40lbs Lost, but same clothing size?!?

bojamashell

I don't get it. I have a pair of jeans that are the same size as my others, but a different brand and I haven't worn them in a long time because they were too tight. After dropping 40lbs and the pair of jeans I wear all the time being way too loose, I decided to try on this jean skirt that I've only worn once. I could button it, but had a hard time zipping it up. So then I decided to try on that pair of jeans that's been in my drawer forever. They fit a little better than the skirt, but still way too loose.

I don't understand. All three pieces of clothing are the same size. I've lost a decent amount of weight, so where did the weight go?! A bit frustrated that I'm not getting smaller. The number on the scale going down doesn't mean much to me if I'm still the same size.

Edit: I meant to say the other pair of pants still fit way too tight, not loose. Haha. I was writing about those jeans, but thinking of the jeans I have on, which are way too loose. I don't like wearing these jeans because they are so loose now and don't look good because they're almost baggy on me. But my other jeans are still too tight.

artbkward

How do you think you're not getting smaller if your old clothes are too big?

SmartFunGorgeous

I doubt all three pieces of clothing are the same size. I imagine they have the same numbers on them, but different measurements. Plus, people lose weight from different places on their bodies. While my pants changed 4-6 sizes with my 45-50 pound weight loss, my tops only changed 2 sizes.

girlwithgoldeneyes

It could also depend on where you are loosing the weight from (ie arms, chest, butt, hips, thighs, calves). You have done an AMAZING job with loosing 40LBS! Also clothing companies change the "sizing" of things throughout the yrs. A size 18 from back in the 70's is not the same as a size 18 today (this goes for smaller sizes too). So if the clothing were bought different yrs this could be why the size is the same but not. Also each brand has a different cut/shape to them, and where they fall on your hips will make a huge difference as well. You can always start measuring yourself to see where the inches are coming off of (as they are coming off since you are -40) Try not to get down and keep on RAWKING it out! :flowerforyou:

MsFargo

I agree that I doubt all clothing is the same size. My old boss used to buy upper end clothing because she could buy sizes 6-8 and in the lower end clothing she had to buy sizes 10-12. A label is just a label and are not necessarily equal between manufacturers.

Bmontgomery613

I'm having a bit of the same issue. The problem for me is that I'm an absolute pear shape and am loosing from the top down. I've lost 5 inches from my bra band, but only 1 inch from my waist and hips. Give it time, the jeans will eventually fit. And, remember, sizes are not standard for women's clothing. I have about 3 different sizes that I "wear" depending on the brand.

HauteP1nk

Sounds like most of your clothes are getting loose.... Don't let one skirt put a damper on all your hard work!
Clearly the sizing of that skirt is 'wrong' or different from the others. Some stores are smaller fits than other stores...

BrownEyedDiva

Oh I know for a fact that our cothes shrink with us, I bet if you went and bought new clothes you would be a smaller size

k1dub

Also, if you're anything like the girls around here your clothes are waaaaaay to tight to begin with. So when you lose weight, your clothing size doesn't go down because you were in the wrong size to begin with.

sarafil

My clothes size can be different, depending on the brand of clothing....if some of your old clothes are now loose, you are going in the right direction! Don't let it get you down, you are doing something right, obviously!

duplicitous

I saw a documentary one day that was all about how the name brand companies were exaggerating sizes. What should be a size 10 they would label an 8 and so on. Depending upon what brand. They also said that bottom bargain brands usually size correctly. Also IMHO I think the sagging pants nightmare has changed up sizing too.

khaleesinoodlebelly

yay for 40 lbs gone! and at least you are able to button the skirt the zipper will get there I blame it on vanity sizing if they are saying they are all the same size-OR-some styles are meant to be baggier than others some are meant to be tighter than others as well--but I know certain brands and styles to buy a size bigger or a size smaller--give it time and keep working at it--you will get there

SarahSwimmer

Girl, I hear you. The largest size I ever had to wear was a 12, and now the smallest I fit into is a 4 (30% of the time :P) BUT the majority of the clothes I own- 8's & 6's still fit the same. So if any one can tell me how to determine your "true size" it would be greatly appreciated. The best I can come up with is find a brand (like Merona from Target) and see what you can zip up. I was doing this with pencil skirts for a while but as I got thinner I realized I fit into the same skirt fine, it just rested on my hips lower. grrr

paulcer

Well, from what you said, the pants were too tight and now they aren't? Is that correct? Sounds like a great thing. Perhaps I'm confused.

Personally, I've never been able to buy clothes by size because there is no standard.

jennifer52484

Pant sizes are so messed up. I'm 5'5" , I've lost 58lbs. I started at 187lbs wearing a size 14/15. I now weight 129lbs. I still fit into a few pairs of 11 but I also fit into a 2, 3, 5, 7, 9. I wish there was some uniformity between stores.

Sister_Someone

Just because two clothing items have the same number on them, doesn't mean they are, in fact, the same size. A couple days ago I went to buy a pair of pants. I picked out two pairs from different brands, both labeled as being the same size - the one I normally wear. One pair was too tight for comfort and the other was literally falling off my hips.

