patchworkpenguin
Cathlete
My sister raves about Targets clothes, especially the workout wear, but I have to go UP 3 SIZES, and I'm already a pluss size! Now I wouldn't mind going DOWN 3 sizes, that's a different story! 
What size do u consider to be skinny?
- Thread starter sunsdaughter
- Start date
UNLVCrjChick
Cathlete
Nanbo said:Another variable is "WHEN" you were trying on the clothes. Clothing nowadays is sized smaller than in the late 1980s. A size 6 back then would probably be a 2 now.
I have a pair of Levi jeans from 1989 that astound my co-workers. I can't fit into them to save my life now, but I saved them because they were such high quality denim and the style was so indicative of the times. When I wore them (at 28 years old!) I was 103 pounds at 5'5" tall. I had a 24 inch waist, 34 inch hips, 20 inch thighs with a 34" length. They were skin tight and rode just below my belly button. The label says "Size 6".
Fast forward to 2012: I'm 130 pounds with a 27 inch waist, 37 inch hips and 23 inch thighs. The tag on the Lees jeans I'm currently wearing says "Size 6". Go figure!
Size 6 even today? I weigh around 160-165, am big boned (134 lbs was my smallest weight and I was around a size 6 - had such low body fat that I didn't have a cycle for two years), have a 28 inch waist, 36 inch hips, 21 inch thighs and consistently wear size 12. I tend to be a size 10 in everything else.
Wish I could be the weight I was back when I thought I was fat (i.e. 134 lbs).
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horsing around
Cathlete
Personally, I hate the word skinny and think it should be banned! I'd so much rather focus on being and looking healthy.
Lisa
Lisa
sunsdaughter
Cathlete
Good commentary....
This is clearly an issue that strikes a nerve deep within all of us as women... I think we all struggle with our perceptions of ourselves in terms of body image...self acceptance...no, self LOVE is a hard concept to internalize sometimes, especially when there are so many external factors that make u doubt yourself....
Bottom line, it shouldn't be about size...it should be about health and function.
This is clearly an issue that strikes a nerve deep within all of us as women... I think we all struggle with our perceptions of ourselves in terms of body image...self acceptance...no, self LOVE is a hard concept to internalize sometimes, especially when there are so many external factors that make u doubt yourself....
Bottom line, it shouldn't be about size...it should be about health and function.
jdimascio
Cathlete
J Crew is the worst for vanity sizing! I have to size down one or two sizes in everything. I love the clothing, but the vanity sizing is ridiculous!
I love J.Crew too, but seriously, sometimes the 0s are too big. BTW, I know at our local mall they have a device that figures out what your clothing size is for different designers. Pretty interesting, considering, I could be anywhere from a 0-4. I hate vanity sizing!!
jengollf
Cathlete
This is a very interesting topic. I have to comment--I am always so confused by the "before and after" photos I always see where it says a woman who is clearly larger than me or my daughters or someone I know (who I also know what size they wear), wears this tiny size (Weight Watchers Magazine is a perfect example...). I scratch my head and think--vanity sizing, it has to be. Or sometimes, they state she is now a "size 6"--which is what I wear (sometimes an 8)--and I'm sorry, but it makes me feel bad about myself. And perhaps I see something different in the mirror than what other people see, but I know I can compare my daughters or friends to these pictures accurately--and they are often smaller than people who the captions claim where the same size or a smaller size than them!
I don't mean to be rude, but I try not pay attention to clothing sizes anymore, because, IMHO they are all over the place. Some of these "before and afters" all I can think is--there is NO WAY that person is truly a size 4 or a size 6.
So anyway, my point is, clothing sizes are such a variable there seems little point in focusing on them.
I don't mean to be rude, but I try not pay attention to clothing sizes anymore, because, IMHO they are all over the place. Some of these "before and afters" all I can think is--there is NO WAY that person is truly a size 4 or a size 6.
