The FastDay Forum

Now that I have reached a dress size of UK12 I have noticed that this size is annoyingly classes as plus size. The last time I was a UK12 was about 3 years ago and I'm sure it was classed as slim then, and plus size was size 16 or 18.

I noticed that the Irish version of the plus size fashion site Simplybe.ie is for size 14 and above, while the UK site (simplybe.co.uk) is for dress size 12 and above! WTF??? (Yes, Ireland and Britian use the same sizing).

Are clothing companies moving the goal posts? Are they encouraging us women to diet into smaller and smaller sizes in an unhealthy way? I know a lable shouldn't bother me, and what I look like or feel good in is what really counts, but hay, it does!

I have just achieved getting back to 12 and I think it is slim. I still need to shed some more but am very happy being a 12. Mind you my newest size 12 jeans from Marks are bigger than my old ones. So maybe the sizing is changing.

I think clothing companies move the goal posts both ways, and it depends on the company and the demographic they are going for. For example, Rohan Striders were always generously cut, but I have had to pass on the size 10s I bought 2 years ago as they are far too big, particularly round the waist. I now wear the size 10s I bought on boxing day 2013 and they are beginning to feel a little loose. I can get into an ancient pair of M & S jeans in a 12, but am less sure I could get into a pair of Next size 12s today.

My memory is that sizes were smaller years ago, e.g. when I was slim with a 24ish waist in the 70s/80s size 12 skirts were a bit snug, if you shopped in places for teenage girls they were positively tight, but if you went into a posh department store for rich middle-aged ladies you would need a size 10.

They say not to define yourself by your weight, at least that is fairly objective, don't define yourself by clothing sizes

I'd use a different web site. I've never seen anything less than a 16 classified as a plus size, and size also seems to vary from garment even in the same shop. It seems to be the cheaper it is the bigger size you need.
I have a mixture of 10s and 12s but wont buy anything without trying it on-I can't do with the hassle of taking or sending things back.

[carorees]

Well in other shops size 12 is considered medium or even small, so I wouldn't read much into the simply be definition!
I had a quick look:
In Warehouse, Phase 8, Matalan, medium = 10 to 12
In Dorothy P, Tesco, River Island, Monsoon, medium = 12 to 14
In Coast, H&M, medium = 14 to 16

Mind you in each shop a size 12 varies in the measurements according to their size guides
simply be: bust 37" (94cm) waist - 30 (76) hip -38 (96.5)
Other shops:
ASOS 91 73 98.5
Banana Republic 91 71 97
Dorothy Perkins 92 73 96.5
French Connection 91 75 100
Gap 94 75 102
M&S 91 74 99
Next 90 74 99
Warehouse 93 74 99

Finally, the actual real sizes of the finished articles don't match up with the size guide measurements.

So it's all pretty much meaningless!

Hmmm. It looks like the UK sizes now are what the US sizes were in the 1970s. Back then the only time I fit into size 6 jeans was when I got down under 110 lbs. Yesterday, however, I fit into a pair of US size 8 shorts while weighing 142. I expect to see negative sizes appearing on the racks sometime soon.

FWIW, my daughter, who modeled professional in L.A. for five years and did some runway work tells me that quite a few of the successful female models are MTF transexuals, especially the very tall willowy ones. That explains something about the shapes that the industry idolizes. They are very tough to attain if you go through puberty with a fully functional female hormone system.

And of course, in print, even those models who have a full set of X chromosomes benefit from ridiculous amounts of photoshopping which carves another few inches off their waists.

[carorees]

I expect to see negative sizes appearing on the racks sometime soon.

True, it'll be interesting to see what they do.

Well my old size 12 M &S pencil skirt is smaller than my new size 8 M&S pencil skirt. I've never been a size 8 in my life. I've also had to buy size 8 trousers from M & S and they are rather loose. The last time I was this weight with a 24" waist I was size 12 and now M&S think that with a 27.5" waist I should be an 8?..........stupid......stupid........stupidy

Ballerina x

And I can fit easily into a size 12 with 32" waist ...

Thanks for all the replies. I live fairly rurally and never get to go shopping in the city or department stores. I have to do mostly online shopping. Thd variances in sizes makes this process very difficult.
@Peebles, negative sizes! Flamin Aardvarks but they will have to do something alright! So true about the hipless, curveless trend. Now I know why, thanks!
@Carorees, thanks for that bit of research on sizing. Interesting to compare. I will have to keep an eye on my measurements as well as the clothing labels
@Merlin, I too have a real mix of sizes in the wardrobe. I suspect I was actually a UK18 before I started this WOE, but squeezing into size 16 track pants, that I am still wearing But I have fished out some of my old stuff from before the pregnancies that are 10 or 12.
@Barbarita, I have noticed that I am just too big still for the younger fashion shops, so the demographics must play a part. Some styles are just not made for boobs or hips! Mind you, they might be aimed at Peebles's MTF transgender gang or the young teens who have yet to develop!

Still grates on my nerves though when I see slim healthy models like these classed as plus size.

It's interesting that you mention the MtF transsexual models. A friend of mine noted that since many designers are gay men, their preferred shape is more boyish - flat chest, no hips. Sadly, that is the image that is perpetuated & accepted. If you ask me, there shouldn't even be sizes, we should be able to wear what makes us feel beautiful. Don't know how we would classify or standardize, but we don't have much luck with that anyway!