Dr. Oz Calls Out Vanity Sizing Lies: 'What's Your Real Size ...
The Dr. Oz Show had women who thought they were a size 12, ... "If you use your clothes to measure your weight you could be in the dark about your health," ...tv.yahoo.com/.../ustv.associatedcontent.com-dr-oz-calls-out-vanity-sizing-lies
tv.yahoo.com/.../ustv.associatedcontent.com-dr-oz-calls-out-vanity-sizing-lies-whats-your-real-size-episode
Here is a table of the results of my research, numerous measurments and garments used.
It should be noted all the clothes compared were the same style and fit
A Note on Sizes !
There does appear to be a slight difference of opinion in how UK/US sizes are converted, I have tried to use what appears to be the most common and authoritive.
The Results of Our Survey
| Label Size | Should Measure | Does Measure | Real Size |
| UK 4 | 24" | 28 inches | 10 |
| UK 8 | 26" | 30 inches | 12 |
| UK 10 | 28" | 32 inches | 14 |
| UK 12 | 30" | 32-36 inches | 16 |
| UK 14 | 32" | 38 inches | 18 |
The Health Issues
This is the crux of the matter I believe, manufacturers kidding people and flattering their vanity is one thing but risking their health is another !
When a woman reads that the average British woman is a size 16 and at serious health risk weight levels and she’s a ‘12′ she thinks, phew! that’s not too bad, I’m OK …
But, that information is based on actual measurements and not label sizes !
Dress Size Comparison Chart
We have put this table together to compare measurements and sizes in order to to convert should you wish. We have not just copied one this is researched and taken from ISO British Standard measurements and then cross-referenced with continental authority sites.You’ll note a 2 inch range in waist measurements, we’ve done this to cover all bases as there are some variants and not a specific and definitive guide.
| UK | USA | EU | Waist Inches |
| 4 | 2 | 32 | 20-22 |
| 6 | 4 | 34 | 22-24 |
| 8 | 6 | 36 | 24-26 |
| 10 | 8 | 38 | 26-28 |
| 12 | 10 | 40 | 28-30 |
| 14 | 12 | 42 | 30-32 |
| 16 | 14 | 44 | 32-34 |
| 18 | 16 | 46 | 34-36 |
| 20 | 18 | 48 | 36-38 |
| UK | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| USA | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Continental | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Japanese | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Bust | 32" | 34" | 36" | 38" | 40" |
| Waist | 24" | 26" | 28" | 30" | 32" |
| 61cm | 66cm | 71cm | 76cm | 81cm | |
| Hip | 35" | 37" | 39" | 41" | 43" |
| 89cm | 94cm | 99cm | 104cm | 109cm |
How to Measure Yourself Properly
How to Measure Your Vital Statistics Bust
* With your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.
Waist
* Whilst upright, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline.
* Keep the tape comfortably loose, don’t pull tight.
Hips
* While standing with feet together, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your body between your waist and your knees.
In Summary
This has been a tour de force and I hope you got this far.I don’t think people mind being flattered a little but I think, women especially, would object to being made a fools of and clearly deceived.
This has gone way past Vanity Sizing now and has serious implications for both sexes.
I hope you have found this both useful and illuminating. Please feel free to link to the page should you wish to share it with others.
This is an edit after some 200 plus comments below and whilst reading them all is perhaps unrealistic for most the trend is clear Vanity Sizing is very real.
Some people have left comments suggesting it isn’t etc and of course that’s their right - we welcome all opinions here.
Here’s two very telling experiences that have emerged which largely sum things up:
From a vintage clothes dealer: If buying clothes from the 1980s or before the general rule of thumb is to add two dress sizes
From a middle aged womanI’m exactly the same measurement as the day I got married as a teenager, my wedding dress was a ten, I can now take modern size 10 jeans on and off without undoing the button or zip !
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/what-dress-size-or-waist-size-am-i-really
