Question:
Female Clothing Sizes
Hi Everyone: Maybe some of you gals can help me with clothing sizes. I see many people on this site who wear a size six and weigh 140, even 150 pounds. Is this possible? I know I would have to weigh about 120 pounds to wear a size six. One of the models on TV said she is 5'9" weighs 125 pounds and wears a size six. Now that makes sense to me. When someone says they wear a size 6, do they mean in everything, jeans included? For myself, my size is what I wear in jeans and a tight fitting dress. I can always fit in a smaller size if the bottom of a dress is an a-line (big hips, lol), but a chinese style dress that is straight and narrow is always a bigger size. Thanks for the information. Love Grace — Grace H. (posted on December 26, 2002)
December 25, 2002
Sometimes I think people just say they wear the smallest size they
have--even tho it might be just 1 size six they own. I know I have lost
60#'s and most of my clothes are 20's now, but I do have some 18's and one
14 coat. But I would never say I'm a 14 now. I am 5'5" and 195 now.
Good luck..............barbara
— barbara A.
December 25, 2002
I wear a size 8 or 10 now which is what I wore in high school. However, I
weigh 30 pounds more now than I did in high school. I've heard that once
you've been morbidly obese for any length of time your bones bulk up to be
able to carry the extra weight. It makes sense although I don't have any
scientific sources I can site for it. Anyway, the heavier bones could
account for the fact that the majority of us former morbidly obese people
wear much smaller sizes while still weighing more than we think we should.
Who knows? Happy holidays!
— ronascott
December 25, 2002
Grace, I have wondered the same thing and I have to admit, I thought maybe
some of them were just trying to impress us. I am a realist and I would
have to see someone who weighs 140pounds fit into a size 6 to believe it.
Sorry, just my opinion. Unless they are six feet tall!!!! lol. I have
gotten so I hardly pay any attention to those kinds of claims and the ones
of people wearing less than a 1 or 0. My leg bone would be larger than
that.
— Delores S.
December 25, 2002
Hi Grace, I weigh 145 pounds and wear a size 8 to 10. I am 5"6, and
wear size 10 jeans, most shirts are M, or 8/10's. I do not have any idea
how at that weight anyone can wear a size 6 or 4.
— Valerie M.
December 25, 2002
Before this surgery, I would have said you were right. However, I've
learned that we all carry weight so differently...I am currently 219,
5'4", and wearing a 16 in most things. How is that possible? My
best girlfriend is 140, and she wears a 10-12. I think that so much
depends on where you carry your weight...i.e., big hips, big boobs, etc.
:)
— Tamara K.
December 25, 2002
Your bones get very dense the longer you are heavy and that accounts for
the extra weight. I am not yet at goal so I don't know where I will end
up, but a friend of mine is a size 8 and weighs 155. Her sister (who never
had weight issues) is also a size 8 and weighs 135. Both are the same
height. Everybody is different, but I am now at 195 and people can't
beleive it, they think I look closer to 160-170. It's all in how our
weight is distributed. But to not have that experience yourself does not
allow you to say other people must be lying about their size. Come on, we
all started at the same place (bottom) don't knock other people because
they get in a smaller size than you think they should. Just my opinion.
— Dana B.
December 25, 2002
Grace,
Mom and I both weigh 130# and she wears a 10 and I a 6 somethimes 4. She
says it's because she had 4 kids and I had only 2, therefore our weight is
distributed differently. She has bigger hips than I.
Sarah
— sarah O.
December 25, 2002
I remember wearing a size 8 when I weighed in the 150lb range...I am now in
a 12 in the upper 170's...so yes, it stands to reason...
— rebeccamayhew
December 25, 2002
I am 5'10.5" tall and my weight fluctuates between 140-145#. I have
anywhere from 5-6" on a lot of the ladies here on this site and I
ofttimes wonder how I am wearing the same size as someone that is 5'2 150#.
