Question:
How many pounds do you have to lose to lose a dress size?

I heard 15 pounds is equal to a dress size, is there any truth to that or is the ratio higher?    — Angel H. (posted on November 14, 2002)

November 14, 2002
Aloha!!! I have heard it is 20...but I don't know how much faith I put in that. I started at a size 24/26 and am wearing a size 16 for the most part. I have lost 85 pounds to date. A friend of mine has lost 40 pounds and hasn't gone down one size yet. I think everyone is different. GOOD LUCK!!!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii)................
   — KathieInHawaii

November 14, 2002
Hi there. For me, 14lbs seems to equal a dress size. However, I believe that the # of pounds depends on your height and frame. I am 5'8" and rather big boned. I have gone from 286 to 194 lbs and a size 24/26 to a 12/14. My surgery was 3/18/02.
   — Jennifer N.

November 14, 2002
I think the average is 30#
   — Debbie W.

November 14, 2002
I think it's a sliding scare... ie, it depends on how big you are. In the beginning, I could lose a good 40 pounds and not change sizes. Now I'm approaching a 10 and it's more like 12 pounds. Every size it seems to take less to get down to the next one.
   — mom2jtx3

November 14, 2002
I think it depends on where you carry your weight. Im pear shaped and 20 lbs is about a size in relaxed fit jeans for me.
   — Valerie H.

November 14, 2002
The smaller you are the less weight to drop a size in the 200's 15-20 pounds in the 150's 10-15 in the 140's 8-12 in the 130's 7-10 in the 120's 5 pounds and below that every 5 pounds give or take a pound or two This is only my guesstimate Kathy
   — Kathleen M.

November 14, 2002
I am not sure on that, but I have lost about 86 pounds and have gone from a size 28 pants and 3x top to a size 16-18 pants and 1x top. It seems like I am going down sizes faster as I lose more weight. Good Luck! (open RNY 7/23/02 -86 lbs.)
   — Shawnie S.

November 14, 2002
It took 60 pounds for me to go down ONE pants size - sorry, I don't wear dresses :>) And I've went down two shirt sizes. Wish is were more :>(
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 15, 2002
As we can see from all the previous posted answers, it differs with the individual. It's not just your weight, but your body build and how you carry your weight.
   — Arlene S.

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