Question:
I am now down to a size 14 and my weight is 176, so my question is this

how do the sizes match up to the weight? In other words, as I go down in sizes what will my weight be or as I go down in weight what can I expect my size to be, just curious, because last month I was 10 pnds heavier and in a size 16, so I am curious as to weather every 10 pnds I lose am I going down 2 sizes?????? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanx.......... — Deanna Wise (posted on August 28, 2002)

Post your answer to this question Post your own question

August 28, 2002
I read somewhere that the general rule of thumb is that sizes change about every 15 pounds...that was at the "regular" size end of things. Take it for what it's worth...I'm down about 60 pounds and four sizes!
— Pamela B.

August 28, 2002
I started out at a size 22 at 230lbs. Now I am 182 pounds and a size 14. That's about 12lbs per size lost.
— washar

August 28, 2002
I have found every 10-15 lbs I go down a size. I do know I had heard every 10 pounds is 1/2 size down. I have found that true. I am down 60 pounds and were 12-14 depends on the clothes Hope this helps
— Jeri P.

August 28, 2002
I think it depends on you bone size. I'm 5'4 and weigh 199 and am wearing a 14. Hopefully when I get to my goal of 145 I'll be wearing a size 5.
— Angie B.

August 28, 2002
I don't get it. I am 189 5' 6" and wear an 18. How are all you folks wearing 14s. Is it because I am old and Flabby???
— faybay

August 28, 2002
I lose a size every 12.5 pounds. But I think the answer to your question is that sizes/weights are different for all depending on your height, bone structure and how the weight is distributed. I am a size 14, am 5'3 and 174.
— Cindy R.

August 28, 2002
well, now you know why they make dressing rooms!! What size you wear has alot to do with who made your clothes. Lots of makers now are making their clothes bigger to make people feel better about buying thier line of clothing. Liz Claiborne is a great example. I can fit into size 10 in most of her clothes, BUT, when I go to some other designers, like Evan Picone I have to wear a 14 or even a 16 sometimes. To give you an examlpe of how significantly sizes have changed over the years, look at one of the picutes of Marilyn Monroe on the air duct where it was blowing her skirt up. That dress is a size 16!! Can you imagine?? She was concidered a big lady. AND yes, we are all made different, just like snow flakes. So, do not gauge your success by the size of your clothes. And there is no way to predict how many pounds between sizes. Your doing great. Good luck to you.
— Vicki L.

August 28, 2002
One other thing to consider is body composition. The more muscular you are, the heavier you can be and still fit in a size. Per pound, muscle takes up much less room than fat. So, basically you have to factor in: body shape, body composition, height, and hydration level. For each person it varies, and many people can continue to lose inches, and even sizes when they're on a plateau as far as losing pounds, because they're working out and becoming more fit and muscular, which is never a bad thing.
— Heather K.

August 28, 2002
I think it is what you feel comfortable in as well as the composition! Since the sizes out there are not standardized- I am always just trying to find something that LOOKS GOOD. So I will pull items from ALL different departments. You may wear a 16 in womens or a 15 in juniors etc. etc.- look around and try on all sorts of stuff. I find I still prefer 1X and XL tops- (as I refuse to show a roll or my arms for that matter). My friends roll their eyes when I head to the "women's wear" dept. to find my tops. Sure the smaller tops may fit- but they don't look good. I don't care how small the item is I can squeeze into, if it shows ANY fat; I won't wear it- even if it is my "size".
— Karen R.

August 28, 2002
We do come in all sizes and shapes. I am small boned and not very muscular. I am 5'4 and weigh around 185. My size 20 pants are getting very baggy, but I am still at least an 18. Years ago, when I was in my mid-20's and weighed 120 pounds, I wore a size 10. Obviously, I don't carry my weight very well.
— juvpd

August 28, 2002
I agree with the others, it is really hard to tell. I have heard the 10 lbs = 1 size theroy. However, it does not work on me. I have continued to wear all of my old clothes, until they fall off...well they almost fell off last week, so my daughter took me shopping and was picking out all kinds of clothes and sizes, I was "I can't get into that size", she was like " just try it on". I am down 67 pounds and was in a 26/28 pants and can fit into a 20. Shirt - I was in a 24 and now 18. I felt so good buying that 18/ shirt!!! I am 243, and it things continue to go the same way they are now, I might be in a 14 at about 185 lbs.
— Sharon H.

August 28, 2002
Someone mention Marilyn Monroe, there was something on GMA a month or so ago about sizing, Marilyn was a size 14-16 in her time, but that size now would be a 10 or a 8. So for all of you clothes mongers that saved everything from 15 years ago, the size will not match up with the sizing in todays market. Sorry about that guys, I dont remember when the clothing industry did this, maybe 10 -15 yrs. ago.
— paulsgirl

August 28, 2002
Thank you all for your wonderful answers/advise...I just keep going to different stores and trying different brand name clothes on and the 14's seem to fit really good for being 5'2 and 176 pnds, I actually have to go to the petite section wowa, but in anycase I was just curious how that size/weight thing worked. Thank you guys.
— Deanna Wise

August 28, 2002
It's a very hard question about sizes and weight. I was looking at all the posts, and thought i'd respond to your question, too. Because not all clothing stores are run the same. I am currently 3 months post-op, 195 pounds, 5'2" and generally wearing a size 16 or a Large in many things. But what may be a 16 in GAP clothes could be a 14 in OLD NAVY and could be an 18 in EXPRESS. So I think it's all relative. But, congratulations on your weight loss! I would probably say maybe every 10-15 pounds you lose would be a size, so once you hit 160, you could be a 12 (down one size). Usually women's clothes runs even numbers and teens/juniors runs odd numbers. But sometimes, i've lost inches without even losing weight, so you never know! Goodluck to you! :)
— Lezlie Y.

August 29, 2002
I am post op (july 15) and have lost 44lbs. to date, but about 5 years ago I lost 130lbs and was at 190 and fit into a size 14 in everything from Levi's to Walmart jeans...I have read similar questions here and saw many posters say that something called bone compression also leads to a smaller size b/c we have been carrying such large loads over weight on our bodies that it compresses our bones making us smaller...but I also agree that the sizes are smaller too..maybe to make us woman feel better! LOL!
— Trish R.

August 29, 2002
I am also wearing a size 14 and weigh 174. When I was in college I weighed 135 and wore a size 8. I am curious what size I will be when I reached goal weight of 150. I totally believe the theory that our bones weigh more because of all the exercise they got hauling around our bodies, and therefore we weigh more than we look. I had someone swear I looked 150 the other day. She did not believe I weighed 174. That is a good thing. LisaMarie
— Lisa Marie D.

August 29, 2002
The bottom line is that your "dress size" depends on a number of factors: your muscle mass, your bone structure, your weight, and where you shop. Sizes are NOT consistent across the board, as we all know. I say forget about size, weight, and measurements -- rely on how you feel. If you feel great, you could be any size. It's your level of fitness and health that matters.
— Karen B.

August 29, 2002
great question :) great answers... patsy in las vegas
— PATSY N.

Click Here to Return

Our Mission

Follow us

Links

Select Photos