Women's clothing sizes

PatB52
PatB52 Posts: 65
edited September 20 in Success Stories
OK, I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for this question but it is one that has puzzled me for a long time. And this may well be a silly question.

After seeing some of the before and after photos in another topic here, one person states the weight they were and they wore a size 22 jeans. Lost 60 lbs ( or something like that) and got into size 16 jeans. I weigh 226 lbs and I am wearing size 24 jeans (baggy though.) I have some size 20s in my drawer and there's no way I can get into them yet. I have to be down around 150 to get into a size 16! I see this all the time in weight loss ads. How come others that are heavier than me can wear so many sizes smaller? I do have quite a bit of stomach out front. I suppose that's the reason. Has anybody else found they are in a similar situation?
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Replies

  • neenaleigh
    neenaleigh Posts: 584 Member
    im 148 right now and im in a 8, so i have no idea how you would be in a 16 at 150.....

    womens clothes sizes are jacked, that i admit, cause theres this pair of 10's in my closet that are waaayy too small for me right now but i tend to go with Levi sizes for accuracy. they seem to have normal sizing...

    :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway: .
  • jewely82
    jewely82 Posts: 52 Member
    I think it depends on a person's height. I'm really short so there are people that are the same weight as I am that wear smaller sizes than I do.
  • myfitz4life
    myfitz4life Posts: 46 Member
    I think it all depends on the "shape" of a woman's body... like banana, apple, pear, or hourglass. I am def a pear shape, so I will ALWAYS wear a bigger jean and a smaller top. Maybe you are the same?
  • courtney_love2001
    courtney_love2001 Posts: 1,468 Member
    How do you figure you have to be down to 150 to be a 16? That seems seriously large for 150 pounds. Yet you can't really know what size you will wear until you are actually at that weight because everyone's body is so different. When I started out my weight loss, I weighed 190 and was in a tight 12. I have lost 25 pounds (weigh 164 now) and can now wear a 10 though I like my baggy 12s :) I can also fit into an 8 but they are tight.

    Don't worry too much about the size...it's all about how you look, and if you lose the pounds people will notice! :happy: So keep up the good work :flowerforyou:
  • There are many factors at work here.....Height vs weight (the taller you are the more body area to spread the weight out over), body shape (eg where you carry your weight), muscle tone (muscle weighs more than fat so an athletic person could weigh more but be smaller than an unfit person of the same clothing size), individual manufacturer's cut & sizing.

    Personally, I am wearing the same size (16) as when I started 42lbs ago. Some fit loosely, some are downright baggy & others look okay for a few hours then get really baggy--the weight of my cell phone makes them fall right off my hips unless I wear a belt. Ironically, all of them are Levi's bootcut 560's just bought at different times.
  • Magenta15
    Magenta15 Posts: 850 Member
    ladies, don't forget to take height into consideration

    someone 5'2 at 150 llbs might not be the same size as someone 5'7 at 150 lbs... one might take a larger size while the later be a smaller size....shape, height, bone structure all come into play....
  • EKarma
    EKarma Posts: 594 Member
    It's all about the body type. I'm 190 and can wear a bikini because my body is proportioned just right.. People will say "Wow you look really good".. and then my twin sis will blurt out "She's 190 lbs!" I'm like "HEY!":grumble: But I can't wait til I get to my goal weight.. Then I won't care if she blurts out "She's 150 lbs" I can't wait for her to put me on blast like that.. lol :tongue:
  • I agree. I was a 24 at 295, but I'm also 5'10. I'm 245 now and in a 14/16.

    When I was bulimic, I would focus so hard on these numbers. The numbers are a gauge, but not the be all, end all. I just want to feel healthy, not have excess body fat hanging over whatever size pants look the healthiest on me. I try to focus on what looks good on me here and now, because fashion is fickle and will constantly change - size 10 today is not size 10 years ago. Even every designer makes their sizes different.

    Take every day as an opportunity to improve because we are who we are and who we are isnt defined by a size. Best luck and best wishes! Keep in touch!

    Emi
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    Here's an eye-opener for you...

    A couple years ago I was shopping for jeans at the mall. I wandered into American Eagle and was thrilled to see that they had jeans on sale for $20! I took a pair of 8's into the dressing room since I had about 6 or 7 pairs of American Eagle size 8's at home and was positive they'd fit- I usually don't even try them on when I'm shopping there- they're the only store int he world that fits me perfectly.

    Anyhow, I couldn't even get the 8 up pasy my mid-thigh. I thought perhaps the pair I had was mis-marked, or that I'd gained some weight :ohwell: so I went back out and got a different pair of 8's and a 10. Went back in- same thing with the 8's. I could get the 10's up (barely) but could not button them- not even close. Beginning to see what was happening, I went out and got a pair of 8's that *were not* on sale ($60-something, I think:grumble: ) and tried on the 8's- fit perfectly, and in fact were a tiny bit too big.

    When I asked the girl working there, she (shockingly) was very honest, and said that it's a marketing ploy- most girls are willing to spend extra money to buy the 8's instead of the 12's.

