Why do womens clothes designers do this?

i am a size 20, 22, 24 depending on the clothes, my bugbear is the length, just because i am a size 22 and 5ft does not mean i want tops down to my knees or jumpers that i have to roll up the sleeves, the only jackets i can wear have to have elastic sleeves. manufactures don't seem to have any idea what womens sizing is.

I hate the S , M, L sizing!!! What does that mean? I saw some trousers I liked in a shop once. Admittedly it was a trendy shop, but when I realised that I would need an XXL, I left!!

Oh yes this is such a pain. I struggle badly with pyjamas that are sized this way. I am a 14/16 so always have to go large…. ie baggy

I love Avon’s cotton pyjamas but their sizing is 14/16 (too small) and 18/20 (too big). A 16/18 would be perfect.

nexus63
I agree re sleeve lengths. I was wearing a 16 then needed an 18 (blaming lockdown snacking). Apparently when I put weight on my arms also magically grew in length, so now some tops are too long in the sleeves, I try to buy tops with 3/4 length sleeves, but that's no good for cardigans and jackets

I have a similar problem, need 0ish but 18-20 not made just 20 to 22 and they're humongous!!!!!
What ever happened to the odd sizing, it used to be 15, 17,19,21,23,25 etc! So very useful. And NONE of the manufacturers use the same sizing, extra large in one is 14\16 another 16\18!
Drives me nuts don't won't buy online, I want to see it, try it on.

“Antonia

This thread reminds me of a Victoria Wood sketch, where she said she was a 16 in one shop, an 18 in another shop, and a 10 in M&S because they don't want to upset anyone.”

Love this! (100% true)!

I agree Casdon, especially M&S. online their models are over 5’ 10” and so regular is mid calf - on me I’m tripping over it. Most annoying.

Agreed. There seems to be no industry standard on sizing these daysAnd if you're pear-shaped it’s even worse- are modern women straight up and down? No!
Lands End used to hem jeans to your length. A couple of years ago I had from them a couple of merino wool tunic jumpers, they were the oddest sizing - long thin sleeves and an enormous baggy body.
I have bought a pair of jeans from Lucy and Yak (high waist lots of room), they’re very long and a bit too baggy but were easy to alter.
None of us is standard size and there is no easy answer.
May be it was easier sizing clothes after the WW2 when people were slimmer? Discuss.
I also find clothing for the older woman who still cares about clothing but not into teenage fashion hard to find. Mutton dressed as lamb?

Oh gosh. I have regretted for ever, getting rid of a Mary Quant Ginger Group dress in a size 11! Sizing today is awful. I'm thin now and look for size 8 tops etc - despite being 5' 6" anything other than 'shrunken' or (God Forbid) 'cropped' is too long - if I want a tunic I'll buy a tunic not wear an accidentally long T shirt. (Rant Over). And as for clothes with messages on GRRR!

Lilypops

Next do the in between odd sizes , I noticed when I was buying trousers online that they did 13, 15, 17, Sometimes you don’t fit the standard sizes so this is good,let’s hope other retailers follow the idea ,

I've noticed Next have started doing this.
I hope they do size 11.
Their size 12 waists are huge on me but their 10s are too tight.

I tried a pair of joggers on in M&S in Grey and they fitted perfectly, I decided to have black instead and chose the same size, same length so no variation what so ever, yet when I got home the black ones were far too tight whereas they grey one had been comfortably lose on me which I like.

Socks, too. M&S 3-5 are too small, 6-8 too big. Thank heaven for John Lewis.

Antonia
I’m a large lady needing outsize clothes.
M&S did fit me when their sizing was generous. Sadly now their sizing is inconsistent. I bought 2 multi packs of pants same size yet 2” difference.
I tried to buy a petticoat and told they didn’t have my size and was directed to their on line provision. I do try to support the local store and don’t feel, on line shopping does give them support.
Where are the shops for bigger sizes?

Shoes are what irritate me, I used to get a 5 1/2, 6 or 39 1/2 - a silly size really, maybe 39.5? But now sizes don't mean much, I always have to try them on. And wide fitting can mean like a boat or more or less a normal width.

Totally agree. I'm a size 10 & now it 8-10 or 12-14 in a lot of places. What is worse is the XS S M L. Minefield!!

Alioop

Totally agree. I'm a size 10 & now it 8-10 or 12-14 in a lot of places. What is worse is the XS S M L. Minefield!!

I know what you mean! 8-10 is too small and 12-14 is too big! Socks as well in M&S just to name one supplier. Size 2-5 or 6-8. I have one foot size 5 and the other size 5.5. It leaves me with too big or too small socks. Just as bad are darts in the wrong place, clothes too tight across the shoulders and slim fitting arms on coats that don’t allow for the wearing of jumpers in cold weather. I’m beginning to look like a bag lady but currently past caring.

One good thing though. It makes me think very carefully before buying anything in these sizes. It’s rather like c**p customer service. It just doesn’t work for so many people.

For years I have bought M and S Per Una jeans size 14. I ordered a new pair on line this week and I can’t do them up. The waist is 4 ins smaller than mine. So frustrating and time consuming having to return them! Surely it would make sense if manufacturers measured in ins or cms instead of using meaningless 10, 12, 14 etc

cc

Shoes are what irritate me, I used to get a 5 1/2, 6 or 39 1/2 - a silly size really, maybe 39.5? But now sizes don't mean much, I always have to try them on. And wide fitting can mean like a boat or more or less a normal width.

I daren’t buy any shoes without trying them on either. So much time can be spent just looking for comfy fitting shoes.

It’s so unfair that men can buy jackets and trousers in an almost infinite number of sizes yet women are supposed to fit arbitrarily into pre decided 10, 12, 14 etc. I call it sexist!

Completely agree

Er...I have noticed that in several shops I have been in recently that the labels on men's clothing now indicate sizes in inches, which makes it easier for me to pick items that will fit, even IF the item also states L/XL/XXL with different inch sizes. Could this not also be used for women's clothing or has 20/22 been around so long it is difficult to change?

paddyann54

I'm sure I used to buy jeans in a size 9 or 11 when I was in my twenties .My daughter tells me I'm havering but I'm quite sure .It was a specialist jeans shop in Glasgow

You are right, I remember odd number sizes too.

Agree about the 10-12 etc sizing and small,med,large that's crept in. Also is trouser length. I am 5'6 and for as long as I can remember wore med length from M&S. Now it has to be petite/short and even those can be a bit long. Is M & S the go to store for giants nowadays?

Sizes are totally inconsistent these days. The only way is to try everything on before you buy.