Why the hell can't I go down a pants size?

Do you have the same body type/shape as the girls that are the same weight and height that wear a size 6 or 8? It's like comparing apples to oranges if you don't have the same body type/shape. Focus on being healthy and looking good in what ever size you wear. Forget about the number.

Have you tried switching to misses sizes? I can't wear those juniors sizes (the odd numbered ones) at all.

Other than that, I_Will_End_You is right-- you probably store fat differently than the girls to whom you're comparing yourself. I store my fat on my thighs so I had a flat stomach fairly early but it took longer to lose inches from my legs.

Juniors and misses are cut differently. Seriously, try other styles and cuts on. There are plenty of misses pants that are just as cute as the juniors styles.

Overall though, no one but you knows what size jeans you are wearing. If you look good, rock it out. Wear the size that fits well on you, don't try to squeeze yourself into a size down just to be a size down. It actually makes you look bigger.

Another thought, I'm down 14 lbs and am not down a pants size. that's because the pants that I were wearing were ridiculously tight on me before and now they fit properly. (so I'm a big, fat hypocrite. Or I'm just learning as I go too)

I know this feel.

If you're more of an hourglass shape, juniors clothing (even the supposed "curvy cuts" are not your friend) is not your friend. I've had some luck with the juniors/misses overlap (like a size 5/6 for example), but otherwise look for even numbered sizing. Research jeans or pants that fit your body type (I've heard wonderful things about the Levi curvy fits or whatever), then try sizings in those styles. You might very well be lower.

Otherwise... find a tailor. One of these days I'll do it, but it's been recommended everywhere I look for the issues of pants just not fitting correctly.

Ultimately for sizing, though, you just have to let it go. Is 13 (especially in juniors) a plus size anyway? I thought plus sizing was 14 or 16+? Regardless, you know your body looks better, so don't compare yourself to others! And small aside, you very likely didn't gain muscle while dropping 10 lbs, but you revealed more of it by maintaining LBM while dropping body fat. Which is great!


Quick Edit To Add: And are you a 13 in a certain brand you keep wearing or because you keep fitting into 13s you own? Many women fit into a variety of sizes across brands. I was claiming a larger size in pants forever until I realized, well, I DO fit into those 10s I've had for two years... but I also fit into many of these 6s.

I know this feel.

If you're more of an hourglass shape, juniors clothing (even the supposed "curvy cuts" are not your friend) is not your friend. I've had some luck with the juniors/misses overlap (like a size 5/6 for example), but otherwise look for even numbered sizing. Research jeans or pants that fit your body type (I've heard wonderful things about the Levi curvy fits or whatever), then try sizings in those styles. You might very well be lower.

Otherwise... find a tailor. One of these days I'll do it, but it's been recommended everywhere I look for the issues of pants just not fitting correctly.

Ultimately for sizing, though, you just have to let it go. Is 13 (especially in juniors) a plus size anyway? I thought plus sizing was 14 or 16+? Regardless, you know your body looks better, so don't compare yourself to others! And small aside, you very likely didn't gain muscle while dropping 10 lbs, but you revealed more of it by maintaining LBM while dropping body fat. Which is great!


Quick Edit To Add: And are you a 13 in a certain brand you keep wearing or because you keep fitting into 13s you own? Many women fit into a variety of sizes across brands. I was claiming a larger size in pants forever until I realized, well, I DO fit into those 10s I've had for two years... but I also fit into many of these 6s.

Good point! I can wear 2s, 4s, and 6s in my favorite brands.

First, it depends on your shape and frame... I'm a medium/large frame hourglass and will never fit in a size 0, for example (even vanity sized).

Second, it depends on the clothes brand. A lot of them offer vanity sizing and you can fit in a 6 of one brand and a 12 of another (not even kidding).

Third, have you actually tried smaller sizes? Last year I thought for sure that I was still in 18 and hadn't gone down a size, and I tried size 14 pants and they fit great. Clothes fit differently after you've worn them for a while.

Fourth, I don't even try the odd sizes because they fit differently.

Try women's sizes, not Junior sizes. Junior sizes are odd, 9, 11, 13. You may be a size 10 in women's sizes.

And if you have bigger hip bones, you may always wear a larger size than your friends. I know someone who dreams of wearing a size 8 but cannot get below a 10. But she is already thin, doesn't have a lot more fat that can come off, she just has wider hips than will ever fit in an 8.

Try women's sizes, not Junior sizes. Junior sizes are odd, 9, 11, 13. You may be a size 10 in women's sizes.

And if you have bigger hip bones, you may always wear a larger size than your friends. I know someone who dreams of wearing a size 8 but cannot get below a 10. But she is already thin, doesn't have a lot more fat that can come off, she just has wider hips than will ever fit in an 8.

It's not really my hips though, my size 13 pants are quite loose around the stomach/hips area, though I do have somewhat wide hips, it's really just my thighs that are the problem.

It should solve the thighs problem as well. You are going to have to try on different styles and types to get the right fit. They make all kinds now, for those who need it bigger in the butt but smaller in the waist, etc etc etc. But I would start just trying on some standard ones in a size 10, then go from there. There may also be some sizing charts somewhere where you can plug in your measurements.

Try women's sizes, not Junior sizes. Junior sizes are odd, 9, 11, 13. You may be a size 10 in women's sizes.

And if you have bigger hip bones, you may always wear a larger size than your friends. I know someone who dreams of wearing a size 8 but cannot get below a 10. But she is already thin, doesn't have a lot more fat that can come off, she just has wider hips than will ever fit in an 8.

It's not really my hips though, my size 13 pants are quite loose around the stomach/hips area, though I do have somewhat wide hips, it's really just my thighs that are the problem.

The thighs are my issue too, and also I get a lot of gapping at the waist.

Try some different styles and brands-- you might be pleasantly surprised.

Maybe you should take off your stormtrooper armor before you try on pants?

OK well, if that isn't the problem, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you are not overweight and you have an hourglass shape, you probably just have a body difference like very wide hips, which is generally attractive to most people and not something to worry about anyways...who cares what the number on the pants say in that case! Nobody's going to say "Hey, that girl has a great figure...wait a minute, let me check her pants size to see if I'm right", at least not to check the number anyways...

I have been a size 10 at 140 pounds and at 170 pounds, both at a height of 5'7". The difference between the two was my body fat percentage. I did mostly cardio and ate 1200 calories a day to get to 140. I did some strength training and ate at a modest deficit at 170. I lost scale weight slower but dropped sizes faster. The body is a strange and amazing thing.

I started out in a size Misses 16. I now wear a Misses 8 after losing 40 pounds. I have an Hourglass figure.