My 1997 size 12 vs. 2014 size 12 jeans (with pic)

[Bluesea71 698]

I found an old pair of Old Navy size 12 jeans I used to wear back in 1997. At the time I weighed 155-160 and wore a size 12. Today I weigh around 181 and have been wearing an Old Navy size 12 since I weighed 188. This whole vanity sized clothing thing is so confusing! I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but there have been times I see pictures on BP of people saying they are excited to be wearing a size 4 or 6. I look at the pic and think, "no way, they are more like a 10 or 12." Today I got my proof on how much sizing has changed over the years. I'm not sure if I feel better or worse that my theory has been proven that clothes are bigger now! I sill feel proud of the weight I've lost, but realize I have awhile to go before I will be able to squeeze into my pre-baby jeans! The waist on my old size 12 jeans is a whopping NINE INCHES SMALLER than the ones I bought last week! Sigh.

[Forensikchic 528]

The old jeans from back in the day were cut different than today. See how long that zipper is? Those are classic cut jeans that were made for women with small waists, true waists. Jeans today have a very short zipper and the so called waist is really about mid-hip. Of course its going to have to be wider in that area. I have found since I am 46 years old, that when I was in college and weighed 135-145, I wore a size 5 and some 7's in junior sizes. I wear a 4/6 now at the same weight in misses. When I am closer to 135 the 4's fit better and the 6's closer to 145. I have not found anything I cant wear in those sizes and I have been at or near goal for 2 years. I think a lot if the problem is the cut has changed so much! AND now they add spandex to the jean material so we can squeeze in smaller sizes due to the extra stretch! lol

I know I was a size 20 when this all started and I bought all stretch to make that possible. I really should have worn a 22 but refused to. I think we have all been there before. I want to tell you though, that when I first started reading these boards, there was a woman who claimed to wear a 4 jeans, even had a picture of her squeezed in them with the tag showing the size, but she weighed 170-180 pounds and i was like there is NO freaking way. They must be missized. I dont care who you are or how your body is shaped, there is no way a woman, and she was short like me, could possibly say she wears a size 4 at that weight. NO WAY. So, I do believe there is vanity sizing going on out there. I dont want to take away from her accomplishments but at some point you have to say to yourself, self, is this the only pair of pants on the planet that are a size 4 that I can get on? If you cant just walk in a store and pick up any size 4 and have it fit comfortably,then you dont wear a 4. I think we can get a little dillusional when it comes to our size etc and we want to be successful so bad, it causes us to be a little bit fibby about it. Like putting 10 pounds less than you really weigh on your drivers license.

I felt a little disheartened after reading her posts about this miracle size 4. I kept thinking I hope I dont do that when and if I lose any weight. I think we should all be honest as we go through this journey together. We are not here to impress others. We are here for support and honesty is the best policy. Sorry about the tangent I just went on! lol

[BitterSweet* 835]

It's called Lycra (spandex) and is in everything. Vanity sizing is real. Everything is made bigger and with lots of stretch ability, which is great to help mold and shape problem areas. Buy it tight and wear it right!

You are totally right and I hope people that read your comments don't get offended because it's the truth. Today's size 6 is really more like a 10. People just need to be aware and not get caught up in those vanity labels, because they are hugely misleading. To each his own though. Some people like being fooled!

[jjinWA 511]

Vanity sizing does exist.... But I gotta say that my vanity size 12 jeans are still smaller size then my vanity size 18 jeans I was wearing before surgery. Hehee.

[fezik23 240]

I agree 100%. I am wearing a 14 now. I took my old size 18 jeans out of the attic and I couldn't even get my legs into them. No wonder I'm so confused! I have to try everything on. (Even pjs?? LOL.)

[pinkbarbie 101]

I always tell my daughter just because you can put something on doesn't mean it fits.

[LadyPullings 94]

Yes yes a different cut! Don't worry you will have them on in no time!

#congrats

[Bluesea71 698]

Yes.... Thanks for pointing out the length of the zipper! It is twice as long on the older pair of jeans!

[KQH 69]

Pre-op, I was a Lane Bryant size 26/28 since 1987 and weighed 201 then, and 318 in 2014. Granted, just pre-op they were a little tight and I needed that lycra but REALLY?

[NewSetOfCurves 1,553]

Awe...my ego was just deflated! Lol!!! But, you ladies are right, I remember being a size 12 at my current weight when I was a teenage girl; however, I'm wearing a size 8 now ????

Oh well, I'd rather be where I am than where I was over a year ago!!!????

[LipstickLady 25,682]

So let me ask y'all this...

Does the size on the tag in your pants REALLY matter? It's not as if the size is plastered on your forehead any more than your weight, your IQ, or your bra size is.

Yes, it tickles me silly that I bought size 8p pants from Ann Taylor yesterday, and I'm giddy when I can shop at the same stores my super skinny kids are. My body will never look like it did when I was 20. I've had two kids, I've been married for 20 years, had brain surgery, built a successful business and dammit, I look d@mn good in a pair of American Eagle skinny jeans.

I've given up about the number because I am healthy. I can run, I can jump, I can go on rides, I can wear a small life vest, I can zip line, ski, trampoline, do anything I want without looking at the weight limits. I can fit in a theater seat, squeeze down a bus aisle, stand in an elevator full of people, use a regular potty stall, shop in any store, fit in a photo booth WITH other people...

None of those activities require a pants size.

[SparkleCat 521]

I found an old pair of Old Navy size 12 jeans I used to wear back in 1997. At the time I weighed 155-160 and wore a size 12. Today I weigh around 181 and have been wearing an Old Navy size 12 since I weighed 188. This whole vanity sized clothing thing is so confusing! I hope I don't offend anyone by saying this, but there have been times I see pictures on BP of people saying they are excited to be wearing a size 4 or 6. I look at the pic and think, "no way, they are more like a 10 or 12." Today I got my proof on how much sizing has changed over the years. I'm not sure if I feel better or worse that my theory has been proven that clothes are bigger now! I sill feel proud of the weight I've lost, but realize I have awhile to go before I will be able to squeeze into my pre-baby jeans! The waist on my old size 12 jeans is a whopping NINE INCHES SMALLER than the ones I bought last week! Sigh.

:

I'm one of those people that put on a (and posted a photo of myself in a)size 6 and I agree...there is no way in hell my 155 lb, 45 year old butt would have gotten into a 6 just a few years ago! Vanity sizing and stretchy materials definitely put me there! But the same vanity sizing and stretch had me in 18 and 20's....so I will take it!

My clothes that fit well now range from size 6 to size 12 (a work dress that I love!)....it is very confusing!

[BitterSweet* 835]

LipstickLady, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your reply. You are so right. I think a lot people do get fixated on the tag, and if that's what keeps you motivated and feeling great so be it. If it doesn't that's great too. We will never look like our younger selves. I just want to feel good in my own body and be able to move. I like how jeans are made now because they are more forgiving. I can squeeze into a smaller size and the stretch of them helps shape my problem areas. Like those 2 aliens on my hips. #saddlebags

My saddlebags are flawless in tight jeans. Just looks like booty you can see from the front. Some people will get that joke! Lol!