Activism Change

My clothing no longer fits

Question:

because I want them to hang low on my hips.  <<

Yes, I like for them to hang more at the hips, too.  In some strange way, this helps me not to concentrate on my waist size or lack there of.  They feel so much more comfy & when I eat they don’t constrict me like the jeans that fit more around the waist.  By the way, Calvin Klein has a great pair of jeans out that fit more like mens (but made for women) & are even made for petites.

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low rider jeans are awesoem. they dont sit on your waist so you never feel bloated. weehee shell

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ahhhhhhhhhh polar fleece.  mine went through the washer and dryer with the colored towels.  argh.  lint brush did not work. dry cleaners said they were ruined.  phooey shell

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spoiler for further talk of size – no numbers A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Thanks for all that work, Connie – and to everyone else too.  AND apologies for not spoilering, which i should have done in the first place.  I didn’t, because i was talking in general terms rather than in specifics, but i should have done.  Now i have an idea of what people are talking about when they mention different sizes in different countries – not being able to visualise can be very confusing!   i try not to bear shop-size in mind too much, since i know only too well how much the ’same’ size can vary, and i hate buying new clothes for this very reason.  Was it Seal who mentioned polar fleece?  I LIVE in that!  Especially now winter has hit here.  And buy extra large everything so that i don’t really know what size i am because it all feels the same…….cop-out?  Maybe – but  it’s comfy, and i don’t have the horrors of whether something feels tighter one morning (which could be due to anything, but which i KNOW i will put down to gain) and which will really set me up for a bad day. Anyway, thanks again,  :-)  Fi

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I always buy mens levis because they fit more comfortably, and the waist size is always much bigger than it needs to be because I want them to hang low on my hips.  I never crossed out the size myself, but I’ve bought some that had the size written in much lighter ink than the rest of the stuff.  I don’t know if they did that on purpose or not.

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good idea.  i’ll have to try that.  i’m presently trying to buy clothes but just the whole picking out clothes intimidates me.  i find stuff i like but i can never get what fits me.

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When I was first needing some new clothing when I began recovery about five years ago, I had a friend go with me to the mall to help with sizes.  She would pick out what she thought I looked like I would fit into, and hand it to me. I simply would try on the garment, and did not look at the size.  It was a really great way for me to be able to buy clothing that fit, in a larger size, without obsessing over *what* that size was. becky

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based upon my shopping expeditions abroad, uk sizes run smaller than us

ones<< least one size smaller (or larger whichever way you consider it.)  The clothing in South America fits smaller, too.

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fashion sizes are just a head game that companies play.<<

I have to agree!  And, the comment about the size 0 is great!!  I think that is probably right.  I am not a fanatical feminist, but I do wonder what that says about women when they manufacture clothing with size 0. (although, must add…i knit with size 0 & 00 knitting needles.  guess it is not just the clothes.)

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Oops….my "chart" didn’t come out so well when it came to the last section… sorry about that!  Spacing got screwed up somehow… O…K….let’s try this again: Petite 5′4 and under                Missy: 5′4.5 – 5′7 Tall 5′7.5-5′11                     XS                            S                        M L                    XL                     2    4            6            8    10            12 14        16        18        20 Bust:            32        33                34    35            36   37 39          40   42        44 Waist:           23       24                25     26    27    28    29 30        31    33    35 Hope this presents better… –Connie — "Starving the flesh wastes the spirit." –Kandis Elliot

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AGH! I give up.  If anyone wants to know specifics of what a "Small," "Medium," or "Large" is, they can go to the source: http://www.allheart.com/scrub-sizes.html — "Starving the flesh wastes the spirit." –Kandis Elliot

