'Gap' sizing - is it accurate?

alison2429

Hi all
I went shopping today and found some smart trousers in Gap Outlet (UK size 16). Bearing in mind that my usual size is a UK 16 bottom and UK 14 top. The 16 were way to big so my hubbie fetched me a 14. I was quite excited as I have been a UK size 16 for a while and I am happy with this but the thought of being able to get into a size 14 was exciting - right?!!
The 14 fitted better - still a bit baggy around the crotch area! Lol! :blushing:
I decided to buy them and went to the checkout to pay. I asked the lady on the till if they were an English size 14 and she said they were in fact an American size 14 which equals a UK size 18. You can imagine my disappointment. :sad: ....but at £16 they were a bargain.
My questions for everyone out there - but in particular members in the U.S.A - is Gap sizing a little on the small size? Please tell me the truth - I can take it..........................honest!!
I know that different shops sizes vary................the proof of this was that I then went to Fat Face (not sure of you have this store in U.S.A) and tried on a UK size 16 pair of shorts and I could have pulled them down without undoing the button or zip ...........!! :laugh:

Any comments?

Thanks guys.

Alison

schninie82

Not sure, but I buy clothes from New Look and good old Primark..! I buy size 12 in New Look is size 14 in Primark!! I think that all shops have there own sizes, they are not all standard like they are supposed to be!! They lie!!!!!!!

Irene8509

Remember it also depends on the style and cut of the garment as well. Being in retail you find out fast which companies size correctly and which play with the charts. Always try on for fit and don't get upset with the numbers... they are not set in stone (forgive the pun if your British:happy: )

Aileen46

I believe my daughter has had the same issue with gap clothing being smaller than they should be. We are in Canada so I would think it's the same as the US. I recall her going in there for a 12 and not wanting to buy a 14 instead. Nothing else in her clothing had changed either. She could go to other stores and still get her usual size.

LonelyPilgrim

I hope I don't burst your bubble.... I don't think GAP runs true to size at all.. but usually in the other direction. I'm not sure about the other sizes, but I've experienced that both Gap and Old Navy tend to make their clothes LARGER not smaller than the stated size with clothes that fit me. for example I can wear a 4 or 6 in Gap Pants but most other co. I'd have to wear an 8 or 9.

however, maybe that just shows that GAP doesn't have any strict reference, so maybe while the smaller sizes are larger, the larger sizes are smaller!? who knows. I also notice that one pair of GAP pants size 4 fits me in one cut, and another pair in a different cut, the 6 feels too small..

The BIG LESSON though, is don't let your pants size determine anything! It's all about how you feel !

tn2010

I recently went in to the GAP in the US to get new jeans since my size 12's from 3 years ago were too big. I started with a size 10 and ended up going all the way down to a size 6 (that were still baggy in the back side). Yes, I've lost almost 35 pounds, but I was shocked. Depending on where I go, I now wear anything from size 6 to 10. We definitely don't have standardized sizing, and much of it is "vanity sized." Similarly, a recent trip to H&M resulted in sizes 6, 8, 10, AND 12. Go figure.

sooh2011

When I started here I had size 16 Fat Face jeans and size 10 Gap jeans.....but it was the fact that the Gap jeans were becoming impossible to wear that made me wind up round here! So, I'd say Gap 10s are a bit like a UK 15.

But one style to another varies too.

Picky_nikki

I find in some gap clothing I am down sizes in most pants, and others I have to go up a size from that. It really depends on the item. I do however notice I get the baggy crotch from most of their pants now... it is weird! lol However, in comparison to American Eagle, Aeropostle, and Hollister...Gap sizes are larger.

nyctraveler

I hope I don't burst your bubble.... I don't think GAP runs true to size at all.. but usually in the other direction. I'm not sure about the other sizes, but I've experienced that both Gap and Old Navy tend to make their clothes LARGER not smaller than the stated size with clothes that fit me. for example I can wear a 4 or 6 in Gap Pants but most other co. I'd have to wear an 8 or 9.

however, maybe that just shows that GAP doesn't have any strict reference, so maybe while the smaller sizes are larger, the larger sizes are smaller!? who knows. I also notice that one pair of GAP pants size 4 fits me in one cut, and another pair in a different cut, the 6 feels too small..

