Extreme Vanity Sizing at Target! TWO+ sizes too low!

Amazon_Who

P.P.S.: If I can find plus sizes (no matter how keenly disguised) in JEANS, why can't Target seem to make a bathing suit top that's bigger than a small B??? XL ought to be at LEAST a D.

I need to shop at Target apparenly, I'm more than an XL (probably 2x) but need a B cup. Not everybody has the boobs to match their butts! )

^This^, I find that Target's plus sizes run small, but not because of my boobs. Finding a bra when you are overweight and small chested is a nightmare.

TigressPat

You won't find a standard size chart because they tend to vary with every brand. I've even ordered clothes based on that company's size chart, only to have them be too big or too small. It's frustrating.

Since you have a curvy build - small waist with wider hips/butt - try Lucky brand jeans. I don't know where they're sold, as I can't wear their sizes yet, but I have a few friends with the same build who swear by them. They're fuller in the seat and narrower in the waist to help prevent gapping. Lee jeans are also pretty good for that (try the relaxed fit).

I feel your pain. I need a belt even with curvy jeans. I wear Lane Bryant's Right Fit (blue circle fit/very curvy) right now, which have the waist quite a bit smaller than the hips. They don't go below a 14, though.

the lucky's fit fairly well, BUT I have a size 28 that fits me perfectly now (I'm 169lbs) a size 30 thats too small, and a size 31 thats even smaller.
so good luck with that!

chelledawg14

I'm the opposite at Target, too. I'm wearing a size 8 in calvin klein, Lucky but in Target's Merona that I wanted for everyday jeans - I was lucky to fit into a 12. I always use a tape measure to measure across the front of the jean laying flat, that's the only way I know they'll fit. Different measurement for the rise as well.

AngryDiet

She is asking for help with sizing, not fashion advice.

A natural consequence of posting on a public forum is that one cannot control what others do. What I'm saying is that a variety of responses are part and parcel with the medium of discourse.

As for men's sizing, that also suffers from vanity sizing. I recently bought new jeans and pants for my new waistline, and the number on the label definitely does not match the measuring tape.

nitrogen_widget

I hate vanity sizing SO MUCH because it created confusion. I wish womens clothing was like mens, a 32 waist is a 32 waist.

Yeah. not so simple as that really.
If you are a man that squats you can't fit your legs & butt into half the jeans out there that are supposed to be your size.

And dress pants?
It's even worse because flat-fronts fit way different than pleated.

Basically every manufacturer has their own ideas on what sizes are so if I do go shopping i make sure I have time to try everything on.

juliemouse83

On topic, my jeans that fit range from 12 to 15.

It all depends on the brand, and the style. Even with workout clothes, all Larges are not created equally.

What I end up doing is trying different sizes of one style and/or another, and just get what fits, trying NOT to pay any attention to the number on the tag.

Maddalen101

Women's clothes have horrible sizing. There's no standard - every manufacturer has its own sizing conventions.
At Talbot's, for example, I have to buy clothes a full size larger than I do at Land's End.
Then there's the issue of fit - every mfr has different ideas of what a woman's body should look like.
My advice: IGNORE the size. Try on things, and buy what fits. No matter what the size.
If you mail order, buy a bit larger - you can always take it in.
It will also help you know that manufacturer's sizing, so you'll know what to buy.

jkleon86

I am 52, also 5'2" but when I was 20 years old and weighed 169 pounds I was wearing a very tight size 16 jeans. I knew they were targeting vanity by changing the sizing but I think this is ridiculous.

mariposa224

...I know people throw numbers around a lot - such as, a size 4 is a 28" waist - but where does THAT number come from?

Dang! If a 28" waist is a size 4, then how come I'm a size 8? I'm 130 pds and 5'7" and I have a 28" waist. Maybe it goes by hip size. I'm 37" in the hip. Who knows...

