Shopping... *BLARG*

[LoriLorenz]

OK, I need some help.

I want to get into some more fleck clothes (yes, I said fleck, deal  hehe). I'm 5'2" and around 100 pounds currently, I'm trying to get back up to a proper weight of at least 115 pounds, but for me that's an uphill battle, so let's pretend I'm already there....

Anyhow, how does a person who has dealt with one set of measurements for some 16 or so years deal with going into the opposite section and find the right sizes? I browsed through Moore's the other day and felt very small in comparison to the sizes there (read some disphoria into that, please). 

I'm a small in the women's department... so now what? Do I head to the kids dept? 

[Ms Grace]

I know genetic guys your height, although they probably weigh more. I would still think there'd be sizes available for you in the men's section.

[Elis]

Nothing wrong with fleck, I use it myself . Don't know how US male clothing sizes work but here in the UK on online clothing stores they do do XS and XXS and I think even XXX smalls. So I think an online shop is the way to go to make sure you're not disappointed when you go shopping. I use ASOS as I'm an XS (I'm 132 pounds) and it's hard to find in shops here). Btw, the small sizes are usually out of stock when I shop online so no need to feel dysphoric.

[AeroZeppelin92]

Honestly I don't know what "fleck clothes" are.. But..
I'm 5'4" and until I started lifting I always weighed somewhere fluctuating between 100-115lbs. I've never really bought women's clothes and in men's I wore a size 28 pants (that's the waist size, 28x30 is usually the size carried, the 30 is the inseam length.)  In shirts I wore a mens size small, and some stores such as American Eagle or Hollister and sometimes even Hot Topic carry shirts in an X-small.
Also, I used to frequent the kids section as well, especially places like Macy's, where I could get formal outfits for much cheaper, ie. a boy's size XL Ralph Lauren Oxford shirt fits perfectly and is waaaayyy cheaper than an adults.

[Alexthecat]

I find that boys XL button down and collared shirts are shorter than men's small, makes a big difference when you don't wear your shirt around your thighs.

[CursedFireDean]

I don't know what fleck means either but
I'm 5'1" or 5'2" and right now I'm heavier than you by a lot but when I used to weight about 120, I would either go to the kids section or go to more trendy teenage type stores like American Eagle that carry XS. I still go to the boys for shirts, but my thighs no longer fit into kids I'm trying to get back down skinny enough to fit into the 28s I used to wear though. I know American Eagle carries down to pant size 28 in store and 26 online, so they're good for pants especially. They also have great polos if you like those. Old Navy also tends to carry slightly smaller stuff. I tend to stay away from Mens' sections in stores like JC Penny because those smalls tend to be gigantic on me, even now that I'm pretty heavy- a small at those places was roughly equivalent to how a medium or sometimes even large would fit me at American Eagle.
Someone said Macy's kid section for formal and I HIGHLY recommend that (or Sear, JC Penny, etc), I got a suit coat and shirts in the kids that fit me PERFECTLY, much better than mens, AND they were cheaper.

[LoriLorenz]

fleck is a term that is uber cool with the teenage set (as was uber when I was a teen...) It means, en pointe or "perfect" or just right. I have teenager nephew and niece, plus work with teens (when I can) and so I pick up and use their words regularly. (mostly to annoy them )

Thanks for the clothing suggestions. I have also roped a friend who happens to have a son in the same THIN range as me (though somewhat taller). so she wants to drag me downtown for a shopping adventure.  (She asks me for educational help a lot, as she knows my work field etc so it's a bit of her way of paying back).

[Cindy]

I know that this always sounds dumb but ask the staff in the store for stuff to fit. They want to make a sale, they don't give a damn beyond making a sale, and they of course know that if they have a happy customer that you will come back - and they keep a job.

[Noosance]

I'm really small too. (5ft 107ish lbs). Aeropostal or however you spell it actually carries jeans sized 27x28. I fit in women's size 00 and size 0 and those are the closest fit. Also the slim or straight fit jeans are more fitted, so you don't have to look like you're in baggy pants if that's not your thing. I usually only buy pants there though cas that more preppy/logo style isn't my thing.
I find a lot of XS men's tops to still be too big for me. You can get lucky in the kids section, but be careful what you pick because some clothes will end up making you look like a child... I fit in boy's Medium and I wear XS women's

[FTMax]

Measure yourself, then go try things on. It's kind of daunting to walk into the men's section after years of shopping in the women's and try to translate one type of sizing to the other. This was how I discovered that I was terrible at eyeballing and guessing sizes.

It's also interesting to watch measurements change on T. I've gained another inch through my shoulders and biceps in a month without working out. I can't wear small t-shirts anymore.

With pants, always try them on. Different brands and cuts are going to sit differently on you.