nsv and body image ish

I'm currently in a size 18 jeans. The other day, I picked up a pair of 16s, even though I knew they likely wouldn't fit yet (I need petites and prefer a certain cut, so I snapped them up). I held them up, marveled over how TINY they looked to me, and thought "Oh what the hell. Let's try them on for fun."

They buttoned and zipped! They give me a muffin top and are too tight in the hips, so I've put them away, but THEY WENT ON MY BODY. 

I have such a disconnect right now between the labels in my clothes and what I think my body looks like. I know I've lost almost 100 lbs now, but I can't wrap my brain around it. Also, the last time I was able to get a pair of 16 jeans on, I think I was around 14 years old and weighing in at 185 or so. I'm 60 lbs more than that right now---wtf? Is it that sizing has changed in the last 30 years, or is it due to having an adult body and more muscle tone? I'm just so screwed up right now. Happy, but screwed up. 

awesome awesome awesome...weere you doing the happy dance, i know i will be

Sizing has dramatically changed over the years. in dresses, I usually wear a size 4 now. I still have my favorite sundress from the 80's. It is a size 9 and does not fit me now, so I guess I would wear an 11 in the older size scale.

THIS was in interesting article.

"According to sewing pattern sizes, which haven't changed, a 30-inch waist and 40-inch hips should be a size 16. Yet J Crew's size chart lists those measurements as a size 10. And surprisingly, a new pair of pants from Express with those same measurements has a size 4 tag."