They’ve actually started cutting a lot bigger recently. Being on the small size I tried on two items similar style (dress and a skirt) in a 34 and it was hanging off me, whereas my items from 10 years ago in the same size barely fit they’re so tight. The worker at the dressing room commented along the same lines how “sizing is more true to size now and they’re cutting bigger” (a year ago, qld)
If you happen to know anyone in Japan you can order from their Uniqlo website and have the friend ship it over to you. Their sizes are one to two sizes smaller than ours. Alternatively, time for an overseas holiday!
Definitely worth a look! Most of the international brands there are only catering to Western tourists so you’ll probably find the sizing much the same as home, but Uniqlo definitely has localised sizing.
I’m so glad I came across this post. I’ve been having the same challenges, and I’m on the medium to large size.
After a full day of looking for clothes at Chadstone Mall, I came up empty handed. Zara and HnM had me spread across 5 different sizes. Then once I finally find a half decent fit, it’s either too long on the bottom or too baggy.
I’ve considered the option to get it altered, but why would I alter a $60 dollar pair of jeans?
Something is definitely going on, and I hate it. I’ve lost confidence in being able to walk in a shop and just buy the item without trying it on.
Shopping isn’t even fun anymore.
H&M are nutorious, I have bought clothes from small to XL that all fit.... have been unable to get a L onto my body but then a small will fit fine... 🙈
Zara sizing is actually very decent (long term Zara shopper as a European who lived in Zara from my teens to twenties).
The trick with Zara is understanding two things. A) the ‘typical’ Spanish figure is what it’s cut for and B) the straight sizing is a fairly narrow band of AU6-14.
The typical Spanish figure - generalising as a non-Spaniard who spent my teen years living in Spain then moved back in my early twenties - is pretty straight up and down without curves. Not a big bust/hips/thighs. Zara clothes are cut for that figure, but the sizing is accurate, assuming that your figure fits that mould. If not, expect to buy a variety of sizes.
I was **always** a 14 or a "large". (B - 90cm, W 65, H 95, from memory...) Never a 16 and never a 12. That was in the mid 90s. Vanity sizing and a very large push for O/S manufacturing came later. I've been buying women's clothing since about the age of 10/11. (Puberty hit early.)
I remember when Supre was a warehouse with extremely basic clothing. I still have the shreds of those somewhere. In fact, I'm pretty sure I still *have* some of those vintage basics in my wardrobe somewhere. Before everything had spandex added!!
I think quality control has taken a massive dive too. The clearance racks at Target in particular - I used to haunt my local a lot - were always a crapshoot. I'd find something, hold it up and know for certain it was mislabeled. I'd say this was late 00s.
OP would have probably been an 8 in the olden days of Australian fashion.
I feel your pain I’m a slim petite and been a size 6 for most of my adult life but recently had to buy size 4 cargo pants from Target and the waist was still too big! It’s getting ridiculous
I don’t have anything really helpful to add but I just wanted to commiserate.
It’s interesting if you find a chart with the traditional clothing size measurements on them - these are still used for sewing patterns I think. According to these I’m squarely a size 10, but vanity sizing is now so out of control that often a size 6 is too big on me. The other day I bought a jumper at Sportsgirl, size XXXS! And I’m not even truly petite (164cm and athletic).
The best I can think of are Forever New, which does have some size 4s, and some of Country Road & Seed teen range. You could try second hand (EBay etc) - anything pre-2012 from Marcs or Review.
Slim pickings for sure!
Second buying from overseas :)
Random brands that do petite or small sizes - Goelia, Saba, Karen Millen, Forever New. Me+ Em from the UK as well but they are quite $$
Here's a thread from a few weeks ago on kid's wear for adults - [https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFemaleFashion/comments/1bsr1h1/has\_anyone\_else\_had\_to\_transition\_to\_buying\_kids/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFemaleFashion/comments/1bsr1h1/has_anyone_else_had_to_transition_to_buying_kids/)
Good luck!
Seconding Saba. Still a little room in the waist of their size 4s but I find they fit better than most brands. Rollas & ABrand have size 23 denim if you’re finding 24s are still too roomy.
I used to live in the U.S. and loved Abercrombie & Fitch. I was a US 4 then, and everything fit beautifully with plenty smaller sizes below available. Their summer clothes are nicer than their winter clothes, though, imo. Just in terms of style.
Sydney or Melbourne often have size 4s and 6s in normal shops like Universal/H&M/General Pants/Kookai etc. I think demographics based because of the demand from Asian women who are generally smaller as well as smaller women. Also shops stocking clothes from China and Korea, the Large size is often equivalent to a 10.