If you really want to see the difference, I suggest measuring yourself with a tape measure and taking progress pics. I had no idea how much I'd really changed until I saw my first set of progress pics.

bcattoes

Not all manufacturers make their size <whatever> the same. I have clothes that are size 6, size 8 and size 10 that all fit me just perfectly. But all of the size 10's that fit before I lost weight are now too big. It's just a clothing label. If you want proof that you're getting smaller, use a tape measure.

bojamashell

Thanks for all the responses! I figured that with them being different brands, that would sort of explain the other jeans and skirt not fitting. But I had no idea that they actually change sizes. Haha.

I was measuring, but I don't think I measured in the same places because I was showing inches gained. So I stopped measuring. And my scale is broken so I only weigh when I go to the doctor. I have a check up with my doctor every month, so maybe next time I will take my measuring tape with me and have her measure me. I mean, afterall while I'm already there and they're checking my weight and blood pressure anyways, why not? People have told me they see a difference in my face and I guess I see a little difference too, but I don't think I've lost 40lbs in my face alone. Haha.

Another question: What helps lose inches? Strength training or cardio (I'm sure cardio does to some degree)? I'm thinking maybe if the doctor and I focus on the inches instead of the number on the scale then I'd be able to buy smaller scrubs for school this fall.

yksdoris

I can't find the right article now, but I read a while ago how over the past 15-20 years the clothing sizes have changed: The measurements that 20 years ago were size 8 are now size 6. What used to be M is now S. Though the effect is different in different regions, of course. I was amazed when I first moved from Eastern Europe to Western Europe and suddenly could buy clothes a whole size smaller while gaining a good 10 pounds!

EditedToAdd: strength training is very much advised for losing the inches. Just don't be alarmed if your weight goes up a bit in the beginning, that's a combination of water retention and the fact that muscle simply weighs more than fat.

maryruiz2685

The scale can be your worst enemy! The scale rarely moves for me lately yet none of my clothes fit! I see a lot of changes on my body; most of which is muscle so that may explain why the scale isn't moving much for me. You have to consider whether you're losing fat or muscle. You definitely don't want to be losing muscle. That could be making the difference for you. Let's hope that's not what it is. Make sure you're getting enough proteing. Also, my jeans are all different sizes. Because of the material that clothing is made out of, one size may fit tight while a smaller size fits just right! In perspective, the way your clothing fits is a huge indicator of how well you're doing on your journey. It sounds like your workout regime may need some tweaking. Focus on your butt hips and thighs for a while. lower body workouts burn a ton of fat. also, some ppl lose weight weight generally all over while some lose it in certain spots faster versus others. you'll get there. just don't give up!!!

cvanbeek

I have personal example for you. I bought some jeans from the buckle BKE i think size 10 then got some off ebay size 10 all fit great. Bought some shorts at walmart size 11 I can get them on but are to tight for my liking. Different brands are different sizes with the same number It will all work out!

I'm so close to -40

hawaii86442

Yes--all size "12's" are not the same. I wore a twelve when I started losing weight and still wear a twelve. Some still dont button and some are falling off. Keep up the good work and get a cloth measuring tape. Less than $3 at Target!!

I have lost 10.5 already<3

emeralz

Also, if you're anything like the girls around here your clothes are waaaaaay to tight to begin with. So when you lose weight, your clothing size doesn't go down because you were in the wrong size to begin with.

Actually, mine are the same way, and I never wore clothes too tight, actually the opposite, everything was too big because I didn't want the clothes touching me in anyway, let alone someone to see how big I was, so I wore bigger clothes.. errr.. Not sure where I got that logic..

Anywho, 38 down here, and can still wear everything that I could before, and cant wear some things I thought I should be able to.. Very frustrating, but I also measure and if I look at my measurements, I have lost 8 inches around hips, and 7 inches around my waist, though only 3 inches around my thighs. so, my thighs are what is holding everything up.. and I found that all of my clothes have some sort of stretch material in them, because the plus size clothing usually do, so my jeans etc, have the stretch stuff, and that works both ways, if your smaller, it will fit too. it is throughout the day that they get more loose.

My friend told me to go into a store and find an jeans that have zero stretch and see if they fit me one size smaller.
lo and behold, they did. Just those ones tho, the same size ones I have at home.. nope, don't fit..
frustrating indeed, but you are doing awesome!!

pogojr

I hit the 42lb mark today, and I'm finding the same thing. I am just starting to go down a size in both top and bottom even though I can see the difference myself. I'm guessing I should have been up a size on clothes in order to fit the bigger me properly. So technically, then I would be down two sizes if I was dressing size appropriate in the first place. Don't be discouraged! 40 lbs is a fantastic start!

lorishultis

Plus you have to look at who made them; have they shrunk; when were they made??? Designers "alter" sizes all the time based on the population size. I didnt realize it until my dad went to get pants and the size he ALWAYS wore since high school was now to big! He had to go to the Juniors dept to find pants. When he was telling the clerk about it the clerk told him the designers, in an attempt to make people not feel bad, made the sizes larger - so your currents smalls were mediums last season.

