Sizes at Lane Bryant??

Ok... cleaning out my closet, getting rid of the stuff I don't wear - organizing what I may soon be able to wear by size, etc.  I come across some jeans I have outgrown, so I start trying on the size down from where I am (currently in a loose 26).  I try my size 24 Avenue Denim Lite jeans and they fit like a glove.  So I try the size 22.... they are tight, but I could actually still wear them. WoooHOOO!  Then I move on to the Lane Bryant Venezia jeans.  They are a 24 and won't even meet at the button.  I know the Avenue jeans are a lighter weight and that does make a difference, but geez, that much difference??  That said, I have noticed at Lane Bryant, the 26's seem to keep getting smaller and smaller!  Their sizes just seem weird lately!!   Is this just me or have any of you (that still have the daunting and expensive task of shopping there) noticed this??  I know some of their jeans are sold by color & like size 1-8 or something
wacky, and I haven't gotten that straight yet either, so I haven't bought any!!  That's just the pants... don't get me started on the tops - it's like a maternity shop in there!  UGH!!  

Thanks,
Tonya

Tonya,

motherfashion, our clothing guru, has posted many times about clothing sizes.  For whatever reason, sizing is not consistent from one brand to the next.  You'd think they'd have industry-wide sizing standards, but no.  And pants are not as "forgiving" as tops.

Before WLS, I used to shop online or from catalogs a lot (partly because there were so few large-size shopping options in my area).  I don't do that much any more because it's so hard to predict the sizes, even when the merchant posts size charts.  I buy most of my clothes from the Goodwill Store.  I load up several sizes of whatever I'm looking for and pile it all into the dressing rooms (which are 3 times bigger than the dressing rooms in regular stores, and there are no limits to how many you can take in with you).

Keep trying on your current inventory of clothes.  I wasn't paying attention and got too small too fast to wear a lot of nice things that were in my closet.  If I'd been trying them on once a week, I might have got more use out of those items.

Jean

know that ya mean about sizes.. I bought a 2x top and seemed like it was a good size after looking at the girl that had it on. well My 8 yr old grandaughter could probaby wear it.. I do find tho that Romans not only has alot more selection but alot of good deals, like 2/1 esp on the net.. u get a better choise then in the catalogs too.. I have gotten really nice stuff lately at 75% off.. lucky my 2 daughters can wear a 1x or 2 at times so if i cant wear them they sure can.. if u just type in bbw clothing all kinds of places come up on the net.. I even ordered from Woman within lately and the sizes are really true to size too.. good luck

Hi Tonya,
Speaking of Lane Bryant, I went in there this afternoon to buy new bras.  I need a DDD cup and they're hard to find, but Lane Bryant carries a large variety.  The minute I walked in the door, a salesperson asked me if I had a Lane Bryant charge card.  No, "May I help you?"  Nothing.  I head back to underwear, and I'm hit up about the charge card again.  I find two bras, head to the register, and the first thing I'm asked is, "Do you have a Lane Bryant charge card?"  I said yes, but when I was paying, and not using the card, she brought it up again!!  By now, I was NOT nice, and I told her that I dread coming into their store because all they are interested in is pushing their credit card instead of actually helping customers.  She looked straight at me, didn't say anything for a minute, and then said, "Do you put your bras in the dryer?"   WHAT???!!!  So, besides their sizes being wacky, their service leaves a lot to be desired, too!

Anyway, I have to try on anything anymore because sizes are so inconsistent.  Try thrift stores, much cheaper than Lane Bryant, that's for sure!, and/or consignment shops until you're done losing weight.  I also find that it takes longer to drop sizes when you are bigger; those who don't have as much to lose (I weighed over 300# when I had surgery), seem to change sizes a lot more rapidly that I am.  I started out in a TIGHT 26/28 and I wear an 18 in most things, and that's after 115# lost!!

Good luck!!

Lenore

Well, I know that at Avenue I fit into a size 16 and at Lane Bryant, I wear a size 20... so there's that.

bless you Jean !

I have a background in fashion design. I have been in the custom side (professional theatre, dance and own dress shop) , and in the industry side-patternmaker for garment manufacturer, both large and small companies, and now I teach in the Fashion Design department at tue U of Cincinnati. Yes, my life IS Project Runway. Buy what fits, wear what fits and is age and work appropriate.

Lane Bryant the catalogue (sizes run QUITE big) is not the same as the store. Most of the other plus size catalogues, Roamans, Silhouette, Woman Within..ALL OWNED by same company, slightly different markets

All manufacturers have their own "fit" and size range..that is a 3X in one store/catalogue may not be same as another..CHECK THE SPECS and the CHARTS

No, I do not make my own clothes (though I once did as a fat teen who wanted cool clothes) , and I wear mostly black, and everything is knit and all the waists are elastic-works for me !

The smaller you get and are in that size limbo between plus size and misses sizes, the more complicated sizing can be. For EXAMPLE-a plus size 16 (called 16W) is same (circumference) as a misses 20, but remarked for vanity purposes.

Real measures of change in size =the scale , and the tape measure.

Mens clothes-so MUCH more logical-by neck, chest, waist and length, though ask any young man his size and he will likely respond something like "medium"

happy shopping in your own closet !1

I think they are all in the back room smoking crack, that's the only explanation I can come up with. I have 3Xs that are too small and 2Xs that are too big, how can that be? Drugs I tell you, it must be drugs!!

I use to work for a store that was also part of the Lane Bryant, Express, and Bath and Body...etc. machine, and they make you push credit cards on people. It was and still is a HUGE part of being an employee at those stores. At my particular store, they set goals according to how many hours you worked per week and if you didn't make that goal they would actually cut your hours as punishment! Ain't that some BS!?!?!  However, that doesn't excuse the poor customer service. Anyhooo...agree the sizes at LB are bogus, and I sometimes have to buy clothes up to 2 sizes bigger. Awsome for the self esteem huh?

I've noticed that as well with LB over the last couple of years. I just got back into a pair of 14's that I had from about 7 years ago and they fit really well. How jazzed was I to be back in those pants!!! But, my bubble was busted the last time I went in there when 16's were really snug. I know the clothing industry is notorious for its inconsistency in sizing women's clothing, but now it's becoming even more ridiculous that clothes from the same store aren't really the same size! However, I'm glad to see that from your post, I'm not the only one who's noticed and I'm not losing my mind! When will they ever get a clue???