I keep seeing references to the vanity sizing on websites that I frequent, but, like ellendi commented above, it hasn't proven true with my own shopping. My old size 6 suits and pants (some are 10 years old) fit me well, and some are even a bit loose. My new suits are all size 8s, and many 8s don't fit me. The cuts seem to have changed a few years ago in a way that doesn't suit me. Jackets and tops are cut narrower in the shoulder (I have broad shoulders), and pants are cut smaller in the seat and thighs. Clothing is closer to being straight up and down. If I had a different body type, perhaps a smaller size would work, but with my body type I seem to need larger sizes, which then need tailoring to truly fit well because they're too big in the torso and waist (my goal for this year is to work towards better fits and find a good tailor). I wear suits 4 days a week, and dressy business casual on Fridays, and I've been unimpressed with the fabric quality of most suits. So I usually try to buy my suits at places like nordstrom rack, because the lower cost matches what the suits seem 'worth' to me (I can't see paying $300 for a low quality fabric). Casual clothes are even more hit or miss for me. Macys is mostly junk. Ann taylor loft and their outlets were once reliable, but not any more (I bought a top from ann taylor outlet a few weeks ago and it literally fell apart when i ran it through the delicate cycle before wearing it; unfortunately I'd thrown out the price tag). Banana republic seems too expensive for the quality. I love boden but sadly nothing that I have ordered from them fits me; their fit model must have a very different body type. Sigh...

You reminded me of my early days when Mom worked at a company that sold school uniforms to gals. I used to go in and help pack up the orders. I always felt so sorry for some of the girls who went to this school where the uniform was the absolute ugliest shirt-waist dresses that were even then about 20 years out of date and in the most awful shades of pink, blue and yellow. I was always in love with the beautiful navy wool jackets with the emblems on them that went with the black watch plaid and knee socks...so sharp. Used to wear them with penny loafers back then...and you had to have the penny in the loafer! Sorry for the diversion.

Lazypup, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in your family....... I have heard lately that women in show business have been fooling the public about when they had their baby. You will hear talk show hosts say to someone like Heidi Klume that she looks wonderful and only had the baby 4 weeks ago and just did a charity runway event. How DID she do it? I always believed these people were on illegal drugs to do that and also had plastic surgery. Now, it is rumored that the some of these women had the baby months before so they lied. Also, some of them are letting someone else carry their baby. I was shocked. This is akin to the movie stars who say they have never had a facelift. Their admirers would believe it is true. Joy Behar of the talk show The View will bait the stars and ask what they do to look so good and would they consider surgery. She is sitting right next to them. The answer is they eat right and have good genes and no they don't believe in plastic surgery and hate needles. Well, that could be true and then again maybe it is one woman lying to other women.I wish it wouldn't be that way.

I'm not in the age range considered 'older' yet, but we all get there at some point! I buy most of my clothing online, only items that have reviews (I look at the 3 stars, that's where I've found the most helpful and reality-based reviews on everything from electronics to clothing. If there aren't any 3 star and its all 5 starred reviews I look elsewhere just as I do when it's only 1-2 star). If you can take your measurements accurately (helps to have someone to assist in this) then you can generally determine whether a given article of clothing is going to fit. If looking for bras, check out the reddit /abrathatfits for a more detailed list of measurements you need to properly determine size. I do know how to sew, which makes it easy for me to alter instead of sending back. Mostly the issues are in the waist area - GG/H cup 32 band and junk in the trunk but only 5'1.5". Tunics to wear with leggings can be quickly altered with a couple well placed darts in the back so that I don't look like I'm wearing a tent but am not hiding my figure 'assets'. Ordering online has the benefit of finding clothing for little money - also spending less for something tends to make it easier to not freak out when the garment inevitably starts to fall apart. Do I wish that the simple cotton tees or knit dresses were made with the better, thicker materials like they were back in my not-so-long-ago college days? Absolutely. But wishing won't make it happen. We've traded more sturdy and long lasting retail goods we bought precisely because they would last for 'fast fashion' that meets customer demand for cheap and on trend with the disposable quality that keeps retailers in business. The same thing has happened in nearly every category of retail goods - appliances, home decor, etc...We've been convinced that we must consume and buy the latest tech, the latest trend. Sometimes I can still find high quality clothing, but it comes at an equally high price - my Lands End all-weather coat would be one of those purchases. Same for my skirt suits for work bought at Nordstrom (which I like because they will do free alterations on clothing purchased at one of their locations). When paired with my latest crop of trendy cheap knit tops, the fact that I only have a few of those more expensive components like the skirts/pants/jackets is unnoticeable.