I wear 4s at Target (and 4s and 6s other places, so I don't find Target to be that far off these days) and my waist is actually closer to 29" or slightly more. I'm kinda straight up and down, though, and yes, my hips are much smaller proportionally than my waist. I believe my hips are 35.5 ".

lumstead0317

Clothes shopping drives me crazy! I went on a quest right before Christmas to find the perfect jeans... usually a size 8... I'd grab the 8's they'd be a little snug, so I'd try the 10's which looked like I was wanting to wear suspenders and have people toss things into them (like clowns do)... I tried on probably 5 or 6 different brands... all had the same issue... muffin top, then the next size clown pants! I also have short legs and a long torso so they either hang about 6" past my feet or if I find pants in short or petite they ride just barely above my butt crack! Doesn't matter if I buy in a different rise I swear to you, clothing is the devil!! I've tried on everything from 8-14... NOTHING seems to work right!! It's a clothing conspiracy!

TigressPat

Lies!!! I'm wearing three different pants sizes and two different shirt sizes. I also have a couple shirts in the larger of those two sizes that I can't even button. Clothing sizing is bad all around.

I think we have it slighlty easier because we tend to have boxier builds and no boobs, but there's some sort persistent illusion that men can just order stuff off the rack by one or two objective measurements and not try it out.

Sure, we can do this... if we want to look like a complete idiot.

My waist is 32 inches and my chest is 40 with wide shoulders. Most shirts that fit my shoulders are built for a 38"-42" waist, but no shirts have a waist measurement on the box. This produces a disturbing puddle of fabric around my gut which makes me look fatter.

Even "slim fit" shirts don't always work. I have a DKNY "slim fit" that probably has a 36" in waist. $50 wasted.

Through lots of tireless experimentation, I found two... TWO shirt brands that actually have close to a 32" waist.

I have a 14-15 inch difference between my waist and boobs.
I have never had a button down shirt in my LIFE.

you have it easy my friend!
*LOL*

that said, you could try Bravissimo/Pepperberry or BiuBiu
both make shirts for bustier women, even if you aren't particularly busty (don't know!) and have a broader back shoulders this might work for you. They go by measurement.

OOOPS!!!
edited as I just realized that I was talking to a GUY!
lol

Sorry man....

I'm leaving the post up though so others may lauhg at my stupidity and just in case there are women with the same issue who need shirts!!!!

julesxo

I would love to believe I am wearing a size 8 right now, but let's get real. I'm 5'2" and 172 lbs. with much of my extra weight in my *kitten* and thighs.

I bought two pairs of size 8 jeans from Target (Merona brand) in two different fits. One is tight (low-rise) and the other fits perfectly (mid-waist).

But in a designer brand and a few other pairs of jeans I've got without all the elastic/give, I'm a size 12. That's a pretty big difference.

I'd really love to find out what size I TRULY am - even if it's like a 16! - but it just seems impossible! I know people throw numbers around a lot - such as, a size 4 is a 28" waist - but where does THAT number come from? And where is that waist? Natural waist at the narrowest point? That's like 2" above my belly button! Or where I wear my jeans (barely above the butt crack)? My chest/hips are wide in relation to my waist (in true hourglass fashion) and I don't think that's fair!

Does anyone know where to find a size chart that spans the better part of the last century so I can ACTUALLY know where I stand???

P.S.: Fair warning about Target's insidious obesity-furthering vanity sizing practices!

P.P.S.: If I can find plus sizes (no matter how keenly disguised) in JEANS, why can't Target seem to make a bathing suit top that's bigger than a small B??? XL ought to be at LEAST a D.

if you're 172 lbs, you might want to consider wearing your pants a little higher than barely above your *kitten* crack.

