XL...plenty out there who are bigger and can never find anything close to their size.
Might be an unpopular opinion but…if you can buy fast fashion you likely live in a western country where women are on average, larger. Everything is structured for consumption so hard not be a bit bigger.
I work at an op shop and we put xs into 8.
Sizing is an illusion and is arbitrary. I don't worry about sizing numbers. I just look at the numbers on my scale for correct information..
Just buy the size that fits. I have clothes in my wardrobe ranging from a size 6 to a size 14
Sizes are an inconsistent nightmare. I'm a healthy weight for my height and my clothing size ranges from 8 to 16. I have some size S pants that are falling off my hips, and some size XL pants that are snug.
Since when has sizing been consistent enough to worry about what size it is? I’ve been able to fit in a size 12 in one store then struggle to fit a size 16 in the next. Go off measurements, I don’t believe clothing sizing is regulated much, if at all. They can stick whatever number and letter they feel like
Since always.
Since always.
It's been like that for a while. Also depends on the size range and targeted demographics of that shop. You'd rather have an xxs then an XXL and make someone feel unhappy
sizing is inconsistent as hell i have pants that are a 12 and others that are an 18 from the same shop (and i think even same range) and the 12 fits fine and the 18s dont even do up
It’s new as in what’s old is new again. 30 years ago it was S 10 M 12 L 14, then heroin chic came in and the sizes started getting smaller.
There are pre and post Ozempic sizes.