Dress sizes

[susancheerleader]

I have a hard time finding dresses and skirts that fit. I wear a size 14, and it is a crap shoot if all size 14 items I order will fit. Sometimes it is too small, sometimes it is too big. Is there more to sizing then just "size 12"
In mens clothes, if you wear a 34, you buy a 34 and it fits no problem.

[stacie]

I have ran into that problem myself. My wife said it is a normal thing to run into in ladies clothing. I wear a size 8 in most skirts I wear but if I buy online like from newport-news I have to get a 10. After awhile you learn what size to buy from that seller.

[terrigurl]

If you can.... Some stores are not comfortable with having a man try on women's clothes, so always hang onto the receipts. That way, if it doesn't fit after trying it on, you can take it back. Women's sizes, unfortunately, vary from brand to brand, so you cannot assume that it will fit.

[Trish]

That's why I only buy in person. If nothing esle, I can take it home and try it on. If it don't fit, I can take it back. No one really cares about what you are buying.

[Bernadina]

The sizes numbers don't mean a whole lot. Take your key measurement and carry a tape measure when you shop.

The important measurements are: shoulders, bust, waist, hips, sleeve length, inside leg.

Measure the garment on the rack. If you can, try it on. I often take womens clothes to the mens fitting room to try on.

And always buy from either thrift store where its cheap and you don't care if you can't take it back (some do for a credit) or from a store that will take it back if it doesn't fit.

If you are buying from eBay, make sure the seller lists the key measurements. A lot of them do.

[EricaCD]

Here's another partial solution if trying on clothes in stores is not an option for you:

If you find an outfit you are interested in, go to eBay and do a search for the same or similar items by that manufacturer. Lots of eBay sellers will, in addition to giving the stated size, also give the measurements.

So, say that I wanted to buy a Jones New York suit online--hypothetically of course ;) I go to eBay, search Jones New York 14W and hopefully find a similarly cut suit (if not the same one) and a seller who has considerately included a set of measurements. If I search a couple sizes up and down from there, I will get a pretty good sense for how their sizes run.

Critical to this, of course, is having accurate measurements for your own fem dimensions. Remember that women measure in different spots! Waistline, for example, is higher than it is on a man.

Good luck!
Erica

[Carroll]

I found this today; Might be useful
http://www.85b.org/

[Caitlintgsd]

Conversion tables are good for a starting place. But clothing manufacturers don't exactly follow a universal size. A size 14 from one brand may be a size 16 or a 12 in another. Even going to the same retailer consistently doesn't help. I tend to shop Torrid a lot and their sizes fluctuate even in the same brands.

[Maria2004]

Everything mentioned before my reply is good info, the only thing I would add is that there is more to womens dress sizes besides the number and that is "Petites, Misses, and Womens" I wear a size 8 Misses, but could not squeeze into an 8 Petite if my life depnded on it.

Petite sizes have a shorter back length (distance between nape of neck and natural waistline" typically around 14 inches or less and less roomy bust area up top. Misses sizes have a back length of 16 1/2 inches nominally, with more room for the bust. Womens sizes, typically starting at 14 have the same back length as a Misses but even more room for bust and waist.

So as I mentioned before, I can wear a size 8 Misses but an 8P would be way too small even thought they are both 8s. My wife is a 14, but depending on the style and cut of the clothes it may be a 14 misses or a 14 Womens.

2 brands both my wife and I like because of consistant fit are "Koret" and "Dress Barn". When I 1st started buying my own outfits, I would try them on at home, return or exchange later if needed. On ebay I would buy size 8 clothes sold in "Lots", that had a mix of skirts, tops, Blazers, whatever. I ended up giving most away but what I did keep was worth more then what I had paid.