by Ann Dunnewold of Who Says?!!
“I’m not trying those on, they’re size 10!”
“I refuse to wear a size 12.”
“Wow, I fit into a size 6!”
“Let’s go in this store; in here, I’m a size 4!”
On any given shopping trip, put me and perhaps a daughter or sister or two into the dressing room together, and the chatter pretty much flows just like that. Then there’s the “I’m smokin’– look at me!” dance when a size 6 zips up neatly.
The feminist ref in my head may as well throw down the penalty flag since I’m guilty of having spiked the “size equals value as a woman” football into the end zone in order to get that little victory.
Who says a six (or a four or a ten) is a badge of honor–let alone a badge of shame? Then there’s that ridiculous size 0 or 00!! Does that make me a size nothing, or double nothing? Sounds like I’m invisible–or the incredible shrinking woman.
I’ve been every size from a 16 to a 4, and I definitely like myself better when I’m wearing the “right size.” However, too many women fixate on an arbitrary number as to what is the right size. The numbers are arbitrary, as I found out while learning to sew back in 1967.
The history of standardized sizing began with home sewing patterns back in the 1930s. Prior to that time, most clothing was individually sewn and tailored to fit the wearer. Then in an effort to standardize sizing for mass produced clothing, the first large-scale scientific study of women’s body measurements was done. About 15,000 American women were measured, 59 body points in all, as part of a USDA survey. Marilyn Monroe-esque curvy was the shape of most women at that initial assessment, with pronounced bust and hips and thinner waist. A size 12 then measured as a 30 inch bust.
In 1956, however, a new role model came on the scene–the Barbie doll–and sizing changed again. Now a size 12 was a 32 inch bust. (and beautiful bombshell Marilyn would’ve worn size 16!) In mid-1967, the standard changed once again and size 12 became a 34 inch bust.
Fast forward to today: sizes are firmly anchored in the realm of “vanity sizing.” Store to store, designer to designer, manufacturers lure you in by labeling ever larger sizes with smaller numbers. In fact, the fashion industry resists any effort to standardize sizes, as was done in 1940, fearing loss of a customer if the size she wear gets upsized.
Upsized like a value meal? Who would stand for that? I try to forget this crazy numbers game! Do I like how I look? Do I feel good? Does this outfit feel like me? I’ve tried to define my style and stick with it and ignore the size, rather than let it make me feel bad about myself.
Well I’m a victim of the size game. I want to be a size 10 and I realize at Talbots they are changing their sizes to make the customer feel good but I don’t care. I like 10. My bust however keeps growing. why is that? Love You
Preach it! The silly numbers mean almost nothing to me and I’ve taught my daughter to view them as nothing more than a guideline for choosing what to try on.
What a lucky daughter, Robin, having a mom who is teaching her to disregard this from the very start. This is so true.
Sizing is frustrating. I wish sizing would be measured in inches instead of some arbitrary number that really makes no sense. My husband would probably more more emboldened to buy me clothes if he had any idea how to comprehend women’s clothing sizes.
What a great benefit that would be of “real measurement” sizing, Chloe! To think that the guys in our lives–let alone moms buying for daughters, etc.–could buy more if there wasn’t such confusion. Retailers, are you listening?
Thanks, Debi! Any tips to share on how you let go of caring about it? Do you just tune it out? Any words of wisdom you repeat to dismiss the draw of the size six?
Have you noticed though, that the stores that cater to women 45+ are often the worst offenders in vanity sizing? Do they really think they are fooling us?
This is so true, Anne-Marie, about the 45 and older crowd. Retailers must think that group is the most gullible–another reason for midlife women to speak up!
Sizing definitely bothers me. I am someone who is def. all over the map in terms of what fits. How could in some stores I be an extra large (in the top) and others I am a small? Where or where is the rationale? I do admit, I like wearing a small over an extra-large. Is that vain? Maybe so….
The “small = good, large = bad” connection is SO wired into us all by advertising, social commentary, parenting–you name it. Our society just reinforces it, in subtle, insidious ways. Still Blonde, I’d say it’s human, not vain, to like being a “small.” If it’s vain, then so am I!
How about those places where sizes are 0,1,2 and 3? LOL!
Sharon, this bothers me too. As if they are trying to fool us by avoiding the whole issue. I still don’t want to be a three!
I’m glad you mentioned Marilyn’s size, because I am always puzzled when people refer to her as being an example of a beautiful, plus sized woman. She had a 24 inch waist, and was a healthy weight. Curvy, yes; plus sized, no. Size 16 wasn’t the same then as it is now.
I wish clothes were just labeled with measurements. It would make things easier. Seeing a smaller number doesn’t make me feel thinner, and I think I would feel better about a matter of fact “42” than an ambiguous “16.”
That’s an interesting idea, Ginger Kay, to label clothes with measurements. Factual treatment like that might help remove some of the stigma.
What do other readers think? Would that be preferable?
It’s been a running joke in my family for decades – If it fits me, it runs large. If it fits my skinny sister, it runs small. Somehow she thought that was funny. I never did.
Lisa, what an awful “joke.” That smacks of bullying–of course you didn’t like it!
Though in my family a similar joke was on all of us: “one size fits all.” Fit NONE of my non-waifish family. At least we were in it together. And at least the fashion industry has caught up on that myth, labeling some items “one size fits most.” That seems like almost a bigger insult, with the underlying implication that there’s really something wrong with me if I don’t fit in that item!
I recently lost almost 35 pound. Finding clothes is tough because the sizing varies widely by manufacturer. I just want to find jeans that fit…and I’m on my 4th pair…that lycra added to cotton jeans “grows” to a larger size by mid-afternoon!
What an accomplishment, DarleneMAM! Kudos to you. And yes, while your description made me smile, (it’s funny ‘cuz it’s true) those incredibly expanding (versus shrinking) jeans can be very annoying. I hear that the brand “Not My Daughter’s Jeans” can be a good fit. I also like some of the styles that J.Jill sells. Even though I’m an inveterate bargain shopper, when I find jeans that really fit I don’t mind investing in a few good pairs.
Anyone else recommend a good fitting brand of jeans?
Here’s a riddle: How can I wear the same size I wore when I was in high school, but my body is not the same size – in so many ways and in so many places – as it was in high school?
Julie, you make me laugh!
And on the other hand, have you seen how curvy high school girls are these days? When I was in high school, flat stomachs were the pinnacle of beauty. Teen girls now seem much more tolerant of round bellies.
I’m a little less crazed with the vanity sizing, but true confession, I am happy to see a smaller size on me.
Thanks for the ‘true confession’ validation! Glad I’m not the only one.
Thanks for the ‘true confession’ validation, Helene! Glad I’m not the only one.
Hate those numbers…still bothers me after ALL these years.
I get it, Denise. I’d really like to NOT care at all. But I just do.
Great blog! I could care less about what size I am…It’s just a number!
I’ve been on to those sizing “tricks” for years…They don’t work with me.
I buy what fits well and looks good!
Sorry my reply to you got messed up, Debi. Please see it above, after Chloe’s comment. Guest blogging has it’s confusion at times.