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Did a little research on the web to get a more-or-less definitive answer to this and here is what I found: [spoilering in case someone might be disturbed by the numbers] s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s    WAIST: US/UK     Europe    Japan 24            61            61 26            66            66 28            71            71 30            76            76 (etc.) SHIRTS: US/UK    Europe    Japan small: 34            87            87 medium: 36            91            97 38            97            97 large: 40            102        102 extra large: 42            107        107 (etc) DRESSES/BLOUSES: US            UK            Europe            Japan 5                6                34                    4 6/7            7/8              36                    5 8/9            9/10            38                    7 10/11        11/12          40                    9 (etc) WOMEN’S SUITS US                    UK                    Europe                    Japan Use Dress    22-24 more          28 more                 Use Dress size                than US                than US                    size Example:  UK 28 = US =6 = Euro 34 = Japan 5 Ah, but there’s more:             Bust            Cup size            Waist            Hips Dress Size 1 sz    35′-37"        B                            26′-29"        36-39" 8-12  fits all SML    32-34        A-B                        23-25            34-36 6-8 MED    34-37        B-C                        2-51-2-28    36-39 10-12 LG        37-40        C                            28-31            39-41 14 and up …And here’s more: PETITE: 5′4                        Missy: 5′ Tall 5′     and under                        41/2 to 7 1/2 to                                                5′7 5′11                                XS                    S                    M L                 XL                                 2     4                6  8 10 12 14       16 18        20 BUST                     32    33         34  35                 36 37 39 40 42        44 WAIST                    23   24        25    26      27       28  29 30 31  32 22   35 (etc) Size "0" is a fairly recent innovation, and I think that indeed if one were to try on clothes from years past that it would be discovered in some cases that this is actually like the "2" of yore….   And in other cases, it is genuinely smaller than a size 2. Another thing:  fit of clothing is dependent upon the manufacturer, the fabric, and the way the garment is cut.  Also, if one buys clothes at Sears or Penney’s or K-Mart, the sizing will be different than if one were to shop at Saks 5th Avenue or Bloomingdale’s.  More expensive clothing tends to fit in a different way. Also, as some of us know, shopping in the children’s department can save money and have surprising results, too.  The larger children’s sizes are often similar in fit to the smaller women’s or junior’s sizes…   A great way to save money on some of the basics! Hope this helps… –Connie — "Starving the flesh wastes the spirit." –Kandis Elliot

Response:

(Encounter 98) writes: I’ve had to do the same thing. When I was purging with laxatives I bought clothing that were comfortable. As soon as I went off them these same clothing became too tight. So I came to the same decision. I only buy clothes size x. The depression of looking at clothes that are too tight is an awful trigger that I’m trying to do without.

seal: i have found that as i tackle recovery polar fleece is my best option.  it is so comfortable and size doesnt really matter.  it’s warm too!

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(Brigid73) writes: For a while, I cut the size tags out of my clothes after I took them home. On

does anyone remember scribbling out the waist size on levis?  long before i had an ed my friends and i would cross out the numbers out of embarrassment as we grew out of adolescence.    and none of us had eds!!

Response:

when I see sizes in "0" it is astounding to me, too.  What is the manufacturer saying by making a size "0"?  I thought 0 = 0…nothing, nada, not registering.  Am confused about that one, too.

whoops, i forgot to add that based upon my shopping expeditions abroad, uk sizes run smaller than us ones

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I cut the size tags out of my clothes after I took them home.

That’s a terrific idea. Gonna try it.

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when I see sizes in "0" it is astounding to me, too.  What is the manufacturer saying by making a size "0"?  I thought 0 = 0…nothing, nada, not registering.  Am confused about that one, too.

i think that size zero is often used to make the american public feel good about themselves.  i truly dont believe that the actual sizes have changed, just the numbers.  i also think that size is so dependant upon body type.  at my healthiest i am still at the smallest size.  on the other hand, a lot of my friends who are healthy wear larger sizes because of their body types.  and they are NOT fat.  fashion sizes are just a head game that companies play.

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For a while, I cut the size tags out of my clothes after I took them home. Once I’d bought them and reminded myself that the salesperson didn’t care what size they were, I couldn’t be reminded of the fact that the size was bigger. Most of those clothes are the ones I wear, so a lot of the time I can’t even tell you what size it was originally, b/c manufacturers size differently. The worst part is going to a store and reaching for the size X and its always too small now.  I’ve just tried to get used to reaching for size X, and then cutting out the tag.  Plus it’s not as itchy! Brigid

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In the UK, a size 14 is thought to be the "average" for women – i don’t mean that this is a ‘model’ size, just what the average woman seeks to buy day-to-day. On a slightly different tack – what is the comparison between US and UK sizes?  In the UK, a size 8-10 is thought small, a 14-16 average and above that , large.  I have no idea what the comparison is ‘across the pond’ – i read about certain people being size 0, and it gobsmacks me!  << I think that 6-8 is generally small, 10-12 med & so on.  That is how they cross over in my fit when I see just the small, med, large, or # size.  Yes, when I see sizes in "0" it is astounding to me, too.  What is the manufacturer saying by making a size "0"?  I thought 0 = 0…nothing, nada, not registering.  Am confused about that one, too.

I’m going to mention specific measurements and sizes here, so spoiler… s s s s s s s Ok. In Canada at least, the size number makes reference to how many inches around the waist the clothes are. A size 0 would literally mean 20inches. A size 7 is 27 inches. A size 12 would be 32 inches, and so on. Now this is not always true.. as we all know from trying on different clothes.  Sometimes I fit a 12, sometimes I fit a 7.  It’s odd. orlan — – What if the hokey pokey IS what it’s all about? – – remove EATME to email, and I have 20-eyes, not 40 –

Response:

In the UK, a size 14 is thought to be the "average" for women – i don’t

mean that this is a ‘model’ size, just what the average woman seeks to buy day-to-day. On a slightly different tack – what is the comparison between US and UK sizes?  In the UK, a size 8-10 is thought small, a 14-16 average and above that , large.  I have no idea what the comparison is ‘across the pond’ – i read about certain people being size 0, and it gobsmacks me!  << I think that 6-8 is generally small, 10-12 med & so on.  That is how they cross over in my fit when I see just the small, med, large, or # size.  Yes, when I see sizes in "0" it is astounding to me, too.  What is the manufacturer saying by making a size "0"?  I thought 0 = 0…nothing, nada, not registering.  Am confused about that one, too.

