stupid sizing?

[jessmarimba]

Emily, it wasn't so much that they run big - I'd guessed that! - but that, by their size chart, I have a 24" waist. Which I do not, and have not since I was probably, oh, 11? It's one thing to list a size 2 accurately as a 27" waist but to vanity-size your measurement chart is just insane.

[redrhodie]

Another reason for size discrepancies is the way clothes are mass produced. The fabric is placed in layers, then the pattern is cut out. The bottom of the stack will be less precise than the top, making for a slightly different size (I think the bottom layer comes out larger). So, you can get a small 4, or a large 4, of the exact same garment, in the same store. I was told this by a Gap manager.

[Crankin]

I often wonder this about the measurements. I most definitely do not have a 24 inch waist. It's 26 or 27. Yet, a lot of the size 2s or even 4s say 24-25 inches.
Red, that makes a lot of sense about the pattern cutting, and I know nothing about sewing. But, I actually like the Gap jeans as I just discovered the fact they make petite sizes and sell them on line. I know that even if they feel tight at first, they will stretch. I've bought a couple of pairs of "jeggings," and some skinny jeans that I couldn't fit into in any other brand, because I couldn't get them over my calves or thighs in a size that fit my waist. With Gap, I can buy my regular size and they fit because of the stretch.

[GLC1968]

Another reason for size discrepancies is the way clothes are mass produced. The fabric is placed in layers, then the pattern is cut out. The bottom of the stack will be less precise than the top, making for a slightly different size (I think the bottom layer comes out larger). So, you can get a small 4, or a large 4, of the exact same garment, in the same store. I was told this by a Gap manager.

That's true. Gap has been telling their customers (and employees) this for the past 25 years. I learned the exact same thing when I worked there in HS back in the 80's when Gap still carried Levi's!

[lph]

Another reason for size discrepancies is the way clothes are mass produced. The fabric is placed in layers, then the pattern is cut out. The bottom of the stack will be less precise than the top, making for a slightly different size (I think the bottom layer comes out larger). So, you can get a small 4, or a large 4, of the exact same garment, in the same store. I was told this by a Gap manager.

Hey, that makes sense.

They should market the "extra precise top layer garment", the way they market extra-virgin olive oil

[ny biker]

Another reason for size discrepancies is the way clothes are mass produced. The fabric is placed in layers, then the pattern is cut out. The bottom of the stack will be less precise than the top, making for a slightly different size (I think the bottom layer comes out larger). So, you can get a small 4, or a large 4, of the exact same garment, in the same store. I was told this by a Gap manager.

They told me the same thing at J Jill. If I want to try on a pair of pants and they have more than one pair in my size, I will bring them all into the fitting room to compare them.

[malkin]

Another issue with cutting is that because the folds are not precise, the layers can get more and more off grain. Have you ever had that weird pair of pants where the side seam twists and ends up falling down the top of your foot?