I don't know about the supermodels that are 5'9" at 125 wearing a
size 6. But like the other poster stated I am almost 6' tall and I do wear
a size 6. Now I did notice on the size charts that they go by measurements
and not weight. So, I guess it depends on that person's measurements. And
let the record reflect that my measurements are 32-26-34 and by most
measurement charts I wear a size 6. So check out the measurement charts.
Hope this helps.
— Margaret M.
December 25, 2002
I do believe our bodies change with age, childbirth and with the added
weight. However, only to a certain extent. I also think some people are
perhaps pushing the envelope a bit with the sizing. I know I have a
girlfriend who has always, since high school, worn clothes that are a size
or 2 too small. In my opinion, better fitting clothes are more attractive
than skin tight clothes that show every bump and ripple. This is one of the
reasons I will definitely be looking into a tummy tuck, so that when I
squeeze myself into the smaller jeans I won't have this spare tire hanging
over the waistband, like I do now in my size 14's. I have to wear a longer,
looser top to cover that blob of skin. Someday I hope to wear a more fitted
blouse with my jeans! Yippee! :) - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -98lbs.
— Anna L.
December 25, 2002
I think there are alot of different factors here to consider. First, we
are all different heights with weights, with those weights distributed
differently and that can account for someone at the same height and weight
wearing different sizes. I also believe like others mentioned that our
bones weight heavier so that a 140 person who used to be obese could very
easily wear a smaller size than a 140 pound person who was never obese. And
then another factor to consider is clothing designers and their tricks to
label their clothes a smaller size than they are. After all, if you can
fit into a size 6 from designer A, but an 8 with designer B, gee, which
one would you buy? Thats why others have noted that you can fit into
several different sizes at the same time. And, Grace, you may be right,
that if someone says that they are a size 6, it is just 1 pair of pants in
a six and the rest are 8 or 10. I know that I take a size 12-14 on the
bottom, but a 10 dress, and the other day I fit into an 8 top, so does that
make me an 8? NOT!
— Cindy R.
December 25, 2002
I have noticed this also
I am 5'5 1/2 and weigh 150 and I am size 12
but my friend is 5'9 160 and wears a size 6
life is not always fair
I would have loved to have been a size 6
also depends on how we carried our weight
I have a thick waist
even after a TT
they would have to remove a rib for me to be a size 6
because my ribs do show
ohh I could bet to a 8
I really need to lose this next 15 lbs
after 25 months I am gaining and this scares me to death
I have noticed that with this surgery you are smaller in size then before
I was 150 once before and a size 14
now a lose 12 if I wore tight clothes I could squish into a size 10
i think some people squish and call them selfs the smaller size
I like comfort
to each their own
Kathy
— Kathleen M.
December 25, 2002
I agree with Grace. I am 44 years old, 5'4" and weigh 158. I wear a
14 in most clothes. Most of my size 16s are much too big, but I still
can't fit into every 14 I try on. The smallest size I have ever worn was a
size 10, and that was when I weighed 125 pounds and was 27 years old. So,
for me, to be a size 6, I expect I would have to weigh around 105 pounds.
— juvpd
December 25, 2002
In response to the size issue- DOES ALL OF THIS REALLY MATTER? Perhaps some
posters do exagerate about what size they are wearing, so what. Do we all
become self absorbed, after surgery, and only worry about how small we have
become, instead of how healthy ? Isn't that the MAIN reason that we had
surgery in the first place, to get healthy? It was and is for me, anyway. I
was already beautiful, the WLS was to regain my life, not to get into a
size 6 jeans. I know that a lot of posters on this site are much younger
than me (49), but I've never looked my age, and don't now. If we all become
preoccupied with size, we are feeding into the American obcession with
weight and size, which has nothing to do with who we are as people. The
next sound you hear is me jumping off my soapbox!!!! Nancy Thompson LAP RNY
10/9/02, and feeling great !!
— Nancy T.
