I just opened a current Neiman Marcus catalog and the first item is a very expensive woman's sweater. The sizes are listed as MODERN sizes ranging from XS which is a 2 up to XXL which is a 12. When did XXL become a 12 ??? Further in the catalog is a dress with CLASSIC sizes, ranging from XS or size 2-4 up to XL which is listed as being size 14-16.
Fast forward in the catalog to an Eileen Fisher cardigan. We all know that Eileen Fisher's clothing runs large, but they must just invent their own sizing because their XL is a size 18 even though it would probably fit you if you normally wear a size 20, but their women's plus size 1X is size 14-16???? Crazy enough for you or are their invented sizes used to make people who don't fit into their XL feel better about themselves by dropping the numerical size down in their next size up? Well, hell, if I can fit into their XL or 18, I guess I should just move up to a plus size 1X so I'm technically wearing a smaller size at 14 - 16!
One of the really disturbing points about this new sizing is for the younger woman and her self-image. For decades, if not centuries, women have squeezed themselves into clothing and shoes based on size. We've all seen those shoe cartoons where the very large woman is trying to cram herself into a shoe that wouldn't fit a seven year old child!
No one wants to wear a larger size at forty than they did at 20, even though life gets in the way, like having children. Under the new sizing formula, someone who has traditionally worn a size 12 and a medium or large for example, will suddenly find themself just one step away from the plus size or the fat lady department (which is how I jokingly refer to it as I ride the escalator down to the basement of Bloomingdale's to shop)!
I stopped shopping at Coldwater Creek a few years ago. Be it a sweater or blouse or jeans, every single item they sell only fits me if I go up a size. Excuse me, but what is up with that?? So keep your clothing, Coldwater Creek. You're not going to make me feel worse about buying that cute little cardigan of yours!. I'll go back to Talbot's where my size is usually still my size.
It used to be that I could order a white shirt from Ralph Lauren or Talbot's and it would fit exactly like the one I bought last year. Not anymore! Although last year's shirts still fit great, with the new ones, the sleeves may be too short or the neck opening too wide. Lauren changed their sleeve width a couple of years ago which drove me crazy!
Do the manufacturers and retailers have any real understanding of just how hard it is to know your size in their clothing??? I've reach the point where if I want to buy a sweater from J. Jill for example, I'll order the same sweater in two different sizes, fully planning to return the one that doesn't fit. And in some case, neither fits and I have to order a size smaller! Have to admit, that feels good for a change.
Following the new modern sizing, I'd have to wear an XXXXXL. Pretty insulting if you ask me. Forget the fact that women should have standardized sizes like men's clothing which is a whole nother bailiwick. I guess the next stop for me is to order my granny panties from Omar the Tent Maker!
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