There is a problem with your clothes

Let’s talk about size consistency. 

As a fashion designer, I’m acutely aware of how much inconsistency there is in sizing between brands. I’ve mapped it out with tech designers (the magical people who oversee the fit of the clothes you wear) and it’s basically a shit-show world-wide. The US is particularly bad.

Body measurements/shape aside, I am certain that you have clothes in your closet that are many different sizes. Due to society’s fixation on size and social media, you have probably developed issues with focusing on a number or a letter (alpha or numeric sizing).

You might have something in a “larger size” that makes you feel bad about your body, or something in a “smaller size” that makes you feel better if it fits.

I’m here to tell you that it’s all lies. 

There is a problem with your clothes, NOT YOU.

Size inconsistency and our perception of size has gotten worse since e-commerce/online shopping has become the norm.  Maybe 10-15 years ago, you probably went to a mall or boutique to go shopping. You probably primarily shopped brands designed in the country you lived in. On the odd occasion that you shopped an international brand, you came to accept the sizing might be different. It didn’t bother you much.

But now with everyone having a global market to shop from and having a reduced brand loyalty by nature, you’ve probably noticed your clothing size is all over the place.

Also, brands will make their clothing size chart bigger or smaller, depending on their target demographic/customer. Typically younger brands will fit smaller than a brand targeted at an older customer base. The proportions of the bust/waist/hip measurement will also change - it’s damn complicated! Then, there’s the factor of fabric - is it rigid or stretchy? This will change the size that’s right for you. Oh and silhouette - see - it’s multi-faceted.

These are some of the many silly reasons your clothes size is inconsistent. You might be like me, in your 30s and shopping both “young” and “old” (contemporary) brands. So in one brand I could be X size and Y in another. I’ve stopped caring, because I have this industry information at hand.

I’m here to tell you that it’s OK to wear many different sizes and we have to stop focusing on a “number” that isn’t consistent. The only way to truly know your size is to measure yourself (you may need to rely on this more for online shopping) AND measure all your clothes - I wouldn’t recommend this.

I can’t fix the problem, but I can make you more aware so you can change your mindset if this is something that bugs you. When shopping online, look at size charts and don’t be discouraged if you need to order a “larger size” or “smaller size”. It just means that brand’s sizing is inconsistent, for whatever reason they decided was important. It doesn’t mean you’re bigger or smaller than you were yesterday.

If online shopping is becoming tiresome because even following size charts doesn’t work, I suggest you go into stores and get to know the brands (if they’re available in-store). This way you’ll know in X brand you need one size and Y brand you’ll need another.

What’s most important is that whatever you wear is comfortable and makes you happy.
I don’t use words like “flattering” or “fits you” because everyone’s preferences are so diverse, what works for one person may no for another.
Define your own rules for how you want to look and feel in your clothes.

Now, what’s the point of this photo and this dress? I’ll explain. This is a sample sized SMALL dress from work.
By definition, I am not a SMALL. But I tried this on because at a glance (fashion designers are good at this) I judged it might fit (my bust and waist). It did. This proves that in addition to size inconsistency, depending on the silhouette of a garment, you may size up or down between 1-3 sizes in each direction. Really!

So, I have things in my closet sized S, M, L, XL, XXL (thanks Uniqlo) + 6, 8, 10 (US sizes). Some purchased larger to be oversized, others not. Don’t even get me started on how US, AU + UK sizes don’t line up/convert evenly.

But these all “fit” me currently.

So please join me in stopping caring. We can’t change an industry very set in its ways, but we can change our mind.