Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes a lot, that
fits well but is size 12, and a dress she likes, which also fits
well but is labeled size 8, and she'll take the lesser preferred
every time.
Why are we so hung up on sizes? Men don't care. If something is
too snug, they just go to a larger size. If the fit is a little
tight for a woman, she'll buy it anyway, and swear to lose a few
pounds so it fits more comfortably.
Many years ago, I worked in the garment district. I was shocked
to learn that, as manufacturers, we were allowed to change a
label two sizes in either direction if that was necessary to
fill the retailer's order. Two sizes is a big difference! That's
when I learned to ignore labels, especially during sales. Often
the only reason something really nice is still hanging on the
rack, despite deep price reductions, is that the marked size is
inaccurate. I acquired a lot of inexpensive, beautiful clothes
that way.
The female obsession with sizes has not been lost on the
production folks. A size 8, for example, is now two and a half
inches bigger around the waist than its size 8 counterpart 30
years ago. There are now sections in stores carrying size 2 and
size 0 (what?), just to make us feel good. Pay more for your
clothes at a fancy department store and I guarantee you'll fit
into a smaller size than at the local K-Mart.
Where's the reality? As a nation, we are getting fatter all the
time. Does the fact that we fit into "smaller" sizes contradict
that?
No, it's just one more instance of the mutual-fooling-ourselves
in which we so delight. Let's be honest and look at the size of
our bodies, not our clothes.
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