text: what does a size 12 woman look like?   women's clothing isn't measured the way men's clothing is measured. frustrating but true. ask any woman who wears a size 8 in gloria vanderbilt jeans but a size 10 or 12 in another brand. that's why women have to spend so much time trying on their clothes. men can buy a size "38 long" jacket and know it will fit because men's sizes are measured in inches. for women's clothing, it's all arbitrary from one brand to another... or even within the same brand. so there is no correct answer to your question.