Oh shut up Miss I have 102 lbs to lose.

umachanxo

I agree. Sizes are all so different. I'm a size 5 in some jeans, and a size 7 in others. It really depends on the design and type of pants. I will, say, though, that I have a terrible time finding jeans that fit properly. I have a 26 inch waist, 34.5 inch hips and 20.5 inch thighs. As you can probably guess, jeans fit fine in the leg and butt but they are always too loose around the waist. And if the waist fits, chances are they'll be too tight on the legs.

Rawr!

julesxo

It is difficult to know exactly what size pants you are since every manufacture has their own standards.

I have two pairs of pants, both the same size bought from the same store 3 years apart. The one bought first is larger than the new one.

SyntonicGarden

I hate vanity sizing SO MUCH because it created confusion. I wish womens clothing was like mens, a 32 waist is a 32 waist.

Yeah. not so simple as that really.
If you are a man that squats you can't fit your legs & butt into half the jeans out there that are supposed to be your size.

And dress pants?
It's even worse because flat-fronts fit way different than pleated.

Basically every manufacturer has their own ideas on what sizes are so if I do go shopping i make sure I have time to try everything on.

Amen to that. My husband has amazingly defined legs, amazing glutes and broad shoulders. Dressing him is difficult at best. He doesn't fit in skinny jeans (I'm ok with this) or pants with tapered legs. And if something fits his tummy, it bunches funny on his shoulders, so much so that it pulls the seams if he moves his arms. If it fits his shoulders, a small family of deer can sleep peacefully in the waist area. Cargo pants, khakis and t-shirts are the main staples of his wardrobe.

TigressPat

I wish womens clothing was like mens, a 32 waist is a 32 waist.

Lies!!!

I'm wearing three different pants sizes and two different shirt sizes. I also have a couple shirts in the larger of those two sizes that I can't even button.

Clothing sizing is bad all around.

So guys don't actually have it easier with clothes? I'm not sure if that's comforting or depressing. I sort of knew it, since I wear some of my son's outgrown jeans (from when he was a 6teenager), and they have stuff like "loose fit, straight leg" on them. I'd still rather have numbers more meaningful than 6 or 8 or whatever. And when it comes to XS to XL, it really gets hopeless.

there's no consistency in men's sizing either.

However most men find a pair of jeans they like and just keep buying the same one if their size does not change.

cici1028

I have to go UP sizes at Target. Totally ridiculous. I hate vanity sizing. I find companies like Talbots and some of the more expensive designers shy away from vanity sizing so you can get a realistic look at your size. That said, with the variety out there today I can be in a size 8, size 6, or size 4 dress (or a M, or a S) depending on who designed it and what cut it is.

Amazon_Who

My waist is 32 inches and my chest is 40 with wide shoulders. Most shirts that fit my shoulders are built for a 38"-42" waist, but no shirts have a waist measurement on the box. This produces a disturbing puddle of fabric around my gut which makes me look fatter.

Even "slim fit" shirts don't always work. I have a DKNY "slim fit" that probably has a 36" in waist. $50 wasted.

Through lots of tireless experimentation, I found two... TWO shirt brands that actually have close to a 32" waist.

While not a perfect solution a military tuck can help. Also alterations are effective if it allows you to get more wear out of a purchase.

sara1077

This is a good link from WW.

One of the paragraphs that might help you refers to dress patterns: "Appealing to vanity
Vanity sizing, in which measurements run larger than standard, has become a factor adding to the confusion. Designers have drifted far afield of the US standard clothing sizes that were developed in the 1940s and 1950s.

One of the few places where older sizing is still apparent is in the dress-pattern market. The McCall Pattern Co., which markets Butterick, Vogue and McCall sewing patterns, shows size 8 measurements as 31 ½” bust, 24” waist and 33 ½” hip. Those measurements on Banana Republic’s Web site are somewhere between a size 00 and 0.

Marilyn Monroe’s dressmaker claimed her measurements were 35”-22”-35” when she posed for Playboy in 1953, according to MarilynMonroe.com. Despite the oft-cited anecdote that she was a size 12, she would really be more like a size 2 or a 4 by US standards."

