Moment Josie Gibson Tries To Squeeze Into Size 14 Dress From 1970s – And Discovers Its The Equivalent Of A Size 8-10 On Todays High Street

Josie Gibson has exposed how much high street clothing sizes have changed in a new documentary where she tries to squeeze into a size 14 dress from the 1970s.

In 1970s Diet: Could It Work For You?, airing on Channel 5 on Wednesday at 7pm, the presenter explores how different daily diets, exercise regimes and dress sizes were 50 years ago.

The biggest surprise came when she visited a vintage shop in Bristol to try on a retro dress, and found she couldn’t do the zip up despite it being the size she fits comfortably today.

After getting stuck in the frock and needing help from the shop assistant to get out of it, she said: ‘This is supposed to be a size 14, I thought that would fit me.’

the و she و on – تفاصيل مهمة

‘It’s a size 14,’ sales assistant Zara told the mortified presenter. ‘However because this dress is from the 1970s, the sizing is not the same as it would be in current day sizing.

‘If we take my tape measure the waist for this dress would be a 26-28 inch waist which would be a modern day UK 8-10.’

Zara explained that today, a size 14 is closer to a 32 inch waist.

Overall, people were smaller in the 1970s and the high street has also adapted ‘vanity sizing’ so that customers don’t feel bad about wearing clothing.

a و the و waist – تفاصيل مهمة

As part of her investigation, Josie also tried a two-week 70s meal plan featuring Spam, beef stew and Angel Delight with tinned fruits to see if it made a difference to her weight.

‘Sizing’s changed a lot between the 1970s and now so as people’s lifestyles have changed and as people’s habits have changed, clothes have changed to go with it,’ Zara continued.

‘People are taller than they used to be, weight is different. That petite size that existed in the 1970s is a lot petite than the average person is going to be today.’

a و is و to – تفاصيل مهمة

Research from a working paper for the University of Oxford in 2017 found that, within the last 100 years, ‘the average heights of Englishmen have risen than at any time in recorded history’.

‘Since the early 19th century, average heights for Englishmen have increased substantially, reaching 175cm in 1950 and 177cm in 1970, being among the tallest of any population worldwide,’ the Department of Sociology said.

‘Our data shows that average heights in England in the medieval era and between 1400 and 1700 were similar to those of the 20th century.’

The concept of ‘vanity sizing’ – where stores size up their clothes to make us feel like we’re smaller than we are – is also partially to blame, the documentary said.

the و in و of – تفاصيل مهمة

In the show, Josie also ate smaller portions than she’s used to as part of her 70s experiment, with the diet devised by doctor and nutritionist Helen Lawal.

‘We saw 10 per cent of the population being obese back in the 1970s whereas now these days its about the 25 per cent mark,’ the expert said. ‘We’re seeing a lot chronic disease and heart disease.

‘The diet wasn’t that low calorie at all. It was quite high in fat. They did eat carbs with every meal, a lot red meat… So one of the reasons that we see a lot obesity these days is because the portion sizes are so much bigger.’

the و of و a – تفاصيل مهمة

The average person in the UK would have consumed 2,300 calories a day, according to a government survey from 1974, but lifestyles were much different.

‘It’s not just the portion sizes which are much bigger now, it’s the plate sizes as well,’ Dr Lawal said.

‘Back in the 1970s, the average plate size was 22 centimetres whereas now it’s like 28 centimetres.’

It’s something Josie experienced first-hand when, on day 10 of the experience, she was allowed to go to the chippy.

the و sizes و it’s – تفاصيل مهمة

‘Eating out was far less common 40 years ago, when one in seven meals came from  outside the home,’ she said.

‘Fish and chip shops were a familiar sight on the 1970s high street, but the servings weren’t as generous.

‘Today the average chippy dishes up around 200 grams of fish and just under 300 grams of chips. That’s about double the size of the normal 70s helping.’

Because of that, Josie halved her portion when she bought it – but it was enough to keep her completely sated.

‘I feel so full up, I feel so so very full up,’ she added. ‘It just goes to show, 70s servings were definitely enough food!’

Dr Lawal also explained that ‘walking was a normal part of every day life back then, especially the short trips like going to the shops, going to see friends’.

Because of this, she also challenged Josie to do 20-minute brisk walks six times a week – as we make 20 per cent less walking trips now than we did back then.

to و so و feel – تفاصيل مهمة

As part of the programme, Josie also joined in on an aerobics class with ladies who lived through the 70s, who explained how fitness had evolved over the years.

‘We just did it for enjoyment and silliness, really,’ one shared, while another explained that ‘the people who went to gyms were proper weight lifters’.

‘We didn’t have access to gyms,’ she continued. ‘They were sweaty places with men so we’d go to a church hall or a school hall or something with an instructor. That was fitness in those days.’

One lady explained that part of the reason women started going was that ‘you were able to talk and have a laugh’.

to و that و were – تفاصيل مهمة

‘You’ve done something for yourself,’ they shared. ‘You haven’t done something for a husband, you haven’t done something for children or grandchildren, you’ve done something for you.’

They also shared that housework – which you were still ‘expected to do the majority of while looking good’ – kept people fit, and women in the 70s spent about 40 hours a week cleaning the home.

However, the experiment had a surprising effect on Josie’s weight – in that it didn’t change her mass at all, but rather, affected her fat and muscle distribution.

She started the diet at 102kg, and according to Dr James Bruner at Kingston University’s Sports Science Department, there was ‘pretty much no change’ on the scales.

the و – و and – تفاصيل مهمة

However, the muscle mass in her legs had gone up by 0.1 kilos. Because of her daily walks, Josie had also increased in the amount of oxygen she can utilise when exercising by 1.5milliltres per kilogram, meaning her physical fitness had improved.

‘I think I have a newfound respect for people who lived through that era,’ Josie reflected at the end of the programme.

‘They just got on with it. Every person I spoke to they’ve all said they found happiness in the simple things.

‘They didn’t have the pressures of social media or trying to pin down a career… it’s really made me think things… being a woman… I want it all but you’ve got to do it all.’

the و I و a – تفاصيل مهمة

From a physical perspective, she admitted that she also felt full all throughout the meal plan and like she had enough to eat – but found it difficult to stick to the discipline of having three homecooked meals a day.

However, Josie also shared that she missed spices and flavourful food – with the throwback food being tasty and hearty, but at times bland.

1970s Diet: Could It Work For You? airs Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th January at 7pm. Watch | stream on 5