Actually, it’s not a scam, all the above is evidence of sizing evolution; sizes are a social construct not a mathematical one. Sizes evolve to the median. Vanity sizing is a myth.

And the whole size numbering thing? The numbers *used* to mean something; they weren’t arbitrary.

Prior to ww2, sizing numbers were designates better known as “scale” used by pattern makers. There’s a scale of aliquot parts on the back of an L-square, our most basic drafting tool. For a size 14 (16 18 whatever) that scale was used for each commensurate size. The problem was tho, this number -being based on a composite of anthopometric measures, a formula- was too complex in the heady new retail environment of post war USA and booming consumerism. One couldn’t even double their “size” (really “scale”) number and have it roughly equivocate to their bust or waist measure; it was only meaningful to the pattern engineer. Thus, retailers wrested the size numbering system from the arcane tables of the pattern rooms and developed arbitrary ones.

Summary: If you don’t like the numbers now, don’t blame us. There used to be a logical system whether consumers understood it or not. In such an environment, a 14 (16 or whatever) would have forever remained static similar to men’s sizing.

Cheers tommy Cooper.

I definitely feel that a lot of this is size discrimination. There’s no purely economic reason that niche markets are so poorly developed in this country for petites and plus sizes.

Yes, they indeed have size 00P clothing because I have to buy and alter them to get professional looking clothing. Who’s gonna take you seriously if you look like you’re 14 and wearing your mom’s stuff? I lack the height (I’m 4’10″) and chest to pull them off otherwise.

I’m healthy but definitely thin, and I’m not apologetic about it. It’s hard for me because I’m small (read: scrawny) but all women that are not within a very small range of “average” have trouble finding stuff. And if you’re petite (or sub-petite) it’s impossible to buy off the rack.

I used to wear a size 2 regular at Banana Republic not quite 10 years ago, and now I have to take in a 00P. Clothing sizes are the only thing where the perception of being lower than average is actually great.

David, the reason toothpaste is easier is because it has a much longer shelf life than clothes. And it’s not like you won’t get a mint gel if the mint paste wasn’t available. Both toothpastes work and do the job. For clothing for hard to shop sizes, it’s not a preference thing – it’s completely a practical thing.

As for the comment – “Where the heck did anybody get the idea that “more 0′s, 1′s & 2′s” would solve the petite clothing shortage? What planet does that woman live on?”
Well, I live on the same one as you. I can’t help my height, and I can’t help my weight. I get to enjoy a lot more children’s departments than you and find that out that I’m about the same size as a 10 year old girl. But, you’re right, the petite clothing section sucks, but part of the problem is that we’re all different heights and shapes.

For anyone that’s petite and looking for non-frump, try Banana Republic, JCrew, and Ann Taylor.

I was just about to respond with a “I don’t have a body-image problem, I have a can’t-find-clothing-to-fit problem”, and I began to wonder:
Do larger women truly have a body-image problem, or do they have the same clothing-doesn’t-fit problem? Because I’ve seen alot of larger women look stunningly beautiful when they are in well-tailored clothes. But there doesn’t seem to be a large selection of well-tailored clothes in most stores; in fact the designs I see are almost…contemptuous of the larger womans’ figure.

And maybe that’s why men don’t seem to suffer from “body-image” problems; because they can always find clothes that fit. The only way that’s going to change is if clothing designers manage to convince men to go hide everything they’ve got in a caftan, or other similarly inelegant shapeless thing.

so just assume this is actually the last line of the previous post.

“Most men just love whoever they are with, and every woman deserves to feel beautiful”

and I can relate, I’m 6’2 with a 34″ inseem(spelling?) and a 31″ waiste. (well, I’m gaining weight and thats getting kinda tight now, but that doesn’t matter, I was once a 29″ waiste, with a 34″ inseem same thing)

But the difference is that for men, thats a point of pride for the most part.

Women sometimes feel ostracized and outcast with their “outside the norm” or “not a size six” sort of self hate that they steap on eachother.

On the Opposite end of the scale, had a friend who’s mother was very large, she would only shop either during the working day, or at night, becuase honestly? Women treat women different.

A tall guy going to a big and tall store, what do you think is go through his mind? He’s thinking “I’m out of socks, and I really nead a new sports coat” A woman going into a “16+” store? Many of them are thinking “I feel so fat”

Not too many guys, at least straight guys, have a body image problem, and (in my experience it’s true) gay guys do a good job of addressing body image to the point that everyone is intimidated to offend it, if you know what I mean.

Women however?

It’s different. Thats part of the reason I was willing to make a joke of this.

As a guy, chicks, at least chicks who like guys, should listen to the indifference that men have about the specifics of feminine body culture.