Hi guys,

When I was heavier, I really didnt pay attention to non-plus fashion.  I had my own curves to dress.

Before I got heavy (like around 22-26), I weighed 142 lbs and wore a size 8.  I would jog but didn't lift weights or do cross training like step or tae-bo.

So flash forward to age 38. I am starting to buy clothes in stores that don't cater specifically to plus.  I went to the Halston outlet and found a dress that I loved and fit.  The tag in it said size 6.  I dont know how I can be 172 lbs and a 6. So I thought "This is vanity sizing...move on."

But at the Ralph Lauren outlet I bought two dresses that were a size 8.  At J. Crew, a size 8 dress was too big on top (lost too much boob...)

It freaks me out that I can be a size 6-8 and 172 lbs.  This is not the reality I remember.  Seriously, in HS when I bounced between 14-160, that was a 10-12.

Have dress makers changed their pattern model or something?  

The world is not "the real I remember"

-Confused Skinny

I think I want to come shop there. I am 145 lbs and wear a size 10-12. It could be how your 172 lbs are distributed. I know I am smaller on the top (including no boobs) than my hips.

Sounds like a fun shopping trip

PatM

You and i have the same shape!  Indeed, I have quite a difference between hips and bust.  The bust is tiny

As America has gotten larger, sizing has changed. Just look at vintage clothing and you'll see. 

I have several pairs of jeans that I bought in the very early 90's that are size 3, 4, and 5. I also have numerous jeans that are sizes 2 and 4 that I bought within the last few years. There is a marked difference, and it is clear that the jeans I bought years ago are significantly smaller when comparing them to the matching sizes I bought fairly recently. Yesteryear's size 3 is noticeably larger than today's size 2 as well. There are several brands, and the sizes are still noted on them.

Some of it could be how your weight is distributed but most fashion people will tell you that sizes have changed. They refer to it as vanity sizing. I guess as society started getting bigger sizes were adjusted so we didn't feel as bad about it!

Yes. Sizes have changed dramatically. And they can vary greatly from brand to brand now.

Just enjoy it.

I had the same experience yesterday! I bought two tops that were mediums at Macys. I thought, I am 190 lbs - how is there only one size below this? Wth?!

A few years ago I lost down to 180 and was wearing 10s and 12s. I am 5'5" and evenly shaped. A friend my age brought in a bunch of her old clothes that varied from 20 to 30 years old. Every size 14 was so small there was at least a six inch gap from me being able to button them. 

Sizing has definitely changed over the past 20 years. In college I wore a size 7/8 at 125 lbs. and 5'2".  These days it would probably be more like a size 4-6. But the number doesn't matter. Does it look good? Do you feel good? Buy it!