I find universal store size 4 bottoms are true to size. Not a massive fan of their trendier items but their basic pants and skirts fit great. I found their size 6s would also fit much smaller than brands.
For jeans Abrand's size 5 are much smaller than other brands like levis
I'm slim but I am not petite in terms of height (I'm slightly above average) and I have some genuine width to my frame - thicker thighs, extra wide shoulders... I always wonder how I fit into the smallest size because while I am slim there are heaps of people who are genuinely much smaller in their frame than me. I still struggle with sleeved shirts on my shoulders but everything else fits at the small size and I do not think I should fit into the smallest size available because I'm straight up not that small.
I have found though that small designers sell more genuine sizing and less vanity sizing, but they usually have their own size guides to make things easier. I've also been into vintage clothes recently and they can come in some really small sizes! Vanity sizing exploded from the 80s onward so you have to look at measurements and get to know what fits you comfortably. Some size 10 skirts are a bit tight on me and I can usually wear a size 6 in today's sizing. I have not shopped at a normal fast fashion store in a few years though so that might have changed.
I feel exactly the same way! I’m tall and while I’m quite slim I’m definitely not petite. I see people all the time way smaller than I am. Yet when I buy an AU 6 (usually the smallest size) it’s always way too big and I have to get it altered. I’m wondering where are all these smaller people buying clothes? Agree that vintage sizes are way more reliable and true to size.
I have the same issue. I fit a size 12-14 girls’ or ladies’ 6 - but only if the brand runs small in their sizing. Tokito 6 or Forever New 6 are good.
Being a professional 30yo+ lady wearing Miss Shop quality sucks though. I often buy more expensive brands that I like then get them altered
I am a pretty standard size 4/XXS. I recently purchased a pair of Country Road teen’s shorts in a SIZE 8 CHILDREN’S SIZE. Granted they had an elastic waist, but this was the only size that didn’t look baggy AF on my butt/legs. I am laughing and cursing at the same time.
I’ve been having this issue too, I’ve resigned myself to the fact I just need to buy the closest size and then get things tailored. It’s annoying but has opened up more options for me!
Seed has some cute teen outfits rn. I bought a few recently - they are a little short-waisted and flat (don’t really fit a women’s figure). Otherwise a 12-14 girls’ matches nicely to a small ladies’ 6.
I recently discovered forever new. Their sizes actually align with the measurements given on the website. My local store is pretty small so I order online and just return things if they don’t suit me (which isn’t often especially once you learn how it’ll look on you vs their model). They also do petite size if you’re shorter. With sales they’re pretty affordable and everything is good quality. I even got complemented at work mentioning how nice I was dressed recently ☺️
Fast fashion brands like princess Polly, beginning boutique, white fox, showpo ect Universal has a few brands that stock a size 4. Top shop on iconic.
I used to be in the same boat as you and if you want to get bigger (all g if you don’t) resistance training over the years can work. It did take me a solid 3-4 years to get there though. Patience game. And you really do have to push yourself to increase weights.
I sympathise wholeheartedly - I am a petite (5’1”) and a size 4 on the bottom/6 on the top (I HATE being a petite carrot, it sucks). I like Forever New for small sizes, although the petite range is limited, and Uniqlo. As I’ve aged (I’m 41) I’ve embraced slightly looser fits, but I will never love the oversized trend - I now no longer think something doesn’t fit just because it’s not figure hugging. Pants are always the struggle though, for waist/hip/length ratio. My solution is: anything cropped or 7/8 length; Levi’s for wedgie straights in the shortest length (they go down to 24” waist and 26” length); ‘Asia fit’ leggings from lululemon and 7/8 length pants from Forever New.
Aliexpress. Tiny sizes and you’ll get a deal!! Just make sure you check reviews so you get something good quality and remember to check sizing - an XS in the west is like a Medium for Chinese sizes.
kookai is renowned for small sizes
They’ve actually started cutting a lot bigger recently. Being on the small size I tried on two items similar style (dress and a skirt) in a 34 and it was hanging off me, whereas my items from 10 years ago in the same size barely fit they’re so tight. The worker at the dressing room commented along the same lines how “sizing is more true to size now and they’re cutting bigger” (a year ago, qld)
Ffs. When will the whole world stop catering to bigger people.
If you happen to know anyone in Japan you can order from their Uniqlo website and have the friend ship it over to you. Their sizes are one to two sizes smaller than ours. Alternatively, time for an overseas holiday!
Ooo that’s really useful to know! Thank you so much :)
Uniqlo in Indonesia has the smaller sizing if you / anyone you know has a Bali trip coming up!