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=4&sc=3048&art_id=89681

CM9178

I would love to believe I am wearing a size 8 right now, but let's get real. I'm 5'2" and 172 lbs. with much of my extra weight in my *kitten* and thighs.

I bought two pairs of size 8 jeans from Target (Merona brand) in two different fits. One is tight (low-rise) and the other fits perfectly (mid-waist).

But in a designer brand and a few other pairs of jeans I've got without all the elastic/give, I'm a size 12. That's a pretty big difference.

I'd really love to find out what size I TRULY am - even if it's like a 16! - but it just seems impossible! I know people throw numbers around a lot - such as, a size 4 is a 28" waist - but where does THAT number come from? And where is that waist? Natural waist at the narrowest point? That's like 2" above my belly button! Or where I wear my jeans (barely above the butt crack)? My chest/hips are wide in relation to my waist (in true hourglass fashion) and I don't think that's fair!

Does anyone know where to find a size chart that spans the better part of the last century so I can ACTUALLY know where I stand???

P.S.: Fair warning about Target's insidious obesity-furthering vanity sizing practices!

P.P.S.: If I can find plus sizes (no matter how keenly disguised) in JEANS, why can't Target seem to make a bathing suit top that's bigger than a small B??? XL ought to be at LEAST a D.

This is pretty funny.. I am 5'2" 177 lbs and I just bought two pairs of Merona Jeans, also both a size 8. I don't remember what fit I got, but definitely not low rise. When I was 217 lbs, I was wearing a size 18 in the Merona jeans, same fit. So it made sense that I would go down that many sizes. If the jeans aren't stretchy and are a lower rise, then I'd be a much bigger size because my hips are pretty big compared to my waist.
I don't think there is a standard as far as size goes, because every brand is different. Just measure your waist and you know how many inches it is - usually designer jeans come in inches (like men's jeans do).

Just for reference, my waist is 36 inches and my hips are 41 inches so we must have similar measurements.

Oh, also forgot to add, the Mossimo jeans barely fit me right, because there is no stretch. I own two pairs and they are a size 14, and they are tight in the thighs and stick out at the butt, but then tighter in the waist.

TigressPat

I loved the article below on the history of women's clothing sizes. It helped me understand why we can't just go in waist and length like men's clothing. It still sucks though! The year I got married I wore a size 4 or 6. I was devastated when they fit my wedding dress as a size 12! The women who took my measurements said it was my boobs. My boobs were a 12 - my waist was a 6. I definitely needed alterations later!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_standard_clothing_size

most wedding dresses are made like that as the majority of women are pear or apple shaped.

when I was trying them on I had to get a 20 (yes, 20!!!) to accomodate my boobs and I was a size 6-8 in pants/jeans.

the amount of fabric that needed to be taken in was staggering.

but if you even look at a wedding gown, most have at least an inch of spare fabric on each seem so they can easily bet let out at least 4 inches. very few people can actually buy one off the rack, they are supposed to be altered to fit!

also wedding dresses and formal gowns try to be a bit more "standard" in sizing, meaning they aren't as vanity sized so a 12 is more like what passes for an 8 nowadays.

Deedoo5

I find the BEST deals at my local thrift store. If you're around "true" 14-16 size the SECRET is to go to the "plus size" rack and shop. Because all the 1 and 2X's have shrunk and they will fit and...most people that shop that rack are a larger size (which sell quickly).

RobinC37

What get's me are the plus-size stores that have 4 sizes (looking at you, Torrid). 0,1,2,3- what does that tell me at all about what size I am?!?

I have wide shoulders and get progressively narrower (if I didn't have my belly), and am 6' tall. I don't even shop for tops anymore. Sleeves are always 3-5 inches too short , most button downs don't even hit my hips. And I get the button gap over my boobs.

