A lot of my friends go into a store, grab clothes in their usual size, try it on, and leave without buying anything because "
it just didn't fit right". This can be very frustrating and somewhat demoralizing, but what they need to keep in mind is that companies have changed the size of clothes for marketing purposes or what it has become known as, vanity sizing. If a women wears a smaller size somewhere, they will most likely buy more clothes at that store. An 8 isn't an 8 everywhere because every designer or store cuts their sizes a little differently. Look at the graph below that proves this. Do you know that my sizes vary from a 0-8 when I go shopping? At Ann Taylor I'm a 0, a 2 at JCrew, and a 4 at BCBG and so forth. But at H&M I can be anywhere from a 2 to an 8 depending what I buy. Don't think that just because you're shopping at the same store, dress sizes can't vary.
MEN: This isn't as big of a problem for you since your clothes come measured in inches, but the cut of a S, M, L and even some dress shirts really vary. Especially in more European cut stores like Benetton.
So here's my
TIP: Don't be scared to try on lots of sizes. Soon you'll be able to figure out what size you are based on the store and the cut. My rule of thumb for ladies is to try on a size down and a size up at first. This lets you know where you stand. Also don't be afraid to tailor something if it's worth it... obviously not something from H&M, but quality items that will be worn often (like a suit or dress) are completely worth it.
