Help with american size clothing!`

[Zarabelle]

Hi Guys

I recently went to Bermuda and was completely confused by the clothes sizes! We are always one size up here in the UK so a 14 in USA is a 16 in UK but I saw sizes 4, 6, 8 etc. and they did not seem like 6, 8 and 10 UK. Do you have two sizing cats? I can't imagine a USA size zero is a UK size 2 as a UK size 10 has a 28 inch waist!

Thanks

[sadie147]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

I hate the sizing here (same as US), I don't believe in size 0 (zero is nothing isn't it?) some clothing starts with 4 as their smallest, some 0, some 5/6. Some jump: 2,4,6,8 others have 3/4 5/6 7/8. Then there is 'vanity' sizing where they've made the smaller sizes much bigger to make you feel better "wow i used to wear a 6 now i'm a 2! i'm going to keep shopping at this store!" The Gap and Old Navy i find are the worst for this. And there's also 'juniors and Misses' which have the same size numbers ie: you can wear a 6 women's but not fit into a 6 juniors because they're cut smaller (but the length etc is the same).

I try to try everything on and not worry about the numbers really...no one can see the tag, if it fits me well, and i look good in it i'll buy it. whether it's a 4 or 6 or 8.

[Condor]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

Size US 10 is a UK 14,
Size US 8 is a UK 12
Size US 6 is a UK 10

I personally find US sizing slightly looser than a UK equivalent. In particular the more boutique type stores in the UK like Warehouse, Zara and Oasis for example, come out a lot smaller than M&S sizing. The US equivalent sizing is more like M&S (a bit roomier). My home is in Bermuda and I also have travelled the States extensively. I am a major clothes buyer on both sides of the pond, much to my husbands disgust, hope this helps.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

I find in the US that the number doesn't mean a thing. I have size 16 pants that fit me to a Tee, but same brand size 12 are falling off me. I still can't wear my older dress clothes that are a size 10, but the new stuff off the rack fits fine. I hate to try on clothes, so last year when I found dress pants that came with a blouse, jacket and skirt combos, I tried on one pair that fit like a glove, as did the jacket and blouse. Sooo I just took another color pants off the rack to wear with the jacket--same size as the others, and surprise, when I got home and tried them on, they wouldn't go past my thighs. I thought I did something stupid, like grab a much smaller size, but they were the same as the pair that fit.

Sunny!

[Condor]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

I agree Sunny. In fact before I buy something I usually try on a size smaller and a size larger, sometimes two sizes larger, plus what I think my size should be. It totally depends on the cut and style and the way I want it to hang. I have never got upset about sizing, it's much more about how it looks. Someone once told me that companies like Gap cut their fabrics dozens at a time, (in one big pile) and that's why there can be so many discrepencies between one size 8 and another size 8.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

Hi Guys

Thanks for your help - that makes sense.

Condor - thanks for your tip on AS Coopers - I got some gorgeous Lauren stuff from there at a fraction of the cost in the UK.

Zx

[Sera]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

this kinda mess is one of the reasons why I only shop at one store.
Luckily (or not?) Esprit always has something I like and their sizes are working for me .
I went from barely being able to button up one of their size 44 (euro) jeans to fitting into a 40 and I fit into all of their 40ies.
i used to shop at stores like street one and h&m and especially at h&m the sizes are so much smaller than what it actually says on the label...its frustrating.

i really dont have a clue why they have to mess things up like that, its not helping anyone.

[Condor]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

Sera, I know that for stores like H&M in particular they are catering to a very young market. There are quite a few stores like that in the UK and they all make there clothes slightly smaller, especially in the bust area. I also think that because they are made very cheaply they scrimp on the fabric. Like I said before I just ignore their "evil make you feel bad" made up sizing rules and if I like something enough I just buy it in a very large size. I am a US 6/8 - UK 10/12, I have bought tops in H&M that are size UK18, it's the only way I'd get them over my 34DDs!

[*Emma*]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

A US size zero is a UK size 6... just to confuse the matter more!

I just remember seeing the documentary on the size zero and thats what they related it to!

[APanthesilia]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

I run into this all the time because I live in the UK but my family lives in the US so I shop there when I'm visiting (less expensive!). I'm going next week and I'm really looking forward to the shopping! I generally just subtract four from the size when going to the US. On most clothing items I agree with Condor, too- UK things of the equivalent size are often smaller than their US counterparts. Of course, I have several things in a size 16 from the UK that fit and a couple of things from the US in a size 12 that are really not there yet for me! So I definitely agree about sizes not meaning a lot sometimes! Also no matter what size I have been I have always gotten a size XL in tank-tops/camisoles because they are so tight in the chest, even when I was smaller! And what is with bathing suit sizing? I always have to get at least one or two sizes bigger for bathing suits. Another reason shopping for bathing suits is evil!

[sadie147]

Re: Help with american size clothing!`

And what is with bathing suit sizing? I always have to get at least one or two sizes bigger for bathing suits. Another reason shopping for bathing suits is evil!

You got that right! I just bought a bikini and I had to get a large...I'm 5'4", 130lbs. that makes absolutely no sense to me. What would i weigh to fit into a small