Style Buzz: The Mystery of Clothing Sizes
Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"This was the most fun way to solve a problem that's bugged me for far too long!"
A recent client invited me into her wardrobe to address what she called The Beast: a large walk-in closet that you actually couldn't walk into! She had pieces from the past three decades (or maybe more... that's all she'd admit to!) But a lot changes in 20+ years, and it was time to let some of those pieces go. She was apprehensive about it, but after just an hour, she was already feeling liberated mentally and emotionally, and she could finally move freely in her closet. But best of all is that she found the process fun and enjoyable. All chores should be like that!
xxx rachel
WHAT SIZE ARE YOU?
A MODERN MYSTERY
Do you also think that clothing manufacturers got together and agreed to make sizing as confusing as humanly possible, especially for women's clothing?
It's just a theory but note: I have pieces in my wardrobe that range from an XS to an XL. You've probably even noticed that you can be a size 8 in one shop, a 10 in another, a 6 somewhere else and then try on a pair of trousers labelled “12” that you definitely can't zip up. Your body has not changed between shops. The labels have. Maddening? Yes. Personal? No.
Some brands use vanity sizing, where the number on the label is smaller than you might expect based on traditional measurements. It's a sneaky psychological trick to make you feel good and continue to shop there. Chain stores like White House Black Market and Ann Taylor Loft are strong examples of this.
Others have their own sizing systems altogether. Chico’s, for instance, uses its own numbering system because, they claim, once you know your number, it should theoretically remain the same across all their styles. However, that should be true if they were labeling garments from XS to XXL or 0 to 20, so perhaps they've found customers prefer to say, "I'm a 3" than "I'm a 16 or XL".
Then there are places like Nordstrom Rack and small boutiques, where you might have ten different brands on the same rack, each using its own sizing protocol. And every one of them has a different take on what constitutes a “medium.” It seems the higher end the brand, the more traditional and smaller (i.e. not vanity) their sizing is.
So what are you to do?
Stop believing the label.
Start by knowing your measurements! Once you've got those, spend a few minutes online to check the brand’s measurements rather than relying on your usual size, and read reviews for clues about whether something runs large, small, long, or short.
When shopping, ask the staff how the sizing runs. They'll tell you not only if there's vanity sizing but what body shapes it works best on and whether you should size up or down from your usual. If there's no one to help you directly, take several sizes into the fitting room. Try the size you think you are, plus one up and one down. You may be surprised which one fits best. Focus on the garment rather than the number: Does it fit your shoulders? Can you sit down? Is the waistband comfortable? Does the fabric pull anywhere? Does it actually look good?
PRO TIP: I keep a note on my phone about what size/s I usually wear in both tops and bottoms for brands I know work well on my shape. It saves time when pulling items to try on in a dressing room as well as if I'm ordering online.
And please remember: the size is a measurement of the garment, not a measurement of your worth, or even a particularly reliable measurement of your body. If the number on the label makes you unhappy, cut it out. No one is going to ask to see it.
ANATOMY OF AN OUTFIT
This is a peek into my favorite outfit of the week where I break it down for you: why I've put it together and why it works, what elements could be swapped out, things to consider, etc.
One of the tricks of style is to look for elevated versions of everyday pieces. Take the puffy vest, for instance. Don't just pop your Columbia one from Costco on when you need a warm layer. Find one from a actual clothing store that doesn't have an outdoor outfitter label on the chest. I got this one at Muji in Portland about 10 years ago and it's served me well. Pairing it with a blouse and jeans lets me stay warm without compromising my wanting to look polished. I like the print on the blouse - it's got some interest without being too bold, and the collar pops out nicely over the vest. The monochrome pallet also helps me veer away from looking like Sporty Spice, with the blue suede booties adding texture for interest and visual length to my legs.
Shirt: NEXT
Vest: Muji
Jeans: St John's Bay
Booties: Lucky Brand
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