    So, the moral of my story is: size is just a number- don't get hung up on it. :flowerforyou:
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    Yep. I had a friend who was always heavier than I was, but wore at least one size smaller- it was a matter of where we carried our weight.
  • jodazary
    jodazary Posts: 144 Member
    what does it matter you are the only one that knows what the inside tag says
  • OK, I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for this question but it is one that has puzzled me for a long time. And this may well be a silly question.

    After seeing some of the before and after photos in another topic here, one person states the weight they were and they wore a size 22 jeans. Lost 60 lbs ( or something like that) and got into size 16 jeans. I weigh 226 lbs and I am wearing size 24 jeans (baggy though.) I have some size 20s in my drawer and there's no way I can get into them yet. I have to be down around 150 to get into a size 16! I see this all the time in weight loss ads. How come others that are heavier than me can wear so many sizes smaller? I do have quite a bit of stomach out front. I suppose that's the reason. Has anybody else found they are in a similar situation?

    I'm the complete opposite. I weigh about 270-275 (fluctuates as it's going down) and I'm in a size 18. How tall are you?? I'm 5'8 so height does have something to do with it.
  • I feel your pain! I am always wearing the biggest size even if I'm not the biggest in the room.

    Start 5'5" ~ 248 ~ size 22 pants
    Current 5'5" ~ 228 ~ size 22 pants

    I carry a lot of my weight in the belly so I think that is why. They say when you're thinner every 10lbs lost is a size. We shall see.....
  • Leigh14
    Leigh14 Posts: 871 Member
    It definitely depends not only on a person's height and shape, but on the brand of clothing itself.

    When I started this journey, I weighed 280 and fit into a size 24 jeans. But I only found ONE brand of jeans that I could fit into and that looked right to me! I've stuck with that brand (they're from K-Mart, lol, very cheap yet they fit well and last... I think they're Paris Blue or something??) and am now in a size 20. I tried an 18 the other day and they fit, but very snuggly! I wouldn't wear them in public, lol. But, point is... I'm 140 now.

    I can also fit into size 16/18 dresses right now... depending on the brand.

    So... it's almost as if we never truly know what size we are... :smile: Which could be a good thing, I guess!

    I feel that as long as I look good naked, it doesn't matter what size jeans I'm buying! :bigsmile:
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    I was at 235 and wore anywhere from 20-24. I am now 202 and wear 18.
    It's weird. But my daughter weighs about 220 and wears a 15/16 but that's because she wears her jeans UNDER her belly not at her waist.
    So don't worry about it.
    You are losing weight and that's all that matters. You are getting healthy and no matter what size your clothes are, health is what counts!!!

    Memaw
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    Well here's a scenario....about 6 years ago I lost weight down to 165 pounds and was wearing a 14 and very happy to be! Well this time I've lost weight the healthier way - no phentermine like back then....I am down to 160.8 and I am in a 10 - I chalk it up to exercise. I never thought I'd make it to a 10 but now I am looking forward to an 8!

    My point is by balancing exercise and diet, I've lost 2 more sizes!
  • ilike2moveit
    ilike2moveit Posts: 776 Member
    I have always had this issue and I think it depends on your build and body fat %. I will weigh less than people but wear a bigger pant size. I am 5'6" and weigh 145 and wear a size 12. (When I was 185 I wore an 18.)
  • ilike2moveit
    ilike2moveit Posts: 776 Member
    OK, I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for this question but it is one that has puzzled me for a long time. And this may well be a silly question.

    After seeing some of the before and after photos in another topic here, one person states the weight they were and they wore a size 22 jeans. Lost 60 lbs ( or something like that) and got into size 16 jeans. I weigh 226 lbs and I am wearing size 24 jeans (baggy though.) I have some size 20s in my drawer and there's no way I can get into them yet. I have to be down around 150 to get into a size 16! I see this all the time in weight loss ads. How come others that are heavier than me can wear so many sizes smaller? I do have quite a bit of stomach out front. I suppose that's the reason. Has anybody else found they are in a similar situation?

    I'm the complete opposite. I weigh about 270-275 (fluctuates as it's going down) and I'm in a size 18. How tall are you?? I'm 5'8 so height does have something to do with it.
    When I wore an 18 I was 185 pounds-I'm 5'6". Interesting huh?
  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    I'm 5'10, weigh 265 and I wear an 18 pants and a 16 top. I have been working out hard for the last 8 months and have a lot of muscle.

    When I started 75 lbs ago. I wore a tight 26. I had no muscle tone and a lot of flab
  • gnastro
    gnastro Posts: 239 Member
    hi, women's sizing is crazy. Depending on who makes the clothimg. As an example juniors jeans at Kohls I can't get pass my thighs.I go to womens & I'm a six with stretch of course. Junior jeans are cut if you don't have hips. Exercise has a lot to with it.
  • I am only 5'3" tall. I currently weigh 225 and my size 22 shorts fit perfectly.

