Heh, when I was reading the Sweet Valley books I didn't know US sizes differed from British ones and was like 'they're sixteen and they're size six? Are they anorexic or something?' In those days a UK size six was unheard of, but now they're nearly everywhere (my sister wears them, and I wouldn't say she was super-skinny). I can't say, though, that I've noticed much change at the 12/14 end of things (they remain basically interchangeable depending on which shops you frequent) so obviously clothes manufacturers don't care so much about flattering the non-super-slim.