December 26, 2002
I am 158 pounds and wear 12-14. My mother is 150 and wears 18. It all
depends on your frame size. Mine is small.
— dolphins94
December 26, 2002
Different designers size differently. High end sizes are purposely cut
larger so that customers will feel happy that they wear a smaller size.
For instance, a friend of mine could wear a size 6 in Donna Karan but a
8-10 at Target. I can wear an 18/20 in desinger brands but a 22-24 in what
I can afford! I am also about 2 sizes smaller on top than the bottom as I
carry all my weight below the waist and above the knees. Cut the tags
out--they don't matter.
— jenn2002
December 26, 2002
Well, my two cents is that it is not your bones adding all that weight
(although I am sure they do get denser by some degree) but muscle. Think
about carrying a 100 pound weight on your back everywhere you go. Or 200
pounds. Or 300. Think you would build up some muscle? When I was in high
school, I weighed 115 pounds and wore a size 12. I did some weight lifting
when I was about 25 and made it down to about 155 and wore a size 12. After
I had WLS I wore a size 10 at about 145 (I skipped right over 12s :), an 8
at about 135 and now a 6 at 125ish. The difference was my percent body fat.
In high school it was 54% (only 50 lbs lean body mass) and now it is about
23% (96 lbs lean body mass). Since fat takes up more room per pound than
muscle, bone, etc., you are smaller but weigh more.
— ctyst
December 26, 2002
It doesn't make sense to me either. I weigh 149 pounds and I can wear a
juniors five or a misses 4. Even the Christmas dress I wore to our compnay
party was a size 4. In high school I weighed around 160 and I wore a size
11 or 13. I asked that same quesion before and a lot of people came on and
said that they had changed the way they did sizes a while back. So I
pulled out some old jeans from high school and they can fall off me so
that's not it.
— Linda A.
December 26, 2002
Hi there, Grace! So many of the posts here have a ring of truth to them.
Everyone is different whether MO or normal. We have so many shapes to
contend with, like the apple and pear. I know that before surgery, I was
wearing a 28 in pants, but I may have been closer to a 32. Why so much
smaller? Because most of the pants I have are stretch. I know they sell
smaller pants with some elasticity in them, maybe that's what
"some" may wear, in a size 6. Now I'm still in the kind of early
post op, (only 3 months) but I tried on a size 22 jacket the other day and
it fit! But skirts, I can squeeze ( rather uncomfortably) into a 20. I've
always been ALOT bigger on top than bottom, and maybe like JSample said,
"High end sizes are purposely cut larger so that customers will feel
happy that they wear a smaller size". Some of my friends ask what
size I would like to get down to, I tell them that if I can get into a 12,
I'd be content with that. It surprises them because there are some women
who could never dream of being in a double digit outfit, but like Nancy
said, we had this surgery so we could be healthier, the slimmer part is an
added bonus.
Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 80 lbs.
— Vi F.
December 26, 2002
Since getting down to 149 last month, I have been noticing those that weigh
the same or about the same, wearing smaller clothing than I. I wear a 10,
12's are way too loose, and I tried 8's the other day at Old Navy...no go!
I am an apple-> big time, which requires larger waist fitting clothes.
There are so many factors contributing to which size you will wear at
different weights. The bone density factor, the extra skin, body type
(apple or pear), height, and clothing manufacturer. So I believe everyone
is right. And I definitely had this surgery to become healthy, it gave me
life, but I am also going to CELEBRATE when I can wear an 8!! There is
nothing wrong with being excited about THAT!
— Cheri M.
December 26, 2002
I weigh 128 and I wear a size 4 in pants/jeans and a size 8 in dresses and
a small in tops. Your body will be proportioned differently after you've
lost the weight. This is the smallest size clothing I've ever been in.
— Patty H.
