I'm not if it is just me, but how do people know when clothes fit, and when they are too small and too bit, other than being obvious like falling off, or not going on?

For jeans thats one way that is easy-- its too big if it doesn't stay up or if I can take it off without undoing the buttons and zipper, I figure. But I have a hard time telling with tops.

Right now, for example, I suspect the shirt I am wearing might be too big for me. Its a long sleeve button down shirt, slight bit of stretch (like 97% non stretch, then maybe 1-2 percent stretch), thats the sort I tend to like. I also really like 3/4 sleeve. Now the reason I think it might be too big is because it looks sort of pretty loose, including the collar being sort of low and I can push the sleeve up over my elbow without undoing the button at the cuff (but it is only a one button cuff). So does that mean it is too big? How loose/tight are shirts supposed to be? This morning I tried layering a T shirt over it and I just looked silly-- like I was wearing my older brother's clothing as a kid or something. At the same time I don't want things to be too tight and when I wear fitted clothing I tend to worry that things are too small. Does anyone else feel this way? I never had this problem before, but then I wasn't trying to wear things from three or four different sizes in one week before.

It doesn't mean the shirt is too tight, it could be the way it's meant to hang. It's hard to tell. For me, I let how it fits in my arms/neck by the gauge. If something is really baggy in my armpit area, it's also going to be baggy in my neck. As for something more objective...

The key way is the shoulder seams. The shoulder seam should start at the end of your shoulder. If it hangs below, it's too loose and if it's up higher or tight in through the armpits, it's too small.

Kyethra,

That is a very good question. I think as we start losing weight we want thing to look better on us whereas previously if it fit, basically we would but it.

That is a valid question and I was told a few months back that my pant were way too big for me in the butt...lol. I'm curious as to how others respond to this question.

I think generally if it looks good in the mirror and you feel comfortable, then it's a good fit.

I bought a nice pair of pants around christmas time, and now they look way too big on me.

My next step is finding a good seamstress and go from there for now.

I just look in the mirror and see whether I feel comfortable. Unfortunately this often depends on my mood and level of confidence for the day, so I don't often throw things away unless I note that I just haven't worn it in forever.

If something is too tight, then my 'muffin top' bugs me, or I don't like how it pinches my bat wings or something. If it's too big I think I just look "frumpy".

For pants, I REFUSE to lay down on the bed to zip them up! And yes, if I can pull them down without unbuttoning or unzipping, I start thinking about getting the next size down.