Life Fright

When I was a kid, I remember squeezing myself into jeans that were so tight in the waist that it would form that dreaded muffin top. Everywhere else fit, I reasoned, and jeans tend to loosen up throughout the day so I figured that I was in the clear. Higher on that priority was the indoctrinated societal impression that the smaller the number on the tag, the better.

Entering adulthood I had a warped sense of my typical sizes. I was given clothes that were a few sizes too big growing up to save money. But I didn’t know that it was to save money; I thought they were purchased for me because I was too fat and that my normal or expected size marked by the tag’s age range would not fit properly. Looking back at moments like this from an older and distanced perspective, I wish that it was made clear to me the reason behind the sizing choices. As an example, I remember wearing t-shirts that I had since elementary school in high school because they still fit and were bought at a size XL(14-16). I don’t recall how I looked wearing these tops in elementary school but I have no doubt they were baggy and loose.

There’s something about being so young at the time when the size didn’t matter and then all of a sudden it became important. Wearing ill-fitting clothes in elementary school was not even on my radar to care about, but when I got older it became more of a concern. Overall, I do think this is a smart tactic to not only save money, but also extend the life of the clothes. The enjoyment of continuing to wear favorite pieces year after year and not growing out of it but rather growing into it I much prefer over the former. And lately with the way fast fashion has ballooned into new releases on every page refresh, the quality and construction of clothes has plummeted.

No wonder nostalgia is a huge money maker for heritage brands! People (me included!) want to get their hands on similar items as to those seen back in the day when they were out of reach or when they were beloved, fondly remembered items. The clothes are of course modernized and vanity sizing is a packaged deal. It is no longer the case where we can be assured that following the size chart to the letter will guarantee us the best fit. After trial and error, we make the connections that this brand I tend to be x size for clothes in this category and y size for this category while being a z size across the board for another brand. And this is ok (though not from a convenience factor)! While it is frustrating to have to calibrate for your most flattering size in every brand, it also feeds into the liberation of not having to place so much emphasis on the size listed on the tag and letting that chip away at your body image. It has taken me time to realize this and get better at looking a piece of clothing and deciding how I want it to fit on me and size accordingly.

Previously, I was regimented into getting the smallest possible size I could squeeze into. Now I have all sorts of sizes in my closet based on how I’d like it to look. I size up on skintight tops because I want a more relaxed fit. I size up twice on sweaters to have those “effortless” drapes and folds. I no longer contort myself to squeeze into pants that are too tight and uncomfortable in one area but the rest are ok. The only exception to this is if I know the jeans are going to stretch out with wear. Then, in order to get the intended fit and style I have in mind, I favor a slight initial discomfort to avoid having the jeans look stretched, bagged out, and unflattering throughout the day.

I encourage you to revisit your styling choices and examine whether you too have a warped sense of sizing numbers and letters! Don’t beat yourself up over how you don’t look good in that top or those jeans despite being able to get the clothes on your body. No one but you will see and pay attention to the size on the tag. The fit is more important. Plus if it really bothers you, just cut off the tag!