…….  or does it? Many of us get so hung up on size labels when, in reality, it’s such a waste of time and effort. Sizing has not been regulated since the 1950′s and our bodies have changed in shape and size dramatically since the days of Doris Day et al so use them as a guide and leave it at that.

A case in point  -  I bought a fantastic trench dress from the new All Saints flagship store on Regent Street a few weeks ago. I had tried it on in a fabulous chocolate brown thick silky material (almost like a raincoat fabric)  in my normal size 8 and had panicked about getting it off again. I seriously thought I might need scissors to cut me out of it as it was so tight round my shoulders and chest. The same thing happened with the size 10. I’m making this sound quite ordinary but it was a scary ( and very sweaty) moment I can tell you. I knew I had expanded around my middle but had I put on that much weight? Despite my confidence issues I still coveted the dress but the 12 was out of stock, so I settled for one in linen instead. For some reason the size 10, in a pale blue fabric, fitted me fine and looked great, albeit in a different way.

Weeks later, I was still thinking about the chocolate brown dress - always a sign that it should be in your wardrobe.  Having already checked it wasn’t available online, I was highly delighted when I saw it at half price in the Leeds branch this weekend. Not surprisingly, the rack was full of 6′s and 8′s (you’d need to be a twiglet to get into them) and one size 14. Yes, you’ve guessed correctly. That was the one I bought.  Bizarre but true. So forget size. It really doesn’t matter. What does make the difference is great fit and your happiness at finding something you love – which also loves you back.

By the way, if you are very small the online shop has reduced the 6′s and 8′s by a further 50% so a real bargain is to be had. www.allsaints.com   £145 dress is now £37.50