Simple, straight sizing question

[Guest shawnmichelle]

I've been looking at various sizing charts for two days. I keep getting confused on waist. Where is my female waist in relation to my male waist. As near as I can figure, it should be at my belly button.

Also, when I'm looking at transgendered shopping sites, when they talk about the waist, it's the female measurement, right?

I've also seen many sites talk about specialized clothing for crossdressing because of the difference between males and females. How big of a difference are we talking about?

I've never thought of these questions before. Now that Shawn Michelle is coming back to life, I want to do this right.

Thanks,

Shawn Michelle

[Charlize]

It has been my experience that sizing is a nuisance. Sizes vary tremendously by maker. It alo depends on how you like your fit to be. That being said a woman's waist is considered higher than a man's. I have found that by shopping at a thrift shop i could better find my "size". It turns out i'm a 12 below but a 14 to 16 above as my shoulders are(guess what) built like a man. If i use these measurements i get close but only close. One can return most items if they don't fit if you purchase in person or by mail. Thrift shops may not allow returns but often the pieces cost less than the postage. I still just try until i get it right. You often see cis women taking several sizes of the same item to the dressing room. I've got to expect the same.

The best thing is to enjoy the shopping, then you'll find outfits you love.

Hugs,

Charlize

[JJ]

For the decades I was living as a woman I always considered my waist to be where I was smallest around. And Charlize is right about size variations-things also vary in how they are cut as well as size from one brand to another. I have very broad shoulders-when I was a size 3 to 5 on the bottom my shoulders were a 9 so I just didn't wear dresses except sleeveless. With sleeveless dresses you can draw attention in to the center with a jewelry or print or embellishment and make your shoulders seem smaller too.

My favorite decade as far as clothes fitting was the shoulder pad era in the late 80s. Just popped those shoulder pads out and I had the look as well as a good fit because my shoulders didn't need the pads at all . A skirt that is fuller and swings at the bottom will also give a wider line at the bottom and make shoulders look smaller. A peplum does too but I always had broad hips and avoided them like a plague. If your hips are small add ruffles or extra bulk in that area and you will instantly look curvier.

Being who I am I loved my broad shoulders when I was at home or fishing and hiking but I had to dress like a professional woman a great deal of the time and had to learn to minimize them even when I gained weight and a lot of mass they were still out of proportion. Now T combined with exercise and weight loss has left my shoulders 10 inches bigger around than any other part of my body.

Looking good in women's clothes is really a matter of optical illusion not only for transwomen but for most other women as well. You may need to try on a lot of styles to see what works best for your body type. Pattern, cut and accessories can transform you.

Johnny

[Charlize]

Thanks for that Johnny. Peplum, it's one i have never seen before. I googled the style and can see how it is great for giving the hipless hips. I'll be looking for an outfit like that again.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi shawnmichelle,

You have already been given some helpful advice.

Women’s sizes vary greatly between manufacture’s and also country of origin.

A size 14 made in the US, may be a size 18 made in China or Vietnam.

One helpful thing that I do when shopping for female jeans and skirts is, measure my waist with a seamstress tape measure, and then when I go shopping, I measure the waist of the jeans and skirts on the rack, so that I can get the right size, and I do not have to take a large number of clothes to the fitting room, so I only have to try on garments that should fit. Some fitting rooms also limit the number of clothes that you can take into the fitting room, and this prevents multiple trips trying on clothes that do not fit..

Some Crossdressing sites that specialize in clothing for CD’s will often post the “Men’s” sizes to make it easier for men to shop, and not having to return items.

Most woman’s sizing charts are for the “Ideal” woman, which applies to very few women.

The waist may be correct, but the bust and hips do not match the chart.

One thing that I found very helpful when shopping for clothes is, rather than get fitted dresses, I go for separate tops, and bottoms, it is much easier finding separate tops and bottoms that fit me correctly.

In term’s of dresses, I try and get stretch or wrap material dresses, that can conform to my shape.

If possible, I always recommend that trans* people try on garments in fitting rooms, to avoid returns.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Destiny Lynn]

Thank you Johnny. I googled Peplum images, wow. I like those! '

Destiny Lynn

[Guest Clair Dufour]

While you can experiment with buying stuff on line or at a box store and DIYing it, the best and fastest thing is to go to a crossdressing shop and have have people with experience find the best look for you. For things they don't do like hair and such, they know where to refer you to. They also know where you can show off your new look. Of course in some back water places its a bit harder but all you need to do is meet the right CD to connect with the local community. If so, just look around.

[Guest Shawna]

The simple fact is that manufactures of women clothing all use sizing that differs from their competitors. Size 16 for one vendor is a size 14 for another. Your bra size will change depending on the maker. As you shop for women's clothing on line -- READ THE REVIEWS--You will see that GG's constantly complain that the sizing is wrong. "Too small, too long, tight around the bust etc". I have given up trying to know my size - now I try it on or I don't buy it. This evening I went to my lane Bryant store to try on some designer dresses on sale. (75% off)

I had called ahead and the girls had placed them in a dressing room for me (I was very late (8:15) and they close at 9:00pm). I'm a size 14-16 in most Lane Bryant selections.

They had 4 dresses in both size 16 & 18 waiting for me. Nothing fit. The length was perfect. Fit around my hips was perfect --couldn't zip either size around my bust. The manager and I talked about the frustrating issues of sizing women's clothing. Remember she is a manager of a Plus size women's clothing chain. She also was frustrated. Good Luck. It's hit or miss.

[VickySGV]

Men's sizes in Women's clothing is a borderline VERY Expensive myth, and at first you may feel better (although lighter in the wallet) thinking about that, but I have found that it works only in the tailored or tighter torso dresses and gowns. My usual clothing is looser tops with 3/4 sleeves or the same type of short sleeves on most male shirts. For long sleeve tops, I love the flare ruffle cuffs. I am a size bigger in my slacks and skirts than I am in my tops which is usual for almost any woman. Female waist as said above, it the smallest measurement at or above your belly button, in my case two fingers above it.

For a nice gown, get a good one, one to two sizes large, and have it tailored to you by a store that does alterations. It is worth the $$$, since I have a very nice Bridesmaids gown (I was one) that stays up on my home grown B cups nicely.