Why do womens clothes designers do this?

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.

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!!

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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!

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?

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.

“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 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.

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

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 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!!

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.

What drives me mad about M&S at the moment is the length of the jeans and trousers. I’m regular length, but now some are too short, some are too long, some are perfect. I even picked up three pairs of identical design jeans yesterday in three different colours, put them on one rail to decide which to have - and there was a two inch length difference between the pairs. I’m taking a tape measure with me next time..

Vanity sizing, the more expensive the garment the smaller the size indicated. Also poor quality control if made overseas.

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.

Bugs me too. I need a 12-14, but most seem to be 10-12 or 14-16.

Something has definitely happened to M&S sizing - I found a pair of size 14 M&S straight jeans in a cupboard last week while I was sorting the room out. I don't know when I bought them, they don't look like they were worn much but they fit beautifully. I've been buying size 16 from M&S for the last three years.

Bugs me, particularly with trousers.- 12-14 jumper may fit closely or be a bit loose. Mixed size trousers fall off!

I've bought two identical t-shirts from the same company in different colours, one was a good fit the other felt two sizes too small.
M&S are solving the problem though this week I received a pair of ballet pumps one was a 4 the other was a 4 and a half ,I think you choose the one that fits and hop.

I too find this annoying as I’m 14/16 depending on brand

I wondered if it’s instead of sizes small/ medium and large, in clothing where fit is less critical such as sweaters. ‘Small’ might mean 6-8 in one shop and 10-12 in another, so giving a dress size banding is less confusing perhaps?