Was Marilyn Monroe REALLY a size 12? (or 16)

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

Yes she was! However, sizing in the garment industry has changed radically since the 1950s. Marilyn Monroe's measurements were:

Height: 5 feet, 5½ inches
Weight: 118 pounds
Bust: 35inches
Waist: 22inches
Hips: 35inches

That is similar to about a size 4 today. Even near the end of her career, when she was "fat", her measurements were

Bust:37 inches
Waist: 23 inches
Hips: 36 inches

Still pretty tiny!

Even Lucille Ball was a "perfect size 12" according to her studio publicity department. Her measurements were even smaller than Marilyn's.

So, when you are out shopping for vintage, don't be horrified that you can only fit into a 14 or 16. It doesn't mean you are fat, it only means that sizes are different than they were back in the day.

Also, one of the reasons that there is almost no plus size vintage is that there were almost no plus size people back then. Widespread obesity is a very recent phenomenon and was practically unheard of until the late 70s.

[Devin Coffin]

Alot of times it just depends on the person. I'm 5'8" and currently 122. When I was younger I weighed 110 and I still had a 10 inch difference between my hips and waist.

Delyssia LaBelle {Madam} said:

i used to take comfort in the fact that me and marilyn were the same size, thanks for ruining my dream...lol, JK.

im working my way down in inches now, not sure i will reach 22! but the goal is 25inches. its so hard for me to believe such tall girls, i guess being 5feet 4inches, i think one more inch and a half is tall...but that a girl of that height was only 118lbs and still had curves. when i get under 130 i start loosing all my coke bottle shape. i guess there just gifted. same with Dita! hard to believe at 5 feet 6 inches shes only 114!!!! 

[Lizzy Darling]

i hate when people use her as a role model for plus size women because she wasn't!! she was trying to get pregnant in that photo

[MissApril]

I completely agree!  Making derogatory comments about someone's weight hold's the same value whether they are anorexic or obese.

The Trousseau said:

I have a friend who struggles with keeping weight on.  Because she is skinny, like, really skinny, she doesn't feel so great about her sexuality-- because of comments like this. 

 

--Just sayin'

Scarlett Poppy said:

Agreed - curves are sexy. Otherwise you may as well just be a boy