The BIG LESSON though, is don't let your pants size determine anything! It's all about how you feel !

Completely agree same for me

ABrideToBE

They may be the same or not. Clothing companies practice "vanity sizing" which makes us feel better because all of a sudden, we fit into a smaller size, even if in reality, it's not. It might be hard to not look at the size (I too, am a victim) but what should be in consideration is the FIT and not the size. Vanity sizing is a marketing strategy.

cath1024

I find GAP sizes run larger - i usally wear a size US 10 but can wear an 8 in GAP.

On another note i bought a pair of crop jeans at American Eagle and like i said i would normally wear a size 10 in jeans there but low and behold this certain style (Boy Fit Crop) i was able to get in a size 4!!!!!!
LOL i know the boy fit do run bigger because the are made to be baggy but i couldnt wait to get home and tell hubby i bought a size 4 jeans!!!!

LorinaLynn

A wise philosopher named Yoda once said, "Size matters not."

I don't give a damn what the number on the tag says. If it fits and looks good, I'll buy it. Sure, I'm happy when I need to buy smaller clothes because mine are falling off, but there's so little consistency in clothing sizes that you can't use the label as any kind of guideline.

melsinct

Vanity sizing is in full effect at the Gap. I magically go down one size in their clothes. They run very big.

nickiben

I find USA sizing very different to ours, even with the conversion to UK sizing. I work in retail, and all retailers use a different size model, so it will vary store to store. Some retailers even make their clothes larger than the standard size, as a customer will more likely shop in a store where they can buy a 14 rather than another store where they are a 16. Very sneaky, so dont worry about the sizing. Just buy what fits nice. x

mamato4kids

I think Gap runs small. I can't wear them anymore, I am a size 8, and always have to go up to 10 or 12 to get the fit I want. It isn't worth the mental torture!
I think very brand is different, you just have to forget the size and go with what you are comfortable in

Thompsonic7

I've always found Gap came up very big.. Last year I got a summer dress from there in a size 6.. it wasn't even tight (and no the dress wasn't meant to be loose). It may have just been that particular garment but considering I went into the changing rooms with a 12 it's quite a difference..

jessgallison

I dont mean to sound unhelpful either, but I find there sizing runs quiet large. Especially in things like slacks and tee shirts. I had to buy a size 2 pair of slacks when I usually get like, a 7 in jeans.

Oishii

My Gap jeans have UK and US sizing in them. Check again... The checkout girl might have been wrong.

I find their size 10 a bit big, but nothing compared to Howies. They do inches. My waist is 29 inches on a good day, but their 28 inch is huge on me! Now that is truly vanity sizing!

mamacremers

I'm too poor to buy gap, but I do have some Gap pants that I bought second hand. The only reason I said that is because I have no idea how the previous owner treated them. If they washed them in hot water or dried them with nuclear heat. They are the same "size" as the rest of my pants and they fit tight.

CherrySunday

I don't buy Gap jeans anymore, because they always seem to be changing the fits of their jeans. I don't know why they do this to their customers, but it sucks!

philandrachel

Gap and Old Navy both seem to size larger, well at least for me they do...

misslizz6958

I'm a size 3 in most places...I can;t even fit into an XS at gap its to big. so ya they vanity size to the extreme

Satya_Ayurveda

If you got it from an outlet, than no. The really try and keep their products true to size, however they get their products from different places and they cuts do vary. I know this because I did work very briefly for Athleta which is now owned by Gap inc. I also know this because I shop at the Gap outlet all the time. Sometimes I am a size 2 in their jeans and sometimes I can wear a size 4 in the same cut/style... just depends on the shipment or how far apart I have purchased. Has nothing to do with my body (well, that isn't true! Hahahah!) But does that make sense?

