Why is (US) size 10 Medium??

I'm 5'10 and when I graduated high school, I was a size 8 at 145 lbs. I had people constantly telling me I was too thin. You could see my rib bones sticking out and my head looked 5 sizes too big for my body.

It's all about frame size.

Definitely mind games. Remember in The Devil Wears Prada when Nigel says, "6 is the new 14" - or something like that? Fitting into a size doesn't really make for celebration much anymore, because nothing is standardized. My mind is blown by vintage sewing pattern sizes from the 50's and 60's - size 14 patterns have a 34" bust measure. WHAT??

It really doesn't mean anything.

I'm 5'5", 133 pounds, usually wear a size 6 (I think. That depends on the brand, obviously. Basing that of the Lee brand). Some brands I fit in M the best, but if they have XS sizes, I usually go for S (with the exception of a couple Old Navy tops where the XS actually fit best for me). But I bought a swimsuit in S that is a bit too tight, and they also had a XS size, so...

Basically it depends on 1) your height, 2) your frame, 3) the brand.

I'm 5'6" and 155 lbs and wear anything from a 6 in some dresses to a 10. At one shop (White House - Black Market) the sales woman said, "Yeah, we make our sizes bigger so customers feel like they're wearing a smaller size." That's helpful.

The sizes vary even within one store. At Banana Republic outlet, I bought a size 6 dress, a medium sweater, and 10p trousers.

It just makes shopping online really difficult. I return a LOT of clothes!

some brands I'm a 12 others I'm a 6

i generally go check out the brand sizing chart online to know what sizes i need. especially if i order online.

sizes are not standardized

PeachyCarol wrote: »

Sizing confuses the ever-living daylights out of me. I'm a medium and a size 6 or 8 depending on the brand. I'm short and still overweight for my height.

@PeachyCarol I know that I'm the same weight as you +/- 2lbs, the same age and 2 inches shorter, and I wear a 12/14 or a medium/large in pretty much every brand with the better brands trending smaller. I've bought clothes mail-order as well as in-store, and clothing made for the American market trends a size larger than than garments stitched for the Canadian market.

As for vintage, it also trends smaller but not quite as drastically as some articles on vanity sizing would suggest. I have a vintage ladies suit that I dug out of the back of my closet. It's a mid-80s medium top and large skirt. They both fit but the skirt is still on the tight side despite being a size larger than the top. I'd peg them both at a modern size 10/12. Old-school patterns were cut very narrow but it was presumed in those days that women canny enough to stitch their own clothes would record their measurements and alter the pattern accordingly.

flaminica wrote: »

PeachyCarol wrote: »

Sizing confuses the ever-living daylights out of me. I'm a medium and a size 6 or 8 depending on the brand. I'm short and still overweight for my height.

@PeachyCarol I know that I'm the same weight as you +/- 2lbs, the same age and 2 inches shorter, and I wear a 12/14 or a medium/large in pretty much every brand with the better brands trending smaller. I've bought clothes mail-order as well as in-store, and clothing made for the American market trends a size larger than than garments stitched for the Canadian market.

As for vintage, it also trends smaller but not quite as drastically as some articles on vanity sizing would suggest. I have a vintage ladies suit that I dug out of the back of my closet. It's a mid-80s medium top and large skirt. They both fit but the skirt is still on the tight side despite being a size larger than the top. I'd peg them both at a modern size 10/12. Old-school patterns were cut very narrow but it was presumed in those days that women canny enough to stitch their own clothes would record their measurements and alter the pattern accordingly.

You're only an inch shorter than me. I've shrunk. I'm only 5'1". I wear a small or a medium with better brands being a medium. That's interesting about clothes for Canada.

An interesting insight into TRULY vintage sizing: Back in the '80's, my Nan gave me a size 12 dress from the '50's. I was a size 12 at the time. That sucker was TIGHT up top.

Heck, I've ordered the same garment same size at the same time in two different colors and they have fit differently. I think clothing manufacturers just have an evil sense of humor

kimny72 wrote: »

Heck, I've ordered the same garment same size at the same time in two different colors and they have fit differently. I think clothing manufacturers just have an evil sense of humor

I have that issue with my running shoes?!

Even IF manufacturers tried to make sizing more consistent, we'd still be different sizes based on the items. Despite having large hips/butt, I wear 1 to 2 sizes smaller on the bottom than on top (I have a large chest and broad shoulders). Dress sizes are different for me too because they need to fit my chest. So for pants, I wear an 8 or 10. For shirts, I'd wear a large or a 12. Dresses are a 12, or sometimes a 14. Skirts, size can vary based on pencil skirt vs. a-line, etc. So, even if sizing were more consistent, we'd have a bunch of different sizes based on the item itself.

Yes, I am thin at 8/10. That is the smallest size that I will ever be able to get into. I really can't wear tops in that size because I have large breasts. The same with dresses--I will always have to buy a larger size and tailor down because the girls are not going anywhere.

I am nearly 6' tall with a large frame size.

I really see the OP as a ridiculous humblebrag. Can you really not see that there are fit people around who are not petite?