M and S sizing

Just bought a size 14 summer dress, fits perfectly. At the same time I bought a pair of the £19.50 chinos, size 14... taking them back this morning for a size 16.

Wow!! Should read 16 bottoms not 26 ...

That last post was to Sheilasue

Same size as me (18 tops and 26 bottoms but can fit comfortably into size 14 in their £19.50 chinos.
My 'top' is 36GG and I buy my bras mostly from Bravissimo but M&S do have some great lingerie.
Their menswear is lovely and, if at any time I decide to be a man, I know where to do my shopping. Classy clothes.

M&S trousers, leggings, jeans all come in short regular and long in each size.
They also have separate sizing and rails for petite. There is no 'medium'.

Deedaa, exactly!

Blinko surely, whatever the colour they are making, each factory should be using the same size patterns? Or are we just being very simplistic and old fashioned?

The old chestnut that clothing is differently sized because items are commissioned from different factories won't wash.

Surely M&S (and other stores) instruct the factories about sizes and labelling, not just in terms of 10, 12, 14, etc. but also in terms of what measurements are appropriate for each size.

If not, why not? The blame lies with the commissioning organisation, not the factories.

I never buy clothes online from M&S for the very reason that their sizing is always unpredictable.

This is old news. I expect if you search back through previous threads you'll come across similar comments. The problem of sizing for ladies is a constant one and spreads across the fashion world. My wife is still wearing size16 tops she has kept (almost as new) for years but during the last 20 years has had to buy sizes from 18 to 22 to get a good fit.

We men do not have the same problem as far as I know having bought shirts and trousers that fit me as expected. Some of the "excuses" my wife has been given beggar belief and are not worth repeating. Sufficient to say that every size is suspect.

I find that clothing sizes vary an awful lot in most stores.
I bought a pair of size 10 jeans in Primani, and they were perfect, so I went back and bought two more pairs in the same size, different shades.
I tried them on and - you’ve guessed it - one pair went round me twice, and the other pair wouldn’t pull up over my bottom!
When I shop now I take a tape measure with me. It’s quicker and easier than trying everything on, and I rarely have to return anything. The sizes that I buy can be between 8 - 14, tho’ I measure for a 10.
It just goes to show how much their sizing can vary!

I prefer to try on and buy in store as sending things back after online purchases means long queues at the post office. Unfortunately more and more clothes shops are closing so I sometimes have to buy online now or drive further to shop. My local M&S has closed and that was my regular place for trousers and bras. Although the nearest branch is only about four miles away parking is more difficult - a long walk or an expensive car park. I generally go for the long walk but that means only going if the weather is kind! I like to shop when I visit my DD in Glasgow as there is so much choice but then I have to leave space in my suitcase and struggle back with it on the train!

I was told by an assistant in M & S that different colours of the same style were made at different factories, so were often different sizes.

I still have an M n S size 13 top (shows how long I keep some things). I often think that they would sell more if they did the 'in between' sizes, as surely there would be a better chance of getting a good fit. I agree, they didn't do it for long. It hadn't struck me that sizes were more generous, but now that I think about it, I lost over a stone a couple of years ago ( stress related ) and went from 10's and some 12's to size 8 for trousers. I have put most of the weight back on, but still wearing the 8's. I bought size 10 cotton trousers last week, and have exchanged for size 8. They are a baggy style, but still surprised!

A few years ago I tried on and purchased a size 18 cashmere sweater from M&S despite having other garments in size 12/14.

Not exactly a sizing problem but I saw a coat I quite liked on the sale rail a couple of days ago. I tried it on and the size was fine but the sleeves were cut so they started half way down my arms! No apparent reason for it but looked very odd in the mirror.

M and S used to be the definitive size guide. However I now own two M and S tops one size 14 and one size 20 both fit well! I don't live near a store but have given up ordering from them on line as most items are wrongly sized

In my experience M&S sizing is very inconsistent. Having bought some trousers which fitted well, I ordered another pair - same style, size, length, even the same code number. They were three inches longer.

Just bought supposedly matching jacket and trousers, in size 12. The jacket is fine really, slightly roomy, but the trousers are so tight I couldn't wear them, so will have to go back - and they definitely don't match, very different shades!

I tend to purchase several pairs of trousers at the same time from M&S - about 6 or so pairs every couple of years - all in black or navy for work, so I can have some in the wash, some hanging up and some ready to wear ( I hate shopping so like to replace all worn out trousers at the same time). The last time I was trying some trousers on, the changing room attendant told me to try on several of the same style and size to find one pair that would fit correctly with the right leg length - seems she knew about the varying sizing!

I have worked with clothes for the past 12 years. I always say to people...ignore the size. Just try it on and see if it fits. I say this because sizing does sometimes change...style as well affects the fit.

I bought a dressing gown from M and S in my usual size, and I think the whole family could have worn it at the same time. It was flapping about and trailing on the floor, and the sleeves were 4" beyond the tips of my fingers. Madness. I bought the smaller size and even that is quite generous.

Does anyone remember M & S having to replace their changing room mirrors because they made customers look a lot slimmer than they actually were? It may have been just our local branch, but I used to love those mirrors. We stayed in a hotel recently with one just like them and it was a delight to catch sight of myself in it!

I have always been at least a size smaller in M & S clothes, I’m wearing a pair of jeans from there just now and they are one size smaller than I take in other jeans, so don’t think there has been a change.
They have always been more generous in their sizing.

I am a 38g tops are 18 and bottoms are 16. Fit just fine.