According to the October issue of Shop, Etc. more and more women are getting frustrated by the variances in sizes of ladies’ clothing.

For the magazine’s article, “Why is the size 8 so HUGE...and this size 8 is so tight?” a model was sent to 11 different stores to try on the same style of pant. The test revealed that only three of the 11 stores’ pants were actually cut true to size.

To produce size ranges, manufacturers will hire a “target fit model” that may be a size 6 or 8, and will grade other sizes based on her measurements. However, some manufacturers have changed their “target fit model” from a 25-year-old woman to a woman over the age of 30, which better reflects their target consumer. Some manufacturers cut their clothing to reflect European bodies, which tend to be smaller than most Americans. Therefore, the proportions of their clothing will fit much differently than traditionally sized clothing. Some manufacturers still offer “vanity sizing,” where the garment may be size 10 or 12 but will be marked an 8 to make the consumer feel like her shape has not changed.