So anyway, my point is, clothing sizes are such a variable there seems little point in focusing on them.
patchworkpenguin
Cathlete
I have and wear everything from a 12/14 to a 2X in my closet.
mspina
Cathlete
Exactly this. It COMPLETELY depends on your bone structure. My sister is a 00 in most styles, a 0 in others. She has tiny wrists and is very petite in structure, but she's not "super skinny" - she looks very healthy. She's thin, yes, but she's healthy. I feel like thin is a derogatory term these days, rather than being the norm or even a desirable attribute.
I have a different structure - I couldn't wear my sister's watch, for example, so a size 00 for me would likely be impossible, even if I were just a skeleton with nothing else covering me. At a size 4/6 at 5'9", I'm a similar overall size/style as my sis, just scaled up a little. We are both healthy and fit.
bonjonbart
Cathlete
I really would be happy if womens sizes were sold in the same manner as mens.
Waist measurement, inseam, sleeve, chest, neck.
It would be so much easier to know what you were buying.
sunsdaughter
Cathlete
bonjonbart said:
Hear hear!!!
fit44
Cathlete
Some jeans are this way, but sizing is still not accurate.
You can take 2 of the same size in the fitting room and they will be cut different. I think it's because they cut stacks of cloth at one time.
jrichards111
Cathlete
This is a great discussion. I have a 13 year old daughter. I want to set a good example for her. All of her friends talk about how skinny or fat (I hate these words) someone is. These words should not be used to described anyone. Yes, these words should banned. It gives the wrong message to our kids. I tell my daugher to start thinking in terms of being healthy and being fit. It's a battle sometimes. I set a good example for her by working out on regular basis. I show her muscles that I earned by doing Cathe's workouts too! There is a lot of noise out there (in my daugther's teenage world) that could be dangerous if not diverted.
I'm encourging her to join me on this Cathe journey.
There is a lot of noise out there (in my daugther's teenage world) that could be dangerous if not diverted. I'm encourging her to join me on this Cathe journey.
Nanbo
Cathlete
This is a great discussion. I have a 13 year old daughter. I want to set a good example for her. All of her friends talk about how skinny or fat (I hate these words) someone is. These words should not be used to described anyone. Yes, these words should banned. It gives the wrong message to our kids. I tell my daugher to start thinking in terms of being healthy and being fit. It's a battle sometimes. I set a good example for her by working out on regular basis. I show her muscles that I earned by doing Cathe's workouts too!
I'm encourging her to join me on this Cathe journey.
Your daughter is very fortunate to have your positive influence!!!!
I am 5'8" and weigh 122, I eat more than anyone I know, but I eat extremely healthy and I have quite a bit of muscle. I don't do alot of cardio because I don't want to lose any weight. I guess if I changed my diet I could gain a little weight but I feel the need to eat healthy these days, so my weight seems to stay the same. I wouldn't mind being 5 pounds heavier but it just doesn't seem to happen with my diet and body type.
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
I agree! And I also agree that the negative connotation it evokes should be changed. Why is it terrible to be skinny? I don't mean skeletal and in poor health, but there is nothing wrong with skinny. It's the whole definition of the word that has changed in modern times.
And while we're banning words/.... let's get rid of that whole thing where women who are larger say "I have curves" (in a manner that insinuates that smaller women don't have curves). Well, ALL women have curves. Some curves are bigger than other curves, but I don't know too many women whose bodies aren't curved.
maddiesmum
Cathlete
Thanks Jeanne Marie, this bean pole appreciates these words! I DO have curves after all!!
Clare
NinjaMom
Cathlete
Some jeans are this way, but sizing is still not accurate.
You can take 2 of the same size in the fitting room and they will be cut different. I think it's because they cut stacks of cloth at one time.
This is so true! I asked a saleswoman at Macy's why 3 pairs of "same style & size" jean all fit differently and she told me it has to do with where they are cut within the bolts of fabric.
fit44
Cathlete
That's what it means to me too.
My sisters and I are all built the same way....small waist with hips/thighs. I'm hour glass because I'm busty. My waist is 10" smaller than my hips/bust. I'm lean & small, so curvey doesn't mean fat either! LOL
These definitions are insulting when you think about it!
I still prefer strong!!!
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