General Chat

That sizes 8s and 10s are not the average size these days?................................. Every time I go in there the rails are full of 8s, 10s and 12s and hardly any 16s (which must be the average size of their customers).................................... In every sale there are always loads of the lower sizes left. ...................................... you would think their buyers would realise this and alter their stock control accordingly, or is that too easy? Ann Glos

Funny you should say that - I had a dream about exactly this last night ............ I would like to see them bring back the inbetween odd sizes !! I am too small for a 16 too big for a 14 - I need a 15 :O(

Yes, that's right, I used to take a 13, I could do with a 15 too. I also think they altered their trouser lengths some time ago, I always used to take the middle length (medium or whatever it used to be), I still do but it is about three quarters of an inch too long. Ann Glos

You go to any shop now and provided you are 9 feet tall you may or may not find trousers/skirts that will fit !!!!! I'm not short just an average 5' 4' and tad on the large size lol. Lin x

They've always been like that! I used to be very petite, but could never get the really smaller sizes. When we complained we were told that the small sizes sold out quickly. Anne

I have to agree that some peoples' sizes are not catered for ...even size 8 is too big for my O H...... Bob

I have two size 14 skirts bought 6 years apart and the waisband size is very different . I think M&S have def changed their sizing.

I think Matalans trousers are one of the worst offenders. Loads of sizes 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16's neat lengths to suit average heights. but if you are a bigger size you've had it. I'm 5ft 7in. longer in the body but havent got short legs...I havent got long legs up to my armpits (as they assume) as the last pair I bought (and returned) the legs were at least six inches too long. I would have had to be 6ft for them to fit....ridiculous. Ive found most of their trousers are much the same. To fit my leg length according to them I must be a size 12. Its so annoying ! another rant... limited swimsuits in a longer body length...I really dont want to be cut in half,...keep on pulling it up to stop my modesty falling out :o)))... Elaine x :o))

I have to agree that the lengths catered for short peeps is furiating, but on the flip side....my daughter, aged 16, is 6'2' and a size 10. Try finding long enough clothes for her in the leg and arm, or clothes that actually fit around the middle. Tee-shirts are ok, but other tops, dresses, jeans and trousers are a nightmare! Try being a 16 year old with internet shopping! I won't even start with shoes for her (size 10)!! Tina x

I find British Home Stores very good. It used to be like that for shoes no size 7 or 8 sizes they do cater a bit more for our big feet. There again if there are only the small sizes left in the sales that is telling us something that the bigger sizes have been scooped up and the smaller sizes are less popular maybe.

It always seems to me that the SMALL sizes are few and far between! If I see anything I like in M&S I usually buy it there and then as I can guarantee that my size will be sold out next time I look. I find M&S sizing and lengths less reliable than they used to be - probably because the clothes are all made in different factories from Romania to Taiwan and anywhere in between!

Ann, I have actually written a letter to our local M & Sp along those lines......all the larger sizes go, and all the smaller ones are left.....and go into the sales.... surely it is not rocket science to realise that the buyers should be ordering more of the larger sizes and fewer of the small..... I have noticed recently that they are now doing sizes 20 and 22 and I think that is down to the fact that Bonne Marche is doing a roaring trade in catering for the larger sizes..... btw did anyone hear of the huge pay increase given to the chap who has turned around the profits of M & Sp....it is in the millions...

Another gripe, Things are sold 12-14 then next size is 16-18. I need the middle size in some things ,can not buy 16-18 as far too big and 12-14 a bit tight. x Jill

Jill - I have exactly the same problem with the 'doubled up' sizes :O( And on leg lengths - I am a 29 inside leg - so what can I find - only 27's (too short) or 31's (too long) *tuts lol*

think you have troubles if your boobs are bigger than a g cup its so hard to find a bra that you would like to wear

Not that I am a G cup, but why can't they make a good supporting larger cup size bra that is also pretty? And not expensive. Ann Glos

And WHEN will manufacturers/retailers realise that we do not all have arms the length of gorillas'?? And I have given up wasting so much time looking for the M & S cotton bras amongst the racks they now use for display in our two big stores. It drives me mad! So now I get onto their website and order my bra in my size and in cotton without losing my temper. Joanna

Ann you are so right, I am not a G cup either but everytime I need a new bra the local lingerie shop has to order them in. Try finding shoes when you are a size 10-11, all I ever get is 'you will have to try the mens section), whenever I have been in America in the past I have stocked up there as they seemed to realised their are ladies with big feet - Michelle

Dont talk about bra sizes That brings me back to the swimming cozzie row, and those stupid foam cups which you fall out of (& under pmsl) you can never get an exact or near enough size to support properly.. Elaine x

Re size 14s being two different sizes...I used to be a standard M & S 12. I have put on nearly two stone from what I used to weigh and now I take a size 10 skirt! This is a con. Sizes are getting bigger. That I suppose is why they can put size 8 in, cos a 10 now is more like a 12 from 20 years ago, so an 8 now is an old 10. Well I know what I mean! Also Next sizes are really weird. Tried to buy a suit in there and needed a 10 skirt and 14 jacket... Over and out Sheila