December 26, 2002
I'm 5'7", weigh 163, and wear size 14 jeans. I can take mediums
(marked as "size 10-12") in tops and in larger-cut skirts and
pants with elasticized waists, but anything tight around the waist or hips
has to be a 14 :)
— Suzy C.
December 26, 2002
CLothing sizes vary greatly by manufactuer- the stretch Cherokee jeans (at
Target) are cut very generous (I can wear both 8's and 10's), but at 5'3
173 pounds, I am a true 12/14 currently. Most tops are M/L..but my mother
gave me a top for Xmas that is an XL and did not fit- so go figure- I find
shopping to being almost as difficult now as I did pre op- at least fat I
just bought the largest size and it would usually fit- Now I have to try
everything on...just another of the "post op challenges" and I am
more than happy to have the problem :)
— ~~Stacie~~
December 26, 2002
Oh my gosh! <rocking & moaning>. SIZES! <pulling out
hairs>. I have weighed 110-115 for 7 yrs now. I have everything from 2
to 14 in my closet. And they ALL fit. Oh sure, I have chunky days &
svelte days, but over all, they all fit. The size means NOTHING. I have
size 3 jeans that are nice 'n roomy, size 7's that make my eyes bug out.
Men have no pateince with this. If they wear a 34, they wear ALL 34's. It
just isn't right, is it? Do not hook your happiness on a label. Honest.
And even in the same brand! Gloria builds jeans the way I am built, but
again, size 6's (diff colors), same mfr, some bought the same day--some are
very generous, some are very snug. Do I wear a 6? Maybe. Maybe not.
— vitalady
December 26, 2002
The answer is in your bones. When my PCP asked me what I thought my
"ideal weight" would be, I replied 120 pounds (I'm 5'2").
She laughed and said it was more like 140 pounds. She went on to explain
that I have carried around an extra 100-150 pounds of extra weight for the
last 12 years or so. That has caused my bones to become much denser to
support the added weight. She also added that my muscle mass has also had
too increase to accomodate it. It made sense to me so I didn't argue with
her. I will take 140 over my 260 pounds I am now anyday.
Still arguing with the insurance company............Linda D.
— lindadougherty
December 26, 2002
Jeans sizes have changed. But also, your body shape changes as well. As a
young adult I weighed in at 155-160 (1990) and wore a size 12/14. Now, I
weigh 140 and wear mostly 8's. However, I saved one pair of jeans that i
used to wear before. They are the ones I wore when I was a 12. They fit
just a little bigger than the 8's now. So there are alot of variables. At
140, I could wear a 6, skin tight, but I could. Besides 6-8-10 whats the
difference.......its not a 24 anymore so I'm happy.
— RebeccaP
December 28, 2002
Hi Everyone:
Thank you all for such great answers. For those of you who seemed to take
offense at the question, I am just trying to figure out what size I will
eventually wear. As far as being obsessed with sizes, of course I want to
be healthy, no question about that. But if we are all truly honest, we
went through all of this hard work to LOSE WEIGHT and fit in smaller sizes
too. Healthy first, happy second and losing weight and in a smaller
clothing sizes last, but that still factors greatly into my reasons for
having surgery. Looking good also makes me feel good, and I am sure that I
am not the only one. You guys are all great.
Love Grace
— Grace H.
March 4, 2003
I was doubtful about the sizes we could wear after weight loss until it
happened to me. I am 5'4 and 44 years old. The last time I could wear a
size 12 was 1988. To wear a size 12 back then, I couldn't weigh more than
140 to 144 pounds. Now I weigh about 154 pounds (8 months post op, lap
RNY) and most size 12's fit fine. I must add that I am exercising at Curves
regularly. As another example, I saved a pair of wool dress shorts from
1985. I wore them when I weighed between 125 AND 133 pounds. Now, at 154,
they almost fit. When I weighed 154 in 1988, there was no way I could fit
into them. Before I had the surgery, I wanted to get down to around 125,
but now I think I will be satisfied at 135. Who knows?
— juvpd
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