I am working on a block pattern for a skirt in woven fabric and I’m struggling a bit with the sizing. Even though I provide measurements I also want to have a sizing system that comes close to my customers expectations of a medium or whatnot. My customer is a grown up woman, hence a small is bit larger than shops catering towards teenagers. And my XS would be for the slim folks (though I don’t have that size yet as I never get any requests for it, only XL).
Today I checked out skirts in retail chains such as Mango and Zara. However I think their Mediterranean sizing is a bit smaller than the US market equivalent (where most of my customers are). I’m wearing a Zara medium in the photo, and it fits pretty well, but maybe some would find this skirt a tad snug for being a medium. I think that my lower body falls somewhere between a “generic” small and medium. What would you say, does this skirt looks like a medium to your eyes or is it more a small? I know it might be hard to tell from a photo, but for reference, I wear a size 6 in US brands like Anthropologie, Ann Taylor loft and Banana Republic.
9 Comments
Kaja
Not sure. I think it looks great on you…
If you need measurements for a larger size I could help you with a size 12 with long legs… 😉
Johanna
Hehe, I was actually tempted to buy it, but then I reminded myself that was only doing research!
Summer (Our Heroine)
I'd say the skirt is a Medium. I wear US size Small and am 2-4 at Banana Republic and Ann Taylor. I think you're doing sizing right if you don't need XS.
Jane
I'd err more on the side of that being a small. I think of myself as pretty much a 'medium' (although currently sitting on the heavier end of that which I'm not happy about!). I don't think that skirt would fit me. I'm a 12 – 14 Australian which is I think about 10 – 12 US. I think something like a 40 – 42 European? So confusing! When will the fashion world get its act together and have universal sizing? (I know, never.) Oh and I think I am roughly your target age – 40 with 3 kids and the body to prove it! And really, really not wanting to buy anything in size 'Large'….
Johanna
Jane and Summer, thank you for the feedback! And it just goes to show that the concept of a medium certainly can differ depending on who you ask 🙂
I thought some more and I'm more inclined to follow Jane's idea of a medium, I'm thinking that the sizing of a Burda/North European size 40 would hit the mark pretty well. I will grade less difference between sizes than I do in the tops since a fitted skirt is more demanding when it comes to exact fit.
Laura
Small is my vote. I tend to think of an AT/BR size 2-4 as an XS, 6-8 small, 10-12 large and 14-16 XL. (RTW sizes, not Big 4 pattern sizes). I'm in the US which I know tends to run a bit bigger than most of the rest of the world.
linda
I'd say small if you wear a 6 and you think it is okay (slightly tighter than normal on you).
Lisette M
I would consider a 6 a small by US sizing.
Åsa
I always go up one size when shopping at mango/Zara – those south europeans are so much smaller than us swedes!
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