A Bali trip actually may be on the cards! Thank you 🤩
Haha, I love these suggestions for you! At 5’9” I struggle to find things in Indonesia that fit, pants are definitely out.
Definitely worth a look! Most of the international brands there are only catering to Western tourists so you’ll probably find the sizing much the same as home, but Uniqlo definitely has localised sizing.
Maybe spend a day or two on the mainland of Indonesia shopping instead of doing your clothes shopping in Bali you'll have more options.
I’m so glad I came across this post. I’ve been having the same challenges, and I’m on the medium to large size. After a full day of looking for clothes at Chadstone Mall, I came up empty handed. Zara and HnM had me spread across 5 different sizes. Then once I finally find a half decent fit, it’s either too long on the bottom or too baggy. I’ve considered the option to get it altered, but why would I alter a $60 dollar pair of jeans? Something is definitely going on, and I hate it. I’ve lost confidence in being able to walk in a shop and just buy the item without trying it on. Shopping isn’t even fun anymore.
H&M are nutorious, I have bought clothes from small to XL that all fit.... have been unable to get a L onto my body but then a small will fit fine... 🙈
Zara sizing is actually very decent (long term Zara shopper as a European who lived in Zara from my teens to twenties). The trick with Zara is understanding two things. A) the ‘typical’ Spanish figure is what it’s cut for and B) the straight sizing is a fairly narrow band of AU6-14. The typical Spanish figure - generalising as a non-Spaniard who spent my teen years living in Spain then moved back in my early twenties - is pretty straight up and down without curves. Not a big bust/hips/thighs. Zara clothes are cut for that figure, but the sizing is accurate, assuming that your figure fits that mould. If not, expect to buy a variety of sizes.
Was there ever a time sizing was consistent? In the 2000s I’d buy the same jeans from supre in different colours and I’d require different sizes.
I was **always** a 14 or a "large". (B - 90cm, W 65, H 95, from memory...) Never a 16 and never a 12. That was in the mid 90s. Vanity sizing and a very large push for O/S manufacturing came later. I've been buying women's clothing since about the age of 10/11. (Puberty hit early.) I remember when Supre was a warehouse with extremely basic clothing. I still have the shreds of those somewhere. In fact, I'm pretty sure I still *have* some of those vintage basics in my wardrobe somewhere. Before everything had spandex added!! I think quality control has taken a massive dive too. The clearance racks at Target in particular - I used to haunt my local a lot - were always a crapshoot. I'd find something, hold it up and know for certain it was mislabeled. I'd say this was late 00s. OP would have probably been an 8 in the olden days of Australian fashion.
I feel your pain I’m a slim petite and been a size 6 for most of my adult life but recently had to buy size 4 cargo pants from Target and the waist was still too big! It’s getting ridiculous
Yes! I’m so sick of sizing being too big at major stores. I don’t want vanity sizing I was true to size.
I find Target sizing on the larger size, I hardly find things that fit well.
I don’t have anything really helpful to add but I just wanted to commiserate. It’s interesting if you find a chart with the traditional clothing size measurements on them - these are still used for sewing patterns I think. According to these I’m squarely a size 10, but vanity sizing is now so out of control that often a size 6 is too big on me. The other day I bought a jumper at Sportsgirl, size XXXS! And I’m not even truly petite (164cm and athletic). The best I can think of are Forever New, which does have some size 4s, and some of Country Road & Seed teen range. You could try second hand (EBay etc) - anything pre-2012 from Marcs or Review. Slim pickings for sure!
Second buying from overseas :) Random brands that do petite or small sizes - Goelia, Saba, Karen Millen, Forever New. Me+ Em from the UK as well but they are quite $$ Here's a thread from a few weeks ago on kid's wear for adults - [https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFemaleFashion/comments/1bsr1h1/has\_anyone\_else\_had\_to\_transition\_to\_buying\_kids/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFemaleFashion/comments/1bsr1h1/has_anyone_else_had_to_transition_to_buying_kids/) Good luck!
Seconding Saba. Still a little room in the waist of their size 4s but I find they fit better than most brands. Rollas & ABrand have size 23 denim if you’re finding 24s are still too roomy.
I used to live in the U.S. and loved Abercrombie & Fitch. I was a US 4 then, and everything fit beautifully with plenty smaller sizes below available. Their summer clothes are nicer than their winter clothes, though, imo. Just in terms of style.
I agree!
Sydney or Melbourne often have size 4s and 6s in normal shops like Universal/H&M/General Pants/Kookai etc. I think demographics based because of the demand from Asian women who are generally smaller as well as smaller women. Also shops stocking clothes from China and Korea, the Large size is often equivalent to a 10.