I'm getting stressed just thinking about shopping for tops. Pants are easier to buy, but still hard to find ones that fit without being baggy in the butt and thighs. As I shrink, I find that a lot of regular sized stores make pants that fit me well in the hips and thighs but are way too short. Finding 8-10 with a 32 inch inseam... the lady at XXI looked at me like I was nuts.

TigressPat

What get's me are the plus-size stores that have 4 sizes (looking at you, Torrid). 0,1,2,3- what does that tell me at all about what size I am?!?

I have wide shoulders and get progressively narrower (if I didn't have my belly), and am 6' tall. I don't even shop for tops anymore. Sleeves are always 3-5 inches too short , most button downs don't even hit my hips. And I get the button gap over my boobs.

I'm getting stressed just thinking about shopping for tops. Pants are easier to buy, but still hard to find ones that fit without being baggy in the butt and thighs. As I shrink, I find that a lot of regular sized stores make pants that fit me well in the hips and thighs but are way too short. Finding 8-10 with a 32 inch inseam... the lady at XXI looked at me like I was nuts.

32 doesn't seem that hard to find. Im short, and I wear a 31/32 inseam. most average/regular sized pants have that length of inseam. Are you sure you don't need longer?

bbriscoe13

I have the opposite problem at Target. I have to buy size 9 there and at AE and other places I usually wear a 4 or 6. I usually don;t buy pants at Target because they don't fit me very well.

saxmaniac

edited as I just realized that I was talking to a GUY!
Sorry man....
I'm leaving the post up though so others may lauhg at my stupidity and just in case there are women with the same issue who need shirts!!!!

Heh, that was funny - I was quite puzzled there for a second!

I was going to say I HAVE to wear dress shirts, because I would look kinda silly in a deep-cleavage empire-waist top with my suit.

TigressPat

edited as I just realized that I was talking to a GUY!
Sorry man....
I'm leaving the post up though so others may lauhg at my stupidity and just in case there are women with the same issue who need shirts!!!!

Heh, that was funny - I was quite puzzled there for a second!

I was going to say I HAVE to wear dress shirts, because I would look kinda silly in a deep-cleavage empire-waist top with my suit.

lol

again, my apologies!

But I was talking about dress shirts, no deep cleavage but the pouchy bits on the chest might not suit you!

748marie

Wear whatever looks good on you! A size ain't nuthin but a number

kristen6022

Sizes are different. So what. You take what you think you are in to the fitting room, if it's too big or too small you have the attendant get you a different size. WHO CARES! Care that they actually fit. I can range between a 2-8 on any given day depending on store.

DarkAngel262

I would love to believe I am wearing a size 8 right now, but let's get real. I'm 5'2" and 172 lbs. with much of my extra weight in my *kitten* and thighs.

I bought two pairs of size 8 jeans from Target (Merona brand) in two different fits. One is tight (low-rise) and the other fits perfectly (mid-waist).

But in a designer brand and a few other pairs of jeans I've got without all the elastic/give, I'm a size 12. That's a pretty big difference.

I'd really love to find out what size I TRULY am - even if it's like a 16! - but it just seems impossible! I know people throw numbers around a lot - such as, a size 4 is a 28" waist - but where does THAT number come from? And where is that waist? Natural waist at the narrowest point? That's like 2" above my belly button! Or where I wear my jeans (barely above the butt crack)? My chest/hips are wide in relation to my waist (in true hourglass fashion) and I don't think that's fair!

Does anyone know where to find a size chart that spans the better part of the last century so I can ACTUALLY know where I stand???

P.S.: Fair warning about Target's insidious obesity-furthering vanity sizing practices!

P.P.S.: If I can find plus sizes (no matter how keenly disguised) in JEANS, why can't Target seem to make a bathing suit top that's bigger than a small B??? XL ought to be at LEAST a D.

if you're 172 lbs, you might want to consider wearing your pants a little higher than barely above your *kitten* crack.

You ma'am are a nasty, rude person.