Evebwahurn

I'm Canadian, and I've come to terms with the fact that there really is no such thing as an accurate size chart. I really only go by the inch measurement rather than '10, 8, 6' etc (as they really don't make much sense). I'm a 27 /32, which at the Gap is a 4 Long. However, I'm a 0 Long at Old Navy, and an 6 at the 'young' stores like Urban Outfitters and H&M. I used to be a 14 though, so yay!

erinpooh

Gap and Old Navy run large for me, especially ON. I have size 2 ON jeans and they are usually bagging on me at the end of the day. Generally speaking, I wear a 2-4 in their jeans. The 4s are from several years ago, and I thought they ran big even then.

planetjumper90

Screw the hassle. Soft tape measure FTW. Bought a GAP 30waist pair of gap shorts and oh my goodness i can fit two of me in them. The online measurement said it would be a 33w , was cheap so i bought them now im stuck with them. I am having this issue in every brand. Iv given up. No more online jean shopping 🤑😪 cant trust it at all. Im going to teach myself how to use my sewing machine and fix them myself 😅 i have like 6 pairs with the same problem and hubs cant know☠ wish me luck please i really need it 🤣 my point is i will from now on only shop platos closet 90%off sales (90cents an item hell yeah) BUT IM GOING TO BRING A SOFT TAPE MEASURE. ill personally need a 15 inch top line waist quick measure (15+15=30) durrr yeah i googled that myself so just putting it plain out there for anyone that second guesses their self like i do and have to eyeball the butt. Worn out crotches are annoying AF. Hell i might start making jeans to order if i get my machine going. With reinforced crotches and bums! Im on google mail same name if anyone has any inspiration for me. I have a 3 y/o so procrastination can be strong with dreams for me 🙃 one day i will be "stitch fix" but way cheaper. $10 Max , Heck send me all your old denim yall just donate anyways that would be amazing. Anywho iv really found myself on this post. I appreciate all yall and also letting me explore my own self. I am going to share this as is, cause i just sparked a passion inside myself and i hope it inspires others to just free write, make it public , make it stick. Yay!!!! Thanks yall! SCREW YOU SIZE 4 LIES ITS REVOLUTION TIME! Gonna go break out my Sewing machine NOW! Yall are the best 🥰🤩

Redordeadhead

LonelyPilgrim wrote: »

I hope I don't burst your bubble.... I don't think GAP runs true to size at all.. but usually in the other direction. I'm not sure about the other sizes, but I've experienced that both Gap and Old Navy tend to make their clothes LARGER not smaller than the stated size with clothes that fit me. for example I can wear a 4 or 6 in Gap Pants but most other co. I'd have to wear an 8 or 9.

however, maybe that just shows that GAP doesn't have any strict reference, so maybe while the smaller sizes are larger, the larger sizes are smaller!? who knows. I also notice that one pair of GAP pants size 4 fits me in one cut, and another pair in a different cut, the 6 feels too small..

The BIG LESSON though, is don't let your pants size determine anything! It's all about how you feel !

Me too, but I buy in the UK.

Redordeadhead

Damn, didn't notice the zombie thread.

Allgaun

True story
My daughter wears a 4 USA sizing.
We're at Macy's and see a beautiful dress on clearance, size 10.
BUT tiny!

She didn't even want to try it on because of the size tag, but it obviously was miss sized. If you held it up to other dresses it was more like a 2 or 4.

Sometimes clothing ends up on the sales rack because it's miss sized, not often but it happens

ReenieHJ

That's the main reason I just cannot order clothing online, unless I've tried the exact same thing on in the physical store. No 2 stores seem to run the exact same size. I wish I could because I've seen really cute stuff online before and we have almost zero shopping nearby. Gotta love living in the boonies.