Shopping for new clothes is meant to be enjoyable and rewarding. It’s supposed to be fun and relaxing. But it’s no secret that, as a part of the world of fashion, it’s also a playground for stress and body-image issues. Recently, a few social media posts have sparked a passionate debate about sizing.
The Confusing World of Sizing
It all began when Twitter user Chloe (@chloemmx) shared a photo of seven pairs of jeans on top of each other. All of them were size 12 – the problem is that they look nothing alike. Some are noticeably wider and longer. In her own personal example, some of them fit fine, and some are impossible to fit in.
Chloe has commented that this is a big part of why women feel insecure. One article of clothing that is a size 10 will fit fine, and the next day something all the way up to size 14 will be impossible to try on. Like many women, she finds this unnecessary and frustrating.
Incase you’ve ever wondered why women get so frustrated with our clothing sizes – every pair of jeans pictured, is a size 12 pic.twitter.com/V88JAPQZTI
— chloe🍯 (@chloemmx) March 8, 2019
A Growing Frustration
All around the world and social media, women have started to voice concerns on the matter. It’s a plain fact – sizes differ from one brand or company to the other. And while companies may claim that they have a standard measurement of sizing and cut, it’s plain to see that it’s not like that. There’s no way to explain being able to fit into a size small, and not into a size large.
And while clothing companies have not responded to this outcry, women are not staying silent. Social media is being filled with concerns similar to Chloe’s. Her post was retweeted 130 thousand times and has received 300 thousand likes.
This is tragic, one pair is a size 4 and one pair is a size 10.. no difference at all pic.twitter.com/IXlI8LXrdG
— Jade🌙 (@Jadeelouuisee) March 10, 2019
Ideas and Solutions
There is one thing that everyone who is a part of the conversation can agree on. A size 12 should always be a size 12, regardless of the brand.
Twitter user @michelleeb posted, “I have clothes in my wardrobe ranging from a size 8 to a 16— all of which fit me. I cannot figure out what size I am.” It’s tough not to agree – the current state of affairs seems absurd and crazy.
Real change will only come if this issue evolves into a movement. People should appeal to brands and companies, yes – but also to regulatory bodies. The state of sizing today is too confusing and hard to maneuver through.
Real Issues Underneath It All
It may seem at first glance that complaining about sizing is a small, irrelevant issue. But now more than ever society is focusing on self-image, body-positivity and eating disorders. Creating an atmosphere of uncertainty when it comes to our bodies is doing us no favors. The way things are now, it makes us feel bad for no reason, confuses us and costs us time and energy. By all means, things should change.
I remember years ago a friend and I bought the same trousers from H&M in the same size. Mine were too big and hers were too small so we swapped! Ridiculous. I just want to go shopping and not take the same item to try on in 3 different sizes!
— Lindsay Dickinson (@L1nds) March 10, 2019
Clothes sizes in general are a weird thing. I've had shirts ranging from M-XXL which were more or less the same size. How does that happen? oO
— Tim Rozenski (@TimRozenski) March 10, 2019