Is There Any Rhyme or Reason To Pattern Sizing Anymore?

[my3boys]

When I first started sewing decades ago, patterns ran very large. You were advised to buy 2 sizes down. Things changed and it was the opposite - buy two sizes up. 

Now it seems like its anyone's guess. Even though at the fabric shops they will tell you patterns run truer to size now. I have to lay out the pattern and measure the pieces to figure out what size to cut (very thankful for multi-sized patterns).

Anyone else notice this? Maybe it's just the style of pattern I tend to buy. I do take into account if it says "loose fitting" or "fits close to the body". Or maybe I'm just getting old  .

[spacecase0]

there has been no standard set as far as sizing for the USA
so they play some game of what they think some people will feel better or worse about themselves when choosing sizes
at this point I figure that most people would have started making there own patterns and ignored all this mess by now
it really is that bad.