    I based my 150 lbs/size 16 from previous experience. The least I've weighed as an adult was 139 at my wedding. I could wear size 13 jeans - the smallest size I've every worn as an adult. The last time I lost significant weight, I was down to 155 and wearing size 16. Oh well, like some one said, nobody needs to know what the tag inside says. :)

    I've got two lovely pairs of jeans in size 20. Can't wait until I can fit into them.
  • Tamishumate
    Tamishumate Posts: 1,171 Member
    when I started this (129 pounds heavier) I was 315 pounds and was a TIGHT 28 from lane bryant. Now at 186, I wear a size 16 levis, ( not plus !) and the 14's at Lane bryant are almost too big. it took 30 pounds before I lost a size! 30 pounds! that is crazy. I think the smaller you get, 10-12 pounds can be a size loss, I will let you know in 10 pounds!! :flowerforyou:
  • Georg
    Georg Posts: 1,728 Member
    I've lost 24 pounds, but only one or two sizes. It stinks.
    The biggest change is in my bra size. :grumble: I'm between sizes & it's really uncomfortable.
  • MissVitaVonCherry
    MissVitaVonCherry Posts: 709 Member
    it depends on height and where you perportion your weight! I was the one that i think you were seeing the was a 22 then lost 60 and is now a 16...
  • Mamakatspokane
    Mamakatspokane Posts: 3,098 Member
    It's all in the way you were built....another lady and I are in the same support group and we compared our height & weight (exactly the same) the other day she posted that she bought size 10 pants! I almost fell out of my chair...my 14's are just getting baggy! We looked at our measurments and she carries more "up top" than I do....it's in the way your built, where you buy your clothes and how you like them to fit :) Don't be discouraged by anyone else's accomplishments...just be happy your clothes are getting baggy, no matter the size!
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
    OK I'm 5' 8 1/2" at 197 I was a tight JR's 13 - at 177 a Jr's 11 ..at 168 a Jr's 11 at 162 q Jr's 9

    at 148 a Jr's 7

    So I think it's your height also at 177 I had a personal trainer and had a lot of muscle so I think that makes a difference
  • erikazj
    erikazj Posts: 2,365 Member
    I've lost 24 pounds, but only one or two sizes. It stinks.
    The biggest change is in my bra size. :grumble: I'm between sizes & it's really uncomfortable.

    I've lost 38 pounds and am yet to lose a size...I'm beginning to wonder when it'll happen!!!!! I'm 5'8 and I've been in a UK18/20 all along. I'm currently around 177 pounds. I'm shooting for about 154 pounds...last time I weighed that much I was a UK16.

    I'd really like to lose a size soon!

    Erika
  • kaja
    kaja Posts: 145 Member
    Different brands of clothing always fit differently its not as standard as people imagine especially as alot of the clothes we buy are imported from other countries.
    Also remember that other countries use different sizes. I'm from the UK and I wear size 14 clothes (and a 12 for tops) - I'm 5'2 and 163lbs. In the US I think I would be a 12.
    Again I'm not seeing much change in the size of clothes that I wear - I've gone down 1 size so far. I will be happy when I'm a size 10 on top and a 12 on the bottom.
  • erikazj
    erikazj Posts: 2,365 Member
    Different brands of clothing always fit differently its not as standard as people imagine especially as alot of the clothes we buy are imported from other countries.
    Also remember that other countries use different sizes. I'm from the UK and I wear size 14 clothes (and a 12 for tops) - I'm 5'2 and 163lbs. In the US I think I would be a 12.
    Again I'm not seeing much change in the size of clothes that I wear - I've gone down 1 size so far. I will be happy when I'm a size 10 on top and a 12 on the bottom.

    I agree that at least in the UK, the number on the label seems pretty arbitary. I say I am the size that I have most my clothes in, but there are many 18/20 clothes I've tried on which are too small, and a few which have been too big. I've got one pair of size 16 trousers which are almost falling off me, but I can't get other size 16s past my knees. I ordered the exact same pair of trousers in the 14 thinking that it didn't matter what the label said - if the 16s were falling down, the next size down should fit....ha! Couldn't even get them on...the number means nothing and I think we probably all worry about it a little too much. It would be nice though to be able to pick up clothes without having to try them on every time!
  • MyKids04
    MyKids04 Posts: 178 Member
    OK, I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for this question but it is one that has puzzled me for a long time. And this may well be a silly question.

    After seeing some of the before and after photos in another topic here, one person states the weight they were and they wore a size 22 jeans. Lost 60 lbs ( or something like that) and got into size 16 jeans. I weigh 226 lbs and I am wearing size 24 jeans (baggy though.) I have some size 20s in my drawer and there's no way I can get into them yet. I have to be down around 150 to get into a size 16! I see this all the time in weight loss ads. How come others that are heavier than me can wear so many sizes smaller? I do have quite a bit of stomach out front. I suppose that's the reason. Has anybody else found they are in a similar situation?

    I think its where you carry your weight at because I am 231 right now and I were size 16. Of course they have to be like Apple Bottoms that are made to fit over a women's curves because I have booty and thighs and I carry alot of my weight there and in my breast.

    Example those ladies on Biggest Loser would weigh in at 218 and look way bigger than me but its where the weight is that makes them look bigger than me or for that matter make women wear different sizes. So I think.
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