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I’m still not up to the point where I can bring myself to even try on something that’s any bigger. I do *want* to be able to simply buy without giving thought to the size. Just see what looks good. It’s not like the size in emblazoned on the front of the stuff. I hope that I will reach that point…

Me too.  I try to tell myself that different manufacturers have different measurements,and that even between batches the sizes will differ. Recovering but still fragile in this regard – i HATE having to buy new clothes. Personally, i try to buy ‘work’ clothes which will last and last (classic but not necessarily ‘fashionable’), and for the rest it’s strictly casual and stretchy! In the UK, a size 14 is thought to be the "average" for women – i don’t mean that this is a ‘model’ size, just what the average woman seeks to buy day-to-day. On a slightly different tack – what is the comparison between US and UK sizes?  In the UK, a size 8-10 is thought small, a 14-16 average and above that , large.  I have no idea what the comparison is ‘across the pond’ – i read about certain people being size 0, and it gobsmacks me!  Can anyone enlighten me, so that i know what i’m talking about? Confused,  Fi

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I’ve had to do the same thing. When I was purging with laxatives I bought clothing that were comfortable. As soon as I went off them these same clothing became too tight. So I came to the same decision. I only buy clothes size x. The depression of looking at clothes that are too tight is an awful trigger that I’m trying to do without. I’m still not up to the point where I can bring myself to even try on something that’s any bigger. I do *want* to be able to simply buy without giving thought to the size. Just see what looks good. It’s not like the size in emblazoned on the front of the stuff. I hope that I will reach that point…

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and nothing fit god all those cloths <<

YES!  It finally came to me in my recovery process (and still recovering) that I could not buy a certain size even if it did fit the best.  Because if I gained & it did not fit so well…I was right back into ED.  So, I made a vow to my husband (and me) that I would only buy 6 –up .  Really, it has helped to make my weight not so dependent on the fit of my clothes.

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dear stacy                 i went through the same experiance on thanksgiving and it is so scarey spoiler A B C D E F G H  ok on thanksgiving i went into my closet to get an outfit to wear to dinner and nothing fit god all those cloths i hate gaining weighjt somtimes i think life was easier when i purged but we have to gain weight to make it through recovery i wish u luck and strength                          love chris

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Hi, I am having bad body immage day (week, month).  I have just thrown out about 15 pairs of pants because they no longer fit me.  Going to spoiler due to talk about gaining weight (no numbers), reference to sizes, body immage and who knows what else. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Well, it has finally happened—MY Clothing No Longer Fits Me Correctly!!!! And I am sitting hear in tears.  I took my weight gain upon leaving Renfrew very slowly (almost 2 years) and up until about 3 months ago I was *okay* with it.  But then, I do not know I started to put on weight where it could really be seen (to me).  I was out of the country on holiday for about two months and when I got home, I realized I was less ridged and more willing to eat different (high caloric) foods.  In other words-I had relaxed.  But now???  I do not know what to do.  I am at (or really above) what *I* want to be.  Will it stop or will I keep gaining.  My nutritionist is no help to me in this regaurd, I do not even know why I go.  I am really scared that the pounds will slowly creep on. I have no idea of what my set point should be?  And I am really scared that somehow I will get  large.   Now I have hips and breats-ugh.  The hips are the worst to me and I am not to fond of the other either.  I have one of those curvy figures.  And I have never liked it. I just want to stop eating so I can reclaim my old (anorexic) body. I know that part of it is musele which I have never had before and the hips I have–but to now have to get rid of so much clothing.  I cannot stand the thought that I have clothing I can no longer fit into in my house.  I cannot believe I have grown out of yet another size of pants.  I was *okay* when I grew out of size* told myself that I needed to.  But now-no.  I did not want this.  And all of the sudden I am either forced to lose weight (and according to my nutritionist this is not an option) or buy new clothing and I do not know why-but sizes do matter to *me*.  I intellectully know that I am still even a bit under for me-but I do not see it.  I see a girl who can not fit into her clothing and yes, I am feeling sorry for myself. If anyone read this far thanks.  Going to go crawl back into bed and cry myself to sleep or go shopping and by lots of big clothes (boo hoo hoo) <sigh Lots of Love From, Stacy And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.                    ~T.S. Eliot

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Filed under: Feminist

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