Sizing, wth???

[MichelleZelda]

I'm having a really hard time getting used to the sizing of women's clothing, but I'm about 6 months on HRT, and I'm confused as to how I'm supposed to size myself for certain things like pants, I'm right at the bottom end of plus size, and if I were to lose my belly I'd probably be comfortable in Large in many things...

but how to the numbers for the pants sizes work?? In guys' jeans I was usually 36-38, but in women's I see so many different numbers that I don't understand. Like I know I fit 12-18 depending on what it is, and I can sometimes fit an XL in some tops/shirts but more often 0X or 1X where do I go to get my measurements taken? I'm slightly embarassed.

The one dress I have is Large, the one skirt I have is Medium, I feel like I'm all over the place.

[Dena]

Different manufactures don't always size the same and I have found more costly stuff may be a bit larger in the same size. The general rule is the measurement that goes the most over the standard is the one you are. For example, for a long time my hip and bust measurement were small in comparison to my waist, so a dress would be sized off my waist. If I had a large bust measurement, I would use that to determine the size. It's possible to wear a different size in pants and tops as our hip measurement tends to be on the small size. For a long time I could wear 14 pants and a 16 top. It can get confusing but allow for a few mistakes and you will get it figured out.

[AxelM07]

http://www.lauras-playground.com/size_chart.htm

That's a link to a size chart between men's and women's sizes, in inches. It also tells you what measurements the sizes are based on, and if you have a tape measure (like the kind used for sewing) you can actually measure yourself.

Hope it helps, and good luck!

~Axel

[chris.deee]

It's possible to wear a different size in pants and tops as our hip measurement tends to be on the small size. For a long time I could wear 14 pants and a 16 top.

Wow, same here!

I often have a hard time finding a size 16 top that is big enough, but in skirts, I'm typically a 12, occasionally a 14. I so wish my proportions were inverted. 

[Amy Chislett]

Waist: Remember that female waists are 3 inches higher than mens.

Thanx the above bit helps but I am still a newbie.  How girls shop over the net is beyond me.

[Michelle_P]

Beyond size there are different cuts.  In bottoms, Misses assumes a narrower waist relative to hips, for example, while 'Missy/Seniora' assumes a larger waist.  I'm a 6 Missy in bottoms, or an 8-10 Misses if sizing for my waist.  Missy fits better with the larger waist and narrower hips, and is a reasonable look for a 60-something MtF or ciswomen, the way things go...

Tops, though...  Ouch.  Shoulders and chest for me lead to a 12-14, or Large.    I don't know how I'll assemble a nice pantsuit.

[chris.deee]

Wow, same here!

I often have a hard time finding a size 16 top that is big enough, but in skirts, I'm typically a 12, occasionally a 14. I so wish my proportions were inverted.

Same here. Frustrating, and I also wish it were inverted.