Let’s talk about clothes and, more specifically, those little tags sewn inside that are supposed to tell us our size. For many, especially in the plus size community, these numbers can feel more like a cryptic code than a helpful guide. Enter the confusing world of vanity sizing, a sneaky practice where clothing manufacturers slap smaller numbers on larger garments to make shoppers feel better about their size. While it might seem like a harmless ego boost, this trend has some seriously frustrating consequences, particularly when navigating the already complex landscape of plus size fashion.
Vanity sizing isn’t new, but its impact on the plus size shopping experience is significant. It creates inconsistencies across brands, makes online shopping a gamble, and can even mess with our body image. So, why do brands do this, and what does it mean for those rocking curves? Let’s dive into the numbers game and uncover the truth behind those misleading size tags in the plus size aisles.
The Shrinking Scale: Why Your Size 14 Might Be a 16 (or a 12!)
The core idea behind vanity sizing is simple: make the customer feel like they’re a smaller size, and they’ll be happier and more likely to buy the clothes. It’s a marketing tactic rooted in psychology. Over the years, what constitutes a specific size has shifted. For example, a vintage size 12 is significantly smaller than a modern size 12. This gradual inflation of sizes means that what was once considered larger now carries a smaller number.
This trend is particularly noticeable in the plus size market. Because sizing can be less standardized, the inconsistencies created by vanity sizing are amplified. You could fit into a size 18 at one store, a 20 at another, and a 16 at a third. It’s like playing a bizarre clothing lottery where the rules keep changing, leaving plus size shoppers feeling confused and frustrated.
Online Shopping: A Vanity Sizing Minefield
The rise of online shopping has made the inconsistencies of vanity sizing even more apparent and problematic for the plus size community. Without the ability to try clothes on, relying on size charts becomes crucial. However, those charts become unreliable when brands employ different vanity sizing practices. What might be labeled a “size 20” on one website could have completely different measurements than a “size 20” on another.
This leads to a frustrating cycle of ordering multiple sizes, dealing with returns, and often feeling discouraged when nothing fits as expected. For plus size individuals, who already face a more limited selection online compared to straight sizes, this sizing roulette adds another layer of difficulty to the shopping experience. It turns what should be a convenient way to shop into a time-consuming and often disheartening endeavor.
Body Image Blues: The Mental Toll of Misleading Numbers
While the intention behind vanity sizing might be to make shoppers feel better, it can actually have the opposite effect, particularly within the plus size community. When sizes are inconsistent, it can fuel feelings of confusion and even negativity about one’s body. If you fluctuate between multiple sizes depending on the store, it can be easy to internalize those numbers and feel like your body is the problem, rather than the arbitrary sizing system.
Moreover, the constant comparison across brands can make it challenging to develop a realistic understanding of your body and size. This can be particularly damaging in a society that already places so much emphasis on size and appearance. Instead of fostering body positivity, vanity sizing can inadvertently contribute to size anxiety and a distorted sense of self for plus size shoppers.
Enough with the Number Games! Time for Sizing Sanity
The world of vanity sizing in plus size fashion is a confusing and often frustrating. While the initial intent might have been to boost consumer confidence, the reality is a landscape of inconsistent sizing that makes shopping a headache, especially online, and can even impact body image. It’s time for a more transparent and standardized approach to sizing across the industry, prioritizing accurate measurements over fleeting ego boosts.
True confidence comes from within, not from a number on a tag. But brands are responsible for making the shopping experience for plus size individuals less of a guessing game. By embracing more consistent and honest sizing practices, they can build trust with their customers and empower everyone to find clothes that truly fit and make them feel fantastic, regardless of the number on the label.
What brands have you experienced vanity sizing with? What is your take on it? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, Size Doesn’t Matter (Or Does It?): The Vanity Sizing Saga in Plus Size Fashion first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Karajuicyjohnson.
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