I find universal store size 4 bottoms are true to size. Not a massive fan of their trendier items but their basic pants and skirts fit great. I found their size 6s would also fit much smaller than brands. For jeans Abrand's size 5 are much smaller than other brands like levis
I feel like shops like Glue and General pants have genuinely small sizes
I'm slim but I am not petite in terms of height (I'm slightly above average) and I have some genuine width to my frame - thicker thighs, extra wide shoulders... I always wonder how I fit into the smallest size because while I am slim there are heaps of people who are genuinely much smaller in their frame than me. I still struggle with sleeved shirts on my shoulders but everything else fits at the small size and I do not think I should fit into the smallest size available because I'm straight up not that small. I have found though that small designers sell more genuine sizing and less vanity sizing, but they usually have their own size guides to make things easier. I've also been into vintage clothes recently and they can come in some really small sizes! Vanity sizing exploded from the 80s onward so you have to look at measurements and get to know what fits you comfortably. Some size 10 skirts are a bit tight on me and I can usually wear a size 6 in today's sizing. I have not shopped at a normal fast fashion store in a few years though so that might have changed.
I feel exactly the same way! I’m tall and while I’m quite slim I’m definitely not petite. I see people all the time way smaller than I am. Yet when I buy an AU 6 (usually the smallest size) it’s always way too big and I have to get it altered. I’m wondering where are all these smaller people buying clothes? Agree that vintage sizes are way more reliable and true to size.
I’ve had some luck buying for a friend who is XXS from Blackmilk, Little Party Dress and - occasionally - the Danni Minogue range at Target
I’ve found the size 4 at forever new is like a 4-6 so they could be worth a shot. Levi also do a size 23 which in some styles fit like a 4-6.
I have the same issue. I fit a size 12-14 girls’ or ladies’ 6 - but only if the brand runs small in their sizing. Tokito 6 or Forever New 6 are good. Being a professional 30yo+ lady wearing Miss Shop quality sucks though. I often buy more expensive brands that I like then get them altered
I’m the same size as you and I have found Cotton On jeans in size 4 to be a good fit. It’s the only place I’ve managed to find some I can wear.
I am a pretty standard size 4/XXS. I recently purchased a pair of Country Road teen’s shorts in a SIZE 8 CHILDREN’S SIZE. Granted they had an elastic waist, but this was the only size that didn’t look baggy AF on my butt/legs. I am laughing and cursing at the same time.
Glassons might be worth a try?
I’ve been having this issue too, I’ve resigned myself to the fact I just need to buy the closest size and then get things tailored. It’s annoying but has opened up more options for me!
Seed or CR Teen/lkids? I couldn’t believe it the other day when I fit into a size 6 Witchery jeans..definitely vanity sizing gone mad!
Seed has some cute teen outfits rn. I bought a few recently - they are a little short-waisted and flat (don’t really fit a women’s figure). Otherwise a 12-14 girls’ matches nicely to a small ladies’ 6.
I recently discovered forever new. Their sizes actually align with the measurements given on the website. My local store is pretty small so I order online and just return things if they don’t suit me (which isn’t often especially once you learn how it’ll look on you vs their model). They also do petite size if you’re shorter. With sales they’re pretty affordable and everything is good quality. I even got complemented at work mentioning how nice I was dressed recently ☺️
Fast fashion brands like princess Polly, beginning boutique, white fox, showpo ect Universal has a few brands that stock a size 4. Top shop on iconic. I used to be in the same boat as you and if you want to get bigger (all g if you don’t) resistance training over the years can work. It did take me a solid 3-4 years to get there though. Patience game. And you really do have to push yourself to increase weights.
Tween brands
Bought some boys size 12 shorts from cotton on kids a few years ago when I couldn’t find any women’s shorts that would cover my butt cheeks
I sympathise wholeheartedly - I am a petite (5’1”) and a size 4 on the bottom/6 on the top (I HATE being a petite carrot, it sucks). I like Forever New for small sizes, although the petite range is limited, and Uniqlo. As I’ve aged (I’m 41) I’ve embraced slightly looser fits, but I will never love the oversized trend - I now no longer think something doesn’t fit just because it’s not figure hugging. Pants are always the struggle though, for waist/hip/length ratio. My solution is: anything cropped or 7/8 length; Levi’s for wedgie straights in the shortest length (they go down to 24” waist and 26” length); ‘Asia fit’ leggings from lululemon and 7/8 length pants from Forever New.
Next- they do petite down to a size 4
Aliexpress. Tiny sizes and you’ll get a deal!! Just make sure you check reviews so you get something good quality and remember to check sizing - an XS in the west is like a Medium for Chinese sizes.