Look at the thickness of the denim and if there is spandex mixed in too... My stretch jeans are one size my non stretch a different.

I doubt all three pieces of clothing are the same size.

Callicia143

perhaps the reason why they all seem to fit is because unless they are the same label, all clothes run big or small, it is hard to find clothes that are true to size. If you shop in juniors sections, chances are they will run smaller in the hips and thighs. If you shop in the womens shops, they will be cut a lot different. also, if the waist is low cut, they will run smaller as well. but if you really want to know your true size, measure yourself or have yourself measured by a professional. great job on the 40 lbs lost.

ReneeTurnage

I have to wear "Casual Dress" clothing to work, and when my slacks were becoming so big I couldn't hang in them anymore, my husband carried me shopping at his favorite store...Lane Bryant. They brought me the smallest size they carried, a 14, and they were still big on me. So he carried me to JC Penney and he picked out clothing for me in a size 12, some fit beautifully, and others...well we'll just say they didn't fit. :-) When we left that night, I had 4 pieces of clothing.. a dress and a pair of slacks size 12, and 2 other pairs of slacks, size 14 and 16. It's all in the way they are cut. Don't get discouraged.. You have made a great accomplishment with your weight loss, and remember ALL clothes do not fit alike and they all can be the same size on the tag. Have a great day, and keep up the good work!

bojamashell

Also, if you're anything like the girls around here your clothes are waaaaaay to tight to begin with. So when you lose weight, your clothing size doesn't go down because you were in the wrong size to begin with.

Actually, mine are the same way, and I never wore clothes too tight, actually the opposite, everything was too big because I didn't want the clothes touching me in anyway, let alone someone to see how big I was, so I wore bigger clothes.. errr.. Not sure where I got that logic..

Anywho, 38 down here, and can still wear everything that I could before, and cant wear some things I thought I should be able to.. Very frustrating, but I also measure and if I look at my measurements, I have lost 8 inches around hips, and 7 inches around my waist, though only 3 inches around my thighs. so, my thighs are what is holding everything up.. and I found that all of my clothes have some sort of stretch material in them, because the plus size clothing usually do, so my jeans etc, have the stretch stuff, and that works both ways, if your smaller, it will fit too. it is throughout the day that they get more loose.

My friend told me to go into a store and find an jeans that have zero stretch and see if they fit me one size smaller.
lo and behold, they did. Just those ones tho, the same size ones I have at home.. nope, don't fit..
frustrating indeed, but you are doing awesome!!

You're doing great! Those inches!! According to my measurements (which are probably wrong), I've lost 3 inches in my hips, gained 3 inches in waist (still not 100% sure where to measure for waist) and stayed the same in the neck. When I was going to the gym, they would measure arms, bust, midrise, waist, hips, thighs, and calves. Maybe I should go back to measuring all of that to see where the weight has gone.

lisa1231

First off - woohooo for losing 40lbs. All the clothing in the world can't take that away from you. :-)

Second - each clothing brand / manufacturer has their own specific specs for tops and bottoms. Specs are the measurements that they brand / manufacturer determines for the factory for each clothing size. Like how many inches the waist band should be for each size, how many inches the length of the top should be, neck size etc etc.


A big box store like Target and Walmart have the same specs across the board for all brands that they own. Target - Merona, Xhilaration, Walmart - George, Faded Glory .......
A store like Kohls the specs vary amongst the designer brand name - Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, Jenifer Lopez......

It is true that most higher end American brands Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Donna Karan tend to run a little smaller than mid-tier brands/stores like New York & Co, Charlotte Russe.

Also stores like H&M / Zara that are European based have smaller specs because the difference between European and American sizes. The garments in those stores were made with European specs, they then slap an American size on it.

So the moral of my post is screw it. The proof is in the number. You lost 40lbs. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it. You can make yourself a new wadrobe account. Stash money in that account and when you are ready, go shopping and you'll see all your hard work paid off.

yoovie

different brands can definitely mean smaller cuts. I wear a 7 or a 9 in most brands of jeans, but with Revolt jeans I still wear an 11 or a 13.

Also - some brands of jeans put ZERO stretch material in their denim so it doesnt move and form to you as well as the ones that do- so you have to actually fit in it without it giving at all.

KEEP THEM, you will probably fit them soon and then they will fit you for a very very long time. Ive dealt with this alot over the past few years (i went from a size 24/26 to a 7/9) and it pays to be patient with those.

I recommend getting another pair of goal jeans, some you can get into barely, from a different brand, with a little stretch to them. Nailgun those suckers to the wall and try them on the first of every month. The day you wear them out of the house- no one will be able to even TOUCH your good mood!!

chevvy53

my advice they are just numbers...... in Britain wow the difference in sizes is amazing it a cost cutting thing for the stores on material , when I was at my lowest weight two years ago I was still in the same size clothes but looked great ??!! i just wear nice stuff regardless of the label .